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"Brother!" Suigetsu swung Shibuki, preparing to help Mangetsu, but unexpectedly, the Third Mizukage had already charged towards him.
Seeing the Third Mizukage within striking distance, Suigetsu quickly "summoned" the explosive tags.
The blade, plastered with explosive tags, struck the Third Mizukage's body.
Instantly, the tags detonated. The immense shockwave sent Suigetsu flying back five or six meters. Even after landing, he slid another ten meters before stopping. His arms throbbed with excruciating pain, as if they were broken. His ears rang loudly. Still, he forced his eyes open, wanting to see the Third Mizukage's fate. However, the Third Mizukage who had attacked him dissipated into nothingness.
"Damn it, a clone technique!"
Suigetsu's scalp tingled. That powerful strike had only hit a clone. What a huge loss!
At that moment, over a dozen lightning orbs materialized around the Third Mizukage. With a wave of his hand, these orbs shot towards Suigetsu.
He quickly rolled away, his exhausted body dragging the large Shibuki as he tried to dodge.
For a ninja, their blade was as important as life itself. Especially one of the Seven Ninja Swords— Shibuki. Suigetsu would rather take a hit himself than abandon the sword.
Finally, as the last lightning orb flew towards him, Suigetsu had no strength left to evade. The orb struck him.
The pain was bearable, but the paralysis effect of the Lightning Release temporarily rendered him unable to fight.
The Third Mizukage was upon him in an instant, raising his hand to deliver the killing blow. But Haku dashed out from the side, grabbing Suigetsu and rolling across the ground, saving him.
"I'll buy as much time as I can. Recover quickly." Haku set Suigetsu down, took a deep breath, and began forming hand seals in rapid succession.
Suddenly, numerous ice mirrors materialized around the Third Mizukage.
Before Suigetsu could say a word, Haku charged forward.
The "Kekkei Genkai: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals" was a technique passed down through Haku's clan for generations. It was said to be unbreakable. But facing the Third Mizukage, Haku had no confidence—the gap between them was simply too vast.
Zabuza noticed Haku using "Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals" and his expression shifted. When he looked back at Ameyuri, his patience was gone. He said harshly, "I don't have time to keep fighting you. Either surrender, or go fight someone else."
"Do you think I'd surrender?" Ameyuri retorted.
"Then go kill others!"
"Others aren't worth killing."
Zabuza didn't want to waste any more time with this madwoman. He immediately moved towards Haku's direction. But no matter how fast he went, Ameyuri stayed right behind him. He couldn't shake her.
"I told you, have you forgotten? Lightning Release is my specialty!" Ameyuri shrieked.
Zabuza didn't answer. As he tried to accelerate further, Ameyuri suddenly appeared before him. The "Kiba: Lightning Blades" pierced his shoulder.
Blood spurted out.
Zabuza had no choice but to stop. He glared at Ameyuri. "Do you really want to die!?"
"I've already told you. You don't get to refuse!" Ameyuri smiled.
Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, Zabuza gripped the Executioner's Blade with both hands. Injured, he no longer had the advantage against Ameyuri. To defeat her, he had to focus all his energy and fight to the death.
"You'll regret this," Zabuza said.
"If you were in my place, would you regret it? Finding an evenly matched opponent before my life ends... that's truly rare," Ameyuri said.
Zabuza took a deep breath, preparing to go all out against Ameyuri. But then, from not too far away, came the sound of ice mirrors shattering.
He quickly looked over and saw Haku sent flying.
"Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals" was indeed a powerful technique. But the gap between Haku and the Third Mizukage was too great.
Haku was barely a Genin. Even with his consciousness suppressed, the Third Mizukage was still one of Kirigakure's top ninja.
"Haku!" Zabuza noticed the Third Mizukage closing in on Haku and screamed.
"Haku, look out!" Suigetsu, leaning on Shibuki, struggled to his feet. But the paralysis in his limbs hadn't subsided. He couldn't possibly reach Haku in time.
Just as despair set in, a bolt of lightning flashed through the crowd. Before the Third Mizukage could land his blow, someone snatched Haku away. Another figure followed closely, forcing the Third Mizukage back when he tried to pursue.
Seeing these two, Zabuza's anxious heart eased slightly.
The one who saved Haku was Akimoto Ruri, skilled in "Lightning Release." The one who drove back the Third Mizukage was Mei Terumī, who had long been protected by Genji.
"Mei Terumī, your timing couldn't be better!" Zabuza breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sorry we're late." Mei Terumī frowned.
Originally, she and Ruri were searching for Igawa Bu. Capturing him would end this battle.
But on the way, they unexpectedly spotted the two Mizukage. After a brief discussion and weighing the odds, they decided to turn back. And that decision had just saved Haku's life.
"Why are you all still fighting?" Mei Terumī shouted loudly. "The two Mizukage are under genjutsu control! Igawa Bu is their accomplice! Stop fighting!"
"Mei Terumī, do you have proof of that?"
"I know you were close to Midorima Asachi. You've always resented him becoming a rogue ninja. But you can't let personal feelings make you doubt the Mizukage-sama!"
Voices immediately rose in opposition to Mei Terumī.
Mei Terumī glared at the speakers. "You're the real traitors! Loyal dogs of Igawa Bu! Remember, everyone, you are ninja of Kirigakure. The Mizukage is the leader of Kirigakure. Without Kirigakure, you are nothing!"
"Wrong. When you're dead, "then" you're nothing!" The Third Mizukage suddenly spoke, his smile widening. "You, girl, are unforgivable."
The Third Mizukage blurred into motion, appearing before Mei Terumī in an instant.
Mei Terumī immediately formed hand seals and spat out a stream of orange-yellow viscous liquid.
The Third Mizukage didn't try to withstand the technique. Instead, he dodged to the side. The liquid hit the ground, corroding a large hole.
Mei Terumī had tried to make the Kirigakure ninja realize the two Mizukage were controlled. But she overlooked that among these ninja were Igawa Bu's loyalists.
Other ninja might want Kirigakure to return to normal. But this group's fortunes were tied to Igawa Bu's. Moreover, they had abused their power, making many enemies. If they fell from grace, countless people would come after them. So, these loyalists mingled in the crowd, sowing confusion and distorting the truth.
In the chaos of battle, other ninja could hardly make sound judgments.
The only solution Mei Terumī could see was to defeat the two Mizukage and gain a decisive advantage in this fight.
Her hands trembled slightly. She had never imagined she would one day face the Third Mizukage in battle—especially a battle she could not afford to lose.
Yet this time, she had no other choice.
*****
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