"So weak?"
Kitazawa's lips twitched in mild disappointment.
He had planned to learn two more Earth Release jutsu today, but at this rate, he would have to postpone. Still, it wasn't a loss—this war would drag on, and he would have countless chances to observe, copy, and master new jutsu. No need to rush.
His gaze sharpened.
Not far away, a Mist chūnin finished weaving hand seals, exhaling a thick fog—Water Release: Hidden Mist jutsu.
In an instant, Kitazawa flickered before him, thrusting a Rasengan into the man's chest. The chūnin crumpled, unconscious.
Wind Release: Gale Palm!
A clap of Kitazawa's hands sent a powerful gust tearing through the battlefield, shredding the mist and restoring visibility.
"Captain Kitazawa, brilliant!" Yashiro shouted across the field.
Kitazawa felt a strange twinge. Hearing an Uchiha offering praise still didn't sit right with him. Then again, with Fugaku's orders—and Kitazawa's growing reputation—it was only natural.
Wind Release: Shuriken!
He spun and hurled a kunai, wind chakra humming along its edge. The blade pierced straight through the chest of a Mist ninja lurking in ambush. The man collapsed, blood staining the ground.
Scanning the battlefield, Kitazawa spotted a Konoha jōnin besieged on all sides.
Shuriken Shadow Clone jutsu!
A kunai split into a rain of steel overhead.
"Dodge!" a Mist ninja screamed, but too late.
The storm fell. Over a dozen Mist chūnin were shredded where they stood, leaving the Konoha jōnin staring, shaken, amid the carnage.
"Captain Kitazawa… as expected of Lady Tsunade's disciple," he muttered in awe.
Fear rippled through the Mist ranks, eyes wide as they saw him.
"Everyone, on me!" a Mist jōnin bellowed. "Hold out two more minutes—Lord Kisame and the reinforcements will be here!"
Kisame Hoshigaki?
Kitazawa's brows rose.
In the original timeline, Kisame had been Itachi's partner, wielder of Samehada, infamous as the "Tailless Tailed Beast." His monstrous chakra reserves and Water Release mastery rivaled even Tobirama's—nicknamed "Ocean Release" in jest. But here, he had neither Samehada nor Akatsuki ties.
Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!
A high-pressure orb of wind roared forward.
The Mist jōnin hastily raised a Water Wall, but the wind shattered it like glass.
Water Release: Water Fang Blade!
Water curved into a glistening blade in the man's grip as he charged.
Kitazawa mirrored him, a water blade flashing into existence.
"You—! How can you use the Water Fang Blade?" The jōnin gasped. That was Mist's own secret jutsu!
Their blades clashed. Kitazawa stood firm, while the Mist jōnin staggered back, eyes wide at the force behind the strike.
Desperate, he spewed forth a torrent—Water Release: Great Waterfall jutsu!
Kitazawa's form dissolved—Leaf Body Flicker—and the water crashed harmlessly into his own comrades.
"Damn you!"
The jōnin wove seals again. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!
A dragon of surging water spiraled skyward.
Kitazawa clapped his hands. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!
Another dragon crashed downward, colliding midair with a thunderous explosion of spray. Water burst like fireworks, raining over the battlefield.
The Mist jōnin's eyes went wide. "Your hand seals… that speed—impossible!"
"Want to know why?" Kitazawa landed lightly, eyes hidden by his sunglasses.
The man froze. A wave of invisible pressure swept through him. His mind went blank, his body slack.
Kitazawa was already there, a kunai flashing across his throat.
"Sha—"
Clutching at his neck, the Mist jōnin crumpled, lifeless. Only then did realization flicker in his dulling eyes—the Sharingan. But why would an Uchiha hide it behind glasses? It didn't fit their pride.
With his fall, all seven Mist jōnin stationed at the stronghold lay dead.
"Retreat!" Kitazawa barked.
The stronghold was broken. Most of the Mist forces lay scattered corpses; only a few clung to futile resistance.
Two minutes. The assault had taken almost exactly two minutes.
"Captain Kitazawa!" Hizashi's voice rang out. "Eight Mist jōnin—closing fast, from two thousand meters, front left!"
Kitazawa's eyes narrowed. Reinforcements.
"They're from the other two strongholds," he said sharply. "Move, now. If they pin us down, the main Mist forces will arrive any moment."
Tsunade's calculation had been clear—three minutes for reinforcements. But that estimate had meant the main army. Jōnin were faster. Which was why they were already here.
"Yes!"
