Typhoon Water Vortex Technique is likewise a fusion of two techniques—Wind Release: Rasengan and Water Release: Tearing Torrent.
In the original story it was used jointly by Uzumaki Naruto and Yamato. They used it to counter Kakuzu's composite ninjutsu "Strange Mask Exploding Flame," formed from Wind Release: Pressure Damage and Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work. In sheer force, it's no weaker than some S-rank techniques.
Even just visually, Typhoon Water Vortex Technique is spectacular: it can generate a massive tornado more than ten meters across, with superheated water vapor raging inside it.
Kitazawa accepted the mission without hesitation. For now, among the techniques he commands, none packs more punch than Typhoon Water Vortex Technique.
As for Kurosuki Raiga—he's formidable, but not without limits. Otherwise he wouldn't have been taken down by Hyūga Neji and Uzumaki Naruto's team.
The only sticking point was how to explain to Sarutobi Hiruzen why he knew Raiga's location. Kitazawa rubbed his chin. Best to accept a mission in the Land of Rivers and then "happen" to come across Raiga's trail. Given his current standing, Hiruzen wasn't likely to press him.
Besides, if they eliminated one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, it would undeniably bring glory to Konoha. With Hiruzen's temperament, he certainly wouldn't turn down something so advantageous.
"Come eat."
Kitazawa set down the bowls and chopsticks.
"Let's go," Kurenai clapped her hands. "See if your teacher's cooking suits your tastes."
"I'm sure anything Kitazawa-sensei cooks is great," Yakushi Kabuto said at once.
"Save the praise till after you've tried it," Kurenai shot Kitazawa a look. "You may be his students, but don't pick up his slick tongue."
"Don't slander me in front of my students," Kitazawa beckoned. "Come help me bring out the dishes."
"You three, have a seat first," Kurenai said, rising for the kitchen.
She had barely stepped through the door when Kitazawa hugged her, drawing a small yelp—then lifted his hand and swatted her twice on the backside.
"That's your punishment for slandering me," he said, then gently rubbed the spot.
Flushed and flustered, Kurenai rose on tiptoe and nipped him lightly at the neck, leaving a faint tooth mark moments later.
"I didn't slander you. I was telling the truth," she huffed.
"I'll deal with you tonight," Kitazawa said, releasing her and lifting a platter.
Something occurred to Kurenai; her heart skipped, and a rosy blush crept over her cheeks.
They returned to the living room.
"Next Saturday, I'm taking you three on a high-difficulty mission," Kitazawa said, picking up his chopsticks. "Be at my place at nine in the morning."
There was no rush on Raiga—he'd only just defected and might not even have reached the Land of Rivers.
"Yes, Sensei," the three answered in unison.
"I'm coming too," Kurenai said at once.
"Of course you are." Kitazawa smiled and dropped a fried shrimp into her bowl.
Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi kept their eyes on their plates and focused on eating.
When dinner ended, they didn't overstay; they said their goodbyes and left of their own accord.
After washing the dishes, Kitazawa returned to the living room to find that Kurenai had changed back into the white qipao. He walked over, sat beside her, and slipped a hand toward the slit in the dress.
"What high-difficulty mission are you planning for next Saturday?" Kurenai glanced at him but didn't stop him.
"No idea yet," Kitazawa said, stroking her thigh through the white stockings. "We'll check the mission board when the time comes."
"I thought you'd already accepted one," Kurenai said, surprised, then reminded him, "For tough missions, it's best to accept early so you have time to analyze intel."
Kitazawa shifted closer until their shoulders touched. His hand traveled from the fullness of her thigh up to the smooth line of her waist.
"It's only eight o'clock," Kurenai murmured, body trembling slightly.
Kitazawa lowered his head and kissed her at the curve of her neck. Kurenai bit her lip, reached up, and undid the two buttons at her collar, tilting her head to give him better access. As she felt the warmth at her neck, moisture shimmered in her ruby eyes. Her lips parted; her long, stockinged legs pressed together.
"Ki… Kitazawa…" she breathed, voice husky.
He lifted his head and captured her rosy lips. Kurenai responded at once, hands circling his head.
After a long while, Kitazawa eased her back and gave her a playful swat. Kurenai hesitated—this would be a first on the sofa—but in the end said nothing and rose. She leaned forward, legs straight, hips arched, hands braced on the couch.
Standing behind her, Kitazawa ran his palms over her waist and hips. Kurenai didn't look back, gaze fixed on the floor, her face a blend of nerves and expectancy.
A heartbeat later, her lips fell open and her eyes grew hazy; a flush spread across her cheeks as fine sweat beaded on pale skin. Her mind went pleasantly blank, and time slipped past in a blur.
