A torrent powerful enough to engulf the entire island surged downwards. Accompanied by the impact of the Water Dragon Bullet, a deafening roar instantly erupted.
In that split second, Boruto and his teammates could only see a cascade of churning water rushing before their eyes. The wave, materializing in a heartbeat, surged directly towards them.
For a moment, the three felt a surge of panic. Faced with such a terrifying deluge, their chances looked grim.
However, when the torrent was merely ten meters away, a long, purple staff suddenly descended from the sky, embedding itself directly into the rocky shore. This single purple staff seemed to cleave the water current in two, forcing it to divert violently to either side, completely bypassing the three shinobi.
Stunned, they stared intently at the object radiating a faint purple glow. How could this thing possess such immense power, capable of splitting a water current of that magnitude?
The roar of the rushing water swept across the island, countless trees and rocks dragged into the churning sea below. Viewed from afar, under the onslaught of the Water Dragon Bullet, the island almost seemed as if it were rising from the depths of the ocean, stripped bare.
The deluge continued for over a minute before finally beginning to recede.
When the waters dispersed, the entire island had been transformed into a barren wasteland. The lake itself appeared to have been drained dry, leaving behind a massive crater. The Nine-Tails, which had been in the center of the lake, along with the shinobi performing the sealing jutsu around it, were nowhere to be seen, likely swept away by the torrent.
Yet, the Nine-Tails remained. The four Mizukage, it seemed, had poured all their strength into stabilizing the beast's containment. They had prioritized securing the Nine-Tails even over rescuing their own Mist Village shinobi.
Soaked to the bone, the four Mizukage were now catching their breath in short, ragged gasps. Clearly, enduring the impact of that Water Dragon Bullet had put immense strain on all of them.
At that moment, Sasuke descended slowly from the air, his gaze falling upon the four figures.
"Still alive? Impressive," he remarked. "As expected of the Mizukage."
Sasuke's words sounded like praise, yet the faces of the four Kage were incredibly grim. If a Water Style jutsu of that power had been unleashed within their village, nearly half of Kirigakure would likely be submerged by now.
Looking around, the island, once densely forested, was now utterly desolate. Sasuke's mastery over Water Style had reached such terrifying heights.
The Second Mizukage no longer dared to underestimate Sasuke in the slightest. He looked towards the Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei. "You said this kid is practically invincible in the current shinobi world... Now, I believe you."
It wasn't just the Second; the Third and Fourth Mizukage also seemed to finally grasp the true weight of Terumi Mei's assessment. A man who could casually unleash such devastating Water Style—and who was also proficient in all five elemental natures—meant that Sasuke Uchiha could potentially replicate that terrifying power with any element.
This Sasuke Uchiha... he was truly a monster among monsters.
"We attack together! Even if he's nearly invincible, we absolutely cannot let him take the Nine-Tails!"
Though they seemed to understand the terrifying extent of Sasuke's power, this was the Nine-Tails! It represented Kirigakure's chance to rise again, an opportunity they could not simply surrender. It was the lifelong aspiration of the Second Mizukage and the others—a dream unfulfilled in their time. Now that the Mist Village finally had this chance, they had to try, no matter the cost.
Sensing their resolve, Sasuke seemed somewhat surprised. He sheathed the Kusanagi Sword he had been preparing to draw.
"I see. Your determination to ensure your village's resurgence... I've received your message." Sasuke offered a faint smile. "In that case, I'll face you using only Kage-level strength."
"The Nine-Tails... you won't get it."
Only Kage-level? What does he mean, 'only' Kage-level? Boruto and his teammates found Sasuke's choice of words baffling. Did this imply Sasuke's true power surpassed that of a Kage? It seemed plausible; the Water Style jutsu moments ago wasn't something any ordinary Kage could unleash.
The Second Mizukage frowned. Only Kage-level? Is he trying to hold back against us? If Sasuke fought at full power, they would naturally fear him. But if he restricted himself to their level, then four against one... surely they wouldn't be defeated?
Sasuke casually raised his hand, forming a black rod to use as a weapon. Twirling the rod experimentally, he gestured towards the four Mizukage with a flick of his fingers.
"Come!"
The Second Mizukage's brow furrowed. The next instant, he shot forward like a blur. "Uchiha brat! You're strong, but if you limit yourself to our level, you can't win!"
His speed was incredible. He was, after all, a Kage-level shinobi—and the Second Mizukage at that. It was common knowledge in the shinobi world that the earlier generations of Kage were often stronger. While not primarily a taijutsu specialist, the Mizukage's physical prowess was far from weak.
Simultaneously, the Third Mizukage, who had once served as the Second's guard, followed close behind. The Third knew the Second's fighting style intimately; fighting together, their combat effectiveness multiplied several times over.
Sasuke merely smiled.
He raised his hand, greeting the pair with a volley of shuriken. Dozens flew instantly, Sasuke's throwing technique causing the Second Mizukage to pause for a fraction of a second.
Such exquisite throwing skills.
Clink! Clink!
Two shuriken collided mid-air, instantly changing trajectory and hurtling towards the Second Mizukage. He twisted and flipped, dodging the projectiles.
However, in that same instant, the Third Mizukage sensed danger. "Watch out!"
Clang!
A third shuriken appeared, striking one of the previously dodged shuriken, altering its path once more—sending it straight towards the Second Mizukage's back.
Clink!
The next moment, a kunai thrown from behind knocked Sasuke's shuriken aside.
Having evaded the barrage, the Second and Third Mizukage landed. The Second looked back towards Terumi Mei. "Thanks!"
If Terumi Mei hadn't intervened just now, although a single small shuriken wouldn't have been enough to kill the Second Mizukage, it certainly could have injured him. They had only just clashed. To be wounded before even making contact with the enemy wasn't just about the severity of the injury; it was about their morale plummeting instantly.
The Second Mizukage looked up at Sasuke. Even suppressing his strength to Kage-level, he can still execute such stunning moves?
The movements just now were indeed clear enough for him to follow, and while the shuriken were powerful, they were within the range he could block. Compared to the power Sasuke had displayed earlier, this was far weaker. It confirmed Sasuke was indeed holding back. Yet, even so, he had nearly wounded him—a Mizukage—within the first exchange using only a small shuriken.
Looking across the entire shinobi world, perhaps no one else could accomplish such a feat. Not even the legendary First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, could likely manage this level of precision under such constraints.
The black rod spun through the air, tearing at the atmosphere and creating swirling gusts of wind.
Sasuke took the initiative.
Spinning the black rod with both hands like the rotor of a helicopter, he leaped forward, attacking head-on. He swung the rod downwards in a heavy blow aimed directly at the Second Mizukage.
"What are you spacing out for? The fight's still on..."
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on Patreon. with 30 advanced chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/Leanzin