After returning from his meeting with Sasori, Yagura buried himself in training, preparing for the battles ahead.
Due to his age and physical limitations, he had reached a bottleneck in his Lightning Release and taijutsu training, preventing further progress. Thus, aside from teaching Ringo Ameyuri Lightning Release as part of their regular sessions, he devoted all his remaining energy to refining his mastery over the Tailed Beast chakra and further developing his Water Release techniques.
His battle against Might Guy had proven the power of his Water Release: Phantom Water Domain, which was based on the Water Prison Jutsu. As of now, it was a technique that could be used as a powerful weapon against individuals. However, with increased proficiency and the vast reserves of chakra provided by the Tailed Beast, it could one day evolve into a devastating large-scale battlefield technique.
For that to happen, Yagura needed another jutsu to complement the Phantom Water Domain. If the prison and guillotine were ready, then what he lacked was the chains and shackles needed to capture his prey.
The technique had to possess both speed and density for ensnaring targets, as well as raw power for restraining them. Yagura had a reference in mind: the Water Whip Jutsu, used by Kirigakure's Anbu to hunt down rogue ninja.
When he had been sealed away as the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, those very Anbu had immobilized him with the Water Prison Jutsu and bound his limbs with Water Whips. That experience had served as the inspiration for his current research.
...
Rising from his seated position, Yagura placed his hands on his knees and stood up, walking over to where his two companions were training.
Since arriving at the training grounds earlier that day, Yagura had simply sat to the side, lost in thought. Both Ringo Ameyuri and Mukumo were aware of what had been occupying his mind, so they hadn't disturbed him, instead focusing on their own training.
"Ameyuri, could you teach me the Water Whip Jutsu?"
"Water Whip?" Ameyuri turned toward him just as she blocked one of Mukumo's punches with her own. Using the force of the impact, she leaped back, pausing the sparring session.
As a former Anbu, she naturally knew the technique. "No problem!"
Without hesitation, she formed a series of hand seals, and a long, flowing whip of water extended from her right hand, reaching about a meter in length. Understanding why Yagura wanted to see the technique in action, she lightly flicked the whip, allowing it to coil around Yagura's arm, binding it tightly.
"Thanks."
Yagura tugged at the whip binding his arm, but it did not break. The sensation wasn't like water—it was more like a serpent: slick, flexible, yet possessing remarkable tensile strength.
A vision formed in his mind—countless water whips lashing out at an enemy. Dodging one or ten might be possible, but evading a hundred? Impossible. The moment one whip ensnared its target, the others would follow in an overwhelming cascade.
A more common analogy for this concept?
Tentacle play.
After capturing the target, the Water Whips would rapidly transform into the Phantom Water Domain, sealing them within a watery prison.
Yagura could already picture the execution.
Yes, this was it.
The Water Whip Jutsu wasn't particularly high-level, meaning it was relatively easy to learn. Moreover, as the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, Yagura had already bypassed the hardest part of mastering Water Release—the need to understand its nature transformation.
With an experienced teacher like Ameyuri, it only took him two days to master the fundamental form of the Water Whip Jutsu.
However, developing an advanced version—one capable of creating and controlling dozens or even hundreds of whips attacking from all angles—was another challenge entirely.
...
Three days before the exam.
The Land of Fire, situated on the eastern coast of the continent, enjoyed warm ocean breezes during summer and dry desert winds from the west in winter.
Even in winter, Konoha's weather remained relatively mild. Cold, but not freezing. Snow and freezing rain were rare during this season.
Waiting in the training grounds, Yagura exhaled, watching his breath form a faint mist in the crisp air. He adjusted the scarf around his neck, shifting his weight slightly as he tapped his toes against the ground, appreciating the comfortable climate.
Winter in the Land of Water was nothing like this.
Surrounded by the sea, the country's air was heavy with moisture. No matter how many layers one wore, the cold always found a way to seep into the bones. While the temperatures rarely dropped below freezing, the terrain—mostly rolling hills and low mountains—made it prone to sudden freezing rain carried in by ocean winds.
Compared to the Land of Wind, with its extreme droughts and temperature shifts, the Land of Water was practically a paradise.
"I figured you'd already be here."
Arriving a bit later, Ameyuri wasn't surprised to find Yagura already in place. Lately, he had been coming and going at odd hours.
"Old habits die hard," Yagura replied with a smile, keeping his whereabouts vague—especially today.
The Third Kazekage had arrived in the Land of Fire.
Sasori had been responsible for contacting the Kazekage, informing him that the mission was complete and that the target—his Jinchuriki—had been captured. Now, they were leading him to a carefully selected location where the real plan would unfold.
Yagura's role? To act as the bait.
Before setting out, he had reported to Jinin Akebino, ensuring that if he didn't return within a set time, they knew where to look for him.
But he hadn't shared these details with Ameyuri and Mukumo. If they suspected anything, they chose not to ask.
Ameyuri waved casually. "Yo, kept you waiting?"
"Not long."
Yagura adjusted his scarf and smirked. "Let's begin."
"Oh? Someone's eager today."
...
Over the past month, Ameyuri had been Yagura's sparring partner, so she was well-acquainted with his fighting style. However, today, something felt different—there was an added sharpness to his presence.
Raising her twin blades, she spun them swiftly to warm up. Her fighting spirit surged. "Bring it on."
Mukumo, uninterested in participating, carried his breakfast over to a spot where he could spectate from a safe distance. His Bloodline Limit made Water Release ineffective against him, so he wasn't the right choice for Yagura's new technique.
Ripples spread across the ground around Yagura, like raindrops hitting the surface of a lake. Five watery tendrils emerged from the ripples, their tips forming razor-sharp points aimed directly at Ameyuri.
Inspired by the concept of the Water Whip Jutsu, Yagura had taken it a step further, incorporating his own unique vision.
When it came to restraint techniques, he had immediately thought of the chains from Fate—the ones favored by the Babylonians.
The most famous example? Gilgamesh's Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven.
But chains were impractical. While they looked cool, creating and controlling them via chakra manipulation was exhausting and inefficient. Instead, Yagura had refined the idea into something more suitable.
His new jutsu took form: sharp, fang-like tips designed for piercing, followed by crescent-shaped water blades for entrapment.
Five—this was his current limit for controlling the technique.
Hands clasped together, Yagura focused his chakra and formed the Ram seal.
"Water Release!"
The ocean meets the sky—nowhere to run, nowhere to hide!
The five water blades shot forward from multiple angles, converging on Ameyuri in a relentless assault.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Read more than +100 chapters and support me on Patreon
Patreon(.)com/Jixo