Obito and Kakashi stood on either side of Kazuyama and Rin, ensuring their safety. The Hiding in Mist Technique had completely concealed the enemy, leaving them unable to pinpoint their location and forcing them into a defensive stance.
As Obito and Kakashi deflected wave after wave of shuriken, a cold voice suddenly echoed through the thick mist.
"Water Release... Mist Rain..."
Hearing the name of the jutsu, Kazuyama's brows furrowed. He immediately understood the enemy's intent.
As the technique activated, rain began to fall from the sky. With each drop, the mist thickened further, making visibility even worse.
"Kakashi, Obito, don't use any non-Water Release ninjutsu."
"This is a technique used by Kirigakure ANBU. It's a secret art that weakens all chakra and jutsu except Water Release."
"In this rain, any non-Water Release techniques will be severely suppressed."
"You won't be able to break through this technique."
This was Kazuyama's first time encountering the jutsu, but he knew its capabilities. In the original story, this technique had even suppressed the Super Beast Imitation Drawing and the Rasengan.
This enemy wasn't just any ordinary Kirigakure ANBU.
"Oh? You recognize my technique. Not bad."
"Too bad knowing won't change anything. Accept your fate."
"Water Release: Rain Senbon Technique."
Raindrops in the air began to coalesce, transforming into countless senbon that rained down in an instant. Simple techniques often proved the most effective.
Surrounded by mist and falling rain, the four of them had become easy targets.
"Tch, one move after another… Is this guy really just ANBU? Something's off."
Kazuyama was growing more suspicious. The sheer strength behind this sequence of attacks far surpassed what he expected from an ANBU operative.
Without hesitation, he cut off his treatment and flashed in front of the group. His wounds were still fresh, but at this moment, his presence loomed tall and unwavering.
Confidence radiated from him.
"Kakashi, Obito, get back!"
"Rin, stop healing me and focus on protecting yourself!"
The Mist Rain Technique was severely limiting Kakashi and Obito's abilities. Neither of them specialized in Water Release—hell, they had barely even trained in it.
"Alright, brats, time to show you your sensei's real strength."
"And when we get back, keep your mouths shut. I don't need those old geezers breathing down my neck."
Kazuyama pulled out six kunai and flung them in all directions without even looking. Then, just as the rain senbon were about to pierce down, he brought his hands together, his eyes flashing with sharp light.
"Crystal Release! Umbrella Blossom Technique!"
In an instant, a massive, transparent crystalline umbrella formed above them, shielding all four from the falling senbon.
The sudden shift in the battle caught both the enemy and his students completely off guard.
Crystal Release?
What kind of jutsu was that?
No… Could it be…?
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin stared at Kazuyama in shock. This was beyond anything they had ever imagined.
Meanwhile, the masked Kirigakure ANBU's aura shifted from arrogance to seriousness. Even though his face was hidden, his presence alone revealed his growing focus.
"A Kekkei Genkai?"
"Crystal Release? Never heard of it, but you might actually be worth something."
His deep voice carried through the thick mist, reaching Kazuyama's ears.
"You don't know much."
"Playing with senbon? Alright, let's play."
"Crystal Release: Torrential Pear Blossom Needles!"
Kazuyama had his own senbon—and they were far deadlier.
Crystalline needles materialized in mid-air, then shot out in every direction like a raging storm.
Initially, Kazuyama had planned to use Hive Mind, but the mist was so dense that even his insects couldn't see through it.
With no other choice, he opted for an all-out attack.
And as the storm of crystal needles tore through the battlefield, the wind they generated began to disperse the surrounding fog, making visibility significantly clearer.
But something was wrong.
Despite the sheer density of his attack, there wasn't a single scream from the enemy.
Kazuyama's frown deepened.
By all logic, this should have been a lethal strike—if not fatal, it should have at least left the enemy seriously injured.
But the attack had landed… and there was no result.
"Heh, not bad attack power. Too bad it's useless against me."
"Water Release! Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive water dragon surged into the air, its jaws opening wide as it lunged at Kazuyama.
But that one sentence was all Kazuyama needed to finally identify his opponent.
"Hmph! Turn to crystal!"
Crystal Release activated once more, instantly crystallizing the airborne water dragon. It crashed to the ground, shattering into countless sparkling shards.
"I originally thought only two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had shown up... looks like I was wrong."
"You took my attack head-on without a scratch—that must be the Hydrification Technique, the Hōzuki Clan's secret art."
"Am I right? The prodigy of the Hōzuki Clan, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist... Hōzuki Mangetsu!"
His words left his three students completely stunned.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? Another one?!
And judging by his strength, this one was no pushover either.
Mangetsu chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of admiration.
"Didn't expect someone from Konoha to recognize me."
"But from what you're saying… you've already encountered some of us? I wonder which one you met."
Kazuyama smirked, his tone teasing.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Clang!
He drew two blades from behind his back—the Lightning Blades, Kiba. The moment chakra surged into them, thunder roared to life.
"Damn it! Those are the Lightning Blades, Kiba! You actually took down that bastard Raiga?!"
"You guessed it! And as a reward—eat my lightning!"
Electricity tore through the air, instantly slicing through the thick fog.
Mangetsu barely had time to react before the lightning struck. Retreating was futile—there was no outrunning lightning itself.
The Hydrification Technique could make him immune to physical attacks and even resist some ninjutsu, but against lightning? He was completely defenseless.
The electricity coursed through his body, pain twisting his features as his form began to destabilize, wisps of black smoke rising from his dissolving figure.
"Hmph! Knowing who you are, if I still couldn't deal with you, I'd have to be a complete idiot!"
Kazuyama scoffed and poured even more chakra into his attack.
Without Mangetsu's chakra to sustain them, the Hiding in Mist Technique and the Mist Rain Technique slowly faded away.
"Oh hohoho… Mangetsu, you're looking rough."
"Need a little help?"
As the mist dispersed, a dozen figures finally emerged onto the battlefield.
At the front of the group stood a man wielding a massive sword, a smirk playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, Mangetsu was crouched on the ground, gasping for breath.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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