Due to the fact that this Water Clone's outer layer was made of oil, even if pierced by a sharp weapon, the oil would immediately envelop it, preventing it from "deflating."
In other words, stabbing or slashing wouldn't destroy this Water Clone.
The only way would be to either use a wide-range powerful destruction technique to obliterate the clone entirely or to follow Gaara's method—rendering the inner workings of the clone inert, so it couldn't explode.
With this in mind, Avatar Two prepared to act.
He swung a powerful punch, imbued with immense chakra, using super strength.
A shockwave tore through the Water Clone, holding its form long enough for the pressurized vapor to escape rapidly through the hole before the oil could close the wound.
"Now you can't explode," Avatar Two said, smirking.
"All right, it's up to you now, original body."
He murmured to himself as he prepared for the next move, ensuring this Steaming Danger Tyranny Water Clone was thoroughly neutralized.
Meanwhile, Hui bypassed the Explosive Vapor Water Clone entirely and pursued Hozuki Gengetsu and his group at full speed.
For Hui, catching up to them was an easy task.
"Damn it, there's no way we can escape!" exclaimed an elite Jonin of Kirigakure.
Glancing back at the rapidly approaching Hui, he gritted his teeth and turned to Hozuki Gengetsu. "Second Mizukage-sama, I'll hold him off! You all go ahead!"
Without waiting for a reply, the Jonin stopped abruptly and began weaving hand signs.
Having witnessed Hui effortlessly kill the wielder of the Kubikiribōchō, a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the Jonin didn't dare engage in close combat.
That would be suicidal.
When he said he'd hold off Hui, he didn't mean physically but rather through large-scale Ninjutsu.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
With the hand signs completed, a massive waterfall surged forward, crashing towards Hui with overwhelming force.
Watching this unfold, Hui's lips curled into a faint smile. "Naive," he muttered.
Sword energy enveloped the blade in his hand as he swung it forward.
The slash easily cleaved through the waterfall, sending a slicing wave rushing toward the Mist ninja, interrupting his subsequent hand signs.
"What?!"
Dodging the sword energy, the ninja hastily attempted to resume his hand signs. However, Hui was already upon him, the blade drawing closer with frightening speed.
Before he could react, the sword fell.
The ninja stood no chance. One slash, and he was dead.
"Dammit! What kind of monster is he?!"
Fear spread among the Kirigakure ninjas. Hui was overwhelmingly strong, so much so that they were losing all hope.
"Mizukage-sama, what should we do?!" one ninja cried out desperately, looking to Hozuki Gengetsu.
Hozuki Gengetsu was silent, his face grim. He had no solution.
After a moment, he sighed and said, "I'll hold him off. You all go ahead."
There was no alternative.
Gengetsu knew he was likely to die here, but if his death could buy the others enough time, it would be more than worth it.
The surrounding Kirigakure ninjas were stunned, not expecting their leader to make such a decision.
"No! Mizukage-sama, you go! I'll stay behind!"
One elite ninja stepped forward resolutely, turning to face Hui while weaving hand signs.
Unfortunately, Hui was already too close.
The ninja hadn't even finished his signs before Hui bypassed him entirely, the sword slicing through the air and the sword energy killing someone.
A clone made of water, the one Hui had bypassed, crumbled instantly, unable to deceive Hui's sharp senses.
Once again, Hui's blade claimed another life, and he continued to close in on Hozuki Gengetsu.
Gengetsu sighed heavily, stopping in his tracks.
"If I don't make it back, let the Third Mizukage succeed me as Mizukage," he said with a determined tone.
[A/N: I could only write it as Third mizukage since he wasn't named in the series.]
"Mizukage-sama!"
The Kirigakure ninjas hesitated, unable to abandon their leader.
"Enough! Leave now! Any delay will cost you your lives!"
Gengetsu's commanding voice broke through their hesitation.
One ninja bit his lip and nodded.
"Let's go!" he barked.
At this, the remaining ninjas reluctantly withdrew, leaving Gengetsu to face Hui alone.
Hui stopped, watching the fleeing Kirigakure ninjas without giving chase.
"Looks like you've resolved yourself to die," Hui said, his tone calm but firm.
"I never thought I'd meet my end at the hands of a 16-year-old boy," Gengetsu replied, a wry smile on his face. "I'm starting to believe your claims. Maybe you really did kill that Bandage Man and Shamon. I'm curious, though—what kind of technique could wipe out four to five thousand ninja of the Rock and Sand alliance in one go?"
"It's a Lightning Style technique that harnesses natural lightning. The danger zone in the land of lightning, you've heard of it, haven't you?"
Gengetsu's eyes widened. "The Land of Lightning… no wonder. If that's the case, it's plausible. But to lure Shamon and the Bandage Man into such a trap, your cunning and strategy are equally terrifying."
He chuckled lightly.
"Hui, it won't be long before you're revered as the God of Shinobi. Losing to someone like you doesn't seem so bad now. What will you do once you've achieved that title?"
Hui's gaze was steady.
"I haven't thought that far ahead. Maybe I'll bring peace to Konohaf, or perhaps the entire ninja world. It all depends on my future accomplishments. But I do live by one principle."
Gengetsu's curiosity was piqued.
"What principle?"
"With great power comes great responsibility."
The words left Gengetsu momentarily stunned.
As he processed them, a small smile spread across his face.
"With great power comes great responsibility," he repeated, mulling over the phrase. For the first time, he felt he could trust the young man before him.
"Very well. Let's see the full extent of your strength!" Gengetsu declared, his tone turning cold.
"Gladly!" Hui replied, his blade already slicing through the air.
join my patreon for 85+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL