"If I don't go to Kirigakure, does Lord Mizukage truly believe she can take me by force?"
It wasn't arrogance. Shigure wasn't afraid of the Mizukage. Even Terumī Mei couldn't drag him away without his consent.
That was Shigure's confidence.
"Kid, you've got guts… but don't underestimate me, your Kage!"
Underestimate?!
Shigure spread his arms wide, and in an instant, freezing air surged out, filling the arena.
The snow and wind around him twisted into a raging storm.
"Mizukage-sama, let's see how you plan to capture me!"
The sight of Shigure molding Ice Release so effortlessly—without even weaving hand seals—was breathtaking.
Even Mei, who had seen many bloodline limits, was stunned. The Ice Release in Shigure's hands completely overturned her understanding of the kekkei genkai.
All the more reason he had to be brought back to Kirigakure.
A genius like him could change the fate of an entire village.
And he was still young. With proper training, he could become Kirigakure's greatest weapon.
But now—
She had to remind him of the power of a Kage.
"Ninjutsu: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Hiss—!
Mist poured from Mei's lips, rolling across the battlefield until nearly the entire arena vanished under its cover.
Mei wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand and strode forward through the fog.
"Little brat," she called out, her voice echoing.
"I heard you defeated Momochi Zabuza, Kirigakure's rogue ninja."
"Then you must have seen this before."
Shigure's response was a sudden volley of snow and ice crashing down from above. Mei danced through the storm, her movements sharp and controlled. Attack after attack followed, but she slipped past each one.
She wasn't a taijutsu master, but as a Kage, she had no true weaknesses.
Shigure frowned. His speed was already great, yet she avoided every strike. To stand at the level of a Kage truly was no simple feat.
The thick mist clouded not only their battle, but also the matches of the other combatants.
Shigure made a choice.
"Wind Release!"
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled with force.
A violent gust tore through the fog, scattering it in seconds.
Mei didn't flinch. Ice Release itself combined Wind and Water natures—of course he could counter her mist.
"Not bad," she admitted. "Your control over Wind Release is sharper than most jōnin I know. Impressive for someone your age."
Shigure clapped his hands together. Cold surged around him.
Ice crystals sprouted from the ground, multiplying until jagged spikes erupted in a forest of frost.
The ice tore through stone and wall alike, forcing Mei to leap into the air.
"An original technique?" Mei chuckled.
"It seems the opponents in these Chūnin Exams couldn't push you to use your true strength."
Her smile widened. "I like you more and more, boy."
Shigure saw his chance. With Mei airborne, she was the perfect target.
Both hands shot upward.
"Ice Release: Twin Fangs!"
Two massive spears of crystal formed instantly and launched skyward.
Shigure needed no prefabricated jutsu—his mastery let him shape ice freely, bending it into whatever form he desired.
The spears whistled through the air.
Mei only smirked.
"Be careful!" she called—not to Shigure, but to Ao and Chōjūrō.
The two jōnin instantly leapt clear, diving into the stands.
Even Naruto and Sasuke scrambled out of range.
If her own men fled without hesitation, it meant only one thing—her counterattack would be devastating.
A heartbeat later, Mei exhaled.
"Lava Release: Dissolving Monster Technique!"
Szzzzz!
A torrent of corrosive acid spewed forth, melting Shigure's ice spears on contact. The liquid hissed and sizzled as it rained down, devouring the arena floor in spreading craters.
If that hit the audience—disaster.
"Ninjutsu: Instant Step!"
Shigure's body dissolved into countless icy streams, bypassing the acid's path before reforming in the air—at eye level with the Mizukage herself.
For an instant, their gazes locked. Mei winked.
"You just made the worst possible choice, Shigure."
Her hands blurred through a rapid string of seals—so fast it was clear she'd begun weaving them the moment she unleashed her acid.
The Mizukage's voice rang out:
"Ninjutsu: Water Style – Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Puff!
From Mei's mouth, a massive dragon-shaped torrent surged forth, instantly condensing into a roaring stream of destructive power.
Formed directly from her chakra, the jutsu's strength was overwhelming.
In the blink of an eye, the enormous dragon opened its maw and crashed down upon Shigure, slamming into him with a force that sent him hurtling across the arena.
Crack!!!
The Chūnin Exam stadium shook violently as the water dragon ripped a massive fissure through the floor, sending Shigure flying beyond the walls of the venue.
The moment Mei touched down, her form blurred. With practiced speed, she pursued the boy, flashing after him in a blur of motion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each impact of the Water Dragon resounded as Shigure was smashed through buildings, the attack driving him back nearly a hundred meters. Only after shattering countless structures did the torrent's power begin to wane.
At that instant, Shigure thrust out his hands.
"Ice Release… freeze!"
The dragon solidified, crystallizing mid-air before shattering into a spray of glittering ice fragments.
Breathing heavily, Shigure pushed himself to his feet. His body was laced with cuts and bruises, blood dripping down his arms.
"…So this is the power of a Kage."
The sheer force of that one technique had stunned him. He had never imagined the Water Dragon Bullet could unleash such devastation.
Yet his injuries were not enough to stop him. Focusing his chakra inward, Shigure activated his healing technique. Warmth coursed through his body, knitting flesh and bone back together as his wounds closed at visible speed.
But the sound of footsteps echoed closer. Mei's presence was rapidly approaching.
Her voice carried across the ruined street:
"How does it feel, boy? Do you understand the power of a Kage now?"
"Will you come back to Kirigakure with me?"
Shigure's jaw tightened. His expression darkened.
Originally, his plan had been to defeat the Mizukage quickly and then seize the chance to study the mysteries of Wood Release.
But now… he had been thrown from the arena entirely.
He might lose the opportunity to analyze Wood Release.
To miss that chance—was unacceptable.
This made Shigure frown in displeasure.
Until now, he had been holding back out of respect—because his opponent was a woman.
But if Mei Terumī continued to press him… then he would show no restraint.
...
TN:
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