A Cautionary Example

The moment Mei Terumi used the Hidden Mist Technique, the outcome between them was decided. The only question was whether Uchiha Shangfeng would lose or die.

There were many ways to decide a fight: one side could die, lose the ability to move, fall unconscious, or surrender...

The battle unfolded just as Uchiha Mai had expected.

Uchiha Shangfeng pulled out every trick he had, working wonders with Fire Style, but he was still no match for Mei Terumi. In the end, he lost.

Lost, not died.

"Water Release: Water Shockwave!"

Boom!

An ordinary Water Shockwave was no more powerful than a high-pressure hose. This one was a veritable waterfall, comparable to a Water Dragon Bullet cast by an ordinary ninja.

Exhausted, Uchiha Shangfeng took the waterfall-like torrent head-on. It blasted him out of the arena and into the second-floor wall of the Stone Tower before he fell beside Uchiha Mai.

The thick mist vanished swiftly, as though swallowed by a great whale. Mei Terumi came into view at the center of the arena, one hand on her hip and a smile in her eyes.

"Cough, cough!"

Shangfeng spat out a mouthful of blood. Clutching his chest, he struggled to get up and keep fighting, but Uchiha Mai held him down.

"We lost this round," Uchiha Mai said calmly.

"The winner of the first match is Mei Terumi!

Hizuki Jun and Uchiha Mai, please take your places. The next match will begin in five minutes." Seeing this, Rasa hurried to announce the result.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind was deeply dissatisfied with the match. What had that even been?

A bank of fog had appeared out of nowhere, followed by shouts and cries, with occasional flashes of fire and bursts of water.

Then, a few confusing minutes later, it