Kitazawa's expression was grave as he faced Yagura.
It might have looked like he held the upper hand—but he knew better.
Yagura was a perfect Jinchūriki. Until now, he hadn't even revealed his true strength. The real battle was only beginning.
Yagura's eyes locked on Kitazawa, blazing with fury. His restraint snapped, and the crimson cloak of the Tailed Beast flared violently, expanding in an instant.
A monstrous surge of chakra erupted outward, turning the sea itself against them—waves towering like mountains as Yagura stood at their center.
Even Kurenai and the others, locked in distant combat, were forced to halt and retreat.
"What's going on?" Kurenai gasped, instinctively stepping back.
"What is that chakra…" Hizashi's face went pale, the pulse of energy almost tangible against his skin. His Byakugan flared, but it was useless—the sheer density of chakra blurred his vision.
"Hahaha! You're all finished!" a Hidden Mist jōnin laughed wildly from the opposing side. "That's the full Tailed Beast transformation!"
Hizashi's pupils constricted. "That's impossible! The Fourth Mizukage… he's a perfect Jinchūriki?"
Kurenai blinked in confusion. "Perfect Jinchūriki? How is that different from a normal one?"
Hizashi's voice dropped, edged with despair. "A perfect Jinchūriki can fully control their Tailed Beast's power… which means—we're facing a real Bijū now."
The color drained from Kurenai's face. "What?"
The sea roared.
The red chakra cloak thickened, solidifying into flesh and shell. From within it, the colossal form of the Three-Tails Isobu burst forth, rising above the waves like a living fortress. Its shell was jagged and bristling with spikes, its eye glimmering like cold lantern beneath the moonlight.
"Water Release: Water Bullet!"
Isobu opened its maw, chakra condensing into a water sphere so massive it blotted out the horizon.
Kitazawa didn't hesitate—his figure flickered and vanished.
The next instant, the water bullet detonated.
The ocean erupted, splitting into whirling maelstroms and tidal waves that devoured everything in sight.
"Retreat!" a Mist jōnin shouted. They abandoned Kurenai's group without hesitation. Kitazawa was their true target—his capture would corner Tsunade.
"Go!" Kurenai ordered. They fell back, scrambling across the shaking coastline.
From afar, the Three-Tails' shadow loomed, vast and unshakable—a mountain of terror pressing down on their hearts.
"What now?" Hizashi muttered, sweat trickling down his temples. He'd faced countless battles, but this—this was despair.
"We can only trust Kitazawa," Kurenai said firmly, forcing her voice to steady. "If we interfere, we'll only get in his way."
Torune adjusted his collar, silent for a moment. "Would my insects work on it?"
Hizashi shook his head. "Tailed Beasts are pure chakra. Poison won't affect them… and even your bugs might not pierce that shell."
Their conversation was cut short by Isobu's earth-shattering roar.
Furious that its last attack failed, Yagura gathered more chakra.
"Water Release: Isobu Great Waterfall!"
He slammed his massive paw into the sea. The ocean exploded upward, birthing a roaring column of water that crashed down toward Kitazawa like a falling sky.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Kitazawa's hands flew through seals, summoning a massive wall of water. But it shattered instantly beneath the weight of Isobu's torrent—yet it had bought him just enough time.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A wide slab of earth burst from below, tilted at an angle. Kitazawa leapt onto it, riding it up the surging wave like a boarder on the crest of chaos.
Isobu's eyes flared.
Another torrent—dense and precise—fired like a white laser.
"Compound Ninjutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"
Kitazawa steadied himself atop the wall, his chakra flaring. A dragon of electrified water surged forth, colliding with Isobu's blast midair.
The impact lit the sky. Rain exploded outward in sheets, turning night into storm.
But the torrent broke through—unstoppable.
Kitazawa was already gone.
"Water Release: Instant Water!"
He plunged into the depths, flowing with the current as Isobu's beam vaporized the ocean behind him.
"Annoying little rat!" Yagura snarled, eyes narrowing.
Anyone else would've been obliterated long ago. But the sea was both Isobu's strength—and its weakness.
Kitazawa's mastery of Water Release was renowned, rivaling even the strongest of the Mist. Here, in this domain, he could adapt, counter, and survive.
Still, Water Release had its limits. Its power came from overwhelming force, not concentrated destruction. Against most shinobi, that was enough. Against a fortress like Isobu—it wasn't.
Unless Kitazawa unleashed Senju Chakra Mode, he couldn't break through that armor.
But that wasn't his goal. He just needed time.
