Chapter 252: The Next Self-Developed Kekkei Genkai Target!
"S-rank Technique: Water Mirror Technique?"
Keisuke looked at the second scroll's contents, his eyes lighting up. "Isn't this the signature jutsu of the future Fourth Mizukage, Yagura? Given its power, an S-rank evaluation is to be expected."
He thought about the "Kage" of the five great villages. The Tsuchikage, Raikage, and Kazekage all had hereditary abilities passed down in a single line: Dust Release, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Sand Manipulation. In contrast, Konoha and Kiri were the outliers; their leaders each had their own unique specialties. The Second Mizukage had his Hydrification Technique. The Fourth had this Water Mirror. The Fifth, Terumī Mei, had two Kekkei Genkai.
Though he had only seen it once in the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Water Mirror Technique had left a deep impression. The "fake" copy ninja would stand there, taking forever to copy the 44 hand seals for the Water Dragon Jutsu. The real copy ninja didn't just copy the jutsu; it copied the user themselves.
"Compared to Tobirama's Water Severing Wave and Water Dragon Biting Explosion, the techniques from Kiri are far more subtle and ingenious," Keisuke mused, comparing Konoha's "Second Mizukage" to the real deal. "Tobirama, Hiruzen, even Jiraiya... they're all artillery-style ninja. High chakra, big explosions. But Gengetsu Hōzuki and Yagura, who couldn't compare to Konoha's freaks in terms of raw stats, had to get creative with their jutsu's mechanics. When it comes to pure Water Style... Kiri is stronger."
He turned his attention from the Water Mirror to the Hydrification Technique. While he was happy to get the first, the second was far more valuable to him. The whole reason he had captured Hōzuki Mangetsu in the first place was to reverse-engineer this very technique. And now, he had it. It was the key, the "guiding direction" for his next self-developed Kekkei Genkai.
Having successfully fused Yin and Earth to create Aegis Release, his next step was to choose between Yin+Fire, Yin+Wind, or Yin+Water. With all the data from Tsunade, and now this, his path was clear.
"The next target is the fusion of Yin and Water! And after that... a Kekkei Tōta? A fusion of Yin, Water, and Earth?"
He pushed the flood of new ideas from his mind. The work in the cavern was done. After a quick check to make sure he hadn't missed anything, he vanished.
Flying Thunder God Technique!
He reappeared in the Konoha camp just as Minato was arriving with the bodies of A and B. After securing the now-heavily-sealed Killer B and handing A's corpse to the camp's morgue, Minato rushed to the command tent.
"Keisuke," he said, "what's the situation on the Kiri front? Should we send reinforcements?"
"The Kiri situation is resolved," Keisuke replied, giving him the summary. "Their invading forces have been annihilated. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are now history. Their Jinchuriki is dead, but he released the Three-Tails, which is now being watched by Kagami-senpai."
Minato was speechless. He had thought he was fast, but Keisuke was on another level. He had killed one Raikage-in-waiting. Keisuke had killed... basically everyone else. "With the AB Combo gone, and the Seven Swordsmen and the Three-Tails gone... does this mean the war on these two fronts is over?"
"Most likely," Keisuke shrugged. "So, Minato-san, get some rest. The specific details can wait until Shikaku-san gets back."
Minato nodded and left. As he walked through the camp, news of the great victory was already spreading. He saw the joyous, smiling faces of his comrades, and he felt a mix of excitement and despair. He was happy for Konoha's victory, but sad that the one who brought it about wasn't him. He suddenly remembered the words of Hiruzen and Jiraiya-sensei... that after the war, the selection for the Fourth Hokage would begin.
He looked back at Keisuke's tent. "Keisuke..." he sighed. "You're a rival that makes one lose all will to compete."
Meanwhile, in the Kumo camp, the atmosphere was one of grim solemnity. "Nara-Raikage" returned with his two prisoners and was immediately met by Dodai.
"Lord Third," the chief of staff said, his voice trembling as he dropped to one knee. "Our sensor unit... they can no longer detect... A's chakra." He's dead. "And B... he was taken by the Konoha ninja."
"Nara-Raikage" dropped the unconscious bodies of Mangetsu and Ishikawa. The thud of their bodies hitting the ground was like a hammer blow to the hearts of all present.
"Lord Third!" Dodai said, his voice filled with self-recrimination. "I should have sent reinforcements—"
"Dodai." The "Nara-Raikage's" voice was flat, emotionless. He walked past him toward his private tent. "Prepare for a full withdrawal from the Land of Hot Water. I want to be alone."
At the same time, on the border between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Sound, "Nara-Ōnoki" rendezvoused with the Iwa Lava Corps.
"Let's go! Take the route through the Land of Waterfalls and get back to the Land of Grass!" he barked. "The mission was a total failure!"
"Lord Third," one of the ninja said hesitantly, "what about Captain Ishikawa?"
"He's not coming back! The Kumo-Kiri alliance was a trap! They never intended to hold up their end of the bargain!" "Nara-Ōnoki" snarled. "Now, let's go! I'm returning to the village!"
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