Chapter 100: One Versus Two, You Know Too Much!
The arrival of Yagura Karatachi and Mangetsu Hōzuki might be a good thing for Mei.
But for Tsukasa—
Well, it also seemed to be a good thing.
Tsukasa immediately realized these two would never let him go after learning Kirigakure's secrets, especially now that Mangetsu had joined Yagura's faction.
Unaware that the Sandaime already knew about their plans, Yagura probably thought this trump card would guarantee victory against the Third Mizukage.
And if a Konoha ninja—an Uchiha no less—knew about this, the positions of both sides would instantly become antagonistic, creating irreconcilable conflict.
A normal person, faced with this situation, would wish they had two extra legs and run for their life.
But Tsukasa, for his part, didn't even consider running.
Suddenly, two figures approached from afar, rapidly descending onto the rooftop while riding the waves.
Yagura's expression was solemn. He formed a single-handed seal, constantly sensing his surroundings through contact with the water. This was how he'd located Mei.
He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Mei was safe.
For Yagura, who was determined to change Kirigakure's current situation, the support of the bloodline clans and the elders backing Mei was crucial.
He quickly shifted his gaze and spotted Tsukasa standing nearby, along with the threads in his hand.
He confirmed that the marks he'd seen on various building rooftops along the way were made by this young man.
This technique seemed to utilize special threads, similar to techniques used by the "Shinnō" organization he'd encountered during a mission in the Land of Forests.
Yagura instinctively assumed this person was a friend of Mei's from a smaller nation, and offered a friendly smile. He spoke to Tsukasa with a cheerful, gentlemanly manner:
"You must have been the one who saved Mei, correct?"
Tsukasa raised an eyebrow. Why is he acting like he doesn't recognize me?
He gave a noncommittal hum, his gaze drifting to Mangetsu standing nearby.
Yagura nodded, memorizing Tsukasa's face. He smiled and said:
"The situation is urgent right now. We need to leave immediately."
"If you have the chance, please visit Kirigakure. I'll express my gratitude properly then."
He looked at Mei and was about to wave, signaling her to follow, when Mangetsu frowned, grabbed Yagura's shoulder, and said coldly:
"Wait, Yagura."
"Hm? What's wrong?" Yagura paused, looking up at Mangetsu, bewildered.
Mangetsu stared coldly at Tsukasa and stated:
"This brat is a ninja from the Uchiha clan."
"Uchiha?" Yagura frowned slightly, looking at Tsukasa standing quietly on the rooftop.
Indeed, the Uchiha, possessing the Sharingan, were also masters at manipulating threads and shuriken.
He pondered for a moment, then shook his head at Mangetsu.
"It's fine. We're not in conflict with Konoha right now. The most important thing is completing that mission."
"Don't complicate things. Let's get out of here first."
The Kirigakure ninja had all mobilized for Yagura. Every moment of delay increased their risk.
Yet in this critical situation, Mangetsu didn't move.
He turned and sternly declared: "No, Yagura."
He raised his hand, pointing to his bandaged, blind eye, and spoke coldly:
"Remember when you asked me how I lost this eye?"
"Wait, you mean..."
At those words, Yagura froze, looking at the Uchiha across from him in disbelief.
Could this be the Uchiha mentioned in the report Mei gave me?
Mangetsu snorted coldly, murderous intent flashing in his eyes as he admitted directly:
"Yes. This brat did it."
Then he bared his teeth in a sneer and asked:
"Isn't that right, Uchiha Tsukasa!"
A pair of scarlet Sharingan immediately blazed to life in Tsukasa's eyes as he smiled:
"Why? Now that we've reached this point, do you want me to take out your other eye too?"
Mangetsu sneered and shook his head.
He immediately removed the massive blade from his back, staring coldly at Tsukasa as he slowly unwrapped the bandages on the sword, revealing a wide, heavy double-bladed weapon—the Hiramekarei—its sharp edges gleaming with cold light.
A fierce killing intent suddenly erupted from him!
The atmosphere froze, and an indescribable pressure spread across the rooftop.
The few Land of Hot Water civilians rescued by Tsukasa on the rooftop sensed something was wrong. They shrank back, some even leaping into the surging waters below.
Getting caught up in a ninja battle would be fatal!
Honestly, it's better to take our chances in the water.
Meanwhile, Mei, standing nearby, also realized something was wrong, but the situation had shifted so quickly she didn't know what to do.
She gritted her teeth and stepped forward, positioning herself between the three. She spoke awkwardly:
"Wait, Lord Yagura, Mangetsu, you two..."
Before she could finish, Tsukasa shook his head, interrupting her flatly:
"Step back, Mei."
Mei turned around, her emerald green eyes conflicted. She glanced at Tsukasa, about to say something.
However, Tsukasa's gaze remained remarkably calm, almost indifferent.
"Mei, this is the fate of shinobi."
"As long as we remain in this cycle, this is an inevitable reality."
"I remember you once said we would always be rivals, that we'd meet again on the battlefield."
"Though it wasn't for very long—"
He paused, his gaze sharpening as he took a deep breath.
"But it seems we've already reached that point."
The next moment, Tsukasa suddenly pressed his hand against his abdomen!
A pattern resembling an Ouroboros appeared around his palm, and a surge of dark chakra erupted, rushing into every corner of his body!
This made Tsukasa's blazing Sharingan appear even more sinister!
The surge of chakra rattled the roof tiles beneath them.
Another battle was beginning!
Now Tsukasa—a Zero Tail jinchūriki, fully equipped and able to wield forbidden techniques once again—faced Mangetsu Hōzuki, who'd been overwhelmed by his combination techniques before.
What would be the outcome?
Tsukasa didn't know, but he really wanted to find out!
The chakra storm lifted the dark green strands of Yagura's hair.
The astonishment, surprise, and hesitation in his eyes disappeared, replaced by an ice-cold resolve.
"I understand."
"Though I don't want to waste time here—"
"I'm sorry, but you know too much."
He took a deep breath, raised the flower-decorated hooked staff in his hand, and pointed it coldly at Tsukasa.
"For the sake of Kirigakure's future, you must die here."
"Don't worry. I'll make it quick—you won't suffer."
Hearing this, combined with the hellish scene of destruction in the Land of Hot Water before his eyes, Tsukasa didn't know why, but he just wanted to laugh.
His eyes became fierce as he suddenly stomped the ground!
The tiles on the roof were shaken loose, and with a flick of his hand, more than a dozen tiles flew out, spinning like shuriken toward his two opponents!
Then, using the barrage of tiles as cover, he rushed forward, forming hand seals as he moved.
"Water Release: Water Fang Blade!"
His scarlet Sharingan darted left and right, his gaze finally settling on a whirlpool forming on the water's surface not far away.
End of Chapter 100
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