"Figured as much?"
The figure behind him once again dissolved into a mass of seawater. Haseo calmly sheathed his blade, showing no sign of disappointment. Truthfully, he had already guessed that the target he was about to strike with a thunderous attack would most likely be just a shadow clone or illusion.
But he did it anyway.
Firstly, Haseo wasn't short on chakra—not in the least. After all, he was supplied with seven-eighths of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Though since the Nine-Tails was sealed within reincarnated beings and its chakra could only be collected through leakage, and then transported via Katsuyu, Haseo couldn't possibly manipulate the Nine-Tails' chakra as efficiently, swiftly, or in large quantities as a true jinchuriki.
Drawing power from an external source just wasn't as efficient as having it built in.
Still, the Nine-Tails' chakra was absurdly vast. Even under these current limitations, Haseo found it more than sufficient. After all, his opponent was merely a Mizukage, not an allied force numbering in the tens of thousands. So theoretically speaking, there wouldn't be any issue running out of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Secondly, that clean, decisive decapitating strike from earlier would certainly leave a deep impression on the Mizukage. If the opponent tried sneaking up on Haseo again afterward, they'd have to seriously consider whether their reaction speed could keep up.
Although Haseo himself was also a user of Water Release techniques, this aquatic battlefield clearly favored the Third Mizukage far more. Haseo's Water Release techniques were known for their grandeur and overwhelming force, yet the Mizukage could use the surrounding waters for invisibility. Thus, no matter how many different attacks Haseo had access to at this moment, he still felt somewhat helpless and unsure where to begin.
Fighting the heavens, the land, the wind—and now even the ocean? For Haseo, that was asking a lot. At a time like this, if he really could use something like the Tailed Beast Ball—a wide-area attack—it would've been great.
After the "Mizukage" disappeared, not long passed before the water beneath Haseo's feet began violently shaking again—but this time, it didn't seem to be a direct attack.
Haseo lifted his gaze, then continued lifting it higher and higher. Nearby, the surface of the water slowly rose upward until it formed a thirty-meter-tall upper-body giant.
Hmm… Well, this "giant" looked pretty shaky. Looks like a cheap imitation.
What the Mizukage currently used was indeed the Hydrification Technique… but for Haseo, who had personally witnessed Susanoo before, this still lacked enough intimidation factor.
This watery colossus didn't immediately attack Haseo upon fully forming; instead, its "vision" shifted toward the distance. Then, it unleashed a violent blast of air straight at what remained of the Konoha squad.
In an instant, countless fine water blades shot toward the Konoha ninja. Haseo already knew firsthand that flesh and blood alone couldn't withstand such things.
"This is bad!"
The Mizukage was clearly planning to eliminate the other Konoha ninjas first, and then turn back to deal with Haseo—the tougher nut to crack. Watching helplessly as endless water blades rained down on his comrades, even if Haseo himself was extremely fast, at this moment, speed alone proved insufficient.
But this world is such that ninjas who rely on others for salvation end up dying, while only those who save themselves can survive.
With steam rising all around him, the chakra radiating from Might Duy started to shift into a deep blue hue.
Even a genin, as long as he is a qualified ninja, would know precisely what decision to make at the right moment. Therefore, for Might Duy, it was time to—
Open the seventh gate of the Eight Gates, the Wonder Gate.
Fierce and wild like a beast, pale in appearance, the [Daytime Tiger] surges forth. It's nearly unimaginable that such an attack could be created purely through taijutsu. Might Duy's shockwave attacks, shining like a beam of white light, first disperses Mizukage's countless Water Blades, then heavily strikes the body of the Watery Colossus, forcing it back step by step while simultaneously causing it to crumble apart.
This technique must be the [Daytime Tiger], unleashed after opening the Wonder Gate. Among all the techniques of the Eight Gates, when used as a jutsu instead of a suicidal strike, this one possesses the greatest power.
Even ignoring its sheer destructive force, theoretically speaking, the level of chakra Might Duy was currently displaying should easily overpower even an elite jonin.
However, this move naturally carries great risks. If Might Duy can create a shockwave of such massive scale, then the pressure exerted onto his own body must be unimaginable—as if further proving why anyone capable of mastering the Eight Gates must not be normal.
At this point, Haseo swiftly moved forward until he stood before Might Duy. He gently placed his hand on the other man's shoulder, and immediately afterward, Might Duy shuddered violently, as though struck by a devastating blow. His body was already wracked with unbearable pain.
"Do you think you can keep going?" Haseo asked.
"I'm fine, Lord Haseo," Might Duy replied.
But judging from his current condition, Haseo doubted he'd be able to unleash a second [Daytime Tiger].
Might Duy could focus peacefully on dealing with other enemies now; there would be no need for him to use such a powerful technique again.
"You've done more than enough. Leave the Mizukage to me. So...this is already your limit. You don't have to push yourself any further. Do you understand me?" Haseo added meaningfully.
After all, this wasn't some last-stand battle where he was completely isolated and cut off from support. Truth is, Haseo feared Might Duy might lose control and force open the eighth gate next—it would be an unnecessary sacrifice.
Considering that using the [Daytime Tiger] even once would leave someone needing a week's rest afterward, it definitely surpassed even some of the most powerful dojutsu...Might Duy really had already done more than enough.
"I understand, Lord Haseo...I will remain restrained unless absolutely necessary."
It was clear that Might Duy understood exactly what Haseo meant, and he remained rational—appearing, at least, to have no intention of sacrificing himself recklessly.
Only after hearing this did Haseo give a slight nod, finally withdrawing his hand.
"Now, everyone step back a little. I need to draw out the Mizukage... It's not easy, but as a ninja from the Land of Fire, I do have some confidence in my Fire Release techniques."
The Watery Colossus, which had been knocked back by the "Daytime Tiger," began reforming its shape. Meanwhile, Haseo began walking toward it.
Piloting a battle machine wasn't something Haseo cared about—especially not a cheap imitation. After all, he was someone capable of molding clay figures. But this wasn't the moment for direct confrontation—he needed to force the Mizukage into revealing her true form.
The plan wasn't complicated. If his enemy was hiding in the water… then what if he just vaporized all of it?
A massive amount of Nine-Tails' chakra surged through Haseo's body.
Then, he started forming hand seals.
The Watery Colossus swung its arm, which howled through the air as it smashed downward at Haseo, who had now approached closely. Yet this time, the attack didn't even make a sound.
Haseo didn't dodge. The giant's arm never reached him—it vanished midair, completely evaporated by a rising surge of flame:
[Chakra Control Mode: Fire Release - Blazing Surge: Moonlight Guren]
Fire beats water—Haseo had always been a genius when it came to countering elements.
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