Meanwhile, at the Hidden Mist base—
"Lord Mizukage hasn't reported back in far too long," Ao said, expression grim. "Something's gone wrong."
They had known about Yagura's ambush. None had expected this.
"We must go," Mei Terumī said sharply. "If anything happens to him, the village will descend into chaos."
"Move!" Ao barked, and the team—Kisame, Zabuza, and the others—launched into motion.
"Is that—the Three-Tails?" Ao's Byakugan flared mid-journey. The massive silhouette of the Three-Tails filled his vision.
"He's resorted to a full transformation?" Mei whispered, disbelief flickering across her face. Even Kisame and Zabuza exchanged uneasy looks.
That level of desperation could only mean one thing—Yagura was struggling.
"Full speed ahead!" Ao commanded.
Back at the battlefield—
The sea raged endlessly. Kitazawa flickered between the waves, dodging blow after blow, his form like a shadow dancing between life and death.
But patience had its limits.
Yagura's killing intent spiked.
"Then drown in your arrogance!" he roared.
Isobu opened its jaws wide—chakra gathering into a dense, pulsing sphere of black and red.
The very air trembled.
Kitazawa's pupils shrank. 'A Fucking Tailed Beast Ball…!'
He immediately weaved signs. "Hydrification!"
His body liquefied, vanishing into the sea.
Then—
BOOM!
Light consumed everything.
The ocean vanished—vaporized in an instant. The world turned white and deafening.
Waves surged for miles, swallowing entire reefs.
"Kitazawa!" Kurenai's scream tore through the chaos.
"We have to fall back!" Hizashi shouted.
"Kitazawa-sensei will be fine!" Izumi pulled Kurenai by the arm, dragging her to safety.
Even after fleeing several kilometers, the tremors still rocked the earth beneath them.
"Thank goodness we were already far enough…" Hizashi exhaled shakily.
Kurenai looked back at the blinding inferno consuming the sea. "No wonder they say Tailed Beasts are beyond human reach…"
Another Konoha jōnin exhaled shakily. "Only when you see it yourself do you truly grasp the terror of a Tailed Beast."
"If the Three-Tails alone is this powerful…" Hizashi murmured, "then the Nine-Tails in Konoha must be on an entirely different level."
Kurenai didn't respond. She wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on the raging sea ahead, her heart pounding with one thought only—
Kitazawa.
Izumi and Torune shared her silence, their faces tight with worry.
"Kitazawa!"
The sudden cry made everyone look up. A familiar chakra signature raced across the waves.
"Lady Tsunade?" Kurenai gasped.
"It's reinforcements!" Hizashi said, relief flooding his voice. He activated his Byakugan—behind Tsunade were Shizune, Hiashi, and a squad of jōnin.
"I'm going to find Kitazawa!"
Without hesitation, Kurenai leapt forward, sprinting after Tsunade.
"Wait!" Hizashi shouted, his expression changing. "It's still too dangerous!"
But she was already gone.
Moments later, Shizune and Hiashi landed before them.
"Hizashi! What's the situation?" Hiashi asked, still catching his breath. The sheer magnitude of the explosion had shaken even the distant coastline.
"Lord Kitazawa is fighting Yagura—the Three-Tails' perfect Jinchūriki," Hizashi said quickly. "After the Tailed Beast Ball hit… we've lost contact."
"What?"
Shizune went pale. The thought of anyone surviving such an attack was unthinkable.
"Then let's move! We're saving him!" she said, her voice trembling as she shot forward, faster than ever before.
"We're going too," Hiashi said, his brows furrowing. If Kitazawa died, it wouldn't just devastate Hinata—it would shatter the fragile trust between the Hyūga Clan, Tsunade, and Kitazawa himself.
Tsunade was the first to reach the center of the battlefield.
The Tailed Beast Ball had carved out a massive crater in the ocean. Seawater rushed in from every direction—but couldn't fill the void fast enough.
The Three-Tails, panting heavily, loomed in the distance. Even for a perfect jinchuriki, firing such an attack took its toll—except for the Nine-Tails, whose chakra reserves were endless.
"Kitazawa?" Yagura's cold eyes narrowed as he spotted Tsunade. "He's already dead. No one survives a Tailed Beast Ball."
"He's not dead!" Tsunade snapped, her voice shaking.
Yagura's expression didn't change. "Tsunade, why lie to yourself? But it doesn't matter—I'll send you to him."
Her face hardened. The air around her rippled with killing intent.
The diamond mark on her forehead glowed faintly—then the chakra seal burst open, spreading across her body.
Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth—Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Tsunade vanished.
A thunderous crack split the air—her heel crashed down upon Isobu's shell.
