Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Mei Terumi!

"This is the technique that annihilated our entire squads, isn't it?"

The Third Mizukage muttered to himself. Forming hand seals, the moisture in the air condensed around him, swelling into a massive water dragon.

Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!

The water dragon surged skyward, while in the air, Shūichi's Scorch Release: Rasenshuriken screamed downward like a fiery comet.

The colossal water dragon opened its gaping maw and swallowed the descending Rasenshuriken whole.

In the next instant, the Rasenshuriken expanded explosively, tearing apart the massive water dragon.

With a deafening roar, a torrential, searing rain descended from the heavens, drenching Uchiha Shisui and the Mist ninja below. The entire forest trembled under the downpour.

"As expected of the Third Mizukage. Even Shūichi's technique was countered with conventional ninjutsu," Shisui thought, deeply impressed.

In the sky, Shūichi silently acknowledged his opponent's skill. Withdrawing his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, he stood aloft on a fiery lotus blooming beneath his feet.

Stretching out both hands, Shūichi formed two new Rasenshuriken, each crackling with distinct chakra natures:

Scorch Release: Rasenshuriken!

Lava Release: Rasenshuriken!

He hurled both shuriken down one after another.

On the ground, the Third Mizukage thrust both hands forward. Spiraling water streams coalesced into two water mirrors that reflected the incoming Rasenshuriken. Identical Rasenshuriken emerged from the mirrors and shot skyward to meet their originals.

Water Style: Water Mirror Jutsu!

The four Rasenshuriken collided midair above the forest, resulting in a massive explosion. Dazzling light illuminated the sky as the powers of Scorch and Lava Release expanded outward, scorching and melting everything in their path.

Shisui retreated swiftly to the forest's edge, activating his partial Susanoo, which manifested as skeletal armor shielding him from the fiery tempest.

On the opposite side, the Third Mizukage and his subordinates also withdrew from the forest. The Mist ninja raised walls of water through Water Style techniques, fending off the oncoming inferno.

At this moment, reinforcements from Kirigakure arrived. They stood in stunned silence at the destruction before them, their gazes inevitably drawn to the lone figure in the sky.

"The Blue Flash of Konoha!"

"That's Shūichi Hoshita!"

"How arrogant—to charge into our village like this with only two people!"

...

The commotion spread among the Mist ninja. Among the newcomers was Yagura, a skilled Water Style user who had previously crossed blades with Shūichi on the battlefield.

"The Six-Tails' Jinchūriki was attacked. Is this guy here for the Six-Tails? Could he be seeking revenge over that incident?" Yagura speculated, his brows furrowing.

A middle-aged Mist ninja barked, "Come with me to take down the other one! Don't let him escape!"

A dozen Mist ninja immediately sprang into action, heading toward Shisui.

Yagura turned his gaze and immediately recognized him. "That's... Uchiha Shisui, the Body Flicker Ninja."

Though wary of Shisui's strength, Yagura quickly refocused on the greater threat—Shūichi in the sky. He knew this man's prowess well and shouted, "Mei Terumi! Be ready to assist the Third Mizukage at any moment!"

"Understood!"

A very young Mei Terumi nodded, her gaze locking onto the figure above. "Is he planning to take on all of us alone?"

Shūichi's voice cut through the tension. "The Water Mirror Jutsu—quite impressive. But... how will you counter this?"

Scorching chakra once again engulfed Shūichi, surging outward as he transformed into a massive, three-headed, six-armed Scorch Release Giant Avatar.

Raising its six arms, six Rasenshuriken formed almost instantaneously.

"This level of chakra... It's no different from a tailed beast!"

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Mei Terumi broke out in a cold sweat.

Behind her, Ao shouted, "Everyone, prepare Water Style jutsu!"

Even as his words echoed, Shūichi hurled the six Rasenshuriken.

Water Style: Water Mirror Jutsu!

The Third Mizukage and Yagura each managed to replicate a single Rasenshuriken, but Shūichi's attacks came from increasingly unpredictable angles, evading full countermeasures.

Mei Terumi swiftly completed her hand seals, unleashing a water dragon that shot skyward.

Meanwhile, Ao and numerous Mist ninja executed Water Style: Water Pillar, sending towering streams of water into the air.

The first four Rasenshuriken detonated in sequence, their blinding brilliance resembling miniature suns erupting in the sky.

Mei Terumi's water dragon shattered as the third Rasenshuriken exploded.

The Third Mizukage and Yagura continuously wove hand seals. Yagura exhaled torrents of water, which the Mizukage shaped into three massive water dragons that rose to meet the onslaught.

