Water Shadow on The Sea

"Under the Fifth Mizukage, the Fourth Mizukage, this Six-Tails Jinchuriki, along with individuals like Mr. Ao, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and others, it's truly... unexpected!"

Similar to Mei Terumi and other Mist ninjas, Shisui felt a genuine surprise upon identifying all the newcomers.

This was genuine, without any underlying surprise.

After all, initially, he only aimed to catch a big fish, but who would've thought of reeling in an entire net full?

Of course, within happiness, there could be worries.

The only concern now was whether his net was sturdy enough to capture them all.

With this in mind, Shisui gestured, urging Killer Bee without any further delay. The wooden figures and accompanying Konoha ninjas immediately took action, aiming not to let a single one escape.

Simultaneously, upon noticing the Konoha's lineup including Uchiha Shisui, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Second-Tails Jinchuriki among other elite fighters, it was evident this mission was fruitless. The primary concern now was the loss of the shipment that was crucial, prompting Ao and the others to shift their focus to Mei Terumi.

Just as they were about to speak, Mei Terumi swiftly commanded aloud:

"All Mist ninjas, retreat!"

There was no time to question the two Kumogakure Jinchuriki, as the inevitable reality of the situation unfolded. Upon seeing Shisui's appearance, Mei Terumi instantly issued the retreat order, harboring no hope.

The carefully planned ambush failed. At this moment, she could imagine the blow to her Mizukage reputation upon returning.

But Mei Terumi had no energy left to concern herself with that.

Ensuring the safe evacuation of her elite Mist ninjas was the current priority.

At this moment.

Upon hearing the Mizukage's command, despite their inner thoughts, all the Mist ninjas, as the village's elite, displayed exceptional qualities, immediately abandoning the pursuit of the nearby carrier and swiftly departing.

"Trying to escape? You won't get away so easily now." Witnessing this, Shisui promptly led the pursuit with the others.

Several hours of pursuit ensued, and when the two sides finally met, it resulted in only a few exchanges before transforming into the Konoha's pursuit of the Mist ninjas.

While it was expected to engage in an intense battle, the process of being unable to deal with the opponent's retreat did not occur, despite their inner frustrations. Mei Terumi, well aware of the opponents' strengths, knew these individuals wouldn't foolishly engage in a fight they couldn't win.

Knowing it was futile to force their hand against such adversaries was the way of a warrior.

Recognizing the unfavorable situation, an immediate escape was the norm for a ninja.

However, the Mist ninjas's successful escape relied on whether the Konoha side would permit it.

"Wow! None of you are getting away!"

At this moment, eight long, gigantic octopus tails extended from Killer Bee's back, fiercely lashing out toward the Mist ninjas ahead.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

A significantly larger water wall than what typical ninjas conjured surged forth from Mei Terumi, deliberately left behind to cover the retreat of her comrades.

The next moment, the eight colossal octopus tails collided with the water wall, erupting into a violent clash and splattering copious amounts of water.

However, despite this, the Water Formation Wall technique remained unbroken.

"Huh? You managed to stop my tails." Killer Bee was astonished by this scene.

Meanwhile, as Mei Terumi continued her hand seals, she gazed coldly at the approaching Konoha ninjas:

"Don't underestimate the power of the Mizukage!"

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In an instant, more than ten massive water dragons, formed through Mei Terumi's chakra, soared out of the sea, roaring menacingly as they charged ferociously toward Shisui, Killer Bee, and the Konoha ninjas accompanying them.

This was just the beginning.

In the subsequent moments, numerous wide-range Water Style techniques such as the Water Style: Giant Waterfall Technique, Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave, and Water Style: Water Colliding Wave were swiftly employed by the powerful Mizukage, taking full advantage of the sea's ideal conditions for Water Style jutsu. It showcased the terrifying might of the ninja known as the Mizukage.

Under such magnificent yet fierce Water Style ninjutsu assaults.

Even powerful ninjas like Shisui, Killer Bee, and the other Konoha ninjas found themselves overwhelmed momentarily, let alone the rest of the Konoha's forces.

Witnessing the adversaries overwhelmed, and observing the Mist ninjas gradually departing, Mei Terumi, who had stayed behind, didn't opt to leave but continued to confront the Konoha ninjas, applying relentless pressure to buy more time.

Similar to the Third Raikage, who once faced thousands of Iwa ninjas single-handedly to ensure his comrades' escape, after initiating this failed assault, Mei Terumi chose to stay behind, redeeming herself by buying time for the Mist ninjas to flee.

"Water Style..."

Just as Mei Terumi prepared to execute another ninjutsu.

Suddenly, dozens of blue-flamed chakra orbs streaked toward her, forcing her to halt her hand seals. Subsequently, she swiftly stepped on her ninja shoes on the sea's surface, erecting a water barrier in front of her.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The next moment, intense blue flames collided with the water barrier, generating copious amounts of steam.

However, with a continuous supply of water from beneath the sea's surface, the water barrier remained intact.

Next, just as Mei Terumi was about to make another move within the water barrier.

Again, blue flames surged forth, significantly larger than before. This time, the scorching heat distorted the space, and a massive rat-shaped flame rushed towards her.

Boom!

The water barrier shattered instantly, resonating with a loud explosion.

Following a swift "swoosh," Mei Terumi, somewhat disheveled, swiftly escaped from within.

However, before she could steady herself,

Amidst the chaos caused by the waves she had created earlier, leveraging the agility of the Two-Tails, the first to break free and cause the recent turmoil, a wooden figure clad in a blue, Two-Tails cat pattern chakra cloak, sharp cat-like claws extended from its ten fingers, swiftly charged towards her, aiming its sharp claws viciously at her.

In the next instant!

Rip~

The cat's claws struck the tangible entity, and instead of blood, water splashed out unexpectedly.

"A Water Clone? When did she...?"

Witnessing Mei Terumi instantly turning into a pool of water, the wooden figure, caught off guard, shrunk abruptly. Just as it attempted to retreat rapidly, the shattered water clone sprinkled water droplets on it, drawing a vast amount of water that surged toward it as if with boundless attraction.

In the blink of an eye, due to a momentary lapse, the wooden figure was tightly enveloped by a massive water sphere.

This was the Water Style: Water Prison Technique.

The next moment, within the water sphere where movement and hand seals were impossible, the wooden figure heard a familiar voice from outside.

Seeing the real Mei Terumi swiftly rising from the water, she placed her palm on the water sphere, expressionless, and said:

"Stay put down there."

After her statement, she pressed her palm, and the water sphere containing the wooden figure rapidly descended beneath the sea's surface.