Outside Kirigakure.
The battle between Itachi Uchiha, Juzo Biwa, and the Fourth Mizukage had reached its most intense stage. During their earlier exchanges, they had all gained a grasp of one another's strength. Each of them was an enemy who demanded their full effort.
Juzo Biwa raised the Kubikiribōchō and looked toward the distant Fourth Mizukage, his eyes full of wariness.
He had thought he possessed the strength to fight the Fourth Mizukage, but in the end, he had overestimated himself. Not only had his prized Hiding in Mist Technique been easily broken, but even the Kubikiribōchō struggled against the illusions created by the Mirror Water Technique.
If Itachi had not been there to share the pressure, he would have long since been dealt with by the Mizukage and the Anbu watching him like tigers from the side.
Clang! After dodging a sneak attack from a Kirigakure Anbu, Juzo Biwa sent the Anbu flying with a swing, then evaded the blast of an Explosive Tag. He retreated onto a distant tree trunk and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
His goal was to free the Mizukage from the Masked Man's control and make the village's ninja realize that the Mizukage was being manipulated. He had no desire to harm his former comrades from the village, and with his deliberate restraint, the battle had become exceptionally difficult.
Roar! Roar!
At that moment, Juzo Biwa's attention was drawn to a crimson figure not far away.
Under Itachi's pressure, the Fourth Mizukage had been forced into tailed beast transformation. After black-red Chakra covered his entire body, his speed, strength, and defense all rose considerably, with the only cost being that his emotions had been affected.
Instead of growing worried at this sight, Juzo Biwa let out a sigh of relief. Now, the Kirigakure