Hayashi had hit a brick wall in an instant, yet he did not choose to retreat.
He had even faced the Third Kazekage, hailed as the strongest in the Land of Wind; would he fear this unknown Hidden Mist ninja before him?
This mindset reflected the confidence of a truly battle-hardened fighter, forged through countless encounters. In an instant, Hayashi adjusted his state, adrenaline surging.
"Bang, bang, bang!" Several ordinary Water Release attacks struck the beach in rapid succession. The streams were narrow, finger-thick, yet each hit with the explosive force of a miniature cannon.
The home-field advantage clearly amplified the enemy's power.
Hayashi did not linger after landing. He dove deep into the forests of the Land of Fire. His Water Release was strong, but the Hidden Mist ninja's skill far outmatched him on the open sea. Moving into the forest would at least level the playing field.
The enemy chuckled softly and accelerated, giving chase effortlessly.
Hayashi's speed, enhanced by Second Stage Acceleration, left afterimages across the forest floor. Each time his foot struck a tree, a burst of chakra propelled him forward, slightly increasing his already peak velocity.
Yet, glancing back, he saw the ninja following like a shadow, perfectly calm.
This was no mere confidence—it was overconfidence.
At least, he had achieved one goal: drawing the battle away from the coast, neutralizing the opponent's home-field advantage.
The chase continued briefly. Hayashi gauged the distance, grabbed a branch, swung 180 degrees, and used the momentum to pounce toward the enemy.
But no sensation of Kunai piercing flesh came. The ninja had vanished into a puff of smoke.
Immediately, a dense, rolling mist spread across the battlefield, turning the already dim forest into near-total darkness.
Silence.
Hayashi's first instinct: even the faintest whisper of wind had vanished. The forest felt like a cage, with him as the only occupant.
The true Silent Killing Technique.
He gripped his Kunai tightly, Sharingan spinning, waiting for the enemy's next move.
Suddenly, an attack stabbed behind him. Metal clashed, ringing sharply. The ninja vanished into the mist again.
"Wind Release: Multi-Great Breakthrough!"
Several whirlwinds erupted from Hayashi's mouth toward the enemy's last known location. The mist thinned briefly, shredded by the cutting force, only to close in again.
Hidden Mist ninjas were notorious for this: as long as chakra flowed, their mists would fill the battlefield again, no matter how much wind scattered it.
Hayashi observed, predicting the next wave of attacks. Without hesitation, he sprang from a branch.
"Water Release: Water Gun Water Drill!"
A dozen concentrated water jets shot toward him. He had already dodged, forming hand signs midair.
"Wind Release: Wind Wall!"
A spinning wall of wind formed before him, shredding incoming water bullets into harmless droplets.
The Hidden Mist ninja's skill was astonishing. His battle awareness, control over Ninjutsu, and defensive foresight rivaled any he had seen.
Even after years of training under the First and Second Mizukage… Konoha truly is a cradle for geniuses, Hayashi thought.
The enemy's killing intent flared, yet he held back. This was not the Land of Water, and killing Hayashi outright could draw retaliation from Hiruzen Sarutobi. It was not worth the risk.
"I will restrain him first," the ninja murmured.
A colossal Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave erupted, forming a massive ellipsoidal prison around Hayashi.
For the first time, Hayashi felt genuinely pressed. Nawaki's Water Release paled in comparison.
"Hehe, stubborn Konoha brat," the ninja chuckled, watching him struggle. "Few could escape this technique."
"Release him, or I cannot guarantee his safety!" a cold voice cut through the mist.
The ninja turned. Two figures appeared: one holding a child by the collar, the other observing with Byakugan.
He did not panic, smiling instead. "Heh, quite capable. Since he's in your hands, my Water Clone is defeated."
Explosions erupted on the ground, punching a hole in the giant water prison. Hayashi rushed through, escaping the trap.
The ninja raised hands in surrender. "I lost this round. We should stop here."
Hayashi halted, recognizing the futility of continued combat. The man before him was a genuine Kage-level expert, far beyond ordinary reckoning.
Exhausted but alert, Hayashi watched as the ninja spoke again.
"Can you return the child?"
Hayashi signaled Mikoto, who tossed the unconscious boy to them.
"I should introduce myself," the ninja said, hoisting the child onto his shoulder. "You wouldn't recognize my name even if I told you… but most call me the Sandaime Mizukage."
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