At Kitazawa's command, everyone quickly disengaged and sprinted outward.
Boom!
A low, thunderous roar echoed across the sea. Instinctively, they turned back—only to see colossal waves rising several meters high, surging toward them with unstoppable force.
"What kind of Water Release is that?" Hizashi's eyes widened. "It's only a little weaker than Captain Kitazawa's Water Release?"
"Are there other Hidden Mist ninja on the island? Isn't he afraid of killing them too?" Chōza frowned.
"Hidden Mist shinobi often kill their own." Kitazawa's tone was flat as he shook his head. "Keep running."
This was the Bloody Mist—comradeship meant nothing here. After all, Zabuza had slaughtered his entire graduating class.
Kitazawa already knew who the caster was: Kisame Hoshigaki.
But the strength behind this Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave was far below the level Kisame would one day reach in the Akatsuki.
At his order, the group dashed onto the water's surface, retreating the way they'd come. They trusted him—he had already shown his mastery of Water Release.
Halfway across, they glanced back and froze in awe.
Water Release: Great Waterfall jutsu!
Kitazawa went all out, knowing his opponent. Senju Chakra Mode roared to life, flooding his body.
Chakra currents surged violently around him, boiling the sea itself. The ocean bucked as if a giant beast was breaking free, then erupted into a towering tsunami.
"What?!"
Kisame's eyes narrowed, shock flashing across his face. Never in his life had he seen a Konoha ninja whose Water Release could rival his own.
"This… this can't be real…"
The Hidden Mist Jōnin behind him stood dumbstruck. Masters of Water Release themselves, they knew just how terrifying this Great Waterfall jutsu was.
"Don't just stand there! Help me!" Kisame barked, forcing out more chakra.
The others hurried to join, and together they conjured waves over ten meters high.
Under everyone's stunned gazes, two tsunamis collided like crashing continents.
The impact was apocalyptic. Water exploded skyward, pouring down in colossal pillars. The nearest island split in two with a deafening crack.
The surviving Mist shinobi looked on in despair. They had survived Konoha's surprise attack, only to face this world-shattering clash.
"Stop him! If we let such a monster escape, he'll become a nightmare for us!" Kisame snarled, charging toward Kitazawa.
The others followed close behind.
"Who are you? With that strength, why hide your name?" Kisame shouted over the crashing waves.
"Konoha's Kitazawa!"
The reply rang out clear and sharp.
"Found you!" Kisame blurred forward with Body Flicker—yet the spot was empty.
"Tch. Some kind of escape ninjutsu…" Kisame's lips curled in frustration. After searching fruitlessly, he clicked his tongue and gave up.
Beneath the waves, Kitazawa had dissolved into water using the Hydrification jutsu. He only reemerged after catching up with Yashiro and the others, leaping from the sea in one fluid motion.
"Move!" Kitazawa barked, not giving them time to speak.
His chakra reserves were nearly depleted. If Kisame caught up now, they would be finished.
They ran for half an hour before Kitazawa finally stopped, panting, Senju Chakra Mode dispersed.
Yashiro and Shibi studied him in silence, shaken. Whatever they had thought before—that Kitazawa leaned on Tsunade's name—was now gone. No one, not even Tsunade herself, had ever unleashed Water Release like this.
"How's it look?" Kitazawa asked Shibi.
"No pursuit." Shibi smirked lightly. "They're too busy saving survivors. The island… it's been split in half."
Hizashi gave a startled exhale. "Who was that Mist shinobi? To withstand Captain Kitazawa's Water Release…"
"That was Kisame Hoshigaki," Kitazawa replied evenly. "A rising genius of the Mist."
At this time, Kisame still served under Fuguki. He wasn't yet one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, nor had the Great Ninja War given him fame. That was why his name meant little to them.
"Kisame Hoshigaki? I've seen his file… but I never imagined his Water Release would be that terrifying," Shibi said grimly. "When we return, we must warn Lady Tsunade and the others."
"Agreed." Kitazawa nodded.
Mei Terumī, too, was still obscure. Zabuza, however, had already earned his bloody reputation.
"Rest for ten minutes," Kitazawa ordered. "Shibi, set up surveillance."
"Understood."
Shibi spread his kikaichū in every direction. The others simply collapsed to the ground, drawing in slow breaths and recovering chakra.
Though the clash had lasted only two minutes, the scale of destruction had drained them heavily.
Meanwhile, Kitazawa dismissed the summoning and sent Katsuyu back.
[Current Mission: Secure the first victory for Konoha.]
