"..."
As Johuto Daihai realized he was being toyed with by the woman in front of him, his heart filled with both rage and resentment. However, a sliver of rationality remained, reminding him that bickering with this woman was pointless. Escaping the barrier was his only priority.
While he frantically searched for an escape route, Mei Terumi's gentle voice cut through the air once more.
"Another thing about women…" she said, her tone soft yet firm. "We can see through men's thoughts, especially men like you."
"You want to escape, don't you? Unfortunately... I won't give you that chance."
With a hum of exertion, Mei and her two shadow clones channeled their chakra, causing the green pyramid barrier to rapidly contract inward.
"Damn it!" Daihai's desperation peaked as he poured all his chakra into breaking free. No matter how much power he used, the green barrier remained intact, not even a crack appearing.
"Give up. The reason I became the interim Mizukage at such a young age isn't just because I possess two Kekkei Genkai. My chakra reserves are quite ample," Mei said with a confident smirk. "Binding you is quite easy."
Daihai furiously stomped and pounded the ground. "Damn it! Damn it all! If only my son Arakai were here, with his Dragon Force, none of you would stand a chance!"
"Wait! My daughter is still out there!" Daihai suddenly remembered his daughter should be outside the palace. He shouted desperately, "Seika! Where are you? Save me! Kill this woman!"
"Are you looking for her?" came a voice.
Not far away, Ao sat on a stone slab, clutching his injured shoulder with a pained expression. At his feet lay a small blonde girl, barely clinging to life. Her condition was critical, and she seemed on the brink of death.
"... Daughter? My daughter!!" Daihai's heart wrenched as he screamed in anguish, "My subordinates... where are my subordinates! Where are they?!"
"They're all dead on the shore," said Chojuro, wielding his twin swords, Hiramekarei. He and the remaining Mist ninja struggled up the mountain to reach Mei. Chojuro bowed his head apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mei-sama. I... I was late. My lack of skill caused this delay."
"Chojuro, what's the situation below?" Mei asked calmly.
"All the Johuto ninjas have been slain!" Chojuro reported.
"Good," Mei's eyes curved into a satisfied smile. "I knew I could count on you."
Chojuro blushed, scratching his head sheepishly. "I... I still have a long way to go."
An older Mist ninja gave Chojuro a thumbs up and interjected, "No, Chojuro. You did incredibly well. At such a young age, you took on three elite Johuto warriors alone. Even we couldn't have done that."
Chojuro's blush deepened. "It's... it's just that Hiramekarei is powerful. It wasn't really me…"
"Stop being so modest, Chojuro. Be confident," the older ninja encouraged.
"Uh... Yes, senpai!" Chojuro responded earnestly.
The Mist side was filled with cheers and relief, while Johuto Daihai's face was ashen with despair. It was over.
The Johuto clan's years of hidden growth and their foundation were gone.
"Johuto, Arakai, where are you? It's my fault I couldn't protect our legacy..."
"You must avenge me!"
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