Why is Kirigakure called Kirigakure? Isn't it because it's shrouded in thick mist all year round?
Water Release, Hidden Mist Technique—this is the signature skill of Kirigakure's shinobi. Yet now, it was Gekko Chizan who had taken the lead in using it.
Back when he slew the Third Mizukage, he obtained all of the Third Mizukage's Water Release techniques. Coupled with the subsequent amplification of his ninjutsu, his mastery over Water Release had long since surpassed that of the former Mizukage.
Thick mist poured from his mouth, and in mere moments, a gray haze blanketed the surface of the sea.
"Heh... hehehe... it's actually the Hidden Mist Technique."
"These Kumogakure shinobi truly deserve to die, daring to use the Hidden Mist Technique in front of us Kirigakure shinobi???"
"They must die."
Laughing in fury, Karatachi Yagura was so enraged at the thick mist drifting across the sea that he actually burst out laughing.
For so many years, only Kirigakure shinobi had used mist against others. Never had he seen anyone dare use it against them.
How utterly ridiculous! How utterly laughable!
"Increase speed! Charge straight in."
"I'd like to see what tricks these Kumogakure bastards think they can pull!"
It wasn't that Karatachi Yagura was overly arrogant. Rather, Kirigakure shinobi possessed absolute understanding of the Hidden Mist Technique and had no fear of anything going wrong within the fog.
Even if something did happen, they were confident they could handle it.
With Karatachi Yagura's order given, the ship accelerated once more and quickly plunged into the thick mist.
The moment they entered, Gekko Chizan's attack began.
"Hey! You Kirigakure blockheads—go to hell!"
A Water Clone burst through the sea's surface and charged straight toward the ship carrying the Kirigakure shinobi.
"Enemy attack!"
"Just one person? Kill him!"
Yes—only a single Water Clone, and it rushed forward arrogantly. The outcome was obvious.
Kunai and shuriken flew at it all at once, instantly riddling the clone like a sieve.
"Splash..."
In the next second, the Water Clone dissolved into a pool of water. But the instant the water spread out, every Kirigakure shinobi felt a surge of dread.
Because at the very center of that water lay a bundle of explosive tags.
"Boom!"
Protected by chakra, the explosive tags hadn't been soaked through. Instead, the disappearance of the Water Clone triggered their detonation.
The violent explosion made the ship shudder violently.
A flicker of impatience flashed through Karatachi Yagura's eyes. In his view, such an attack was utterly meaningless—even if clones were used.
But he soon realized he had spoken too soon.
"Continue attacking!"
With a furious roar, the sea around the ship split open again and again as Water Clones surged upward one after another.
"Don't let them get close to the hull!"
"Counterattack!"
Karatachi Yagura crossed his arms over his chest, his expression stern as he issued the counterattack order.
There were no few shinobi aboard his ship—eighty in total.
From his observation, there were at least over a hundred figures appearing around them. Even so, they should still be able to handle it.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
"Water Release: Water Whip!"
"Water Release: Water Hail Technique!"
All kinds of Water Release ninjutsu emerged in endless succession, combined with shuriken and kunai.
For a time, an intense and thrilling battle of offense and defense erupted around the ship.
Every clone that was struck triggered another massive explosion.
"Boom!"
Explosions rang out in rapid succession. Even the large vessel beneath the Kirigakure shinobi was shaken violently from side to side.
Karatachi Yagura's expression grew even more solemn. He knew clearly that the enemy intended to sink the ship, strip them of transportation, and force them to proceed on foot.
That would drastically slow their advance and exhaust their stamina.
"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!"
Seeing the explosions continuing without pause, Karatachi Yagura hesitated no longer and made his move.
His immense chakra unleashed a defensive Water Release technique far surpassing the Water Formation Wall. A massive water pillar directly enveloped the ship, and even when Water Clones crashed against it, not a single ripple was stirred.
"Hehehe, I thought you wouldn't make a move."
"In the end, you're the one who couldn't hold back first."
"In that case—Water Release: Water Raging Wave Technique!"
Gekko Chizan's sinister voice echoed faintly through the mist. Before Karatachi Yagura could react—
A tremendous force began lifting the entire ship upward.
"Not good!"
"So it really is aimed at the ship!"
This Water Release technique erupted directly beneath the hull, shocking Karatachi Yagura.
But his shock was already useless, for Gekko Chizan's technique had been activated.
The Water Raging Wave Technique used the force of water to create a soaring waterspout on the spot.
Although the Kirigakure ship was large, before the technique unleashed by Gekko Chizan, it was utterly insufficient.
"Boom!"
"Crack!"
The sounds of impact and splintering rang out simultaneously.
Every Kirigakure shinobi aboard changed expression—Karatachi Yagura included.
"Those damn Kumogakure shinobi!"
"Everyone, abandon ship!"
"Watch out for ambushes!"
The bottom of the ship had already been destroyed. Its sinking was only a matter of time. Rather than wait, it was better to abandon it immediately.
One could say that the worst-case scenario in Karatachi Yagura's mind had already come to pass.
"Hehehe, it's not over yet...."
"Water Release: Running Water Spear Technique!"
One Water Release ninjutsu after another left the Kirigakure shinobi no time to rest.
Water condensed into countless long spears, stabbing directly toward them.
There were so many that every single Kirigakure shinobi was covered within their range.
"Sensory shinobi, locate the enemy! The rest of you, defend—then counterattack!"
Karatachi Yagura calmly and methodically arranged his subordinates' response. But when the sensory shinobi extended their perception—
He froze.
There were numerous chakra signatures all around them. While many belonged to Water Clones, why were there still so many others?
"Mizukage-sama, we're surrounded...."
"There are over a hundred enemies around us...."
Karatachi Yagura: What??? Say that again???
Yes, Gekko Chizan had come fully prepared. He understood the shortcomings of Water Clones very well—these clones, possessing only one-tenth of the original's strength, were in his eyes suitable merely for feints.
So he had once again used the Multi Shadow Clone Technique to create a hundred clones.
"Tch, someone who didn't know better would think you were planning to take down the Mizukage directly."
"A hundred clones—more than the enemy's numbers. Chizan, what were you thinking?"
Chōmei munched on takoyaki, looking speechless at Gekko Chizan hiding far in the distance.
Yes, Gekko Chizan's true body hadn't moved at all. Every attack had been carried out by his clones.
The focus was on stability and peace of mind.