By today, there are no Kumo Ninja left in our ranks."
"Have you determined the reason for their withdrawal?"
On an island ten miles away, the Third Mizukage and his subordinates were still trying to understand what had happened the previous night that caused Kumogakure to completely abandon their alliance.
Faced with the Mizukage's question, the Kiri Ninja Anbu hesitated for a moment.
After a long pause, he lowered his head and said, "It's rumored that Tsunade captured the Third Raikage."
"What?"
The Third Mizukage's eyes, which had been narrowed, snapped wide open.
He stared at the Kiri Ninja Anbu for several seconds before taking a deep breath and regaining his composure.
After a few moments of thought, he shook his head.
"Impossible. Tsunade is strong, but even if the Raikage fought with one hand tied behind his back, she couldn't defeat him. The Third Raikage's Lightning Release Armor is terrifying."
Unpleasant memories resurfaced in the Third Mizukage's mind.
During the Second Shinobi World War, while the Cloud and Iwa Ninja were locked in a bitter conflict, the Kiri Ninja hadn't even considered ambushing Kumogakure to gain an advantage.
The reason was simple: fear of the Third Raikage's retribution.
His defense and attack were so monstrously inhuman that they defied comprehension.
Tsunade's abilities weren't quite at that level.
This was strange.
If not Tsunade, then who had defeated the Third Raikage?
Given that old man's stubborn nature, he would never have retreated from his determined assault on Konoha unless he was either defeated or persuaded.
And this withdrawal was so thorough and decisive.
'Could there be something I've overlooked?'
As he pondered this, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
The Third Mizukage used his sensory abilities to scan the surroundings.
"Konoha ninja?"
"Damn it!"
The Third Mizukage's mind raced.
He immediately realized that his advance scouts had likely been counter-tracked by Konoha forces.
Having fought in countless wars, he was intimately familiar with Konoha's tactics.
Once a single weakness was exposed, a chain of vulnerabilities would quickly be uncovered, leading them straight to his main camp.
But why would they attack the headquarters directly?
Were they trying to capture him?
"Fire a signal flare. I need to assess the situation."
The Third Mizukage rose to his feet.
Emerging from his tent, he was immediately greeted by a chorus of screams.
Kiri Ninja squads had already begun engaging the enemy, while Anbu operatives swiftly reported the situation.
A toad emerged from the water behind them, stealthily approaching the shore.
Although Shino Aburame and his team had launched an attack on the Kiri Ninja from the other side, most of the ninja remained here, maintaining a tight perimeter.
However, the toad quickly ducked back into the river and swam toward the island's interior.
Inside the toad, Minato and Raj were crammed into the cramped space, pressed so close they could barely move, let alone speak or gather intel from the outside world.
Raj could only use its sensory abilities to vaguely probe their surroundings, but the results were minimal.
Without activating Sage Mode, its sensory range was severely limited.
Raj considered switching to a different sensory ability next time, but after a quick assessment, it decided it wasn't necessary.
Among the sensory techniques, the most versatile and powerful was undoubtedly Kagura's Mind's Eye.
The price wasn't exorbitant-just over 15,000 points.
However, Raj believed Takuma had the potential to develop this ability herself.
'Even if Takuma couldn't be by its side at all times... Why not just use the Reverse Summoning Technique?'
The Reverse Summoning Technique required 12,000 points, which seemed like a lot, but it was actually a bargain.
This technique was a more advanced application of the Summoning Technique, requiring the use of a Contract Scroll.
The Contract Scroll could summon anyone bound to it, including Rin, Takuma, the lazy white pig, and the newly added "Four Cat Generals."
But for now, it wasn't needed.
Raj wasn't in a hurry to redeem the technique.
Mount Myoboku and Shikkotsu Forest undoubtedly possessed the Reverse Summoning Technique.
He could learn it from either place later, saving at least two or three thousand points.
If he could save points, why waste them?
"Ribbit! We're here," the toad warned. "I sense a large group of enemies. Any further and we'll be detected."
In the next instant, Minato emerged from the toad's body using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As soon as he appeared outside, chaos erupted.
"Who's there?!"
"Enemy attack!"
"It's Minato! Watch out for his Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Amidst the panicked shouts, someone began issuing orders.
Within moments, seven or eight small squads rapidly converged on their position.
'They're fast...' he thought, impressed.
However, the enemy seemed to have overlooked him.
He began calculating how to exploit this oversight.
If used correctly, it might provide an opportunity to counterattack.
After a moment's consideration, he swiftly redeemed the inexpensive Water Release ninjutsu, Surging Wave Strike, from the shop for just two thousand points.
In this environment, saturated with river and seawater, Water Release ninjutsu would be exceptionally effective.
"Raj, you handle them. I'll try to break through to the Third Mizukage," Minato whispered.
Raj didn't respond, but Minato knew it had heard and would follow his instructions.
As seven or eight squads surrounded them, Minato instantly charged forward.
Even without using the Flying Thunder God Technique, his speed was astonishing.
In the blink of an eye, he had covered a significant distance.
The mist thickened.
The Hidden Kiri Ninja converged, numbering thirty to forty.
Before they could close in, a barrage of ninjutsu rained down.
But Minato's speed was unparalleled.
Combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he moved like a golden flash, many ninjutsu attacks narrowly missing him.
Forced into this situation, the Kiri Ninja tightened their encirclement, their ranks growing denser.
Meanwhile, behind them...
Poof! A soft splash broke the river's surface as a cat emerged, only its head visible.
In that instant, it unleashed a high-pressure jet of water from its mouth.
The water swept across the area...
A spray of blood erupted.
"Water Severing Wave!"
The Third Mizukage finally lost his composure.
The Second Hokage's ninjutsu, long thought lost, had resurfaced today.
'No, wait. This wasn't a person at all-it was that damn cat!'
"Stop Minato! Be careful, they might use the Flying Thunder God Technique to switch positions!" he shouted again before leaping onto the river.
Forming a hand seal, he gradually transformed the river water into oil.
The Third Mizukage had trained under both the First and Second Mizukage since childhood, learning numerous Ninjutsu techniques from them.
The Oil Transformation Technique was one such skill.
However, his mastery was limited.