The next day—Saturday.
Kitazawa opened his eyes and immediately felt the smoothness of white silk under his palm. He looked down; his gaze traveled from Kurenai's lovely face over graceful, alabaster curves.
She'd taken off the qipao before bed but had left on the white stockings. His left hand was resting on her thigh, the lace at the stocking top in plain view. He gave the plush of her leg a gentle squeeze, then drew back his hand, eased out of bed, dressed, and glanced at the quietly sleeping Kurenai.
Images from last night flickered through his mind—she had been anything but quiet then, those ruby eyes rolling back and still refusing to give in.
After one last look at her stunning figure, he headed for the kitchen.
Nine a.m.
A knock sounded. Right on time—Kurama Yakumo.
"Let's go," Kitazawa said, closing the door as he and Yakumo headed next door to treat Tsunade's hemophobia.
As for Kurenai—life had been too exhausting lately—she was out cold, making up sleep.
Another morning of treatment passed. After Yakumo left, Kitazawa sat quietly with Tsunade. In the illusion she had relived Nawaki's death again and again; even the strongest person couldn't bear that forever. Kitazawa felt both pain and a guilty pleasure—Tsunade's body was pressed against his, letting him understand the meaning of soft—yet he didn't dare push his luck.
He didn't know how long had passed when another knock came at the door. Kitazawa blinked. Who would be coming to see Tsunade at this hour?
"Get the door," Tsunade said, easing out of his arms and sitting up.
"Mm." Kitazawa walked to the entry.
Tsunade lifted her head and watched him. Though there were reasons for it, the way they always ended up so close after the sessions was a bit too intimate. She should push him away—but for some reason, she hadn't. In Kitazawa's arms she felt a long-lost calm. In the end, she told herself it was just part of the treatment.
"Itachi?" Kitazawa opened the door to find Uchiha Itachi, and couldn't help being surprised.
"I did not fail you," Itachi said, calm with a trace of quiet pride.
Kitazawa understood at once—Itachi had completed the task he'd been given, and given the time it took, the harvest was bound to be substantial.
"Tsunade-sama is waiting for you," Kitazawa said, tamping down his anticipation and stepping aside. "Come in."
"Mm." Itachi entered, bowed slightly. "Tsunade-sama."
"It's you, Itachi," Tsunade said, already composed. "How did your investigation go?"
"These are the materials on Shigaraki's 'Gozu Tennō' experiment." Itachi produced a scroll with both hands.
"Thank you," Tsunade said with a small nod, opening it.
Kitazawa stood beside her, eyes dropping to read along. It was, broadly speaking, much the same as in the original—but far more detailed. Tsunade's face darkened. She had expected as much, but seeing it in black and white still sent her temper flaring out of control.
"Shimura Danzō really deserves to die!" she snapped, rolling the scroll closed. The data showed that Shigaraki's Gozu Tennō project had been running for a very long time. And Tsunade was sure this wasn't the only experiment involving Hashirama's cells. She even suspected Danzō had attempted Wood Release experiments.
"Tsunade-sama," Itachi added, "I also brought back physical evidence."
He carefully took out a glass vial etched with sealing formulas. Tsunade's eyes went to it at once. Inside was a little lump of flesh, twitching and crawling up and down the vial. The sight gave Kitazawa an eerie Lovecraftian shiver.
"Grandfather's cells," Tsunade said, taking the vial, a storm raging across her face.
"What do you plan to do?" Kitazawa asked.
"Go see the old man," Tsunade said coldly, rising to her feet. "I want to hear how he explains this."
A spark of excitement flickered in Itachi's chest. This time Danzō and Root were sure to take another heavy blow; the pressure on the Uchiha would ease. He even found himself entertaining a thought he'd never allowed before: avenging Uchiha Shisui. Shisui might have taken his own life, but at the root of it were Danzō and his men—ambushing him and stealing a Mangekyō.
"I don't think that's wise," Kitazawa said, shaking his head.
"Why?" Tsunade frowned. If anyone else had said it, she would have ignored them and gone straight to Hiruzen.
"Because the moment you move, Danzō will know," Kitazawa replied.
"Then we go straight to Shigaraki's lab," Tsunade decided after two seconds' thought. She caught the subtext: Root was watching her every move. Marching up to Hiruzen carried the risk—small, but real—of tipping Danzō off. If he slipped away, Itachi's work would be wasted. So she pivoted immediately: secure the suspect and the evidence first, then see Hiruzen. With that, it wouldn't matter if Hiruzen wanted to shield someone or Danzō wanted to wriggle out—there'd be nothing to argue.
"Have Shizune-senpai notify the Hokage," Kitazawa added.
