Orochimaru had once infiltrated Kumogakure for a single purpose to collect the genetic information of the Eight-Tails, so that he could clone a portion of it.
And he succeeded.
Because of the Eight-Tails, Blue B had long suffered from mental illness, often needing medication and rest. Taking advantage of one such moment, Orochimaru ambushed him, releasing the Eight-Tails. The rampage that followed cost Blue B his life.
From the horn that had been severed, Orochimaru took a fragment of tissue. Over many years, he cloned an entire horn of the Eight-Tails, and then transplanted it into Blue B's body—granting him the power of an incomplete Jinchūriki.
Yet even as an incomplete Jinchūriki, the strength he could wield was nothing to take lightly.
Before Kiyosuke, a shining sphere of condensed chakra instantly formed, launching straight at him at terrifying speed.
Boom!!!
The point-blank explosion left him no room to evade—yet it wasn't anything fatal.
The Third Mizukage and Blue B were also caught in the blast, their bodies shattered to pieces. But as the dust dispersed, their forms began to regenerate.
"That boy isn't going to die that easily," the Third Mizukage said.
Blue B, not knowing the extent of Kiyosuke's abilities, exclaimed,
"Impossible! A direct hit from a Tailed Beast Bomb at this range—there's no way he could survive! We only did because of Edo Tensei, but him—!"
Before he could finish, flames scattered through the air slowly gathered, shaping themselves into a human form. Kiyosuke's figure reappeared.
"Not bad," he said lightly. "Though compared to Killer B, you fall a bit short. Well, considering you're in an incomplete state, I suppose that's only natural."
"No way... what's with his body?" Blue B had never seen anything like this. To walk away alive after a direct Tailed Beast Bomb hit—this was beyond strange.
The Third Mizukage explained,
"His body can shift between flame and substance, similar to the Hōzuki Clan's hydration technique. But far stronger. The only way is to force him out with Water Release."
Blue B finally understood.
"No wonder Orochimaru would summon someone like you, Mizukage."
The Third Mizukage snorted.
"Hmph. I've no desire to help that man. Though… watching him and his student turn against each other is amusing."
Even as he said that, his body no longer belonged to him—it was under Orochimaru's control. His hands flashed through seals.
"Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Water Dragon Bullet!"
Kiyosuke retaliated with his own Water Release. The streams collided mid-air, bursting into violent spray.
"As soon as water touches you, your greatest advantage disappears, Asakawa Kiyosuke," the Third Mizukage declared with a smug smile.
"That's true."
Kiyosuke chuckled.
"But I've never relied on my ability too much. Against weaker opponents it's perfect for messing with them, though."
His grin was downright wicked, and it only fueled the Mizukage's rage.
"You insolent kid! Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
An immense surge of water burst forth. Towering waves swallowed the battlefield, rising like a tsunami until the land itself became a vast, water-filled sphere.
Because they were Edo Tensei, chakra was limitless. The Third Mizukage unleashed techniques he'd rarely used in life, drowning even Orochimaru's underground base beneath the waves.
Orochimaru's heart bled at the sight—but as long as he could capture his former disciple, it was worth the cost.
Beneath the water, Kiyosuke swam quickly, while the Mizukage and Blue B darted after him like torpedoes.
The Eight-Tails was a mix of ox and octopus—it had no trouble swimming. And the Third Mizukage's command over water was unmatched. Together, their speed forced Kiyosuke back.
Blue B called out, bubbles spilling from his mouth,
"In the water you're solid now! Be careful you don't get caught by me!"
Kiyosuke nodded, legs kicking sharply as his speed suddenly spiked.
The Third Mizukage's eyes widened.
"That's… Tobirama's Surfing Strike? Incredible speed. To move through water as if born to it… Among Water Release users, perhaps only the First Mizukage-sama could rival this."
Senju Tobirama, famed for both Water Release and forbidden techniques, had left a lasting mark on the shinobi world. The Mizukage himself had once faced him in battle—where his Water Release had been utterly crushed. To witness such a technique again stirred a faint sense of nostalgia.
He too increased his speed, chasing hard.
...
[Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave is troublesome. I'll need to break free of the sphere. Flames won't work underwater, so my greatest power is sealed… but I can still use Water Release.]
Kiyosuke's hands flashed through seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A dragon formed, but instead of striking his enemies, it swallowed Kiyosuke himself, surging outward in a furious rush beyond the water sphere.
"A clever choice," the Mizukage muttered.
The raw force of the Water Dragon Bullet was immense. At that speed, escape from the jutsu's range was certain.
Still, he and Blue B gave chase, darting through the water after Kiyosuke.
But Kiyosuke had already breached the sphere, emerging onto the water's surface. He wiped his face, steam rising as he evaporated the clinging droplets with a burst of flame.
Blue B charged after him, the Eight-Tails' eight tails swaying like colossal hands, crashing down toward Kiyosuke.
"Water Release: Water Blade Slash!"
The Mizukage rushed in behind, wielding a blade of condensed water.
Kiyosuke exhaled. A storm of flame erupted, engulfing them both.
When the blaze vanished, their Edo Tensei bodies were left half-destroyed, already knitting back together.
"To deal with Edo Tensei," Kiyosuke said, flicking his wrist, "I came prepared."
Two sealing tags flew from his hand, slapping onto their regenerating forms. Black markings crawled across their bodies.
These were fūinjutsu seals brought from Konoha—temporary, but strong enough to bind Edo Tensei for a time.
Time enough to deal with Orochimaru.
Two coffins rose from the ground, pulling the Mizukage and Blue B inside.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a thin smile.
"As expected. Those two could never hope to stop you. Kiyosuke-kun, your strength has grown… terrifyingly so. I want your body more than ever."
The deranged man dragged his tongue across his cheek, making Kiyosuke shudder with disgust.
"Then let's relive our teacher–student days, Orochimaru-sensei."
"Very well," Orochimaru hissed. "Come."