Capturing Hōzuki Senkei

"What are you staring at, provide support!"

Asuma had run a distance when he noticed the boy standing there, dumbfounded, and quickly shouted from afar.

Might Guy then snapped back to reality.

Kyōichi's hands were pressed against the ground, sensing the situation in this area. His gaze intensified as chakra flowed from his palms into the earth, spreading and hardening the entire riverbed into spear-like formations of soil.

This was a technique he had developed.

Not very practical, but quite suitable for the moment – he had sensed that their opponent seemed to be trying to escape from the riverbed.

Splash! A splash of water erupted.

Kyōichi formed hand seals again, and a black rain fell, drenching the surroundings.

"use fire and wind release."

"Yes!"

Shisui appeared instantaneously, having completed his hand seals on the wall and in the air.

The next moment, a giant fireball burst forth from his mouth.

Asuma was too late to react.

However, Hayama Shirakumo had already arrived, forming hand seals and releasing a powerful gust.

Gale winds, intense flames, and black oil.

The top of the earthen fortress was engulfed in flames, so fierce that even water couldn't extinguish it.

The river water evaporated, steam billowing.

Is this kid trying to dry up all the water?

What a freak! Hozuki Senkei cursed inwardly.

He hastily used a Water Release technique.

However, as the water rose, the earthen walls grew higher. Although they provided temporary protection, the black oil and fierce flames floated on the water, heating the pool to an unbearable temperature.

This method was unsustainable!

Finally unable to hide, he leaped out and fled towards an unoccupied area, his body still ablaze with scorching flames – some of the black oil clung to him, unextinguishable even when diluted with water.

Body Flicker Technique! His speed was incredible.

"No wonder he dared to stay here," Kyōichi sneered.

Fast? I'm faster.

Open the gates, open!

In the next moment, he drew his sword, transforming into a fleeting shadow.

Secret Sword: Moon Shadow!

Simultaneously, he employed the art of sword drawing.

Combining the two, he drew his sword, flickered in movement, and executed a swift slash...

All in one fluid motion! So fast!

Impossible to avoid!

Hozuki Senkei's mind went blank.

This kid...

How can he be so fast? The only technique he could think of was the Water Release: Hiding in Water Technique, but in the instant he executed it, before his body fully transformed into water, the sword struck his arm.

The next second.

Rolling thunder and lightning spread from the blade, paralyzing him with electricity in an instant, immobilizing him while he was still half transformed into water, leaving his body in a bizarre, distorted state.

At that moment.

In the distance, a giant wave surged along the river from the sea.

This wasn't a natural wave, but...

Exploding Water Colliding Wave!

The rolling wave approached rapidly, and if Hozuki Senkei were caught in it, even the Five Kage would find it impossible to capture him.

Kyōichi remained silent, his sword pressed against Hozuki to prevent him from transforming again. He then grabbed him and ran towards a dry area—

Throughout the process, he continually used a Chakra Absorption Technique.

"Damn it! Help me, this guy is absorbing my chakra."

Hozuki Senkei panicked.

Although the Water Release: Hiding in Water Technique consumed little chakra, it wasn't without cost. If Kyōichi drained his chakra to the point where only enough remained for survival, he would truly be in trouble.

"Waste of time! You should've fled when you had the chance!"

A figure approached, walking on the waves.

With light green hair and a long hook in hand.

Hayama Shirakumo and Shisui immediately rushed forward to restrain the newcomer, but...

Just as they approached.

Yagura extended his hand, and a surface of water emerged.

Water Mirror Technique.

Kyōichi immediately recognized the opponent's identity.

Yagura Karatachi!

"Avoid that mirror; it might be a trap."

He hurriedly warned them.

But it was too late! Four figures charged out, mirroring each other as they rushed towards their opponents.

Yagura took advantage of this moment to break through the defense line.

The opponent, a Jonin specializing in Wind Release, Yagura didn't waste chakra on a Hidden Mist Technique. Instead, he formed hand seals and spewed an endless stream of water.

The water formed a massive prison, trapping the ones who had charged at him.

Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave! However.

By the time he dealt with this, Kyōichi had already handled the situation on his end.

