Divine Artifact Susanoo, Yagura's Brutal Defeat!

As Riu's cold voice rang out, a massive distorted Space-Time Dimension vortex burst forth from within the water pillar. The underground water vein that had surged toward the sky was drawn into the vortex's center, ultimately vanishing without a trace...

What emerged in its true form was the Crow Tengu Susanoo!

Unlike the one he had used earlier to intimidate Danzo, the Crow Tengu Susanoo now held an object resembling the Yata Mirror in its hand!

—Susanoo Divine Artifact: Ninth-Spear Divine Void Mirror!

It contained boundless Kamui power and could transfer all incoming attacks—even Myriad Phenomena itself—into the Space-Time Dimension!

A mere underground water vein was nothing more than a single gulp!

In the original story, Kakashi had received Obito's dying gift of Chakra and gained Dual Kamui, enough to activate the Complete Body Susanoo. Yet he had never used a Susanoo Divine Artifact—while Riu was using one now!

It made sense. Kakashi's Dual Kamui had only been a one-time "trial card." How could he possibly uncover Kamui's deeper powers in such a short time?

But Riu was different. His Dual Kamui was permanent, so naturally, he had plenty of time to develop it!

"Impossible!! This natural Water Release technique drew upon an underground water vein. Its power far exceeded my own, enough to suppress even a Tailed Beast, yet he neutralized it!! Impossible!! This is absolutely impossible!!"

At that moment, the once-arrogant Mizukage Yagura finally revealed a look of panic.

Inside the Susanoo, Riu said gravely, "Yagura, don't underestimate the Uchiha's ocular powers!"

That was right. Susanoo's true power was already enough to rival a Tailed Beast, let alone a Susanoo that had birthed Divine Artifacts!

"Damn it!!" Yagura's face twisted viciously. He dipped his hand in blood and formed seals: Boar, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Ram!

Summoning Technique: Endless Leech!

Bang! White smoke rose, and a gigantic leech reared up!

"Watch me melt you into a pool of blood!!" Yagura roared.

Lava Release: Melting Monster Technique!

The leech opened its gaping maw and spat out a torrential waterfall of potent acid, pouring down upon the Susanoo!

"Useless..." Riu clenched his hand inside the Susanoo.

Whoosh! The Ninth-Spear Divine Void Mirror released a Kamui Vortex, sucking all of the descending acid into itself.

Riu suddenly raised his head, his Mangekyo Sharingan sweeping across Endless Leech's enormous head.

Whoosh! At the same time, a pitch-black Magatama formed in the Susanoo's other hand and was hurled outward.

Susanoo Divine Artifact: Ninth-Spear Kamui Magatama!

Whoosh!

As the Magatama closed in, Endless Leech's slick body fled at high speed...

Yet... the Magatama turned along with it and continued its pursuit!

The Ninth-Spear Kamui Magatama automatically locked onto targets Riu had marked with his eyes, pursuing them without end!

"Damn it!" Seeing that things had gone wrong, Yagura quickly formed seals. Draining what little Chakra he had left, he unleashed Water Release: Water Dragon's Bite!

Crash!

Water transformed into a dragon that soared into the sky, its jaws opening wide to bite down on the Magatama!

Yet... the Magatama passed straight through the water dragon's open mouth!

"What!?" Yagura cried out.

That was right. The truly terrifying aspect of the Ninth-Spear Kamui Magatama was not its pursuit, but its ability to pass through all "non-target" objects! This meant no method could intercept it. The instant it left its wielder's hand, the target's end was sealed!

Before a Divine Artifact, all struggle was futile!

Bang!

The Ninth-Spear Kamui Magatama struck Endless Leech's head, erupting with a Space-Time distortion field even more powerful than Kamui Shuriken.

"Aaargh!!"

With a miserable scream, Endless Leech was decapitated. Its headless body crashed to the ground and dissolved into a pool of blood...

Watching from afar, Tobi muttered, "After this series of battles, Yu's power has grown again..."

"You're next, Karatachi Yagura!" Inside the Susanoo, Riu's Mangekyo Sharingan locked onto Yagura's despair-filled head from afar, preparing to unleash a second Ninth-Spear Kamui Magatama!

"Ugh!!"

Suddenly, searing pain struck. Riu covered his eyes.