The fourth and fifth Rasenshuriken erupted, their radiance and heat intensifying as they expanded. The Mist ninja's defenses crumbled under the relentless force.

Just then, more Mist reinforcements arrived, led by an elder. Three individuals from the Hōzuki Clan melded into water, swelling into enormous forms to confront the surging Scorch Release energy.

Among them was Hōzuki Kujō, the clan leader.

Shūichi's sixth Rasenshuriken collided with one of the water-transformed Hōzuki members, unleashing yet another cataclysmic explosion.

At this moment, the terrifying Scorch Release storm engulfed all the Mist ninja, including Uchiha Shisui.

Floating in the sky, Shūichi remained unconcerned about Shisui. His gaze shifted to other parts of Kirigakure, where more and more ninja leapt forward to join the fray.

Perfect.

This was exactly what he wanted—his name spreading far and wide.

Though Shūichi's fame had already reached the major ninja villages, it wasn't yet at the level where every great nation knew his name.

The elusive [Renowned Across Nations/Famous] tag still hadn't been unlocked.

But conquering Kirigakure, followed by Kumogakure, and defeating both the Third Mizukage and the Fourth Raikage in succession? That should do it, right?

As he pondered this, the storm below finally subsided.

Mist ninja lay scattered on the ground—some lifeless, others groaning in agony, and many reduced to charred corpses. Members of the Hōzuki Clan had been reduced to gelatinous puddles in the water.

The number of those still standing was pitifully small.

Shūichi's keen eyes quickly locked onto a familiar figure—Mei Terumi!

Fifteen or sixteen years old, Mei Terumi was far from the alluring woman Shūichi remembered, but her potential was already unmistakable.

His gaze swept over her briefly before landing on the Third Mizukage. The towering Scorch Release Avatar around Shūichi shrank back into his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, and he slowly descended to the ground.

"Lord Mizukage, I believe I've demonstrated my abilities well enough," he said calmly.

"Whether this war continues or ends is entirely up to you."

The Third Mizukage, his robes scorched and his arm trembling from burns, glared at Shūichi.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined being pushed to such a state by someone so young.

At this point, surrender seemed like the only option.

Even if they unleashed a tailed beast, the outcome would likely be no better...

The Third Mizukage couldn't help but sigh. "I never thought Konoha would produce another like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha."

Shūichi landed gracefully, offering a modest smile. "You flatter me, Lord Mizukage. Compared to the First Hokage, I still have a ways to go."

Hearing this, Mei Terumi clenched her teeth. "What a shameless guy... But still, to possess this kind of power, even Lord Third Mizukage is no match for him. If it were just me, even with two kekkei genkai, I wouldn't stand a chance."

Shūichi's dominance in aerial combat gave him a nearly insurmountable advantage.

However, as she watched him land, a wave of unwillingness surged through Mei Terumi. She called out resolutely, "Lord Mizukage! Yagura-senpai! We're not done yet!"

"Even if we are to end this war and negotiate peace, it cannot be under these circumstances!"

Yagura immediately understood her intent—to prevent Shūichi from regaining the sky and to disrupt his ability to use those devastating techniques. Paired with Mei Terumi's kekkei genkai, they might just have a chance to defeat him.

In other words, they needed a coordinated feint by him and the Third Mizukage to create an opening for Mei Terumi.

Shūichi turned his gaze toward her as soon as she spoke. "Mei Terumi, the wielder of two kekkei genkai. I know you, and I respect your talent. However, right now..."

Before he could finish, Shūichi vanished.

So fast!

The Third Mizukage, Yagura, and Ao all froze in shock. When they spotted Shūichi again, he was already behind Mei Terumi.

"You're still far from ready, you know?" Shūichi whispered into her ear with a faint chuckle.

Mei Terumi's body went rigid, cold sweat rolling down her back as she swallowed nervously. "His speed... I couldn't react at all."

Patting her on the shoulder, Shūichi quietly inscribed a Flying Thunder God seal onto the back of her neck. "I admire you, Mei Terumi. Why not come with me to Konoha? You'd have far greater opportunities there."

"There's probably no one left here who can teach you anything."

Arrogant!

Incredibly arrogant!

The nearby Mist ninja stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

Even Uchiha Shisui felt this was going a bit much. Observing Mei Terumi's features, physique, and temperament, he couldn't help but speculate: "Is Shūichi... interested in her?"

He knew his friend had a slight tendency toward, well, appreciating beauty.

