The Third Mizukage had a high level of combat intelligence, and with his knowledge of the Second Hokage, he instantly understood Kazuyama's intention in clashing blades.
This made Kazuyama feel uneasy. He had thought the Third Mizukage was just a side character, but facing him now—he was terrifying.
Even more troublesome than the Third Kazekage.
"Water Release: Bodhi Coat."
Already aware that he'd been marked, the Third Mizukage formed hand seals. Ripples surged from his body, and a turquoise-blue coat wrapped around him, glowing with blue light.
It was clearly a defensive technique, though its exact effect remained unknown.
"Kazuyama, if it really doesn't work, just use Tailed Beast Transformation and crush him already."
"Why waste time on him?"
Chōmei couldn't take it anymore. Kazuyama hadn't gained a single advantage through all this fighting, and it was driving him nuts.
"No. This is the northern part of Takigakure. If we use Tailed Beast Transformation here and get discovered, we're done."
"If we really need to fight in that form, it can't be here."
Kazuyama glanced toward the distant white mountains. A plan was already forming in his mind.
Though he'd gained a lot of new jutsu recently, few could truly harm a high-level opponent.
"Lure him to the Land of Frost. I'll transform there and finish him off!"
With his plan decided, Kazuyama spread his wings and flew straight toward the Land of Frost.
At the same time, he dismissed the Summoning Technique, sending Kinrin and the others back to Ryūji Cave.
The Third Mizukage frowned.
"Trying to run? Not that easy! Hague, after him!"
Now free from battle, the electric eel Hague surged to the surface. The Third Mizukage leapt up, landing squarely on its back.
The fierce battle between them had suddenly turned into a chase—
One flying through the sky, the other pursuing from the sea.
But Kazuyama had no intention of simply running.
He activated Flying Thunder God.
Ten clones appeared beside the Third Mizukage, all holding the Tiger Seal.
Ten One Thousand Years of Death Rasengans launched at once.
The chakra-infused technique struck the Third Mizukage's body directly.
A wave of blue light burst forth to block it, but it wasn't enough. The Rasengan's breakthrough power was overwhelming.
The ten strikes tore right through the water barrier.
Caught off guard, the Mizukage barely managed to twist his body to protect his vitals.
But he underestimated the technique's force. Even with most of the damage absorbed, the hits still made him cry out in pain.
"Damn brat!"
A water blade flashed, and the clones shattered into crystal fragments.
The Third Mizukage looked up at Kazuyama in the sky, his face full of fury.
"Hey hey, chase me!"
"Catch me, and I'll let you hit me. Otherwise, just keep getting smacked around."
Everyone knew just how irritating Kazuyama's mouth could be.
The Third Mizukage nearly lost it, but he calmed himself.
After all, he was still a Kage.
Once the pain eased, he regained his composure—
Too bad Kazuyama wouldn't let him rest.
Even mid-flight, he kept throwing attacks—
Snakes, crystals, explosive tags—whatever he had, he hurled it using Flying Thunder God.
"Annoying brat! Hague, attack him!"
"Water Release: Water Shot!"
The Third Mizukage raised his hand and fired countless water bullets skyward. Hague added electric enchantment.
But the attempt was like using anti-aircraft fire on a mosquito.
Kazuyama, flying high, slipped through everything like a loach.
Soon, they crossed into the Land of Frost.
As the temperature dropped, Kazuyama came to an abrupt stop.
Before him stretched a white, snow-covered expanse.
Behind him, the Third Mizukage had already left the sea—Hague was gone.
"You think getting away from the sea will weaken me?"
"Ice and snow are still water, kid. You're wrong."
Streams of water still spiraled around the Mizukage, his expression full of scorn.
But Kazuyama grinned wildly.
"You guessed wrong."
"I brought you here for my own sake."
"Chōmei! Cloak Mode!"
With a roar, crimson chakra surged around Kazuyama.
Four tails instantly formed behind him.
"Jinchūriki..."
The Mizukage's face finally changed.
But strangely, he felt no urge to retreat.
No—that wasn't quite right.
Some kind of command had sealed off all his escape routes.
"Water Release: Great Water Burst..."
He began preparing to reshape the terrain.
"Don't even think about it!"
"One Thousand Years of Death Rasengan!"
Kazuyama wasn't about to let him act.
Forming the Tiger Seal, he spun searing chakra between his hands.
Then he dove—
Like a missile, straight down toward the Mizukage.
A living bomb.
He was moving faster than the Mizukage could form seals.
Forced to abandon the jutsu, the Mizukage instead activated a defensive technique—Water Formation Pillar.
But it was useless.
The intense heat of the tailed beast chakra pierced straight through it.
Steam rose as the water evaporated.
"It's not over yet!"
"Ninja Art: Scale Powder Paralysis Technique!"
Kazuyama slammed into the ground, blasting away the snow and leaving a crater.
Then he spewed a cloud of scale powder toward the Mizukage.
"Powder..."
"Don't touch it..."
"Water Release: Water Wave Hand."
Without seals, the Mizukage raised his hand and shot out a stream of water, blocking the powder.
"Opening!"
"Take another—One Thousand Years of Death!"
Though the powder was blocked, Kazuyama suddenly appeared behind him.
Crimson chakra surged—
And stabbed into the Mizukage's back.
"Puuh!"
The strike pierced him clean through.
Water gushed from his body.
Kazuyama clicked his tongue.
"Tch... a water clone?"
This was the first time the Mizukage had used a substitution—
Clearly, even he didn't dare go head-to-head with someone cloaked in tailed beast chakra.
"Too bad..."
"I predicted your prediction!"
"Tailed Beast Hand!"