Half an hour earlier.
At a Konoha outpost near the coastal docks.
Over a dozen Kirigakure Ninja had easily taken the outpost, led by a pair of boys and girls who looked about twelve or thirteen.
"Quickly, clean up the bodies and bloodstains."
Hozuki Mangetsu gave the order as if it were only natural.
The older Kirigakure Ninja showed no sign of resentment. They obeyed without question.
That was how Kirigakure worked.
Absolute strength ruled!
What did age or seniority matter? If you were weaker than someone else, you had to step aside all the same.
Even their Mizukage was no exception!
The current Third Mizukage of Kirigakure had once accompanied the First Mizukage, Byakuren, to the First Five Kage Summit. Yet he had later been defeated by Hozuki Gengetsu, who had less seniority, and could only watch as the position of Second Mizukage passed him by.
And now, though they were older, the two young ones were the most outstanding geniuses of their generation in Kirigakure. At such a young age, they had already become jonin!
"I still can't figure it out."
Hozuki Mangetsu held a canteen and sucked hard on its straw. "Why did the Third Mizukage send me here?"
"What do you think? He's always been deliberately suppressing those of us with Bloodline Limits."
Mei Terumi gave a soft snort, clearly unhappy herself.
"But the Hozuki Clan isn't a Bloodline Limit clan..." Hozuki Mangetsu couldn't help complaining.
Their Hydrification Technique was a secret technique, not a Bloodline Limit!
Why were they being suppressed too?
"That's what happens when your ancestors offend the Third Mizukage."
Mei Terumi smiled behind her lips.
For those of them with Bloodline Limits, this was a good thing.
The Hozuki Clan hadn't originally belonged to their faction, but old grudges had driven them into it after the Third Mizukage pressured them.
"But this is going too far, isn't it? Sending someone from the Hozuki Clan to ambush Uchiha Aoya, a Lightning Release ninja!"
The more Hozuki Mangetsu thought about it, the angrier he became.
The Hozuki Clan's Hydrification Secret Technique made them immune to physical attacks, but Lightning Release was its weakness.
And the target the Third Mizukage had assigned them to ambush—Uchiha Aoya of Konoha, who had made a name for himself on the Iwagakure battlefield—was known for his Lightning Release!
It was practically a death sentence!
"Come on, stop complaining."
Mei Terumi tried to soothe him. "We're not the main force, anyway. We can at least do our best to hold him off, right? With our abilities, I doubt Uchiha Aoya can defeat us easily."
Still, she had to admit that the Third Mizukage was being unreasonable.
He had promoted large numbers of civilian shinobi while targeting those with Bloodline Limits, but even that had its limits.
Recently, though, the Third Mizukage had insisted on invading the Land of Fire. Even Elder Genshi's objections had made no difference!
Who knew what had gotten into the Third Mizukage?
"Someone's coming!" the Kirigakure Ninja on watch called in a low voice.
"They have a Boiling Release Bloodline Limit from Kirigakure. Fall back!"
As soon as Aoya spoke, he moved first. Kakashi and Nohara Rin retreated without hesitation, avoiding the mist.
Sizzle—
A corrosive acid mist billowed toward them. As it swept over the sand and gravel on the ground, the once-solid stones began visibly dissolving, hissing as vapor rose from them.
"That's incredibly corrosive!"
Kakashi's expression turned grave.
If they hadn't backed away just now and the mist had touched them, they would have been badly injured in an instant!
Aoya narrowed his eyes at the mist ahead and asked, "Kakashi, how many elemental styles can you use now?"
"I'm best at Lightning Release, then Earth Release. I know a little Fire Release, too."
"...What about Wind Release?"
"I haven't learned that yet," Kakashi answered honestly.
Then what use are you?
Aoya rolled his eyes.
"I don't have that much time!"
Kakashi felt a little aggrieved, too.
He had been born with all five chakra natures, but he was only twelve. Besides, he had spent a great deal of time developing the Chidori.
Mastering ninjutsu in three chakra natures was already pretty good, wasn't it?!
"Enough chatter."
Aoya turned his head. "Rin, you brought Explosive Tags, right?"
"Yeah!"
Nohara Rin nodded firmly.
She pulled more than a dozen Explosive Tags from her ninja pouch and held them ready.
She'd gotten the idea after fighting alongside Aoya's team during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.
Now that she was on a new team with Aoya, he had reminded her to carry some Explosive Tags for emergencies, so she could protect herself.
"Good. Rin, focus on protecting yourself."
As Aoya spoke, he quickly removed the weights from his legs. His hands moved in a flash, and he opened with a massive Great Fireball, seven or eight meters across, blasting toward the mist!
The enormous fireball instantly tore a path through it!
"Scatter!"
Hozuki Mangetsu grabbed the twin swords on his back, cold sweat sliding down his forehead.
Wasn't Uchiha Aoya supposed to specialize in Lightning Release? How could his Fire Release be so powerful, too?
Whoosh!
Staying close behind the fireball, a blurred afterimage streaked through the air with a sharp whistle.
Aoya had already drawn the Tachi at his waist. Flames flashed along the blade, and in an instant, several Flame Slashes shot toward the Kirigakure Ninja on one side!
Uchiha Style: Sun Halo Dance!
Half of the Kirigakure Ninja on that side were taken down in an instant. Aoya didn't slow down. The Tachi in his hand was still scorching hot as he swung it, a red flash glinting through the air!
Slash after slash fell, and every Kirigakure Ninja on that side was cut down!
"Damn it!"
Mei Terumi watched in shock. She'd only been stunned for a moment, but before she could react, half the people she'd brought with her were already gone.
She quickly forced down her fear and retreated farther, forming hand seals at speed.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
A stream of thick, yellow-green acid spewed from her mouth, spreading toward Aoya.
Whoosh!
Aoya vanished in an instant!
The thick acid splattered onto the sandy ground, eating away at it with a grating hiss that set the teeth on edge.
"What incredible speed!"
Mei Terumi's pupils contracted as her gaze darted around.
Where was he?
Not in front. Not on the left. On the right—
Just as she started to look right, a gust of wind rushed past, blowing her brown hair. Before she could even turn her head, a heavy punch slammed into her right cheek. Pain exploded, and her mind went blank!
Thud!
With a muffled impact, Mei Terumi flew backward and slammed into the outer wall of the outpost.
"Everyone, spread out! Keep your distance from him!"
Hozuki Mangetsu was drenched in sweat.
Had he underestimated his opponent after all?
They were roughly the same age and both had reputations as geniuses, but Aoya was already a renowned powerhouse. Hozuki Mangetsu had clearly let his guard down!
He'd been so focused on watching out for Aoya's Lightning Release, but Aoya hadn't used it at all. He'd knocked Mei Terumi out with Taijutsu instead.
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