The Kage of this era…
They are not to be underestimated!
If the First Kage of each village were the ones who built the house for their people to live in, then the Second Kage were the ones who paved the road forward.
Whether it was the Dust Release of the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, or the Sand Manipulation and Puppet Techniques of the Second Kazekage, Shamon, they had all become the cornerstones of their villages' future.
"Sand Manipulation, huh…"
Shigen glanced at the sand coiling around his ankle, then at the incoming barrage of water bullets. He raised his hand.
A towering wall of fire, dozens of meters high, erupted in front of him. No matter how many water bullets rained down, they all vaporized into mist upon touching the flames. The fiery wall then morphed into a massive dragon of fire, surging forward at them!
"Wait, wait, wait! This isn't right!"
The Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, was stunned at the sight. Seeing Shigen release such devastating Fire Release jutsu without even forming a seal was terrifying!
This level of power…
Was simply absurd!
"There's no way to avoid it."
The Second Kazekage sighed in frustration, letting go of his control over the sand around Shigen's ankles. Instead, he swiftly clapped his hands together, and the ground beneath them transformed into flowing sand!
The sand shot up into the air, forming a vast, undulating barrier that blocked the oncoming fire dragon. Explosions of heat and pressure resounded through the battlefield!
It was the sound of sand being scorched into brittle glass.
"Hey, hey, hey, bandage man…"
Gengetsu glanced toward the sky, calling for Mū to assist with a ranged counterattack.
"I know, Dust Release: Limitless…"
Mū clasped his hands together once more.
However…
Shigen was faster!
A bolt of lightning pierced the sky, streaking straight toward Mū!
Lightning Release was the fastest of all elemental jutsu, embodying the natural speed of lightning itself—impossible for the human body to dodge!
Combined with Shigen's ability to release jutsu without seals, Mū barely had a moment to react before he was struck. His body spasmed from the electric shock, and he plummeted toward the ground!
"This isn't good…"
Gengetsu's expression shifted as he hurriedly moved.
Shamon quickly manipulated his sand to form a platform beneath his feet, using it to launch himself toward Mū. He stretched out tendrils of sand, trying to catch his ally before he hit the ground.
"Water Release."
Suddenly, a fine mist of raindrops began to fall from the sky.
The sand Shamon had been controlling immediately became saturated and heavy, making it impossible for him to maneuver it properly. He had no choice but to land, abandoning his attempt to rescue Mū.
"He won't be seriously hurt from that height…"
Shigen watched Mū's body fall, his tone calm. "I once treated someone who fell from a mountain. His internal organs were shattered, but I still managed to save him."
"Don't say such terrifying things!"
Gengetsu shuddered at the thought.
Fortunately…
The paralysis from the Lightning Release was only temporary!
At the last possible moment, Mū activated the Light-Weight Rock Technique, making his body as light as a feather. He caught himself mid-fall, flipped through the air, and stabilized just above the ground.
However…
He no longer dared to fly too high.
Realizing the risk, he quickly activated his signature invisibility technique.
"Null Dust Concealment."
Mū's body vanished from sight.
This was his unique stealth technique—far more than mere camouflage. It erased his presence completely, making him undetectable even by chakra sensory techniques.
A true invisibility jutsu!
No one could track Mū's position now.
At least, that's what he thought.
"Not this trick again…"
Gengetsu grumbled. He wasn't thrilled about it, but he understood why Mū had to resort to this. Against Shigen's absurd Lightning Release speed, staying visible would make him an easy target.
"You take point and keep him occupied. I'll provide cover, and Mū will wait for the perfect moment to strike."
Shamon quickly devised a plan, laying the groundwork for a tactical maneuver similar to the team formations he would later instill in Sunagakure's forces.
"Got it."
Gengetsu sighed in resignation.
Shamon's offensive capabilities were limited, and with the rain making his sand heavier, he had to rely on Gengetsu to lead the charge.
But still…
It was ridiculous.
Shigen had changed the weather itself to gain an advantage.
Yet Shamon immediately deduced how he had done it.
"It's the heat from that monstrous Fire Release technique. The intense updraft carried water vapor into the atmosphere, forming rain clouds. He's using this artificial weather to his benefit."
"But still…"
"This rain gives an advantage to Water Release users."
Shamon glanced at Gengetsu, explaining why he was putting him in the lead.
However…
They wouldn't get the chance to argue over tactics.
Because, in this artificial storm, Shigen was far more at home than even the Mizukage himself.
Unlike Gengetsu, who still needed to form seals, Shigen could release Water Release techniques at will. And with his infinite chakra, he had no reason to hold back.
Before they could even finish their discussion—
A massive torrent of water dragons surged toward them!
Shamon could only hastily form a sand wall to shield them, barely holding on against the relentless assault.
"I'll handle this!"
"This thick misty rain is perfect for my clam!"
Gengetsu swiftly bit his finger, forming a series of hand seals before slamming his palm onto the ground.
"Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!"
A colossal clam materialized, its hard shell gleaming as it settled on the battlefield. The moment it landed, its antennae extended, preparing to unleash a powerful genjutsu mist.
"I'll have the clam release its illusionary mist to block his vision—"
"Wind Release."
A fierce gust of wind tore through the battlefield!
Before the clam could even generate its genjutsu mist, the sudden hurricane-force winds blew everything away!
"Earth Release."
The ground beneath the clam suddenly surged upward!
No…
The earth wasn't rising.
It was caving in!
If the clam remained, it would be completely buried alive.
Poof!
The clam vanished in a puff of smoke!
"…Huh?"
Gengetsu was utterly dumbfounded.
His trump card—his clan's signature battlefield illusion—had been destroyed before it could even activate!
"Watch out!"
Shamon flung a chakra string, yanking Gengetsu away just as another barrage of water dragons smashed into his previous position!
Outside the battlefield, the watching shinobi were left in shock.
Even though this battle consisted solely of ninjutsu exchanges, it was clear to everyone—
Shigen was effortlessly dominating.
The so-called three "great" Kage were on the defensive, doing everything they could just to survive his relentless onslaught.
To him…
This wasn't even a challenge.
With his seamless jutsu execution, no openings, and infinite chakra, he could sustain an endless barrage of attacks. If this were an actual battlefield, he could bury an entire army.
Most terrifyingly…
Each attack he landed was powerful enough to incapacitate a Kage instantly.
"It looks like…"
From the crowd, Ōnoki, Mū's student, clenched his fists.
"The outcome will be decided by Lord Mū's attack."
As long as Mū launched a successful strike, the tide could turn.
"Lord Gengetsu can still do it!"
The Kirigakure shinobi shouted in defiance.
"No, the Kazekage is the strongest!"
The Sunagakure shinobi argued, insisting that Shamon had performed the best so far.
The rain grew heavier.
Countless water dragons danced in the sky.
Gengetsu and Shamon could only desperately evade, completely at Shigen's mercy.
And Mū…
He had been found.
The rain outlined his invisible form, revealing his silhouette.
Shigen smirked.
"Got you."
A bolt of purple lightning surged from his hand, striking the hidden Tsuchikage.
And with that, Mū fell.
Defeated.
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This fic averages the same readers as my pokemon fic which currently ranks #7. In 5 hours at 11 AM when the rankings reset, I'll upload 5 extra chapters. I want to see if we can surpass my pokemon fic. If we do, you get 10 extra chapters next week.