Watching the vast torrent of water suddenly erupt before them, every spectator—both those present and those watching on television—was struck dumb with shock.
At that moment, they all suspected they were hallucinating. How else could such a colossal, surging volume of water appear out of thin air in the arena? It was as if an entire ocean had manifested from nowhere!
Fortunately, the venue for this year's 'World's Strongest Martial Arts Tournament' had been redesigned by Lin Xuan prior to the competition's start, featuring elevated audience seating, which saved the spectators from being affected.
As for Whitebeard, who was directly facing the attack, his mouth twitched.
It's here!
The inevitable has arrived!
This "Ocean Release" technique was what he feared most from Tobirama Senju. Yet, precisely what he feared, Tobirama delivered.
However, he did not retreat. Instead, he began frantically channeling the power of his Devil Fruit.
"Rumble, rumble..."
Whitebeard unleashed punch after punch, and terrifying shockwaves erupted through the air!
The astonished spectators watched as horrific cracks appeared all around Whitebeard, as if the surrounding space itself was being shattered by his power.
The entire tournament arena was plunged into a state of roaring, raging winds.
Under these conditions, the "Great Waterfall Technique" unleashed by Tobirama Senju couldn't even get within five meters of Whitebeard's body!
Yet, Tobirama did not give up. He instantly switched his technique.
"Water Release: Water Man Jutsu!"
With a clear shout, the large expanse of water beneath his feet surged, enveloping his entire body. In the blink of an eye, it formed a colossal, hundred-meter-tall giant made entirely of water.
The massive Water Man gripped a long sword and slashed down ferociously at Whitebeard!
"This... this is practically cheating in plain sight!" many people in the audience exclaimed.
The 'World's Strongest Martial Arts Tournament' strictly prohibited carrying weapons. However, Tobirama's method—conjuring a large volume of water and then condensing it into a weapon to attack—clearly did not fall within the scope of the rule violation.
Thus, the crowd watched as Whitebeard, who had previously looked so imposing, was suddenly reduced to looking like a child beneath the giant's foot, continually being hammered by the massive sword wielded by Tobirama.
Under this relentless assault, Whitebeard was finally forced to stagger backward.
However, after retreating a certain distance, he immediately launched a powerful counterattack.
"Boom!"
After narrowly avoiding one of Tobirama's fierce strikes, Whitebeard suddenly flashed, appearing at the giant Water Man's left foot, and punched out with raw force!
Immediately, a terrifying seismic force swept out, causing one leg of the colossal Water Man to instantly explode and shatter!
The huge Water Man lost its balance and came crashing down!
However, Tobirama Senju, who was standing on the giant's head, was not panicked. He rapidly made hand seals, instantly turning the tide to his advantage.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Barrage!"
The massive Water Man, which was about to collapse beneath him, suddenly transformed into several huge water dragons that roared and lunged straight for Whitebeard!
Whitebeard immediately dodged repeatedly, smashing one water dragon after another, but he was quickly enveloped by the surrounding water. He was trapped inside a giant, watery prison!
This massive Water Prison occupied more than half of the arena. In the next instant, Tobirama Senju's figure suddenly vanished.
The Flying Thunder God Technique!
He appeared directly behind Whitebeard inside the Water Prison and held a kunai knife right against his neck!
Seeing this, Izuna Uchiha let out a discontented snort. "That Tobirama bastard actually won! Hmph!"
When Lin Xuan heard this, he suddenly chuckled. "Not necessarily!"
This remark instantly drew puzzled looks from the others around him.
Clearly, in everyone's view, Izuna Uchiha's judgment was correct.
Trapped in a prison of seawater, Whitebeard should have been at his opponent's mercy. Wasn't victory secured for Tobirama?
Lin Xuan did not answer them, simply gesturing for them to watch the fight.
And just as everyone turned their eyes back to the arena, they were stunned to see Tobirama Senju, who had seemed to have Whitebeard firmly in his grasp, suddenly register a massive change in his expression.
The next moment—
"Smash!"
The enormous Water Prison violently exploded, shattering into countless water droplets that scattered in all directions. Tobirama Senju himself was sent flying backward, completely out of the arena!
Looking back at Whitebeard on the platform, he stood proud and firm. It was evident that he had seized the moment to smash the unsuspecting Tobirama, who had attacked him from behind, right out of the ring!
This sight immediately sent the surrounding audience into an uproar.
The people on the Ninja Guild's side were even more astonished.
"How could this happen?"
"Whitebeard is a Devil Fruit user! Is he not afraid of seawater?"
"What in the world is going on?!"
Exclamations of shock rang out one after another.
Everyone's eyes collectively turned back to Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan simply offered a calm smile and said, "Let Orochimaru explain it to you all."
Immediately, everyone's gaze fell upon Orochimaru, who had been silently taking notes nearby.
Upon hearing Lin Xuan's words, Orochimaru spoke up. "According to my latest research, the reason Devil Fruit users are countered by seawater is due to a unique substance within the seawater of the One Piece world, similar to Seastone. However, the seawater in this world does not contain such a substance!"
Upon hearing this, everyone realized the truth, but they were immediately filled with wry amusement.
Who could have imagined that the composition of seawater would differ between the two worlds?
Izuna Uchiha suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahahaha, I'm dying! That Tobirama fool is hilarious! He thought he could easily win by using seawater to counter Whitebeard, and instead, he practically walked right up to Whitebeard just to be smashed away! He's utterly idiotic, hahahaha..."
Because the surrounding audience was still lost in the shock of the recent battle, the area was very quiet. Tobirama Senju, who had been knocked out of the ring by Whitebeard, heard Izuna Uchiha's voice, and his mouth twitched instantly.
However, Tobirama did not lose his temper. Instead, he calmly walked back to the competitor area.
Then, he said flatly, "At least I'm doing better than some people who couldn't even make it into the top sixteen."
Izuna Uchiha's laughter immediately ground to a halt, his face flushing crimson.
After a long silence, he finally roared, "You only got lucky! What's there to brag about?!"
Tobirama Senju: "You're right. I only got a little lucky. It's just that little bit that lets me beat you every time!"
Izuna Uchiha: "..."
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T/N:
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