The Third Mizukage's expression remained stoic, but fury burned in his eyes.

Shūichi stepped around Mei Terumi, approaching the Mizukage with a polite smile. "My apologies, Lord Mizukage. I have a habit of cherishing talent when I see it."

"Oh, by the way, that eye of his," he added, glancing at Ao, "is from Konoha's Hyūga Clan, isn't it?"

Ao's heart sank as he retorted, "It's a precious trophy acquired in battle!"

Shūichi chuckled. "Well then, now you all might become my trophies."

"Perhaps even the entire Kirigakure village."

"So, will you choose peace... or war? And maybe throw in that Byakugan?"

He fixed his gaze on the Third Mizukage as he said this.

Behind him, Mei Terumi clenched her teeth in frustration. "This arrogant bastard..."

The Mizukage also locked eyes with Shūichi. "We haven't yet settled this fight."

The moment he finished speaking, the Third Mizukage vanished, lunging at Shūichi with incredible speed.

This time, he opted for close combat over ninjutsu.

In an instant, the Third Mizukage closed the distance, appearing right before Shūichi. Streams of water coiled around his fist as he struck fiercely.

Despite his age, the Third Mizukage's speed remained astonishing. However, to Shūichi's eyes, it was still far too slow.

Smack!

Shūichi caught the Mizukage's wrist and, with a loud crash, slammed him into the ground.

The Third Mizukage coughed up blood as Shūichi raised his arm and flung him into the air. The dragon heads on Shūichi's shoulders unleashed twin beams of scorching energy—Dragon Flame Breath!

The Mizukage, still mid-air, was left with two gaping holes punched clean through his torso.

"Lord Third Mizukage!"

Yagura, Ao, and others cried out in alarm. Yagura leapt into the air to catch the Mizukage.

At that moment, Mei Terumi launched her attack. She opened her mouth, unleashing a torrent of grayish-white acidic fluid aimed at Shūichi.

But before it could reach him, Shūichi appeared behind her in a flash. With a casual chop, he knocked her unconscious.

Ao, who had been poised to coordinate with Mei Terumi, froze in place, unable to move.

As for the remaining Mist ninja, they were blocked by a towering half-body Susanoo summoned by Shisui. Green magatama projectiles flew out, cutting down scores of Mist ninja in an instant.

The Third Mizukage, supported by Yagura, coughed violently but was still alive despite his severe injuries. Suppressing his humiliation, he declared, "Kirigakure surrenders!"

"Ao, give him the Byakugan!"

The Mizukage had seen Shisui's Susanoo and knew there was no way to win without sacrificing everything. Shūichi and Shisui reminded him of the legendary Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

In fact, Shūichi's threat might be even greater.

That aerial attack, powered by chakra rivaling a tailed beast's, could easily obliterate Kirigakure.

There was no way to withstand it.

"Yes, Lord Mizukage!"

Ao obeyed without hesitation. Although he was reluctant, he released the sealing technique and removed the Byakugan.

Shūichi accepted it with satisfaction. "Very well. Lord Mizukage, please send a delegation to Konoha to sign a ceasefire agreement."

With that, he turned and walked away. Shisui dismissed his Susanoo and followed.

The Mist ninja could only watch as the two disappeared into the distance.

"Get Lord Mizukage and the others treated immediately!"

Yagura issued orders. "Ao, take some men and keep an eye on Shūichi and his companion. But do not approach or engage."

Ao nodded. "Understood!"

---

On the way back, Shisui asked, "Shūichi, won't what we just did make Kirigakure hate us even more?"

"Will this affect our plans for the future?"

Shūichi shook his head slightly. "Right now, we're still enemies with Kirigakure. Showing mercy to enemies is irresponsible to our own village."

"As for future plans, this won't be a problem."

"During the Warring States Period, many clans in Konoha had been enemies. But when faced with a powerful common foe, grudges can be set aside."

"Besides, I was already holding back a lot today. Nagato and his group won't be so polite in the future."

"And in this world, the most striking thing is contrast."

Shisui nodded in agreement, then hesitated before asking, "Shūichi, you seem to think highly of Mei Terumi, don't you?"

Shūichi chuckled. "I think she'll become the Fifth Mizukage someday."

"Shisui, if I were to court her and form an alliance through marriage, wouldn't it make taking control of Kirigakure a lot easier?"

Shisui was left dumbfounded, utterly unsure of how to respond.

Shūichi laughed heartily, ignoring the Mist ninja tailing them as he teleported away with Shisui.

(End of Chapter)

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