"Good," Tsunade said, eyebrow lifting as she grasped his intent.
"Itachi, lead the way," Kitazawa said. "We're going now."
"Follow me," Itachi said, rising at once.
After a quick word to Shizune, Kitazawa and Tsunade headed straight for Shigaraki's lab. Because it involved Hashirama's cells, the lab was hidden in the Forest of Death north of Konoha—a long run. It took them five minutes at full speed to reach the site.
"Itachi, you slip in first and control Shigaraki," Kitazawa instructed. "He's the key—we can't let him escape."
"I understand." Itachi moved out, infiltrating the facility.
"Once we make a move, Danzō will likely rush in to support," Kitazawa said, eyeing the quiet valley where the entrance lay at the far end and the labs spread underground.
"And if he does?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes, fearless.
"As expected of Tsunade-sama." Kitazawa paused, then changed tack. "But in a fight there's bound to be blood. Stay behind me when it starts."
"…" Tsunade's expression stiffened. The line left her with a strange feeling—she was long unused to relying on anyone. "Hmph. Just handle yourself," she muttered, looking aside.
Kitazawa glanced at her. Now was not the time for tsundere.
"That's enough—we're going in," Tsunade said, avoiding his gaze as she strode into the valley. Kitazawa hurried after her.
"Halt!" Two Root operatives barred their way.
Monster Strength! In perfect sync, Tsunade and Kitazawa drove their fists forward. The explosive force sent both ninja flying before they could react, dropping them into unconscious heaps.
"Your Monster Strength has improved fast," Tsunade said, surprised. She'd pulled her punch to half power, yet the result Kitazawa produced wasn't far off.
"All thanks to your teaching," he grinned.
Tsunade's eyes swept the valley and quickly found the entrance. "I'll take point," Kitazawa said, slipping ahead into the passage.
"…" Tsunade almost spoke, then fell silent, unsure what to say as she watched him disappear inside.
"Who goes there?!" Four Root shinobi rushed them from both sides as they emerged from the corridor.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" Kitazawa didn't waste words. He flashed through hand seals and spewed a roaring dragon of water—but Root weren't ordinary ninja. Their weakest were special jōnin.
The two guards had been caught flat-footed by Monster Strength; these were ready. A wall of earth surged up to block the water dragon, and at the same time one ninja exploded forward on a gust of wind, appearing right in Kitazawa's face.
"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!" Kitazawa was ready; the instant their eyes met, he cast the genjutsu. The man froze, terror twisting his features.
Monster Strength! One punch sent him flying.
A flash of white—another Root operative drew his sword, and a flurry of blade-light filled the air. Kitazawa's gaze sharpened. He tightened his grip on the blade Hinata had given him and swung. With a crack, the enemy's sword snapped in two. Chakra metal clearly had the edge in both sharpness and durability.
"Rasengan!" Kitazawa pressed his left palm into the man's abdomen. The operative screamed as cloth tore and blood spattered; he slumped into unconsciousness.
"What…?" The remaining two glanced at each other, rattled. They hadn't expected two special jōnin to be floored at first contact. Tsunade was surprised too—then understood. Kitazawa was too well-rounded: genjutsu, swordsmanship, Water Release, Monster Strength, Rasengan… Ninja battles are battles of intel, and he had too many angles—an overwhelming "first-look kill." Unless you were on the level of the Legendary Sannin, you'd struggle to withstand his opening.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" Kitazawa gave them no time to regroup. He knew Root operatives were brainwashed to obey Danzō alone; the only persuasion that worked was physical.
The dragon roared toward them. One ninja vanished; the other flashed through seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!" The ground heaved; a massive dragon head thrust up, loosing a barrage of mud projectiles. Kitazawa took one glance and moved on.
"Left," Tsunade called out.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Shuriken!" Kitazawa flicked a shuriken infused with wind chakra. The resurfacing operative took it in the shoulder and tumbled back, blood spraying.
In the same motion Kitazawa raised an earthen wall in front of Tsunade. She exhaled in spite of herself—then blinked at the design, because the wall bore reliefs of the Four Hokage's faces. Kakashi's Earth-Style Wall used three dog heads; Kitazawa's was… extra.
"Leaf Body Flicker!" Kitazawa blurred like scattering leaves and appeared before the last Root ninja.
"Leaf-Style Kenjutsu!" He drew his blade in a falling strike. The operative reacted fast, raising a kunai—but misjudged: the kunai split clean in two, and Kitazawa's blade bit into his side, blood welling. As a medic, Kitazawa had avoided the vitals; it only looked scary.
He had barely withdrawn his sword when a familiar voice crashed over them.
"Tsunade!" a furious Shimura Danzō stormed into Shigaraki's lab.