Although Takuya didn't care much for the Third Mizukage's policies, as a Konoha shinobi, he had just infiltrated the Mist Village and obliterated the Mizukage's office building.
The Third Mizukage was now missing, possibly killed or fled.
Such an incident dealt a humiliating blow to the Mist Village, turning them into a laughingstock.
First, Hoshigaki Fuguki was killed, and Samehada was taken. The village tried to reclaim the weapon through diplomatic means, only for Konoha to reject the request.
Then Hatake Sakumo's assassination attempt on the Third Mizukage sparked the war.
And now, Takuya had slipped in, destroyed the Mizukage's office building, and left the Third Mizukage's fate uncertain.
It was as if the Mist Village were some open playground where anyone could drop by, cause chaos, and leave as they pleased.
"Yeah, I'm well aware."
Smiling, Takuya shrugged at the Hōzuki clan leader's enraged question, glancing at the ever-growing crowd around him.
"So what? I only blew up the Mizukage's office building. No big deal. Why are you so worked up?"
"You…"
The Hōzuki leader nearly spat blood in fury.
The entire Mizukage's office building was leveled, and Takuya called it "no big deal"? What would he consider a big deal, then?
"Kill him!!!"
"Avenge the Mizukage!!"
With the Third Mizukage missing, and the office building and nearby structures reduced to rubble, the Mist shinobi, assuming their leader was dead, were furious.
Some couldn't even wait for orders and charged at Takuya, determined to kill him.
"Heh!"
Takuya smirked, bringing his hands together to form several quick seals.
"Stop him!"
Seeing Takuya's hands touch the rooftop tiles, the Hōzuki leader's eyes widened as he raised his hand and pointed at Takuya.
"Water Release: Water Bullet!"
A bullet-like droplet shot from the Hōzuki leader's fingers, zooming toward Takuya with lightning speed.
But the shot only punched a small hole in the spot where Takuya had stood — he'd already vanished, replaced by a massive shadow.
Boom!!!
The four-story building crumbled under the enormous weight of Manda.
The gigantic serpent raised its house-sized head, hissing and snapping at the shinobi around it, its long tail lashing furiously.
"Ahhh!!"
Screams echoed as shinobi were flung across the area, crashing into nearby buildings and even bringing them down.
"You little brat! You're dead! You will definitely die today!"
The Hōzuki leader felt utterly humiliated — this brat had destroyed the Mizukage's office and, unfazed by the threats from him and the other shinobi, summoned a monstrous beast to wreak havoc.
"Haha! Go wild, Manda! And feel free to enjoy some snacks along the way. I promise you'll have plenty!"
Laughing, Takuya urged Manda to create even more destruction.
A creature as massive as Manda, if it didn't cause at least some damage, would be an insult to its name.
Maybe I could join in…
Watching Manda barrel through buildings, Minato bit his lip and, with a determined nod, bit his thumb, formed a few seals, and pressed his hand to the ground.
Poof!
Gamakichi appeared in the Mist Village, his towering figure drawing immediate attention.
Another one?
One giant serpent was already causing mayhem, and now there was a giant toad too?
This was chaos incarnate!
Hold on, who summoned these beasts?
"Little Minato, what's up?"
Gamakichi looked around, noticing Manda wreaking havoc as Mist shinobi struggled to fend it off.
His massive eyes blinked as he watched Manda swallowing people, visibly uncomfortable.
"Those snakes from Ryūchi Cave are so crude, eating whatever they please. Unlike us toads of Mount Myōboku — we stick to insects."
"Gamakichi, create as much chaos and damage as you can. That's our mission."
"Alright, but you stay out of harm's way."
Summoned beasts were meant to assist their contract holders in battle, and Gamakichi saw no reason to refuse Minato's request.
Though he didn't like Manda, he figured they could both cause destruction without getting in each other's way.
After summoning Gamakichi, Minato quickly moved to a safer location.
He needed to conserve chakra to ensure he could extract both himself and Takuya when the time came.
"Water Style: Iron Cannonball!"
Causing chaos was easy for Gamakichi. It was as simple as stirring things up.
What on earth is going on?
The Mist Village was in complete disarray. No one had anticipated such a calm night could erupt into utter chaos — the Mizukage's office building destroyed, and two colossal summoned creatures running rampant.
One smashed into every building in sight, and the other wielded a massive blade, slashing and spraying water everywhere.
"They just don't give up, do they? Alright, then — take this big surprise!"
"Lightning Burst!"
The Hōzuki leader and his squad weren't letting up on their pursuit of Takuya. As he ran, Takuya watched the chaos unfolding around him.
Manda was completing the task he'd set, even foregoing snacks in favor of pure destruction.
Meanwhile, Minato had given him a pleasant surprise by summoning Gamakichi. Though Gamakichi wasn't as reckless, he was equally destructive.
A massive blade swung around with abandon — fearsome in its own right.
"Look out!"
A ball of lightning hurtled toward them, and the Hōzuki leader's eyes widened in alarm as he ducked.
Boom!
Unfortunately, while he managed to evade, his team wasn't as lucky or as quick to react.
The Lightning Burst's power couldn't match the Spiral Tailed Beast Bomb, but its piercing force was unparalleled, tearing through anything in its path.
"You little punk! You want to die, don't you?!"
"Haha! Come chase me if you want, then we'll talk!"
"Spiral Tailed Beast Bomb! Go!"
Takuya continued taunting the Hōzuki leader as he launched Spiral Tailed Beast Bombs and Lightning Bursts at his pursuers.
With an endless reserve of chakra, he didn't fear running out. Plus, both attacks were quick and easy to deploy.
The Mist shinobi couldn't keep up; they could only watch as Takuya dashed around, unleashing blasts as he went, like a walking explosive expert.
Explosions, screams, and cries of despair blended into a dark symphony that echoed across the Mist Village.
The village was practically hell on earth, with fires from the blasts raging everywhere. Countless buildings lay in ruins, villagers lay wounded and groaning, and bodies — both civilians and shinobi — scattered the streets.
"Damn it! Damn it!!!"
"Arghhhh!!!"
The Hōzuki leader was fuming, seeing red with rage. Takuya wouldn't engage him in a direct fight; instead, he ran, leaving explosions and devastation in his wake.
What frustrated the Hōzuki leader most was that Takuya was faster than him, dragging him around the village like a toy on a leash, destroying everything in his path.
Is this kid a monster?
How many of these Lightning Bursts and Tailed Beast Bombs has he thrown?
How can a shinobi create a Tailed Beast Bomb?
He could conjure them faster than a Tailed Beast. They might not be as large, but the blast power was no less terrifying. This was beyond logic.
It's all over. This village is finished!!!
Looking over the devastated village, the Hōzuki leader's heart sank.
Then, he noticed Takuya had stopped moving. Believing Takuya had finally tired out, he was overjoyed.
He could finally catch up to this brat.
And when he did, he'd make sure Takuya paid.