Boom! The Crow Tengu Susanoo collapsed. His Mangekyo Sharingan reverted to Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and two streams of blood ran down from his eye sockets. He said weakly, "I didn't expect using a Susanoo Divine Artifact to consume such enormous amounts of Chakra and ocular power. Even the Hashirama Cells can barely withstand it?"

"Hm!?" Yagura rallied at the sight.

But he no longer had enough Chakra to use even a decent long-range Water Release ninjutsu. He could only use Water Release: Wave-Riding Strike, a Water Release acceleration technique that allowed him to glide rapidly across the water's surface!

After gliding into close range, Yagura swung the staff in his hand at Riu's head!

"What!?" But to his alarm, the attack still passed straight through Riu's body!

Kamui's phasing ability was passive. Regardless of Riu's condition or whether his Mangekyo Sharingan was active, it would automatically activate whenever he was attacked—unless Riu chose to deactivate it!

"Yagura, I may be weakened, but that doesn't mean you've grown stronger!" Riu's cold voice sounded as his left eye returned to the Mangekyo Sharingan!

Lightning Release wrapped around his right arm, merging with Kamui's power and turning pitch-black!

Kamui: Lightning Cutter!

Yagura hastily raised his staff to block!!

Clang!

After the collision, space around the staff distorted. Sensing danger, Yagura hurriedly released it, abandoning the weapon, but he was still a step too late.

Crack!!

"Aaargh!!"

One of his left arms was torn off and drawn into Kamui's vortex. Clutching his severed arm, he staggered backward in a miserable retreat.

Riu aimed his left eye at Yagura's head, preparing to use long-range Kamui to twist his head off!

Just then, Kunai wrapped in Explosive Tags shot in from all directions.

With no other choice, Riu gave up on using Kamui and switched to Phasing Mode.

The Kunai passed through Riu's body and landed at his feet.

Boom boom boom boom!! Explosive flames erupted.

By then, Yagura had been rescued by Hidden Mist Village ANBU who had rushed over in an emergency.

"Lord Fourth! Are you all right!?"

Yagura did not answer. His dim purple eyes stared unwillingly toward the explosion...

"Return to the village!"

"What about the intruder?" an ANBU asked.

"It doesn't matter! Hurry... leave!" With that, Yagura collapsed unconscious onto a Hidden Mist Village ANBU's shoulder.

"Quick! Send Lord Fourth back to the village for treatment!" The ANBU retreated in haste.

The fiery glow of the explosions faded.

"Trying to leave? It won't be that easy... hm?"

Riu was about to give chase when his gaze suddenly shifted upward. He saw a young man in a sky-blue robe standing atop a mountain peak, translucent red Chakra enveloping his body. Behind him, it took the form of six tails, as though issuing a warning.

"Oh, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki... fine." Riu withdrew his gaze and used Kamui with his right eye to draw himself in.

Seeing this, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki watching from the mountain peak also withdrew.

The Hidden Mist Village was, after all, a village belonging to one of the great nations. If he forcibly killed the Mizukage here, it would surely provoke the entire Hidden Mist Village into attacking him. Riu could naturally retreat unscathed using Kamui, but his route to the Land of Lightning would be cut off...

Riu had not forgotten the true purpose of this journey. It was not the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, not Mizukage Yagura, nor the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, but the Eight-Tails of the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning!

Whoosh!

Accompanied by a vortex, Riu appeared beside Tobi and Yūhi Uzuki.

"That took more effort than expected," Tobi said.

"There was no helping it. Water Release is inherently a technique heavily affected by favorable terrain. Whether there is water or not, and how much water there is, makes a world of difference to its effectiveness..." Riu said.

That was right. From the moment Yagura used the underground water vein to unleash a Water Release technique capable of suppressing a Tailed Beast, this battle had been destined not to be easy.

Suddenly, Riu felt dizzy. He stopped walking. Tobi moved to support him, but Riu stopped him.

"Are you all right?" Tobi asked with concern.

"I'm fine. I just need a little rest. Once I've recovered, we'll continue on our way and leave the Land of Water as soon as possible!" Riu said casually.

Yūhi Uzuki watched Riu's departing back as he passed by her, thinking with mixed feelings, So he's a human being of flesh and blood too...