Chapter 73: Water Explosion—Rotating Water Blades!
In a dark corner of the hall,
Hearing Tsukasa's speech, Uchiha Madara—leaning on his cane—couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Assassinating the Mizukage, instigating a coup, controlling the Daimyo, launching wars..."
"Hmph, what arrogant boasting from a mere brat!"
Uchiha Madara chuckled, as if seeing a reflection of his younger self in the face of this youth.
But his expression quickly returned to indifference, and he commented calmly,
"However, mere rhetoric is meaningless."
"Power differs from willpower—it requires actual force. If you don't understand this fundamental truth, all those lofty ideals will only bring suffering."
White Zetsu standing nearby grinned eerily. "Madara-sama, it's been quite a while since I've seen you show interest in anyone."
"Should I add him to our observation list?"
Uchiha Madara glanced at the group, his Sharingan activating as he studied Tsukasa for a moment, then frowned.
"We'll see."
This was the first time since the Warring States period that he'd witnessed such a contradictory expression.
The boy was clearly terrified of death, yet his eyes and body language screamed desperation for mortal combat.
This expression transcended simple bravery.
Cowardice and death-seeking combined in the same person at the same moment, drowning in such intense conflicting emotions—yet
He possessed merely a pathetic two-tomoe Sharingan.
This bizarre combination of qualities left even Madara momentarily perplexed.
On the battlefield,
Standing in the flowing water, Mei Terumi gazed at Tsukasa's back before her.
Silence fell for a moment.
Rain poured down inside the hall, droplets splashing like scattered pearls.
She understood that
Tsukasa was merely an outsider caught up in Kirigakure's internal conflict.
But now,
This young man stood before Mei Terumi,
Declaring with unwavering determination that he would fight with everything he had to protect her.
Just minutes earlier, he'd been cursing at her with a heartless expression, spouting nonsense about severing their partnership.
Mei Terumi wasn't entirely sure what had changed,
But
A smile suddenly spread across her face.
She looked at the young man's back and couldn't help but let her lips curl upward.
As expected—this was one stubborn, dishonest fool!
With this thought, Mei Terumi's eyes sharpened, and she stepped forward.
Her emerald eyes swept across Hōzuki Mangetsu and the five Hunter-nin, immediately formulating a battle strategy.
Her expression calmed, and her gaze gradually turned cold.
Mei Terumi—who would one day end the Blood Mist era and become the Fifth Mizukage—though still young, was by no means ordinary.
"Tsukasa," Mei Terumi said quietly, her brow furrowing in concentration.
"I have four chakra nature affinities. While I'm not proficient in Lightning Release yet, I do have some techniques available."
"So I'll occupy Mangetsu's attention."
"You must disrupt their Water Release: Kirisame technique—otherwise this battle will only grow more difficult."
"Besides, this is a gamble. We can only bet that your deduction was correct. Otherwise..."
"Once there's access to massive amounts of water, Mangetsu will be able to perform another devastating secret technique, and our chances of victory will become virtually nonexistent."
"Understood." Tsukasa nodded, looking up at the five Hunter-nin with a cold gaze.
He knew which technique Mei Terumi was referring to:
Water Release: Tate Eboshi.
Once sufficient water accumulated, Mangetsu could perform this jutsu, essentially piloting a massive water construct comparable in size to the Eight-Tails' full form.
At that point, the enemy wouldn't even need to produce the Seven Ninja Swords summoning scroll—they'd already be defeated.
Upon hearing Tsukasa's confirmation, Mei Terumi's eyes darkened as she formed hand seals:
Ram-Snake-Tiger.
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!
She opened her mouth and exhaled—thick fog instantly rose, spreading throughout the entire hall.
Using the cover of dense mist, she pulled a kunai from the ninja tool pouch at Tsukasa's waist, formed the Snake seal, and condensed a water blade to hurl at Hōzuki Mangetsu.
In an instant!
Following the thrown water blade, Mei Terumi leaped into the air, forming hand seals while gathering massive chakra at the back of her throat, then unleashed a torrential wave of water toward the ground, crashing toward Hōzuki Mangetsu.
Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
Seeing this, Mangetsu remained expressionless, a hint of mockery on his face.
A distant Hunter-nin, hearing the commotion, smirked triumphantly and taunted:
"Mei Terumi, have you lost your mind?! You're using Exploding Water Colliding Wave against Mangetsu, who possesses the Hydrification Technique?!"
"You're asking to die!"
Mei Terumi scoffed. "Think again!"
She formed hand seals once more, channeling massive amounts of chakra despite Kirisame's weakening effect. She generated lightning from her palms, blasting it directly into the exploding water wave.
Lightning from Lightning Release: Earth Flash exploded, carrying the Exploding Water Colliding Wave with it straight toward Hōzuki Mangetsu.
BOOM!
A tsunami-like wall of electrified water surged in all directions, splitting the battlefield.
White mist filled the air as waves crashed violently!
Amidst the whiteness, a pair of crimson eyes suddenly blazed to life.
Tsukasa had prepared himself, channeling chakra to his feet. He rode the wave's momentum, surfing toward the five Hunter-nin at the hall's far end who were performing Water Release: Kirisame.
Simply coordinating with Mei Terumi, he'd achieved the effect of Water Release: Water Severing Wave riding.
Standing atop the wave's crest, Tsukasa suddenly leaped into the air, drawing a massive shuriken and hurling it at the Hunter-nin.
Then, using rotational momentum, he executed his flying blade technique, sending his ninja sword spinning through the air!
He then flung two kunai that embedded in the hall's pillars. Gripping the wire threads, he redirected his trajectory, tracing a semicircle and leaping in another direction.
With a reverse grip, he spun the kunai in his hand like a blade flower and lunged toward the five Hunter-nin.
The eldest Hunter-nin, hearing footsteps, looked up in alarm and shouted,
"Watch out! That brat's coming for us!"
"To the left!"
Before he finished speaking, a cloud of shuriken pierced through the white mist—from the right.
The elder's eyes widened as he drew his ninja blade to block. Clang clang clang! The sounds rang continuously, sparks flying!
However,
Hidden within the shuriken barrage, a ninja blade suddenly tore through the air!
Whoosh!
It pierced his throat, silencing his warning forever.
[Ding!]
[You successfully defeated a Chunin who thought you were overconfident!]
[Heart Upgrade: Water (100%)—you have mastered Water Release chakra nature transformation.]
[You have learned: Water Release: Water Cutting Sword (Beginner, C-Rank)]
The remaining four Hunter-nin stared wide-eyed at Tsukasa charging from the left, utterly bewildered.
However, the situation was urgent. One Hunter-nin shouted,
"I'll maintain the secret technique—you three deal with this brat first!"
The other three nodded, steadying themselves on the water's surface as they thrust their hands forward.
They unleashed chakra-infused whips.
CRACK!
The three whip tips snapped with sonic booms, suddenly wrapping around Tsukasa from multiple angles, blocking all escape routes.
This was Water Release: Water Whip.
Using water to form binding whips with powerful restraining effects.
However, Tsukasa didn't falter. Instead, he drew a kunai from his ninja tool pouch and charged forward.
His pupils reflected the three incoming water whips as his hands rapidly formed seals.
Rabbit-Ram-Snake!
Water Release: Water Fang Blade!
The water blade ignited. Having fully mastered Water Release nature transformation, the blade became even more condensed and razor-sharp.
The water within the blade rotated at terrifying speed, producing a high-pitched whining sound.
Then, Tsukasa suddenly swung the blade!
Drawing a crescent-moon arc!
End of Chapter 73
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