Heavenly Foot of Pain!
The impact shattered the sharp barbs on its carapace to dust, the shockwave driving through the shell and forcing the massive beast down into the sea.
The ocean exploded outward in roaring waves.
Before Isobu could recover, Tsunade was upon it again, her fist slamming down.
Sensing danger, Isobu turned and unleashed another Water Bullet—massive enough to drown a village.
Tsunade twisted her wrist and punched forward—
The sphere shattered.
She blurred with a flicker, reappearing at Isobu's head and smashing another punch straight into its face.
The Three-Tails roared, its armored skin cracking and bleeding.
For a heartbeat, Tsunade froze.
Blood splattered across her vision—
and the ghosts of her past threatened to surface.
But then, that faint memory—of Kitazawa's voice, calm and steady as he'd treated her phobia—flashed before her.
The hesitation vanished. Rage surged in its place.
"Die!"
Her next blow rattled the heavens.
"Unbelievable…" Hiashi whispered. Even he couldn't hide his awe. "Lady Tsunade is… overpowering the Three-Tails?"
Shizune didn't share his amazement—only dread.
'Lady Tsunade used Creation Rebirth immediately… she must think Kitazawa's dead.'
"Kitazawa!"
Kurenai's voice trembled as she scanned the area.
"Hiashi!" Shizune barked. "Find him!"
"Hyūga Clan—Byakugan, full scan!" Hiashi ordered.
Dozens of pale eyes activated in unison.
Moments later, Hiashi's expression darkened. "Mist reinforcements inbound—Ao, Kisame Hoshigaki, Mei Terumī and Zabuza Momochi."
"This is bad," Shizune muttered. "With them and Yagura together, we might not stand a chance."
She glanced at Tsunade—still fighting fiercely, her hemophobia seemingly gone—and felt her heart twist.
The cure had worked… but at what cost?
"Prepare for battle!" she commanded.
Not far away, the Mist reinforcements halted in shock.
"Tsunade's still alive?" Mei Terumī's eyes narrowed. "The Tailed Beast Ball didn't finish her?"
"Impossible," murmured Ao. "That attack was aimed directly at her."
"Lord Ao!" a Mist jōnin shouted, rushing up.
"Report!" Ao barked.
"It's Kitazawa! He fought the Mizukage to a standstill before the tailed beast ball!"
Zabuza's jaw tightened. "That's absurd. No one can match Yagura in his Bijū form."
"It's his Water Release," Kisame said quietly, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "It's… above our level."
Mei's eyes sharpened. "Then he's dead now. No one survives a Tailed Beast Ball. We rescue the Mizukage first."
Ao nodded. "Zabuza, Mei—you handle Konoha's forces. Kisame, with me!"
But as he spoke, Ao froze. His Byakugan widened.
"What is it?" Mei asked.
Then—
Splash!
A column of seawater erupted skyward.
From it, a figure shot out—dripping, but alive.
"Kitazawa?" Mei whispered, stunned.
Zabuza's eyes widened. "That's impossible… he's fine?"
Even from afar, the Konoha shinobi saw him.
"Kitazawa!" Kurenai gasped, her knees nearly giving way. Relief bloomed on her face like sunlight after a storm.
Tsunade turned, eyes locking onto him. For a moment, all the tension drained from her body.
He smiled faintly. "Looks like I made you worry."
Tsunade exhaled softly—then relaxed her fists.
Kitazawa surveyed the battlefield and pieced things together instantly. 'I probably stayed underwater too long. No wonder they thought I was gone.'
He couldn't blame them. Against a Tailed Beast Ball, even Hydrification barely ensured survival.
But before they could speak—the Three-tails struck again.
Seawater rained down like a collapsing sky, engulfing Tsunade's position. She flickered away, reappearing beside Kitazawa.
At the same time, Mei and Zabuza clashed with Kurenai, Shizune, and Izumi, while Ao was intercepted by Hiashi.
Only Kisame made it through, his grin faltering slightly at the sight of Tsunade and Kitazawa standing side by side.
The pressure was immense.
Still, with Yagura present, he wasn't alone.
Zabuza glanced toward Shizune, noticing the respect the Konoha shinobi showed her. "Heh. Guess she's someone important."
A shadow stepped in front of her.
"Who are you?" Zabuza sneered. "I don't kill nameless men."
"Uchiha Itachi," came the calm reply.
Zabuza's grin widened. "Perfect. I've been wanting to test that name."
Around them, the ocean itself seemed to tremble as the new battles erupted.
"Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa said, glancing at her with a small smile. "Care to fight together?"
