He could never master Hozuki Gengetsu's signature Vapor Explosion Technique, and his Oil Transformation was merely superficial, used to complement other Ninjutsu and Sealing Techniques.
This current technique was a Sealing Technique.
Raj instantly sensed something amiss with the river water.
It had a greasy texture, a subtle change that couldn't escape its notice.
'Oil?'
Without hesitation, Raj used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport beside Minato.
The Third Mizukage remained unfazed by his technique's failure.
After all, he had successfully drawn out the cat.
But just as he felt a flicker of satisfaction, he saw Raj rapidly transform into a dark shadow, and then...
"Ah!"
"I'll kill..."
"..."
Amidst the screams, many failed to react in time, swept away by the cat's tail and left mortally wounded.
In the blink of an eye, seven or eight tenths of the people clinging to Minato's back had been annihilated.
By this time, Minato had already broken through the dense blockade.
The Third Mizukage narrowed his eyes.
His eyes seemed perpetually closed, remaining unfazed even as Minato charged toward him.
The instant Minato closed the distance, the decorative beads on the Mizukage's head erupted, transforming into a barrage of sealing talismans.
A similar technique to Ao's earring.
But if this sealing technique was meant to stop Minato, then the Uzumaki Clan's sealing arts would have been learned in vain.
When it came to sealing techniques, the Uzumaki Clan were the true experts; the Third Mizukage's skills paled in comparison.
Raj remained completely unconcerned.
'As expected.'
In a mere instant, Minato formed hand seals and executed a counter-sealing technique, effortlessly dismantling the sealing net.
With a swift palm strike, he redirected the talismans into the ocean.
Flying Thunder God Technique: Lightning Guidance.
"..."
The Third Mizukage retreated rapidly, while the surrounding Kiri Ninja scattered and vanished into the dense fog.
But by then, Raj had already abandoned the enemies harassing his rear, using Minato's kunai as a teleportation anchor to flash forward.
He had already entered Sage Mode and activated the "Open Gate."
The Third Mizukage retreated further, then swiftly unleashed the Great Waterfall Technique.
But... Raj's newly acquired Surging Wave Strike proved its worth once again.
Wherever there was water, he could use it to move with incredible speed.
Since the waterfall's source was the Third Mizukage himself, all he needed to do was swim upstream.
Before the Third Mizukage could react, Raj's claws shot out from beneath the water and struck his leg.
Flying Thunder God Technique!
Simultaneously, Ice Release: Ice Prison!
The two ninjutsu were unleashed almost simultaneously.
The Third Mizukage had no time to react as chains of solid ice bound him.
Before any of the Kiri Ninja could respond, Minato and Raj jointly seized him and vanished.
"Lord Mizukage!"
"Where did he go?"
"..."
The Mizukage Guard Squad and Anbu stood dumbfounded.
What kind of battle is this? It looks like a kidnapping, and the kidnappers just barged in without even trying to negotiate!
What do we do?
"Capture the one with the Byakugan first! He's the Hyuga Clan Head. We'll use him to exchange for Lord Mizukage!" the guard captain shouted.
The entire force turned and began to surround Hiashi, but the Hyuga Clan Head was a seasoned warrior.
He wouldn't have dared to participate in such a dangerous mission as Clan Head if his own strength were lacking.
While Raj and Minato were kidnapping the Third Mizukage, Hiashi had already led Shikuro and the others in a retreat.
But the Kiri Ninja were too numerous.
Wave after wave of enemies pressed forward, while reinforcements arrived from other camps, trapping the group in an instant.
Shikuro's insects were formidable, but against Water Release techniques, what use were they?
He thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Guy, it's up to you."
"I'll do it!"
Upon receiving the order, Guy didn't rely solely on Taijutsu and the first three Gates as before.
This time, he immediately opened the Sixth Gate.
In an instant, Guy transformed into a blur of motion.
His punches and kicks moved with blinding speed.
Though he lacked the refined techniques of his son Guy, his raw power alone was enough to carve a path through the enemy ranks.
In the blink of an eye, he had sent a wave of Kiri Ninja flying.
'This guy's technique... it's beyond absurd!'
Hiashi Hyuga was stunned.
He had never known the full extent of Guy's abilities.
Guy had only recently joined the battlefield and served under Shikuro's command.
This was Hiashi's first time cooperating with him, and his first glimpse of the Eight Inner Gates.
The sheer power was overwhelming.
Even with just Taijutsu, Guy was virtually invincible.
In the time it took to blink, Guy had led them several miles through the enemy lines.
By then, the others couldn't keep up with his pace.
Fortunately, Guy's relentless assault had left behind only scattered remnants of the Kiri Ninja forces, easily overwhelmed by Hiashi and the others.
Yet despite Guy's strength, the Kiri Ninja still outnumbered them massively.
Of the ten camps they had initially targeted, only one had been eliminated.
Nearly a thousand ninja remained, and when combined with the thousands stationed at the Main Camp, they formed a dark, mountainous mass.
Guy, despite mastering the Eight Inner Gates, lacked matching techniques.
His bare fists alone couldn't possibly defeat them all.
Just then...
A dark shadow suddenly landed on
Hiashi's shoulder. It leaped upward, its mouth beginning to glow with gathering energy.
"Raj?"
Hiashi's initial joy quickly turned to shock.
'They took down the Third Mizukage already? That was way too fast!'
The Third Mizukage wasn't some pushover. He knew a wide range of ninjutsu and possessed considerable strength.
But ultimately, his greatest expertise lay in Sealing Techniques.
Yet using Sealing Techniques against Minato, the son-in-law of the Uzumaki Clan, was like showing off a rusty knife to a master swordsman.
Minato could unravel the Third Mizukage's seals, while the Third Mizukage couldn't quickly break through the Uzumaki Clan's seals.
With Raj's assistance, the Third Mizukage fell after only a few exchanges.
"Watch out!"
Kushimaru Kuriarare, who had just arrived, saw Raj leap into the air and felt a sudden sense of dread.
But before he could finish his warning, the ninjutsu erupted from Raj's mouth.
A Rasenshuriken.
Normally, a long-range attack like this might not hit its target.
In a one-on-one battle, the Rasenshuriken's accuracy at a distance was questionable.
But with so many Hidden Kiri Ninja clustered together, any random strike was bound to hit someone.
Raj's target was nearby.