At the same time, elsewhere—
"Kazekage Sama, that kid doesn't seem to have good intentions. Are you interested?" The Mizukage spoke with a faint smile, his tone light yet laced with intrigue.
"Oh? Does Mizukage Sama also have his eye on him?" The Kazekage responded, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"The Land of Qin lies not far from the Land of Water. Lately, tensions have flared between us. I'd like to have a conversation with him— one that goes beyond mere words." The Mizukage's smile remained, though his intent was unmistakable.
"Quite the coincidence. Perhaps we should pay him a visit together?" The Kazekage's lips curled slightly.
"If both of us go, it will certainly be a discussion worth having." The Mizukage chuckled, the undercurrent of threat in his voice undeniable.
With the conclusion of the Five Kage Summit, there was no longer any reason to linger in the Land of Iron. One by one, the Kage and their entourages departed, returning to their respective nations.
Meanwhile, Qin Yi and his group moved steadily through the dense forest. Their pace was measured, their expressions calm, yet none were complacent.
Subduing the Kazekage in a single move had not been particularly difficult in Qin Yi's estimation. A swift, decisive strike, combined with his current power and the speed of his Instant Slash, made it nearly impossible for even a Kage to react— especially when caught off guard.
However, the consequences of such an action were inevitable.
A tree that stands tall in the forest invites the wind. Qin Yi had made himself a target. To openly strike down a Kage without hesitation— who would tolerate such a force rising unchecked?
Yet, he had anticipated this response.
An hour later, deep within the forest, Fang Lan's sharp eyes flickered with warning. His voice was low and urgent.
"We have company ahead."
In an instant, Qin Yi and his three companions halted. The Three Generals swiftly formed a defensive formation around him.
"QinKage Sama truly lives up to his reputation. The sharp senses of his Jōnin are impressive as well." An aged voice carried through the air, followed by the emergence of a lone figure.
"Mizukage Sama?" Qin Yi's eyes narrowed slightly, as if caught off guard by the unexpected encounter.
"During the summit, official matters took precedence, and I lacked the opportunity to discuss a pressing concern— your nation's Shinobi have been trespassing into my territory." The First Mizukage, Byakuren, spoke evenly, though his gaze was cold and calculating.
"An invasion? That is news to me. To my knowledge, no Shinobi from my land have set foot in the Land of Water."
Qin Yi's tone was calm, his words deliberate.
"So, QinKage Sama chooses to deny it? That is... unfortunate." A flicker of killing intent crossed the Mizukage's face as he spoke.
"We only just signed the Six-Nation Agreement, and Mizukage Sama is already making a move? If Konoha were to hear of this..." Qin Yi's eyes gleamed as he spoke, his voice turning cold.
"If you're dead, no one will hear anything." The Mizukage's words were a blade in the dark.
A shadow flashed behind Qin Yi as a figure leapt into the air, a fierce cry erupting from his lips.
"Fūton: Tornado Hurricane!"
A massive surge of chakra exploded outward. A violent tornado formed instantly, its radius spanning nearly a hundred meters. Trees splintered like twigs beneath its raging winds, while razor-sharp currents of air howled through the battlefield, aiming to shred Qin Yi's group apart.
"Kazekage Sama." Qin Yi's eyes darkened.
"I didn't expect to warrant the attention of two Kage joining forces against me." The Mizukage's hands moved in a blur of seals as he voiced his resolve.
"Since we've taken action, we will ensure you do not walk away from this."
"Suiton: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A deafening roar followed as a colossal cascade of water crashed down from above, a surging tidal wave that threatened to swallow Qin Yi and his men whole.
In the blink of an eye, they found themselves caught between the unrelenting forces of wind and water— an inescapable tempest forged by two Kage.
Yet, despite the overwhelming assault, there was no trace of panic among the four.
"I'll handle the Kazekage. The Mizukage is yours."
Qin Yi's voice was steady, his hands already weaving through the air, fingers moving like ghosts as he prepared to strike.
Yang Yi and the others nodded, their hands forming rapid seals.
With a swift leap, Qin Yi soared into the air, his chest expanding as he inhaled deeply.
In the next instant, his mouth opened wide.
"Scorch Release: Fire Flow Wind Dragon!"
A torrent of flames surged forth, coiling into the shape of a wind-driven dragon. The inferno expanded rapidly, engulfing the Kazekage's Fūton (Wind Release) in a violent clash. Instead of dissipating, Qin Yi's flames grew fiercer, feeding on the wind technique and transforming into an even more formidable blaze.
"What?! His Ninjutsu can actually absorb my Fūton!"
The Kazekage's eyes widened in shock.
A deafening explosion followed as the Kazekage was swallowed by the firestorm, scorching the surrounding forest and reducing vast swathes of trees to cinders.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yang Yi pressed his hands down.
"Hyōton (Ice Release): Cold Nine Heavens Technique!"
A surge of frigid air erupted, freezing the cascading waterfall mid-flow. The ice crackled under the intense cold.
Without hesitation, Qin Lin opened his mouth, releasing Smelting Release. The immense heat shattered the frozen mass instantly.
"Go!"
The three leaped through the fragmented ice shards, closing in on the Mizukage.
The Mizukage's brows furrowed. "I didn't expect the three of you to be this strong!"
Forming hand seals once more, he unleashed another Ninjutsu.
"Hyōton: Ice Blade Dance Technique!"
Yang Yi's technique forced moisture in the air to solidify into razor-sharp ice blades, which shot toward the Mizukage in a deadly flurry.
The Mizukage weaved through the onslaught with nimble footwork, dodging the attacks. Just as he landed, Qin Lin's Smelting Release surged toward him, the intense heat warping the air around it.
Forced to retreat, the Mizukage barely had time to react before Fang Lan lunged at him with his blade. Steel clashed against steel, sparks flying as they exchanged rapid strikes. Then, from both sides, Yang Yi and Qin Lin's blades came slicing down simultaneously.
"These three... Their coordination is troublesome!"
Despite his agility, the Mizukage found himself on the defensive, his movements increasingly restricted under the relentless assault.
Meanwhile, perched atop a towering tree, the Kazekage exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on Qin Yi.
"What a terrifying kid... A Kekkei Genkai? How unexpected."
The sheer power of Qin Yi's Ninjutsu surpassed even his own.
Then, as if sensing something, the Kazekage's body tensed. His sharp gaze flickered upward.
A faint blue Uzumaki (vortex) appeared in his vision— Qin Yi's hat-covered face swaying within the white cloth, his figure blurring into motion.
"So fast!"
"Rasengan!"
A resounding cry filled the air as Qin Yi's Rasengan struck the Kazekage's face, driving him forcefully into the tree behind him. The impact shattered the trunk, sending wooden splinters flying.
At that moment, as the Kazekage reeled from the blow, his kunai was knocked loose from his waist due to his body's involuntary spasm. His expression hardened as he gripped the weapon tightly and slashed in retaliation.
"Bang!"
Qin Yi burst into white mist.
"A Shadow Clone?!"
The Kazekage narrowed his eyes, ready to scan his surroundings—
"Whoosh!"
A fierce gust of wind surged behind him. The force slammed into him, launching him high into the air.
"Bang!"
Another clone dispersed into mist, revealing yet another figure behind him.
As the Kazekage spiraled upward, his eyes widened in shock.
A silhouette loomed closer, a faint blue sphere spinning rapidly in his palm.
"Rasengan!"
(End of Chapter)
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