The Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, had a summoning beast—a giant clam capable of releasing thick mist to create powerful mirage illusions, confusing his enemies.
The earlier conversation with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had been nothing more than one such illusion crafted by the giant clam.
However, while these mirages were highly effective against most shinobi, they had little effect on Orochimaru's snakes.
Snakes, unlike humans, do not rely heavily on their eyes to detect prey. Instead, they use their abdominal scales and tongues to sense their surroundings.
Thanks to this, Orochimaru's snakes quickly pinpointed Gengetsu's real body.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Once Jiraiya confirmed Gengetsu's location, he launched an attack, spitting a massive fireball that roared toward the Second Mizukage.
"Ugh, I hate fire," Gengetsu muttered with disdain.
As a shinobi with water-based abilities, fire was naturally his least favorite element. Leaping gracefully, he dodged the incoming fireball.
But as soon as he landed, the ground beneath him turned to a swamp, threatening to pull him under.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
It was Orochimaru's jutsu, executed in perfect sync with Jiraiya's attack.
Still, this was the Second Mizukage they were dealing with—a veteran Kage. Such tactics weren't enough to immobilize him.
With a fluid flip, Gengetsu landed effortlessly at the edge of the swamp, unscathed. Without hesitation, he charged at the three, kunai in hand.
His speed was astonishing.
Even though he wasn't specialized in taijutsu, his prowess as a seasoned Kage ensured that no aspect of his combat skills had any glaring weaknesses.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru reacted immediately, drawing their own kunai to meet him head-on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clash of steel echoed across the battlefield, sparks flying with each collision.
Though their teamwork was seamless after years of fighting side by side, their combined strength wasn't enough to close the gap between them and Gengetsu.
The differences were stark: age, experience, and physical development.
At just sixteen years old, the trio's bodies were still growing, unable to match the raw speed, strength, and reflexes of an opponent nearing the peak of his power.
From the very start, they had been caught in Gengetsu's rhythm. Before long, Jiraiya's arm was nicked by the edge of Gengetsu's kunai.
"Not bad," Gengetsu remarked, his tone almost conversational despite the chaos.
"You three are exceptional—true prodigies in fact. Give yourselves another ten years, and perhaps you'd even surpass me. But for now, you're too young."
His words carried a faint hint of admiration, yet his calm demeanor only emphasized the power imbalance. He wasn't even taking the fight seriously.
"Dammit!" Jiraiya gritted his teeth, breathing heavily as another shallow cut appeared on his arm. "Orochimaru, Tsunade!"
Without elaborating, he lunged at Gengetsu once again.
"Got it!" Orochimaru and Tsunade responded in unison.
Their years of camaraderie allowed them to anticipate one another's plans without needing detailed instructions.
For his part, Gengetsu looked amused, still toying with them rather than finishing the fight quickly.
The three pressed their assault, engaging Gengetsu in close-quarters combat once more. Then, at a critical moment, Orochimaru made his move.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
From Orochimaru's sleeves burst several snakes, lunging at Gengetsu with fangs bared. They wrapped around his body, constricting him and holding him in place.
"Rasengan!"
"Super Strength!"
Simultaneously, Jiraiya and Tsunade launched their strongest techniques.
Jiraiya formed a glowing blue Rasengan in his hand, while Tsunade focused chakra into her fist, channeling her immense strength.
The snakes immobilized Gengetsu, leaving him open to their attacks.
The duo struck from opposite sides, Jiraiya's Rasengan and Tsunade's Super punch converging on their target.
The combination attack had felled many powerful enemies in the past, including elite Jonin.
Against an opponent as powerful as Gengetsu, it was their best chance.
For a moment, it seemed they might succeed.
Yet Gengetsu showed no sign of panic. Instead, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Impressive teamwork," he said, almost playfully.
And then, his body dissolved into water.
"What?!" Jiraiya exclaimed, his Rasengan cutting through empty space.
Tsunade's chakra-enhanced punch met no resistance, her momentum carrying her forward.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's snakes vanished into Gengetsu's liquid form, their binding rendered useless.
In the next instant, Jiraiya's Rasengan and Tsunade's fist collided with each other, sending a powerful shockwave rippling outward.
Boom!
The explosion sent all three flying back, crashing to the ground.
"Well, well," Gengetsu said, reappearing unscathed. "I wasn't expecting all three of you to have mastered ninjutsu without hand signs. You've certainly exceeded my expectations."
Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru struggled to their feet, their hearts sinking. Their strongest techniques had failed. Worse, Gengetsu had effortlessly neutralized them.
"The Hydrification Technique…" Orochimaru muttered, breathing heavily.
His mind raced as he recalled the details of the Hozuki Clan's signature jutsu.
"Yes," Tsunade added, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. "We'd heard the technique required time and hand seals to activate. Turns out that information was wrong."
They had gambled on flawed intel, and it had cost them dearly.
The realization hit hard like a truck.
"Information is as much a weapon as kunai," Gengetsu said with a smirk.
"And your overconfidence shall be your downfall."
Still, he wasn't finished. "As for calling my technique 'unfair.'"
Gengetsu continued, his tone mocking, "if we're talking about unfair jutsu, your Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, takes the prize. His techniques were the pinnacle of the category 'unfair.'"
His words left the trio silent. They couldn't argue; Tobirama's mastery of devastating and complex jutsu was legendary.
"Enough with the games," Gengetsu declared. "I have more important tasks to attend to. Let's end this."
The trio tensed, bracing for the worst.
But Gengetsu's expression shifted again, his smirk returning.
"Relax," he said. "I'm not going to kill you. Talented shinobi like you are far more valuable alive. Capturing you will be much more fun."
With that, Gengetsu moved. This time, he wasn't holding back. Not in the slightest.
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