The Second Mizukage seemed a bit lost, unable to fully grasp the situation.
He simply didn't perceive Sasuke as being particularly strong, even though the Fifth Mizukage had explicitly warned him of Sasuke's terrifying power. Perhaps it was Sasuke's appearance – the Second Mizukage found it hard to believe that such a young brat could truly possess overwhelming strength. How strong could he possibly be?
Sasuke, however, wasn't in a rush. He glanced over at the Nine-Tails' situation. They were merely in the sealing preparation phase; the actual sealing hadn't begun. Judging by their expressions, it seemed they hadn't yet decided who would become the Nine-Tails' vessel.
After all, the Hidden Mist Village lacked someone with the innate ability to suppress the Nine-Tails. Or rather, they once had such individuals: the Kaguya clan. Blessed with naturally powerful bodies, they could withstand the Nine-Tails' immense chakra, even if their own chakra reserves weren't exceptional. This potent combination could even potentially evolve their Shikotsumyaku bloodline and cure the inherent genetic disease that plagued them.
Unfortunately, the Kaguya clan had been wiped out long ago in this era. Consequently, the Hidden Mist Village now had no suitable candidate for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Forcing the role onto just anyone would be a death sentence; the Jinchuriki wouldn't survive more than two years. Why else would Konoha insist on using members of the Uzumaki clan as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki? Even if the Nine-Tails bore no ill will towards its host, the sheer volume of its chakra was more than an ordinary person could endure. Becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was like starting a countdown on one's life. Unless possessing an exceptionally strong constitution, it was akin to swallowing a slow-acting poison, merely waiting for the inevitable end.
"Watch closely," Sasuke addressed the younger onlookers. "Observing a ninja battle will be beneficial for you."
With that, Sasuke turned and walked towards the lake's surface. Chakra naturally gathered beneath his feet, allowing him to stand on the water as if it were solid ground. This feat alone demonstrated his chakra control, refined to an incredibly precise degree.
The three youngsters held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
Facing four former Mizukage of the Hidden Mist, Sasuke stood alone, utterly devoid of fear. He looked almost insane.
The Second Mizukage watched Sasuke approach, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips. He raised his hand, instantly unleashing a Water Style ninjutsu. Simultaneously, the Third and Fourth Mizukage attacked as well.
They used the exact same Water Style technique!
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Instantly, water surged from the lake, coalescing into massive water dragons. The chakra from the three Mizukage merged seamlessly, forming a single, unified jutsu. The lifelike water dragons materialized in an instant, exuding a staggering pressure the moment they formed. Boruto and the others could clearly feel the terrifying oppressive aura generated by the fusion of three powerful chakra signatures.
In the next second, the ferocious water dragons roared, jaws wide open, lunging violently towards Sasuke.
Yet, faced with the assault, Sasuke didn't counter with ninjutsu. Instead, he simply raised his hand, palm open, facing forward. A flicker of amusement danced in Sasuke's eyes.
"Second," he called out. "It seems the last time wasn't enough to beat some sense into you. Or perhaps, the current you doesn't retain the memories from that time!"
"No matter. I'll let you experience my power once more, properly this time."
Hearing Sasuke's words, the Second Mizukage paused, startled. He turned his head to look at the Fifth Mizukage.
"Did I lose to this guy?" he asked, confused. "I don't remember ever meeting him."
Terumi Mei gave a wry, resigned smile. "During the Fourth Great Ninja War, when you were brought back by the Impure World Reincarnation... yes, you were indeed defeated by Sasuke."
Impure World Reincarnation?
The Second Mizukage froze for a moment. He remembered the technique, one developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. He just never imagined it would one day be used on him, summoning his deceased self to fight this young brat.
And he lost?
Hmph!
"That was merely my dead self," he scoffed. "The me standing here now is alive! We're completely different. Kid! Do you really think you can defeat me again?!"
The next instant Poof!
Sasuke's hand made contact with the surging water dragon. Abruptly, the massive jutsu dissipated, vanishing into nothing more than a spray of water droplets scattering through the air.
The combined Water Dragon Bullet from three Kage, which had seemed so overwhelmingly powerful just moments ago, was blocked... just like that? It was hardly different from having a basin of water splashed at him! How could its power be so minuscule?
Sasuke slowly lowered his fingers. The scene made it look as though he had simply crushed the Water Dragon Bullet in his grasp. His eye technique, 'Deity Gates', rendered any ninjutsu attack as fragile as a soap bubble before him, popping on contact.
Sasuke smiled, looking at the three stunned former Kage.
"I've felt the power of your technique. Now, how about you try mine?"
Saying this, Sasuke raised his hand, forming hand seals. In the next second, a storm began to brew, and the entire lake seemed to violently boil...
The four individuals present were all Mizukage! They knew precisely how immense the chakra reserves needed to be to manipulate such a vast quantity of water. Could this young man truly possess such terrifying mastery over Water Style?
Terumi Mei sighed. "As terrifying as ever."
However, in the next moment, the churning lake water grew calm, as if nothing had happened.
The three former Kage breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did he fail?"
Could Uchiha Sasuke actually fail to cast a ninjutsu? That was the most basic kind of error! Even the weakest Genin would never make such a mistake.
The Fourth Mizukage couldn't help but chuckle. "Is this the near-invincible existence? Someone who can't even cast a jutsu properly! And he dares call himself 'near-invincible'?"
The Third Mizukage also cracked a smile.
Yet, the Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Sasuke. Anyone else in the ninja world might fail at casting a jutsu, but Uchiha Sasuke? Impossible. How could someone proficient in all five basic nature transformations possibly fail? It was absolutely, utterly impossible.
Suddenly!
A colossal black shadow appeared in the heavens. The clouds were torn apart, and the mist shrouding the island was instantly dispersed by a powerful gale. As the true sky was revealed, an enormous water dragon, vast enough to blot out the sun, came into view. It soared directly from the sea, ascending beyond the clouds a gigantic water dragon hovering above the island. Its sheer size completely dwarfed the entire landmass below.
How could one person condense a Water Dragon Bullet larger than an island?!
What kind of ninjutsu was this? Could it even still be called Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet?
Boruto and his companions were utterly dumbfounded. They had never witnessed ninjutsu used on such a scale. A mere A-rank technique wielded with the devastating presence of a forbidden jutsu.
Sasuke slowly raised both his hands. High above, the colossal water dragon coiled, ready to strike.
"Try not to die," Sasuke said with a chilling smile. "It would be far too pathetic if the esteemed Mizukage perished under a Water Style attack!"
The water dragon descended from the heavens, plummeting straight down with astonishing wind pressure, threatening to crush everything below.
In that instant, the eyelids of the four Mizukage twitched uncontrollably. They realized Sasuke hadn't manipulated the water from the lake he had drawn it from the ocean itself.
This man... seemed to possess a greater mastery of Water Style than even them, the Mizukage... How was that possible...?
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