As time passed, Kawakaze felt his body growing heavier and heavier.
His subconscious began to warn him—his hands and feet were no longer responding.
This Ninjutsu clearly had elements of Genjutsu mixed in, befitting a master of illusion.
The Third Mizukage remained still, watching Kawakaze intently, like a predator observing its prey.
"Sage Art: Lightning Release Chakra Mode," Kawakaze said, merging his Senjutsu Chakra into his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
The fusion greatly enhanced his cell activity, and the oppressive sensation binding him gradually eased until it disappeared completely.
A slight smirk formed on Kawakaze's lips. This trick was nothing to him.
"Show me something real," Kawakaze taunted. "Or don't blame me for not giving you a chance."
The moment the words left his mouth, Kawakaze's figure vanished.
"A bit of ability," Mizukage muttered, unfazed.
At that moment, his entire body was covered in crimson Chakra.
Bang!
The two collided, Kawakaze's fist meeting Mizukage's defense.
Although the Mizukage managed to block the blow, the sheer force behind it was too much to bear.
He was sent flying, coughing up a mouthful of blood as he hit the ground.
His right hand was twisted grotesquely, white bone piercing through flesh—a sight that was excruciating to behold.
The Mizukage had underestimated Kawakaze's strength.
With Sage Mode activated, Kawakaze's Lightning Release Chakra Mode had surpassed A's level and entered an entirely different realm.
"Water Body Flicker Technique."
Despite the unbearable pain, Mizukage formed a hand seal with his uninjured hand.
His extensive combat experience allowed him to escape yet again.
The next moment, the figure of Mizukage in midair was shattered into droplets of water by Kawakaze's strike, falling to the ground in a spray.
"Cough..."
The Mizukage reappeared not far away, coughing up blood.
With the power of the Tailed Beast, his injuries slowly began to heal.
Still, resentment burned within him. To be beaten so thoroughly by a junior in just one exchange was infuriating.
If only I had my full strength, my opponent wouldn't be so arrogant. If I had the full power of Susanoo, this wouldn't have happened.
"From now on, hiding is useless," Kawakaze said, his voice steady.
"Because you are not as fast as me."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kawakaze's figure disappeared again.
In an instant, he appeared behind the Mizukage.
Mizukage's instincts flared, sensing the danger behind him at the very first moment.
This isn't just the Body Flicker Technique—it's the Flying Thunder God Technique!
During their initial clash, Kawakaze had marked him with the Flying Thunder God seal.
Without hesitation, Mizukage rolled to the side, narrowly evading Kawakaze's attack in an undignified manner.
But he knew well—he wouldn't be able to escape next time.
Kawakaze, however, was just as surprised.
Even if this isn't the real him, is he truly that sharp?
Not giving Mizukage a moment to recover, Kawakaze attacked relentlessly.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he treated the Mizukage like a mere sandbag.
A powerful kick sent the Mizukage flying into the air, followed by a sweeping leg strike.
In desperation, the Mizukage hastily formed a defense, condensing a shell resembling that of the Three-Tails.
The tortoise shell was covered in sharp barbs and appeared incredibly sturdy.
The Tailed Beast's power seemed like an obedient tool in his hands.
Boom!
Kawakaze's solid kick shattered the shell, and his leg connected directly with the Mizukage's stomach.
Bent over like a shrimp, the Mizukage was blasted from midair and slammed into the ground with a deafening crash.
The thick fog began to dissipate, and the scene gradually became clear.
The Mizukage lay in a deep pit, a far cry from his previously indifferent and composed image.
His long, straight black hair was disheveled, tangled from the beating, and his blood-soaked clothes clung to his body.
Most strikingly, his eyes were no longer tightly shut—a bloody Mangekyō Sharingan glowed clearly in his sockets.
"Lord Mizukage..."
As the fog cleared, the surrounding Kiri Ninja stared in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing.
How could this have happened to their Mizukage in such a short time?
Kawakaze Hatake's strength was nothing short of terrifying.