[Reward: Lightning Release – Lightning Blade.]
[Mission Complete. Reward Issued.]
As soon as Kitazawa sat down, the system's reward surged into him.
A flood of knowledge poured into his mind.
How should he describe it?
Far more practical than he'd expected. No wonder Killer Bee had managed to outclass Sasuke in swordsmanship—this was the foundation.
After a short rest, the squad resumed their journey back.
By dawn, they reached Konoha's temporary encampment.
"Are you alright?"
Kurenai appeared suddenly in front of Kitazawa.
Last night, pressed for time, he hadn't even said goodbye to her or Kabuto before leaving for the raid.
"Not a scratch," Kitazawa replied with a faint smile.
"That's good."
Her sharp gaze swept over him from head to toe before she finally exhaled in relief. She'd worried all night, barely managing any sleep. A raid against a Mist stronghold was as dangerous as missions came.
"How are things?"
Tsunade strode up, her eyes briefly flicking to Kurenai before locking onto Kitazawa.
"Mission accomplished. The stronghold is gone. All seven Jōnin and most of the Chūnin were eliminated."
"Well done." Tsunade allowed herself a small smile. "That will tilt the casualty count heavily in our favor."
"All thanks to Captain Kitazawa," Yashiro quickly added.
"Indeed." Shibi, Chōza, and Hizashi all nodded in agreement.
"Oh?"
Tsunade's brows rose in surprise. In her eyes, Kitazawa was strong, yes—but outshining a squad of Konoha's elite Jōnin? That was unexpected. With Yashiro, Shibi, and Chōza present, she'd assumed the credit would be more evenly shared.
"It's a long story," Kitazawa said, clearing his throat. "Let's talk inside the tent."
"The rest of you, get some rest," Tsunade ordered. "We reconvene again in two hours."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
The Jōnin dispersed, leaving Kitazawa and Kurenai to follow Tsunade inside.
"Here, have some water," Shizune offered.
"Thank you, senpai." Kitazawa accepted it with a nod before launching into the full account of the raid. He left out only one detail: his three-tomoe Sharingan.
Better to reveal power strategically—the more strength they saw, the higher his value would climb.
"Your Water Release… has reached that level?"
Tsunade's eyes widened as Kitazawa described waves over ten meters high. She had only ever seen such raw power in two men: Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Shizune and Kurenai were equally stunned. They had seen Kitazawa wield Water Release before, but not on such a terrifying scale.
"Kisame Hoshigaki," Tsunade mused. "From what you've said, his strength may even surpass Fuguki and the Seven Swordsmen."
"He put more pressure on me than Kurosuki Raiga ever did," Kitazawa admitted. "On our side, very few could stand against him."
Though Kisame lacked Samehada at this stage, his immense chakra and the sea at his back gave his jutsu monstrous force. In the future, Kitazawa knew, Kisame would even slay his own master, Fuguki.
With Senju Chakra Mode, Kitazawa could have overpowered him, but his time limit was too short—and Kisame hadn't been alone.
"Shizune, spread word of today's victory," Tsunade ordered. "And make sure every commander is warned about Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Shizune bowed and left.
"You could have told me sooner you had that kind of power." Tsunade shot Kitazawa a look.
"You never asked," he said with an innocent blink.
Tsunade huffed. "Forget it. We won—that's what matters. Rest up." She bit back the urge to cuff him, mindful that Kurenai was still standing nearby.
"Understood." Kitazawa tugged Kurenai toward his tent.
Two hours later, with the sun fully risen, Konoha's main force set out. By noon, they would reach the southeastern Fire Country border and link up with the vanguard.
The Mist's main force, however, had already arrived. They had chosen not to land, instead holding position on a nearby island.
"Kitazawa?"
Ao's expression tightened as he heard Kisame's report. "So he really is Tsunade's student… His strength explains it."
"Tsunade has no talent for Water Release," Fuguki scoffed. "That boy must be wielding the Second Hokage's jutsus."
At that name, a sharp glint lit the eyes of Mei and Zabuza.
They were the proud prodigies of this generation of the Mist. Yet it was Tobirama Senju, not their own Mizukage, who was remembered as the world's greatest master of Water Release.
The man was long dead, unreachable. But Kitazawa, his apparent successor, was alive. Naturally, they burned to test themselves against him.
Only Kisame, who had crossed blades with Kitazawa himself, knew the truth. The boy was no pretender. He truly was worthy of being called Tobirama's heir.
Fortunately, on the battlefield, the chance for a true one-on-one duel was rare.
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