Juzo Biwa had been fighting someone from Kirigakure just now, so Hiruzen Sarutobi had said nothing. But now that the fight was against Konoha, he naturally had to voice his disapproval.
"Lord Mizukage, I must disagree. Munashi Jinpachi is our chosen successor to wield the Exploding Blade Shibuki as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It's perfectly normal for him to use it, just as any other ninja would use a ninja tool."
"When Sara used the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu earlier, Kirigakure didn't say a word, did we?"
The Third Mizukage spoke with a genial smile.
As the smoke cleared, a shield made of paper stood before Konan. It had completely blocked the Exploding Blade Shibuki's attack.
Munashi Jinpachi, on the other hand, had been caught in the explosion he had just set off. His clothes bore a few scorch marks.
"Tch." Seeing that Konan appeared unhurt, Munashi Jinpachi clicked his tongue in frustration.
It wasn't as though Munashi Jinpachi had meant to catch himself in the blast.
In truth, Munashi Jinpachi wasn't yet strong enough to wield the Exploding Blade Shibuki. He had only been lent it for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
He still couldn't control the explosions well enough to keep himself out of their reach. That was why his attacks ended up hurting both sides.
Munashi Jinpachi stepped forward, ready to attack again.
"You use explosive tags too? Then let's see whose are stronger!"
Konan's Paper Release was neither a kekkei genkai nor one of the five conventional chakra-nature techniques.
It was closer to a secret technique: a way of using ninja tools. Rather than changing chakra's fundamental nature, it used chakra to alter ninja tools and make them easier to wield.
More precisely, it let her control paper.
And what was the