The Hero of Kirigakure

The next day, the long-silent Kirigakure suddenly regained some vitality, because a hero had appeared in their Kirigakure. A Young Hero, when surrounded by Konoha ninja, was able to calmly break through and fight back with his wisdom and strength.

Yichen had someone exaggerate the details of Kisame's pursuit and then spread the word throughout Kirigakure. The image of a lone hero fighting off the enemy quickly spread throughout the Kirigakure.

Many people pinned their hopes on Kisame for the future of Kirigakure. Especially when the Fourth Mizukage was isolated and several factions were locked in a power struggle, everyone hoped that this hero could replace the Fourth Mizukage and become their new faith.

After everyone learned that Kisame had joined Kiyoshi's faction, hundreds of Civilian Ninja gathered there within a day. Most importantly, many of them were genuine Jonin. This instantly transformed Yichen into a true force to be reckoned with.

Of course, Yichen knew that many of these were ninjas sent by other forces to gather intelligence. But that didn't matter; Yichen wouldn't tell these people any important information.

Kisame was somewhat unaccustomed to the days when so many people wanted to see him, the hero, but Yichen's meaning was clear: this was essential if he wanted to become the Mizukage.

Becoming the Mizukage is an essential step for him to improve his strength. Without the support of various resources from Kirigakure, his ceiling would only be that of an ordinary kage.

To improve further, a large amount of resources must be consumed; at the very least, one must have permission to view all the Ninjutsu and secret treasures of Kirigakure.

Of course, this is all on the premise that these Ninjutsu collections were not destroyed by Obito.

As Kisame's reputation began to spread Kirigakure, Yakumi between the various factions intensified. They all felt a sense of urgency.

On the side of the Bloodline Ninja Clan, Yuki Koru glanced around at everyone, then looked firmly at Terumi Chizuru and Hozuki Hotaru, saying, "Let's make our move. We can't delay any longer. The longer we wait, the more variables there will be. Rather than waiting for Kisame Hoshigaki to gather more Civilian Ninja to compete with us, we should take down the Mizukage now and start the struggle for the Fifth Hokage directly."

After Yuki Koru finished speaking, everyone in the room became somewhat solemn. Had things really come to the point where they absolutely had to First Shinobi War the Fourth Mizukage?

In truth, they all knew that this was the best option at the moment. As for Genji, needless to say, Yichen and Kisame had also gained some influence, and it was impossible for them to attack without a reason. Moreover, Kisame was still a hero in the eyes of the villagers.

A direct assault on Yichen's side would only increase their casualties and alienate the people, offering no other benefits. Originally, time was on their side, so they didn't need to rush. But now, Kisame's sudden emergence makes them feel that the longer it takes, the better it seems for Kisame.

In this way, the Bloodline Ninja Clan actually had no better options left.

Terumi Chizuru and Hozuki Hotaru exchanged a glance, then reluctantly agreed to Yuki Koru's suggestion.

Terumi Chizuru asked, "When do we take action?"

Yuki Koru looked around and said, "First thing tomorrow morning."

Tomorrow morning? Such a rush? Everyone was taken aback.

Yuki Koru said, "Only by catching Karatachi Yagura by surprise. Tonight, go back and secretly gather the elites of your respective clans. Tomorrow morning, we will launch a full-scale attack on the Mizukage Building."

"Yes," everyone responded in unison.

Then, Yuki Koru made detailed arrangements for specific tactics.

The Tenten, just as Yichen was preparing to continue his propaganda campaign for Kisame, the battle suddenly broke out.

Boom~~

Hearing the loud explosion coming from the direction of the Mizukage Building, Yichen quickly walked out of the room. Kisame came out almost right after Yichen.

The two stood on the rooftop, watching the occasional explosions coming from the direction of the Mizukage Building in the distance. Yichen said, "Yuki Koru is quite decisive; that surprised me."

Kisame asked, "What do we do? Join them?"

Yichen said, "We've already lost the initiative, so we can't join in immediately. If we join now, our contribution will never be as great as that of Yuki Koru and the others."

Kisame asked curiously, "Then what should we do?"

"Evacuate the civilians," Yichen stated clearly. "What we need to do now is evacuate the civilians. The Fourth Mizukage is Jinchuriki, and the fighting in the village will definitely involve a wide range of people. If we can save many civilians during the battle between the two sides, it will give us a lot of points when we compete for the position of Fifth Mizukage later."

"This is your job. You need to rally everyone to help rescue people, move them to shelters, and protect them personally."

"Remember, you must make sure to show your face in front of many people, so that everyone feels safe and secure under your protection."

Kisame hoisted Samehada onto his shoulder and looked at the civilians not far from the Mizukage Building, who were running around in panic due to the aftershocks of the battle. He grinned and said, "I understand."

After saying that, Kisame left Yichen's side.

Then a loud roar echoed over Kirigakure: "I am Kisame Hoshigaki! All ninja, listen up! Ignore the fighting in the direction of the Mizukage Building! Everyone, follow me to rescue people and move them to the shelter!"

After saying that, Kisame leaped and rushed towards the Mizukage Building.