He could've told Ao the truth—that Yagura was being controlled by Uchiha Obito. But honestly? He was still holding a grudge.
After being chased and blasted around by Isobu, he wanted payback.
And now, with Tsunade here—and his newly completed system mission—he was more than ready.
[Mission Completed: Cure Tsunade's Hemophobia]
[Reward: Yamato version of Wood Release]
The notification echoed in his mind.
Kitazawa didn't yet understand why it triggered—but he wasn't complaining.
Tsunade's hemophobia was gone. One of Konoha's Legendary Sannin had returned to her full strength.
And even a Jinchūriki would feel her wrath.
The only pity was the Wood Release reward—just the bloodline limit, not the jutsu themselves.
He'd have to learn them on his own.
Still—Kitazawa smiled faintly.
There would be plenty of time for that later.
Right now… it was time to show the Mist what he could do.
But on second thought, that wasn't ideal either.
Kitazawa couldn't possibly explain the origins of his Wood Release to Tsunade and the others. If anyone misunderstood it as the result of Hashirama cell transplantation, it would spark a storm he couldn't control.
After all, Hiruzen was still hunting for the mysterious masked man who wielded both Wood Release and the Sharingan—and Kitazawa matched that description a little too well.
"Next time you make me worry like this, you'll…"
Tsunade glared at him, voice sharp with irritation that didn't hide the tremor underneath. She had truly been frightened—something she hadn't felt in nearly twenty years. But the rest of her threat died on her lips.
She had wanted to say "you'll die miserably", yet the words felt wrong now, so she bit them back.
"Don't worry," Kitazawa replied, clearing his throat lightly. "There won't be a next time."
He had seen Tsunade's fury firsthand—and it was terrifying. Yet, knowing that it had come from worry for him, he couldn't help but feel moved.
"I'll deal with Kisame. You handle the Three-Tails Jinchuriki."
Tsunade flexed her fists with a confident smirk. "Perfect. I haven't had a proper fight in ages."
Ever since her hemophobia developed, she'd been fighting with shackles—holding back, avoiding blood, controlling her monstrous strength. It had been frustrating and unnatural.
But now, free from that curse, she could finally unleash her full power. And her opponent was Yagura Karatachi—the perfect test of strength.
"Be careful of the Tailed Beast Ball," Kitazawa warned.
"Don't underestimate my Yin Seal," Tsunade replied, pausing mid-stride. "After this war, I'll teach it to you."
Then, with a flicker, she vanished—reappearing before the Three-Tails.
Kisame didn't move to intercept her. He knew Kitazawa wouldn't allow him the chance.
"We didn't get to introduce ourselves properly last time," Kisame said calmly. "I'm Hoshigaki Kisame."
He didn't expect to win—but fear had never been his style. All he needed was to stall.
Kitazawa was about to respond when the familiar system interface flashed before his eyes:
[Current Mission: Defeat Hoshigaki Kisame.]
[Mission Reward: +50% Chakra capacity.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. The last time they clashed with Water Release, no mission had triggered. But now—finally—it had. And it offered his favorite prize: Chakra.
A 50% increase of Chakra was fitting for the man known as a "Tailed Beast without a tail."
Glancing toward Tsunade, Kitazawa saw her pushing the Three-Tails back with pure force. Still, Isobu's defense was monstrous—it wouldn't end quickly.
Using Creation Rebirth for too long would take a toll on Tsunade. And the Mist forces heavily outnumbered Konoha's. Prolonging this battle was dangerous.
"You killed Lord Fuguki," Kisame said, his voice low and steady. "Let's settle both old and new debts."
He inhaled deeply and began forming hand seals. The surrounding ocean roared to life, twisting into a colossal water dragon.
Senju Chakra Mode!
Kitazawa leaned forward, his Chakra erupting like the sun, flooding the air with heat. Three blazing fire dragons surged out, devouring the water dragon in their path.
Steam exploded around them. Kisame's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
How could Kitazawa's Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu overpower his Water Dragon Bullet—a direct elemental counter?
He had thought Kitazawa excelled only in Water and Lightning Release. Clearly, he'd been wrong.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
The water rose to defend him, but the fire dragons evaporated it midair. Kisame vaulted up through the steam, countering with:
Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!
A massive orb of water erupted from his mouth, bursting midair into countless streams that sealed off every angle of escape.
Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!
Kitazawa vanished with a flicker, reappearing behind Kisame. His blade blazed with fire.
Startled, Kisame spun—only to meet Kitazawa's gaze.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!
