"Coral Palm!"
Mangetsu and Kaede shouted in unison, "Zabuza!"
After a prolonged battle, Yagura finally seized the opportunity.
His palm landed squarely on Zabuza's chest. Coral rapidly spread across his body, instantly immobilizing him.
Zabuza had always been wary of this secret technique. He knew that if he got caught, it would be a nightmare to deal with.
From the beginning of the fight, he had been on guard against Yagura's hands, dodging every strike.
But exhaustion had taken its toll. His movements slowed just enough for Yagura to land a direct hit.
In an instant, Zabuza was wrapped up like a tightly bound package, unable to move.
Damn it, this technique works way too fast!
Cursing internally, he struggled with all his might, but the coral refused to budge.
"Damn it!"
Yagura landed gracefully, pivoting on his heel as he sheathed his water blade at his waist.
"Lightning Release: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Seeing that Yagura hadn't even broken a sweat and was preparing to finish him off in one move, Mangetsu knew things were getting dire. He abandoned his plan to rescue Zabuza and instantly flickered away.
Yagura's blade struck nothing but air. But the moment he touched down, he adjusted his stance and launched another strike.
"Thunderclap and Flash: Double Strike!"
Like a bolt of lightning, Yagura closed the distance between himself and Onime Kaede in the blink of an eye. Instead of slashing, he smacked him with the flat of his blade.
The combination of water and lightning chakra coursed through Kaede's body, paralyzing him.
Yagura wasted no time.
"Coral Palm!"
Kaede—eliminated.
Mangetsu reappeared behind Yagura with a wry smile. "So I wasn't the first target."
If he had been, Yagura wouldn't have switched targets so decisively.
"That's another one down. Next, next, next." Yagura grinned, his blade pointing at Mangetsu. "What's your plan?"
"Can I surrender?" Mangetsu raised his hands without hesitation, grinning. "Ninjas aren't samurai. There's no shame in admitting defeat."
The water blade crackled with electricity, and his two teammates were already down for the count. With an easygoing smile, he said,
"Let me off the hook, yeah?"
Yagura stepped closer, his grin widening in a way that, to Mangetsu, looked downright demonic.
"If you're still this afraid of Lightning Release, you won't last long. Your weakness is too obvious, Mangetsu."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be sure to train hard when I get back."
"No need to wait. Let's do it now!"
With a powerful stomp, Yagura lunged forward and drove his electrified water blade straight into Mangetsu's chest.
Water conducts electricity. The outcome was obvious—
"Aaaaaaah!!"
Zabuza and Kaede exchanged looks, both pretending they hadn't seen or heard Mangetsu's pitiful screams.
Yagura held back just enough, stopping his lightning chakra output after a few seconds. He caught Mangetsu as he slumped forward, barely standing.
Mangetsu could swear he saw his soul leaving his mouth.
Goodbye, cruel world.
If he had another life to live, he'd make damn sure not to befriend anyone who used Lightning Release.
...
A few days later—
With the confirmation that Yagura posed no risk of a Tailed Beast rampage, the Third Mizukage allowed him to return to the Ninja Academy.
Upon re-entering, Yagura realized something horrifying—the Academy was packed with theoretical lessons.
Math, physics, and more. Detailed calculations on shuriken trajectories, air resistance, velocity changes—it was endless.
Is this seriously what a seven-year-old is supposed to learn?!
Yet, when he saw Mangetsu and the others breezing through the material, he suddenly felt like there was an insurmountable barrier between himself and this world.
Thankfully, salvation arrived in the form of a direct order from the Third Mizukage—Yagura was to graduate early and participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams hosted by multiple villages.
"Lifesaver!" Yagura practically cheered. Finally, he could escape the hell of academic overachievement!
And it wasn't just his small circle that found this news shocking. The entire Kirigakure and even the wider shinobi world were stunned.
Kirigakure participating in the joint Chunin Exams hosted by Konoha and Sunagakure, along with several minor villages?!
Who?
The same Kirigakure that had been isolating itself for years?!
When the official request landed on the desk of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, he read it three times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
If his face could glitch, it would've.
But Sarutobi was a seasoned leader. He quickly composed himself.
"Kirigakure's envoy, this is a significant matter. We will need time to deliberate."
One of Konoha's advisors, Homura Mitokado, added, "Please, make yourself comfortable at the guesthouse for now."
The diplomat representing Kirigakure nodded in understanding, bowed respectfully, and left.
As the doors closed, silence fell over the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen lit his pipe, taking a few puffs to clear his mind.
Homura asked, "The next Chunin Exam is in December, correct?"
"Yes," Koharu Utatane confirmed. "So far, Sunagakure, Takigakure, Amegakure, and Kusagakure have all confirmed their participation."
"But why would Kirigakure suddenly want to join? Could there be ulterior motives?"
"They've been secretive for so long—we barely have intelligence on them."
"With Kumogakure and Iwagakure stirring up trouble, we can't rule out the possibility of Kirigakure making a move. We should reject their participation."
"Agreed. They're probably trying to spy on Konoha."
...
The two advisors continued their debate, their voices buzzing like annoying mosquitoes in Sarutobi's ears.
He remained expressionless, studying the document closely.
This wasn't just a request to participate. Kirigakure had even provided a list of their genin and their profiles.
It was clear—they were determined to take part.
Even Konoha, as the host, had yet to finalize its own list of participants.
Homura and Koharu weren't entirely wrong. Kirigakure's isolationist policy made it nearly impossible to gather intelligence on them.
Over his decades as Hokage, Sarutobi had tried, but the risk outweighed the reward.
Any ninja discovered within the Land of Water was relentlessly hunted. Few ever made it out alive. Those who did rarely brought back anything useful.
Given their dwindling military and economic power, Kirigakure shouldn't be making moves on the mainland.
Unless…
"Has something changed with the Mizukage?" Sarutobi muttered.
For decades, he had never met the man, yet he understood him well—a stubborn and reclusive leader.
Would he suddenly change course?
Sarutobi rested his chin on his hands, tapping his fingers in thought.
"How are our own genin candidates?"
Koharu hesitated before responding, "Exceptionally talented. Even your son, Asuma, has applied. Konoha will shine this year."
Hiruzen smiled at the mention of his son.
"I understand your concerns. But instead of rejecting Kirigakure outright, I want to assess their strength firsthand."
Konoha had nothing to fear.
Let Kirigakure send their best.
Konoha's young generation wouldn't lose to anyone.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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