118. Duel with the Mizukage: Battle for Supremacy (1)


    As Hikari quickly approached the heart of Kirigakure next, his mind briefly wandered to the enigmatic Hoshigaki n, spurred by his recent encounter with Kisame.


    He spected about the origins of their unique abilities, pondering if an ancient founder of the Hoshigaki might have employed a secret Yang Release technique to merge his essence with that of a shark.


    Such a transformation would have been advantageous in the aquatic terrain that defined their region, possibly leading to gic adaptations that were passed down through generations.


    Hikari theorized that this mystical union might not only exin the shark-like features evident in Kisame but also the substantial chakra reserves he had witnessed.


    Perhaps, he mused, there was an additional mutation triggered by the Yang Release technique that enhanced their chakra capacity, making members of the Hoshigaki n formidable warriors uniquely adapted to their environment.


    With these thoughts in mind, Hikari refocused on the mission at hand. Using his Byakugan, he scanned ahead, surveying theyout of Kirigakure and assessing the ongoing battles.


    He was particrly concerned about the status of the Kaguya and Yuki ns, wondering how effective they had been in massacring the entire Hoshigaki and Hozuki ns, who were staunch supporters of the current Mizukage.


    His eyes pierced through the architecture and the flurry of activity, trying to gauge the extent of their progress. Were they managing to suppress these key yers effectively?


    However, just as Hikari was adjusting his strategy based on his observations of the present, already chaotic and evolving situation inside of Kirigakure, thanks to Kaguya and Yuhi group intrusion there, from the other side, his Byakugan caught a sudden and unusual movement.


    A high-pressure stream of water was shooting through the air, heading directly toward his position on the ink eagle. Riding atop this liquid torrent was an old man dressed in the official robes of the Mizukage.


    He appeared to be around the age of the Hyuga Patriarch, with long, ck hair flowing down to his back. Notably, his eyescked visible pupils, giving the impression of blindness, yet his mastery over the water stream suggested otherwise for some reason.


    Hikari instantly recognized that this was the Mizukage himself, intent on intercepting him before he could reach the heart of the vige.


    The Mizukage''s expression was one of fierce determination and anger, clearly prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect his domain.


    As the Mizukage drew closer, the power of his jutsu became evident. The water stream he manipted was both a weapon and a mode of transport, showcasing his profound chakra control and expertise in water-based techniques.


    This was no ordinary opponent; his ability to fight effectively despite his apparent blindness hinted at extraordinary sensory skills or alternative methods of perception, likely enhanced by his vast experience, Hikari immediately noted.


    As the distance closed between them, Hikari braced for impact, his focus sharp as he prepared to counter the imminent threat head-on. The battle that was about to unfold would undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in their campaign.


    As the distance between them rapidly closed, the Third Mizukage intensified his approach. His demeanor was one of utter resolve, a clear testament to hismitment to defending Kirigakure at all costs.


    Concentrating his power, the water around his arm coalesced into a spiraling, drill-like structure. The water, driven by his formidable chakra control, became dense and sharp, resembling a giant, piercing drill.


    It was not onlyrge but crafted with such precision that its tip seemed capable of cutting through the toughest materials — a deadly weapon of water made solid by sheer will and chakra maniption.


    As he prepared tounch this fearsome attack, the Mizukage''s voice boomed across the distance, carried by the wind and the spray of the water, "You didn''t stop messing with us over and over again. You even dare to lead an invasion into Kirigakure and challenge its very heart and authority right now!",


    He thundered, his voice filled with a menacing calm, "I will personally see to your end now, kekkei-genkai ''spoiled'' brat. Feel honored. Prepare to face the depth of Kirigakure''s resolve!"


    With those words, the Mizukage thrust his arm forward, and the water drill surged with incredible speed toward Hikari.


    As the Third Mizukage surged toward him, Hikari''s Byakugan afforded him a crystal-clear view not just of the attack but of the Mizukage himself.


    His keen eyes pierced through the outer facade, analyzing the elder''s internal chakra system and physical condition.


    Despite the powerful disy, Hikari noted signs of age and decay that typically afflicted even the most formidable shinobi in theirter years.


    ''How on Earth did this old man garner such respect and remain Mizukage even during this age? He''s around Setsuna and Hirayoshi''s age, and not even a proper Kage-level shinobi judging by all of this. He''s practically one foot in the grave...'',


    Hikari mused internally. He also noted that the Mizukage''s body and chakra pathways showed signs of significant wear, and yet, the control he exhibited over his jutsu was nothing short of masterful for some reason.


    Hikari responded aloud with a mix of disdain and genuine curiosity, "Geezer, you should go back to your slumber. This vige is in worse shape than I thought if they consider a fossil like you the strongest here. Move out of my way!",


    Even as he spoke, Hikari was gathering his own chakra, a wind element swirling around his arm to form a counteracting drill.


    "But your chakra control is truly amazing, the best I''ve ever seen after myself...", Hikari continued, his tone shifting slightly to acknowledge the skill before him, "To swirl the water to such an extent that it bes sharp, hard, and dangerous to the majority of shinobi...",


    "How do you manage that without Byakugan? No, despitecking both of your eyes altogether. Don''t tell me you have spent your entire life perfecting just this one technique, or something along those lines.",


    "You should also be quite an expert in the Water Release conceptually and intimately.", Hikari added as he noticed the quite long trail of water that brought the old man up there near him.


    As the distance closed between Hikari and the Mizukage, the old man remained stoically silent, his focus entirely on the impending sh. Just as their techniques were about to collide, Hikari tensed, a sudden realization dawning on him,


    ''How could this be... Not good!'', He thought, noticing an unexpected surge in the power of the Mizukage''s water drill. It intensified rapidly, gaining a formidable edge that looked set to overpower his wind drill.


    Reacting swiftly, Hikari activated his Byakugan''s special mode that allowed him to perceive natural energy.


    To his astonishment, he discovered that the Mizukage was also incorporating natural energy into his attack during this time somehow.


    With no time to ponder the implications of this revtion, Hikari quickly channeled natural energy into his wind drill, of his own, enhancing its power to match the escting threat.


    The air around them crackled with the collision of these two massive forces, each infused with natural energy, creating a spectacle of swirling winds and spiraling water in the sky.


    The impact of their sh was explosive, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Both techniques met with such force that the surrounding mist was blown away, revealing a clear sky for a brief moment.


    The collision created a blinding light that enveloped both Hikari and the Mizukage, obscuring them from view.


    When the light dissipated, both shinobi were seen falling towards the ground, their energy temporarily spent from the monumental sh.


    They hit the ground with tremendous force, each rolling away from the impact site to regain their footing.


    The earth around them was scarred and upheaved, bearing witness to the intensity of their short, almost instant sh.


    But, in a remarkable disy of skill and resilience, and to make the matter even more strange, both Hikari and the Mizukage mitigated the impact of their crashnding in weirdly simr ways using their mastery over their respective elements and chakra control skills.


    Hikari surrounded himself with an armor of swirling wind, a protective vortex that cushioned his fall by dispersing the kic energy around him.


    Simultaneously, the Mizukage conjured an armor of spiraling water, creating a fluid barrier that absorbed the shock and minimized the physical repercussions of their descent.


    This parallel use of chakra not only fully demonstrated their high-level mastery but also underscored the simrities in their abilities to control chakra with world-leading precision.


    The armors of wind and water still shimmered around their forms, highlighting the intense yet controlled nature of their power.


    As they regained theirposure, the air around them tingled with the residual energy of their sh.