An invisible ripple pulsed through the air. Kisame froze, blank-eyed for an instant—then broke the Genjutsu almost immediately, raising another water wall.
Too late.
The burning blade sliced through the wall, grazing his shoulder. Kisame hissed in pain and leapt back, blood dripping into the sea.
Fast and minimal hand seals. Mastery of multiple elements. Genjutsu skill. Immense Chakra.
Flawless, he thought grimly.
Snapping through seals again, he called out:
Water Release: A Thousand Feeding Sharks!
Dozens of sharks surged from the sea.
Compound Ninjutsu: Blazing Wind Riot!
Kitazawa responded with a storm of wind and fire, turning the sea itself into an inferno. The flaming vortex incinerated the sharks one by one.
Kisame countered again, summoning a torrential downpour with Water Formation Pillar, dousing the flames—only to realize, too late, that Kitazawa had vanished.
A pair of hands shot up from beneath Kisame, dragging him under, but he immediately countered.
Water Release: Water Prison!
Water wrapped around Kitazawa, trapping him—only for his form to crumble into mud.
"An Earth Clone?!" Kisame snarled, kicking toward the surface.
Then—pain. Sharp and sudden.
Four water needles pierced through the sea, two embedding deep in his leg. Blood spiraled upward through the water.
"What kind of jutsu—!"
He spotted movement and retaliated instantly:
Water Release: Great Shark Bullet!
A colossal shark of water lunged.
But a flash of light answered it.
Chidori!
Kitazawa burst from the water, lightning screeching in his hand.
Kisame hastily erected another Water Prison, enclosing himself within.
Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!
Kitazawa twisted, lightning flaring violently. His blade pierced through the water shield as if it were paper, slamming into Kisame's guard.
Blood sprayed across the sea. Both of Kisame's arms went limp, barely attached.
Reeling from the pain, he lashed out with a desperate kick—
Leaf Great Whirlwind!
Kitazawa countered, his kick sending Kisame flying like a cannonball. The sea turned red where he landed.
Without hesitation, Kitazawa flickered forward, lightning crackling once more.
"Rain Four Sharks!" Kisame bellowed weakly, slamming his hands into the water.
Four spectral sharks leapt toward Kitazawa.
Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame!
Flames burst from Kitazawa's blade, cutting the sharks apart in a single sweeping arc.
Kisame tried to retreat, but his vision blurred.
Leaf Style: Willow!
A Genjutsu technique—swift and soundless. Kisame froze as countless phantom blades surrounded him.
When his senses returned, Kitazawa's flaming sword was already buried in his heart.
Kisame opened his mouth, but no words came out. His body fell back into the sea, lifeless.
[Mission Complete: Defeat Hoshigaki Kisame.]
[Reward: +50% Chakra limit.]
The familiar system message chimed. His Senju Chakra Mode duration extended by thirty seconds.
Another notification followed:
[Mission Complete: Hold out until Tsunade's arrival.]
[Reward: Mangekyo Sharingan Resistance.]
Information flooded Kitazawa's mind.
As expected, the new resistance granted him complete immunity to Mangekyo-level Genjutsu. Amaterasu or Kamui would still affect him—but mental domination, like Kotoamatsukami, would fail entirely.
Perfect timing. Danzo was next on his list.
Even if Danzo attempted Kotoamatsukami, Kitazawa could counter it—and watch for Tsunade, just in case.
Satisfied, he closed the prompts and flickered to Tsunade's side.
"You took down Kisame already?" she asked, panting slightly, surprise flickering across her face.
Barely two minutes had passed. No wonder he had managed to fight Yagura evenly before—his strength was nearly on par with hers.
"Yeah," Kitazawa replied simply.
Tsunade exhaled, then nodded sharply. "Yagura's full transformation is collapsing. He's reaching his limit."
"Good," Kitazawa said, tightening his fists. "Let's end this together."
"Gladly."
A grin tugged at Tsunade's lips—a rare, fierce smile.
Combination Monstrous Punch!
Their fists crashed down together. The Three-Tails Isobu howled in agony, its massive head dented under their combined strike.
It tried to bite back—only for Tsunade to appear at Kitazawa's side and kick it square in the jaw.
Wind Release: Rasengan!
Kitazawa thrust the spiraling orb straight into its open mouth. The Wind-infused Rasengan shredded the inner flesh, spraying blood.
"Kitazawa!" Tsunade called out.
Their chakras flared in unison.
"Let's finish it!"
Their fists struck as one.
The sea trembled.
Three-Tails's head exploded into a bloody mist—and its form collapsed, revealing the unconscious Yagura Karatachi within.
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