In the Land of Water, within a remote canyon.
The terrain here was perilous, easy to defend and difficult to assault. At this moment, layers upon layers of barriers had been set up around it.
Mei Terumi's expression was solemn, and faint worry lingered in her beautiful eyes.
At that moment, a Kirigakure Anbu arrived in a Body Flicker and dropped to one knee.
"Lord Genji, Lady Mei Terumi! Urgent intelligence has arrived from the village—the enemy is already heading this way!"
At those words, the Kirigakure ninja nearby tensed and instinctively gripped their weapons tighter.
Mei Terumi took a deep breath and turned to the one-eyed ninja beside her. "Ao, have everyone prepare for battle! The Barrier Squad is to remain on standby at all times!"
"Yes!"
Ao answered in a deep voice and immediately turned to make the arrangements.
Mei Terumi looked complicatedly at Genji, who had been sitting quietly with his eyes closed.
Finally unable to hold herself back, she said, "Lord Genji, the enemy is extremely strong. Even Kumogakure and Iwagakure failed. With Kirigakure's current strength alone, we may not be able to stop them at all."
Mei Terumi put it tactfully, but the meaning was clear: Kirigakure could not protect the Tailed Beasts.
Genji slowly opened his eyes and looked at Mei Terumi, then let out a sigh.
"I know."
"?"
Mei Terumi was somewhat confused.
"Mei Terumi, you are the future Fifth Mizukage. Kirigakure's dignity cannot always be entrusted to others. We may fail, but we cannot admit defeat!"
"Genji, you—"
Mei Terumi's eyes widened.
At that moment, a figure appeared in the sky above the canyon.
The newcomer was Toneri.
"Byakugan—activate!"
The veins around Toneri's right eye bulged.
With the Byakugan's penetrating vision, he easily locked onto the two Jinchuriki hidden below.
As