"Sandstone Rain!"
In the desert shrouded by yellow sand, countless grains of sand and stones rained down wildly, yet they passed straight through the Second Mizukage and the Giant Clam beside him. Waves of sand continuously surged from the ground.
"Oh!" The Second Mizukage looked up at Gaara standing in midair, a smile appearing on his face. "After all this time, someone decent has finally shown up. Hey, has that guy Mū already been dealt with?"
Gaara glanced to either side. The Allied Shinobi Forces' ninjas were already sprawled across the ground, while many others had scattered far away, watching the Second Mizukage with fearful expressions.
Gaara nodded. "Yeah, the Second Tsuchikage has already been sealed. You're next. Are you ready?"
"Tch, I feel like I'm being underestimated. No matter how you look at it, I should be stronger than that mummy Mū, right? In a war, isn't it common sense to take down the strongest one first?" The Second Mizukage chuckled, though his hands began moving on their own against his will.
"Water Style: Water Iron Pillar Technique!"
Thick, viscous water shot forth in every direction. The surrounding Allied Shinobi Forces ninjas immediately paled in shock. They had suffered under this technique several times already. Even Earth Style had difficulty stopping this Water Style—it was incredibly sticky and possessed powerful corrosive properties.
"Shield of Sand!"
Gaara's expression hardened as he rapidly descended. Raising both hands, he condensed the yellow sand into a shield. When the water pillar struck it, the sand became exceedingly sticky and actually began to break apart.
"Hmm...?"
Gaara's expression darkened slightly. When it came to defense, few in the Ninja World were more skilled than him. Yet this was the first time he had encountered such a Water Style.
"Rather than water, it's more like