Hozuki Senkei still had chakra left, but his body was covered in scrolls with black sealing formulas visible on them, indicating highly sophisticated sealing techniques.

Not just that.

Beside them, a slug larger than a human appeared, enveloping Hozuki, who was in a sealed state.

"..."

Damn it.

Sealing techniques, summoning jutsus, all set up.

Could this get any more outrageous?

With so many layers of tactics, it was impossible to rescue him! Yagura cursed inwardly, abandoning any hope of a rescue plan.

Prolonged battle was futile.

Just then, as the giant wave from the Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave approached, he used a Water Release Technique to escape along the flow, having no intention of tangling with Kyōichi and the others—bringing back the information was far more crucial than killing.

Especially about that young ninja.

And then.

The next moment, Hayama Shirakumo swung his sword.

Wind Release sword technique cleaved through the water prison, creating a vacuum zone.

Following that.

Five people broke free from the water prison.

Yagura dared not linger. Remembering Kyōichi's appearance, he fled at full speed. Hayama Shirakumo and the others, not skilled in Water Release, barely managed to escape the water prison, but Yagura had already fled along the water current.

The Great Water Prison dispersed.

As Hayama Shirakumo and the others dodged, they could no longer sense Yagura's presence.

"Don't chase."

Kyōichi called everyone to stop.

The current Yagura wasn't a Jinchuriki, but his Water Release techniques were still very powerful. If he was set on fleeing, they couldn't stop him.

Moreover.

Who knew how many Hidden Mist ninjas were in the sea? If something went wrong, they might lose Hozuki Senkei as well, which would be a loss indeed.

"Yes!"

Genma and Kurenai were the first to regroup beside Kyōichi.

Kurenai stared at the slug with envy in her eyes.

Just like Tsunade's!

And.

So gentle! She desired it greatly.

"Stop looking, this guy is from the Hozuki clan. Whether it's his memories or physique, both are worth studying. Protecting him is the most important thing."

Kyōichi patted her hair reassuringly.

"Oh!"

Kurenai responded, but her eyes were still fixed on the slug.

Finding her interest amusing, the slug divided a smaller part of itself and crawled onto her, playing with her.

However.

This was only possible because the situation was now safe. Just moments ago, Kurenai and Genma were vigilantly guarding around Kyōichi.

As for the other four...

"Shirakumo-senpai is a Jonin; even if he faces danger, he can save himself. What use is there for you to chase after them, other than adding chaos? You've all become cocky after the Chunin Exams, haven't you?"

Kyōichi scanned the group.

Although among the six youngsters, only Might Guy hadn't been his student, Kyōichi was close with Might Duy and considered a senior figure to Guy, thus it was natural for him to admonish him.

So...

Shisui and the others bowed their heads, not daring to retort.

They realized the truth.

If Shirakumo hadn't been protecting the four of them, they would have chased after Yagura and confronted him already.

"Forget it, they are still fresh. It's their first time participating in a battle of this level; it's normal for them to be unaccustomed," Shirakumo spoke up for the youngsters.

Then, he glanced at the slug, frowning slightly and said, "I didn't expect the Hozuki clan to be involved in combat. It seems the Hidden Mist is still not giving up."

"That ninja just now, his position must be quite high," Kyōichi nodded.

Yagura, as the Fourth Mizukage, certainly held a high position, even now, he might even be the leader of this infiltration and intelligence gathering mission.

"It's good that you were able to catch one," Shirakumo added, feeling genuine admiration.

The prowess of the Hozuki clan was something he, as an Anbu, was acutely aware of. Apart from Lightning Release which could slightly counter them before they fully transformed into water, other jutsus were almost ineffective.

Kyōichi's approach was remarkable.

He used Earth Release to isolate an area and then used Fire to roast it, leaving Hozuki Senkei no chance to escape and forcing him to reveal his human form.

Of course.

There was also that sword...

The Sword of the Thunder God.

The Third Hokage truly held him in high esteem!

There indeed weren't many who could shoulder the Hidden Leaf like that now.

"Did you set a rendezvous point for exchanging information when you first arrived?"

"It's temporarily at Nagano Mountain."

"Let's go."

(End of Chapter)