"Water Release: Water Release Wall!" With Kisame's shout, a huge circular water wall rose rapidly.

The battlefield centered on the Mizukage Building Water Release Wall, while the outer perimeter was Kirigakure. Kisame's C-rank Water Style Jutsu, after being infused with an unknown amount of Chakra, produced an effect approaching S-rank.

A Water Release Wall, capable of holding off several people, effectively isolated the battlefield from the surrounding area.

Thanks to the prolonged standoff, there were no ordinary residents left around the Mizukage Building, so Kisame saved all the villagers with a single Ninjutsu.

The villagers and Genin and lower, who had been frightened by the huge explosion from the direction of the Mizukage Building, cheered when they saw the massive water wall.

"Kisame is mighty!" Many villagers from Kirigakure cheered for Kisame.

"Thank goodness, we're safe!" a civilian who was close to the battlefield shouted, as if relieved to have survived the ordeal.

"Is that C-rank Ninjutsu, Water Release Wall? That's incredible!" Many ninjas exclaimed in amazement.

"Yes, even the sounds inside are blocked out," some other ninjas chimed in.

At that moment, Kisame's voice rang out again. "Everyone, don't just stand there! Get out of here as soon as possible and head to the shelter. The battle at the Mizukage Building is too intense; it'll break through my Water Release Wall defense sooner or later."

"All Chunin and Genin organize the villagers to evacuate in an orderly manner. Jonin, Jonin vigilant and be wary of attacks that may emerge from the Water Release Wall."

After regaining their senses, everyone ran back to the shelter, but this time they seemed much more at ease and no longer jostled or pushed each other.

Kisame's Water Release Wall was sustained for a long time thanks to his continuous supply of Chakra. That is, until a huge red tentacle-like object smashed into the Water Release Wall in the middle of the battlefield, shattering it.

With a boom, the Water Release Wall and turned into rain, spreading outwards.

Once the water receded, the scene of the battlefield was revealed to everyone.

The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, has entered Partial Tailed Beast Transformation form. However, his blood-red body, enveloped in Tailed Beast Chakra, is bound by a large amount of Chakra water and is unable to move.

Only one tail managed to break through the blockade, smashing Kisame's enhanced Water Release Wall with a single blow.

But that was all the attack she could get. Soon after, Yuki Koru unleashed a large-scale Ice Release, pinning the tail to the ground.

Yichen didn't pay much attention to Karatachi Yagura, but instead carefully observed the ninjas attacking him. He discovered that many of them were quite strong, but clearly not Bloodline Ninjas.

These ninjas were probably coerced by Karatachi Yagura before, but now that the final battle has broken out, they've turned against him.

Yichen watched as various A-rank and B-rank offensive Ninjutsu were continuously hurled at Karatachi Yagura, causing either Karatachi Yagura or the Three-Tails to roar repeatedly.

But his resistance grew weaker and weaker.

Yichen found it strange that Karatachi Yagura hadn't Complete Tailed Beast Transformation. Even if Complete Tailed Beast Transformation would be too much of a strain on his body, the fact that he was still holding back would be tantamount to suicide.

However, after careful observation, Yichen realized that it was Sealing Jutsu; the water that trapped Karatachi Yagura contained Sealing Jutsu. Karatachi Yagura had been trying his best to mobilize his Chakra, but unfortunately, as time went on, the amount of Tailed Beast Chakra he could mobilize was decreasing.

It's clear that the Mist ninja do have some skills. While the sealing effect of each individual stream of water was mediocre, their combined effect was surprisingly good.

As the sealing effect continued, the amount of Tailed Beast Chakra that Karatachi Yagura was drawing upon was decreasing, and his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation blood-red Chakra was also diminishing.

Suddenly, Yichen's gaze sharpened, and he shouted to Kisame, "Kisame, use a large-scale Defensive Ninjutsu! Watch out for the Tailed Beast Bomb!"

Kisame was taken aback. He was puzzled; the Fourth Mizukage was about to be sealed away, so how could he possibly use the Tailed Beast Bomb?

However, considering Yichen's status, he responded immediately, after all, the knowledge of the Tsuchikage was beyond his reach.

"Water Release: Great Raging Waves." Kisame unleashed a Water Release that nearly covered the entire Kirigakure. However, he tried his best to control the range of the Water Release, leaving the center, which was near the Mizukage Building, clear.

From the air, this Great Raging Waves looked like a giant donut, encircling the Fourth Mizukage and the others.

Shortly after Kisame finished his Ninjutsu, a violent explosion erupted from the center of the Great Raging Waves.

The Great Raging Waves has a tremendous shock-absorbing effect; after a violent explosion impacts it, the shockwave is blocked and weakened layer by layer.

By the time the explosion broke through all the Great Raging Waves, its power had diminished, with most of the explosive force dissipating directly into the air.

Therefore, the village's ninjas and civilians who had not yet evacuated to the shelter only felt a hurricane sweep by. Many villagers were blown off the ground and then crashed into the walls, causing some casualties.

However, no one cared about these casualties anymore; everyone stared blankly at the terrifying mushroom cloud spreading above their heads.