Chapter 18 — The Mizukage? Who Does He Think He Is?
"Blegh—"
The experience of crossing space for the first time was anything but pleasant.
Violent acceleration abruptly snapped into complete stillness, leaving behind a wave of intense vertigo and nausea.
Even though Yami had acquired the Flying Thunder God Technique directly through the system—along with a solid foundation in spatial perception—the effectiveness of space–time techniques varied greatly from person to person. Clearly, this was something that required time to adapt to.
More importantly, Yami realized a critical flaw.
He didn't possess Minato's inborn neural resilience or that near-inhuman reaction speed. In high-intensity combat that required repeated Flying Thunder God jumps, he might not be able to react in time.
Even so, the Flying Thunder God was now an overwhelming trump card.
After all, even Uchiha Izuna, who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, had once fallen victim to its infamous first-encounter kill.
Yami tested it several more times. Supported by his powerful Uzumaki constitution, the nauseating sensation of disorientation quickly faded. He was adapting to spatial jumps at remarkable speed.
Carefully, he hid a kunai engraved with the Flying Thunder God seal atop a roof beam.
"…Does this count as setting my own fast-travel point?"
He couldn't help mocking himself.
---
The Next Day
Just as dawn began to break, Yami woke up as usual—his biological clock already firmly set.
He automatically slipped into his training clothes and headed toward the Konoha training grounds, wondering along the way why Might Duy hadn't come knocking on his door today.
The moment he entered the training field, a familiar roar echoed through the air.
"Youth! Limit Break! Fifth Gate—Gate of View, OPEN!"
Yami's pupils shrank.
Might Duy's aura had completely changed. Dense green chakra surged around his body as he burst forward at terrifying speed.
Under that explosive enhancement, the targets ahead shattered from sheer air pressure—his fists never even touched them.
Moments later, Duy released the Eight Gates Formation, bracing his hands on his knees and panting heavily. The exhaustion was obvious.
Even though he'd been mentally prepared, seeing it with his own eyes still left Yami deeply shaken.
No dazzling ninjutsu.
No elemental spectacle.
Just pure taijutsu—yet such overwhelming power.
It truly deserved its reputation as the strongest taijutsu in the ninja world… the ultimate "civilian cheat."
If his physique had been able to keep up earlier, Yami would've tried to pick up this "plugin" long ago.
"Brother Duy… what was that?" Yami asked.
Duy looked up with effort, flashed a grin, and gave a thumbs-up.
"A test of my training results—the Eight Gates. What do you think?"
"Incredible," Yami replied honestly. "To reach this level using taijutsu alone…"
"Train with me!" Duy suddenly became serious. "I'll teach you. If I don't come back from this mission… at least this technique will still have someone to inherit it."
Only then did Yami learn that Duy had been reassigned to a mission.
Unmarried and without family, the first person Duy thought of was the one who had truly acknowledged him—Yami. That was why he had demonstrated the Eight Gates today, hoping to pass it on.
Although Yami's initial approach toward Duy hadn't been entirely pure, after spending this time together, his respect was now genuine.
Mocked by others, misunderstood by many—yet never once abandoning his own ninja way.
He was a true shinobi.
After some hesitation, Yami accepted the Eight Gates training scroll. Because Duy had exhausted himself opening the gates, there was no usual training that day. Instead, he focused on guiding Yami through the basics.
---
Land of Water — Kirigakure
"What? The Kaguya clan lunatics went to Konoha to assassinate Senju Nawaki?"
The Third Mizukage stared in disbelief. Even his perpetually half-lidded eyes opened a fraction wider.
Then again… if it was the battle-crazed Kaguya clan, it wasn't impossible. Especially since Konoha's letter included undeniable proof—Kaguya bloodline remnants.
Setting the sharply worded letter on his desk, the Third Mizukage felt a headache coming on.
The destruction of Uzushiogakure had brought significant gains, yes—but the losses were very real.
The Uzumaki had chosen death over surrender, taking countless Mist elites with them through suicidal sealing techniques.
Like Sunagakure, Kirigakure followed an elite-force doctrine. Every ninja lost was a heavy blow.
The difference was that Suna did it out of financial necessity—
while Kiri did it because its bloodline clans were constantly tearing each other apart.
The Third Mizukage waved over an attendant and ordered the letter delivered to the Kaguya clan's territory, demanding an explanation.
---
Kaguya Clan Territory
Kaguya Naoto, the clan head, stared at the letter in disbelief.
Someone from his clan had crossed the sea, infiltrated the Land of Fire… and attempted to assassinate the young heir of the Senju?
"...?"
For the first time in a long while, even the Kaguya clan head felt truly blindsided.
Although the situation felt absurd, Kaguya Naoto still convened a clan assembly.
Once the matter was announced, the Kaguya clansmen—who had arrived in great numbers—fell into an eerie silence. They exchanged puzzled looks with one another, clearly confused.
Then, without warning, the hall erupted in cheers.
Some even voiced regret that such a bold operation hadn't succeeded.
Kaguya Naoto repeatedly demanded silence, stressing that Konoha had already applied pressure through the Mizukage, and that the matter had to be thoroughly investigated.
That only made things worse.
The crowd instantly exploded again.
"The Mizukage? Who does he think he is?!"
"I've had enough of him a long time ago—does he really think the Kaguya clan fears him?"
"Is he Konoha's dog now, helping them come question us?"
Seeing the rising fury, Kaguya Naoto's heart sank. If this continued, he feared someone might march straight to the Mizukage Tower with bone spears in hand.
"Silence!"
Kaguya Naoto unleashed his pressure in full.
The Kaguya clan worshipped strength—reverence for the strong was etched into their very bones. The hall immediately quieted, all eyes turning toward their clan head.
"I want to know," Naoto said coldly, "who among you has been absent from the clan territory recently."
Normally, this kind of screening should have worked. The Kaguya rarely left their lands unless it was for battle—assuming the clansmen cooperated.
"It was me! I was away these past few days—I went to the Land of Fire!"
"Kid, stop spouting nonsense. I saw you training here yesterday. It was me who went."
"Actually… it was—"
Voices overlapped as Kaguya clansmen spoke over one another, each trying to claim responsibility, shielding a nonexistent "hero."
Even elderly clansmen, leaning on canes, tried to force their way forward to take the blame.
As one of the few still clinging to reason, Kaguya Naoto knew—this was bad. Very bad.
And just as he feared, the argument escalated further.
"If the Mizukage wants an explanation," someone shouted, "why should we trouble the clan at all?!"
Before anyone could react, a bone spear erupted from that man's palm and plunged straight into his own chest.
There was no time to stop him.
He fell dead on the spot.
The Kaguya clan territory fell into absolute silence.
Then, one by one, the clansmen turned their gazes—filled with hatred—toward the distant direction of the Mizukage Tower.