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"Mizukage Sama, rest assured. Against a foe like this, I wouldn't dare lower my guard." Hōzuki Gengetsu's expression was solemn as he formed a rapid string of hand seals.
Without hesitation, he activated his ultimate technique.
"Ninpō: Jōkibōi (Ninja Arts: Steaming Danger Explosion)!"
From his side, a childlike clone emerged, its gelatinous form expanding rapidly as it solidified, then shooting forward like a missile. As it moved, the oil coating its body began to superheat. Its size shrank to normal, but its movements grew sharply faster and more erratic.
Hovering above, Qin Yi looked down with an icy smirk.
"Such juvenile tricks... and you think they can harm me?"
He brought his hands together and shouted: "Ninpō: Fūin Zanjutsu (Ninja Art: Sealing Slash Technique)"
Complex symbols erupted into existence, instantly spreading across the battlefield. Mystic patterns appeared in midair, then beneath the Mizukage and Gengetsu's feet. Their eyes widened as the array locked into place.
"Seal of Rotation."
Qin Yi's right hand formed a final seal. He stepped forward and vanished.
When he reappeared, the Mizukage's face went white.
Just like last time, but even faster, he had no chance to react this time. His body instinctively tensed, a wave of primal fear rooting him in place.
Then came the voice, low and merciless.
"Who gave you the courage to stand against me? Qin Yi extended one hand.
"Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull)!"
A tremendous gravitational force erupted from his palm. The Mizukage's body lurched forward, utterly helpless as he was dragged through the air.
"Mizukage Sama!" Gengetsu's face twisted in alarm. He surged forward, but it was too late.
Qin Yi's hand rose again, and a black Gudōdama (Truth-Seeking Orb) morphed into a slender iron rod.
"Thud!"
With a muted impact, the rod pierced straight through Mizukage's shoulder, skewering him midair.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Six more Gudōdama followed in rapid succession, shifting into black rods that slammed into the Mizukage's limbs and joints, sealing him completely. Immobilized, he dropped to his knees before Qin Yi— pinned in submission like a broken puppet.
"So fragile. Like a hatchling still in the shell." Qin Yi stared down coldly, devoid of emotion.
At that moment, Gengetsu's clone reached them, its cleaver raised high, slashing downward toward Qin Yi's exposed neck.
From behind, it looked like a clean strike. Qin Yi hadn't turned. Hadn't even flinched.
Then—
Just as the blade made contact, his right hand formed a seal.
"Seal of Rotation."
The massive cleaver sliced through nothing but illusion— passing cleanly through where his neck had just been.
Gengetsu's pupils shrank in disbelief. He had already guessed the outcome and now it was confirmed.
"Boom!"
The clone detonated, unleashing its full explosive force.
The resulting shockwave sent the kneeling Mizukage flying from the tree branch, his body limp from the impact.
And then—
Qin Yi's true form appeared behind Hōzuki Gengetsu, silent as a phantom.
"Hōzuki Gengetsu, is it? I admire you. Your mind is far sharper than Byakuren's ever was."
The voice at his back made Gengetsu's entire body freeze.
He didn't dare move.
The speed. The presence. It was overwhelming.
So this is what the Mizukage had experienced.
It felt like being struck by lightning— a force so fast, so sudden, that resistance was meaningless. You never saw it coming until it was already too late.
"Given time, you would have surpassed him entirely." Qin Yi's cold voice echoed again.
Hōzuki Gengetsu let out a long, slow breath… then smiled faintly.
"Then, QinKage-sama… could you spare me? Perhaps one day, I'll live up to your expectations."
At these words, Qin Yi let out a faint smile.
"You're quite amusing. The Mizukage is finished. Bound by my seal, he can barely twitch, let alone fight. Now, I want you to make the Water Nation surrender. Otherwise…" His gaze sharpened. "I'll have no qualms turning the Hidden Mist into a city of corpses."
The chilling declaration sent a tremor down Hōzuki Gengetsu's spine. After a moment of silence, he exhaled deeply.
"I have no objection to the Water Nation becoming part of the Qin Dominion… as long as our people live on."
"And yet…" He narrowed his eyes. "I'm still unwilling to give up!"
In a sudden burst, Gengetsu lunged forward, the glint of a black kunai slicing through the air as he spun and struck toward Qin Yi's throat.
"Bang!"
Qin Yi calmly raised an arm, blocking the strike with ease.
"Still want to try?" he said coldly, stepping forward and swinging a fist with deadly precision.
Gengetsu reacted quickly, forming hand seals mid-air.
"Yin Release: Void Sphere!"
Anticipating another strike, he bent his legs to retreat—
—but in that instant, a pair of eyes bloomed in his vision: intricate, spiraling patterns— the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Buzz!"
Genjutsu rippled outward. Gengetsu's vision warped.
"Damn, it's the Sharingan's illusion backlash!"
His body instinctively tensed. Against a powerhouse like Qin Yi at such close range, even a moment's hesitation spelled death. No one understood that better than him.
"You're only lasting longer than the Mizukage… because I respect your potential." Qin Yi's voice echoed coldly. His eyes shifted again, now glowing with the legendary Rinnegan.
"Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull)."
Gengetsu's body was instantly yanked forward. Qin Yi's hand closed around his neck.
"It's over, Hōzuki Gengetsu."
Around them, six Gudōdama (Truth-Seeking Balls) spun into formation, encircling Gengetsu like orbiting moons.
Surrounded by the black spheres, Gengetsu felt a surge of destructive energy that chilled him to the core. The power of these orbs was absolute— matter, chakra, even ninjutsu, all dissolved before them.
Then came a sigh from nearby.
The First Mizukage— bloodied and reeling from the earlier explosion— staggered to his feet, barely upright.
"The gap… it's far too vast."
Qin Yi turned slightly.
"You've made your attempt. Be at peace now— my patience wears thin."
Still caught in his grip, Gengetsu's gaze drifted past Qin Yi toward the Mist Village gates.
A wave of Qin Dominion shinobi was pouring in like a flood. With the Mizukage defeated and their command structure in ruins, the Hidden Mist had no fight left to offer.
"The Water Nation… submits."
Gritting his teeth, Gengetsu forced out the words.
"Please… withdraw your forces, QinKage Sama."
Qin Yi slowly released his grip and nodded in satisfaction.
"Compared to that fool Byakuren, I've always seen you as a man who understands the tide of war."
"Seems I wasn't wrong. In time, you'll be grateful for the choice you made today." Without another word, Qin Yi turned and walked toward the fallen Mizukage.
"Mizukage Sama—do you choose death… or life?"
The calm question made the bloodied Mizukage tremble violently. He slowly raised his head. Despite his condition, he smiled.
"QinKage Sama… grant me a clean death."
Qin Yi nodded. With a slow, deliberate motion, he drew the long blade at his waist.
"Swish!"
Blood arced through the air.
The Mizukage's head flew clean from his shoulders, landing with a heavy thud.
Qin Yi said nothing, but he understood.
A man like the Mizukage— proud, ambitious would never choose to live in disgrace beneath another ruler. If his nation fell, he would fall with it.
Some ideals… weigh more than life itself.
(End of Chapter)