Three-Tails

The clash between Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, involving multiple large-scale Water Release Ninjutsu, greatly depleted Karatachi Yagura's Chakra, leaving him with only about 20-30% remaining. Although Kato Osamu's chakra consumption was less, the difference in total amount meant that the two now had almost the same amount of Chakra left.

At this moment, he was looking at Kato Osamu with a cold gaze, seemingly sensing that Kato Osamu wanted to leave. Karatachi Yagura's face was somewhat gloomy.

His momentary anger caused him to expose many weaknesses in his fight with Kato Osamu, resulting in several wounds on his body. However, he gradually calmed down.

Today's events will surely spread, and if this petty thief isn't killed here, it will be a huge blow to his reputation.

Even if it wasn't a complete failure, it was certainly a significant setback. Looking back at the now-ruined Water Shadow Building, a hint of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes. He let out a soft shout, and with a flash, the dark, massive staff, accompanied by waves of water, slashed down at Kato Osamu once more.

Fighting and retreating, Karatachi Yagura pursued relentlessly, but Kato Osamu was determined to leave, leaving him with no choice but to continue.

Sensing Akihamaru's direction, Kato Osamu flashed away, breaking free and heading towards the forest west of Kirigakure.

"Stop him!"

Karatachi Yagura, his eyes filled with a ferocious look as he stared at Kato Osamu's retreating figure. After a moment, he regained his composure and suddenly vanished.

Mei Terumi and Hozuki Mangetsu, leading their clan ninjas, leaped away the moment they saw the massive torrent of water bursting through the darkness to avoid getting caught in the melee between the two. Now, seeing Karatachi Yagura relentlessly pursuing Kato Osamu, they also surrounded them.

A Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes as he gripped his large sword and charged towards Kato Osamu.

As the longswords clashed, the sudden rain stopped. Dodging the Kunai flying from behind, Kato Osamu's sword flashed as he exchanged several blows with Hozuki Mangetsu.

"Magic - Spirit Seizure!"

Hozuki Mangetsu was already severely injured, and Kato Osamu didn't want to prolong the fight. The moment their eyes met, a blue light flashed in his eyes, instantly trapping Hozuki in Genjutsu.

"Boil Release: Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"

As soon as he withdrew, the intensely hot acidic mist, accompanied by billowing heat, rushed towards him. Kato Osamu frowned slightly, glanced at the girl, and then unleashed a rapid slash with his black longsword, hurtling towards Mei Terumi.

"Instant Water Technique!"

Mei Terumi suddenly stopped, then immediately leaped into the distance.

The slash had a very large range, but that alone was not enough to surprise her. However, it seemed to contain a special fluctuation that made her feel an extreme danger.

The strike appeared to miss, but it invisibly extended its range by several meters.

Two Hōzuki Clan ninjas leaped into the air in hot pursuit, but suddenly stopped, falling straight down into the water and disappearing from sight.

"What... what's going on?"

Mei Terumi saw the two ninjas fall into the water, her eyes filled with disbelief. If she had hesitated even slightly before striking...

Mei Terumi's apple bobbed slightly, her face showing a hint of seriousness. After a moment, as if she had thought of something, she gritted her teeth and chased after him again, her hands beginning to Hand Seals continuously.

"Lava Release: Molten Monster Technique!"

The special liquid, hot and mixed with concentrated acid, spread out like a river, scattering across a larger area of water.

Under the cover of rain, an endless thick fog rose up, and the magma-colored Lava Release enveloped Kato Osamu like a large circle, blocking the roads around him. He was gradually enveloped by the thick fog, and his figure became blurred.

The dense fog contained Mei Terumi's Chakra, which Kato Osamu could sense; his every move was within the caster's perception.

"He's a dual Kekkei Genkai..."

He had seen Mei Terumi many times, but he never knew that she possessed two bloodlines. Sensing the Chakra traces in the thick fog, his eyes seemed to be looking at Mei Terumi through the fog.

Mei Terumi that the thick fog had enveloped Kato Osamu, and that ninjas from both clans had also surrounded him, Mei Terumi suddenly retreated, only spewing out concentrated Lava Release acid from a distance, seemingly without any intention of fighting to the death.

However, as she watched Kato Osamu locked in battle with the clan's ninjas, a hint of gloom still crept into her eyes, and her gaze grew even colder.

Infiltrating Mist Shinobi and destroying the Water Shadow Building —all of this was a provocation to every Kirigakure Ninja. But aside from the death threat lurking in the unknown blade, she now had some doubts about the purpose of this battle, especially after meeting Zabuza...

Perhaps she needs to reconsider some things; before that, she doesn't want to lose her life over things she doesn't yet understand...

In the distance, mountains appeared and disappeared in the clouds and mist. An old man with a wrinkled face opened his eyes and surveyed the world with a carefree gaze.

"Lord Madara, it seems we've been discovered..."

A smile appeared on Jue's face, but he seemed to have no worries at all. His gaze followed the old man's eyes and looked towards the distant direction of Mist Shinobi.

His face, half black and half white, was adorned with smiles, and his sharp, shark-like teeth gleamed dazzlingly in the mist.

Madara Uchiha's face remained expressionless as his gaze shifted and landed on the boy in the midst of the battle.

"His strength is almost on par with Karatachi Yagura, but his methods are more restrained. In a one-on-one fight, Karatachi Yagura dies, and he lives..."

"Karatachi Yagura still somewhat useful; remember to spare his life for now."

Mist Shinobi... it's a perfect place for Obito Uchiha...

"Don't worry, Lord Madara, Obito Uchiha will definitely thrive in Kirigakure."

Hehe, everything is going according to plan...

Madara Uchiha needed more than just a corrupted Obito Uchiha; at the very least, he shouldn't be a clueless idiot. Zetsu clearly understood this, and as for what form Obito Uchiha would take, he seemed to already have a plan in mind...

Seeing that Madara Uchiha had closed his eyes to rest again, a strange light flashed in Zetsu's eyes. He rubbed his fangs together, and a hoarse voice came from his throat.

"The real show has only just begun..."

"Whoosh..."

Karatachi Yagura, who had disappeared, suddenly reappeared on the battlefield. Looking at the scattered Kirigakure Ninja along the way, he clenched his fists tightly, and the girl whose arm he was holding cried out in pain.

"Little one, I'll take you to see your fellow villagers right away..."

The girl frowned but remained silent, her eyes filled with doubt and fear. The words "fellow villagers" reminded her of her experiences over the past few days.

Did they arrest other people...?

Her heart sank to the bottom, and she looked worriedly in the northwest—towards Konoha.

"This is..."

As Kato Osamu emerged from the thick fog, he sensed an incredibly large Chakra rapidly approaching him. Although he had a rough idea, he never expected that Karatachi Yagura would actually use such power.

"The Three-Tails Fox..."

Having witnessed the power of the Eight-Tails, Kato Osamu knew the extent of the Tailed Beasts' might.

Sensing the last of his Chakra, Kato Osamu frowned, his movements becoming even more swift. Two unidentified Jonin froze on the spot, falling straight into the water...