"Take a good look," Kawakaze said, pointing at the Mizukage's eyes. "Is this your Lord Mizukage?"
The truth was undeniable. Kawakaze's suspicions had been correct all along.
"Wait... what is that?"
"I've never heard of the Mizukage having an eye condition."
"You moron, that's clearly red-eye disease."
"Shut up, both of you! That looks like Konoha's Sharingan!"
The Mangekyō Sharingan was so powerful and exclusive to Konoha that its presence in Kirigakure left them bewildered. It wasn't surprising they failed to recognize it.
"Rather than calling him your Mizukage, I'd say he's a puppet," Kawakaze said.
"Otherwise, why would Kirigakure be in such a state?"
Kawakaze's gaze lingered on the Mizukage, but he made no immediate move to finish him off.
Kirigakure was an integral part of Madara Uchiha's larger plan, and Kawakaze intended to ruin it completely.
Killing the Third Mizukage outright would be a simple way to deny Madara a tool—but nothing more.
"What? The Mizukage is being controlled?"
"No wonder he's changed so much since taking over a few years ago."
Many of the Kiri Ninja, reflecting on the Mizukage's actions, were already inclined to believe Kawakaze's words.
If Madara Uchiha had been a Mizukage who truly cared for his people, the village wouldn't have ended up in its current state.
As the Kiri Ninja argued among themselves, a bright spark from among their ranks stepped forward.
"What do you Konoha people hope to achieve by controlling our Mizukage?" he shouted indignantly, his face full of righteous anger.
To anyone unaware of the truth, he might have looked like a valiant defender of justice.
"A brain is a good thing to have," Kawakaze said, exasperated.
"I hope you have one."
He pointed at his own temple with his index finger, his expression a mix of disbelief and helplessness.
There really are all kinds of people in this world, Kawakaze thought.
"Don't embarrass yourself. If Konoha really were controlling the Mizukage..."
"Then why did the Mizukage go out to capture people from Konoha?" one of the Kiri Ninja beside the loudmouth interrupted, pulling him back.
Think before you speak. Can you even fight him now?
The Mizukage has already been defeated—what hope do you have?
Circumstances are stronger than pride, and having a teammate like this is a real liability.
If you want to die, fine, but don't drag everyone else down with you.
Besides, this Mizukage was only a puppet. Dying at the hands of a Konoha ninja might actually be a blessing.
"Lord Kawakaze, thank you for informing us about the fact that the Mizukage is being controlled," Genji said, stepping forward after observing the situation for some time.
He was a sharp man, and Kawakaze's decision not to kill anyone made it clear there was still room for negotiation.
However, he hadn't anticipated that Kawakaze had come to Kirigakure solely for Nagato. Without Kawakaze's immense strength, such a move would have seemed utterly insane to him.
"I just want my disciple back," Kawakaze replied.
"And I'll tell you again—the current Mizukage is nothing more than a puppet."
Kawakaze spoke with ease, completely in control of the situation.
He harbored no ill will toward Kirigakure itself. If anything, he hoped that people like the old lady he had met earlier could live normal lives, free from the suffering inflicted by the Village of the Bloody Mist.
"Just for that red-haired kid?" Genji asked, his disbelief evident.
Recalling the look in Nagato's eyes, he hadn't expected that the boy's potential was truly so terrifyingly strong.
"Yes," Kawakaze said calmly. "Just hand him over to me, and today's business will end here."
Even as he spoke, Kawakaze was scanning the area, attempting to sense Zetsu, the ever-elusive manipulator.
It seems I can't find Madara by relying on just a puppet.
"Okay," Genji said, agreeing without hesitation. His tone was careful, his words deliberately refined.
At this point, Genji cared little about his reputation. Surveying the devastated battlefield, he wanted nothing more than to see Kawakaze leave Kirigakure as soon as possible.
"Go to Prison 4 and bring Lord Kawakaze's disciple here," Genji instructed a nearby Kiri Ninja.
"Yes, Grand Elder," the ninja replied before leaving to carry out the order.
With that, Kawakaze's objective was essentially achieved.