"We must fight to the death for the future of the Hidden Mist Village!"
Yuan Shi's voice echoed through the room.
"Ao and Gonbei, lead all available ninja teams from my residence and immediately reinforce the battlefield!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Mei Terumī, gather the rebel forces you've secretly assembled and prepare for the decisive battle!"
"Understood, Grand Elder!"
A solemn expression appeared on Yuan Shi's aged face.
"Success or death."
"The future of the Hidden Mist Village depends on what happens today."
Everyone took a deep breath before dispersing to carry out their orders.
---
Ao and Gonbei acted quickly, redirecting the ninja forces stationed at Yuan Shi's residence toward the battlefield. Meanwhile, Mei Terumī began contacting the rebel groups hidden throughout the village.
Just as she was making preparations, a figure suddenly appeared in the road ahead.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi.
Mei Terumī was surprised, but she remained calm.
Yagura stared at her coldly.
"So..."
"You truly have betrayed me."
Mei Terumī smiled faintly.
"There's no point pretending anymore, Mizukage-sama."
Yagura's eyes narrowed.
"If all of you rebels wish to die..."
"Then I shall grant your wish."
Dozens of Hidden Mist ninjas instantly appeared behind him, completely blocking Mei Terumī's path.
At the moment, she only had a handful of followers by her side.
"Mei Terumī-sama, what should we do?"
She took a deep breath.
"If there's no path of retreat, then we'll advance."
"Attack!"
The second battlefield erupted into chaos.
---
Water Release vs. Water Release
"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!"
Although Mei Terumī was famous for her Boil Release and Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, her Water Release mastery was equally impressive.
A massive pillar of water surged toward the enemy like a crashing meteor.
Several Hidden Mist ninjas hurriedly formed defensive techniques.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
"Water Release: Flowing Wall!"
However, even the combined efforts of several elite ninjas couldn't withstand Mei Terumī's overwhelming power.
The defensive walls shattered instantly.
The massive torrent rushed directly toward Yagura.
"Mizukage-sama!"
But Yagura remained expressionless.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
A giant mirror of water materialized before him.
Moments later, a duplicate of Mei Terumī emerged from the mirror and unleashed the exact same Water Formation Pillar.
BOOM!
The two techniques collided violently, sending water exploding across the battlefield.
Mei Terumī's expression darkened.
"The Water Mirror Technique..."
"They're even using Mizukage-sama's abilities against us."
Her anger surged.
---
Lava Release
"Lava Release: Lava Monster Technique!"
A torrent of corrosive lava erupted from her mouth, spreading across the battlefield toward Yagura.
The surrounding Hidden Mist ninjas immediately scattered, fully aware of how terrifying the technique was.
Yet Yagura didn't move.
A layer of crimson chakra began to emerge around his body.
The power of the Three-Tails, Isobu.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Borrowing the chakra of the Tailed Beast sealed within him, Yagura unleashed an enormous tidal wave.
The massive surge of water swept forward.
The lava was overwhelmed before it could even reach him.
Mei Terumī's eyes widened.
"He can even use the Three-Tails' chakra..."
Although Yagura was clearly being controlled by Genjutsu, his combat ability remained almost completely intact.
Whoever was controlling him possessed frighteningly powerful Genjutsu.
---
Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"
Realizing she couldn't hold back any longer, Mei Terumī revealed another trump card.
A dense cloud of acidic mist poured from her mouth and rapidly spread across the battlefield.
The Hidden Mist ninjas caught within it screamed in agony.
"AAAAHHHH!"
Their clothes, skin, flesh, and even bones began dissolving under the corrosive mist.
The battlefield became filled with horrific screams.
Yagura merely snorted.
"Wind Release: Passing Typhoon!"
A violent storm erupted.
The powerful winds tore through the battlefield and dispersed much of the acidic mist.
The technique had originally been developed to counter the Hidden Mist Technique, making it highly effective against Mei Terumī's attack.
Even more troublesome, the wind redirected part of the acidic mist back toward her own forces.
Mei Terumī's face changed.
Yagura clearly understood her abilities and their weaknesses.
Boil Release was devastating in enclosed spaces but less effective on open battlefields. Worse, it could easily harm allies if not carefully controlled.
Seeing her comrades in danger, Mei Terumī immediately began retracting the acidic mist.
But Yagura wasn't about to give her the chance.
---
The Counterattack
"Water Release: Iron Bullet!"
While she was distracted protecting her allies, Yagura launched his attack.
A gigantic sphere of chakra-infused water burst from his mouth and shot toward her.
The destructive force behind it was terrifying.
Under normal circumstances, Mei Terumī could have countered it.
But at that moment, she was busy protecting her men.
Her eyes widened.
"This is bad..."
Just as the attack was about to hit—
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Two figures suddenly descended from above.
A massive earth wall rose to block the attack while a powerful gust of wind slammed into the incoming water projectile.
BOOM!
The collision shook the battlefield.
The combined counterattack was so powerful that it actually deflected Yagura's Water Release.
For the first time, Yagura's expression changed slightly.
Mei Terumī stared at the newcomers in disbelief.
"That... that's..."
The young ninja standing before her radiated confidence.
Wind chakra swirled around him as he smiled.
"Konoha ninja..."
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
---
Earlier, Team 7 and Ao had successfully gained the upper hand against the Hidden Mist ANBU.
After Ao, Gonbei, and additional reinforcements arrived, the battle quickly turned in their favor.
Together, they completely suppressed the enemy forces.
Although relieved, Ao remained concerned about Yuan Shi's safety. Suspecting that the mastermind behind everything might target the Grand Elder, he sent Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzumaki ahead to provide support.
As they approached Yuan Shi's residence, they heard the sounds of intense combat and immediately rushed toward the battlefield.
They arrived just in time to save Mei Terumī.
Kakashi glanced at her and asked calmly,
"Are you alright?"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)