CHAPTER 101
Hozuki Mangetsu.
On the other side of the battlefield, Hozuki Mangetsu's expression became extremely ugly.
"How dare you look down on me!"
Hozuki Mangetsu bared his shark-like teeth.
He had clearly noticed the look of relief in Ebisu and Genma's eyes.
As a genius of the Hozuki Clan, when had he ever been treated with such disregard?
Relief?
Relief for what?
Relief that their opponent was the supposedly weaker one, namely him?
The arrangement instantly made him feel insulted, and a surge of anger rose within his heart.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Whirlpool!"
Hozuki Mangetsu launched a fierce assault toward Ebisu and Genma.
The replica Hiramekarei emitted a dazzling blue glow as Chakra frantically condensed along the blade.
With a single slash, a massive water vortex suddenly rose from the sea beside the ship.
Roaring violently, it charged toward the two Konoha shinobi.
"Watch out!"
Ebisu's Fire Release was instantly swallowed by the raging whirlpool.
The violent current swept him all the way to the edge of the ship's railing, nearly throwing him directly into the sea.
At the critical moment, Genma lunged forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
Hozuki Mangetsu's offensive showed no signs of stopping.
The replica Hiramekarei, wrapped in Water Release Chakra and blade light, followed immediately with another slash.
Ebisu and Genma could only dodge and defend in a disheveled manner.
Although their teamwork remained solid, under Hozuki Mangetsu's storm-like offensive and the support of his Water Release techniques, they had already fallen into a dangerous situation.
The pressure increased dramatically.
They understood very clearly that if this continued, defeat would only be a matter of time.
On the other side, Might Guy glanced at his teammates' predicament from the corner of his eye and frowned deeply.
Konoha's reinforcements might already be on their way.
But nobody knew exactly when they would arrive.
"I absolutely can't let anything happen to Ebisu and Genma!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the Chakra within Guy's body began to boil.
"Eight Gates!"
"Third Gate, Gate of Life!"
"Open!!"
Bang!
Green steam erupted from Guy's body.
The powerful airflow swept away dust and debris across the deck.
His skin rapidly turned red, and his muscles expanded.
His strength and speed instantly rose to an entirely new level.
Almost at the same moment Guy opened the Eight Gates, the innocent smile on Mei Terumī's face completely disappeared.
"A forbidden Taijutsu technique? Hmph!"
In its place appeared the focused seriousness of a seasoned hunter.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"
Her hands moved rapidly through a series of seals.
Her lips parted slightly.
A dense white mist mixed with Chakra and carrying a pungent acidic odor poured from her mouth.
It rapidly spread across the surrounding area.
This was no ordinary steam.
It was the second Bloodline Limit possessed by Mei Terumī.
Boil Release.
The mist itself contained temperatures far beyond ordinary steam produced by Water Release.
Even more frightening were the highly acidic substances mixed within it.
The combination of extreme heat and powerful corrosion transformed the area into a deadly domain where living creatures could scarcely approach.
Guy originally intended to use the explosive power of the Eight Gates to break through by force.
However, the rapidly expanding Skilled Mist blocked his path.
The moment his skin touched the edge of the mist, a sharp burning sensation spread across his body.
A faint sizzling sound echoed.
That was the Golden Bell Shield's protective Chakra being eroded by the intense heat and acidic vapor.
Guy's heart tightened.
His original plan had been to use the explosive power of the Eight Gates and crush Mei Terumī with the Great Vajra Leg.
But now, facing this omnipresent Boil Release mist infused with extreme heat and powerful corrosion, any attempt to enter would be disastrous.
Whether he attacked with his legs or his hands, they would suffer severe burns and corrosion before reaching the target.
The power of his attacks would be greatly reduced.
The damage he received might even exceed the damage he dealt.
The corrosive power of Boil Release was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
Especially against a Taijutsu specialist who relied on direct physical contact.
It was practically a natural counter.
He couldn't get close.
If he recklessly rushed in, he might lose an entire layer of flesh even if he survived.
Mei Terumī stood calmly within the center of the mist.
Her figure flickered in and out of sight.
Watching Guy being forced to stop, she appeared completely at ease.
At the same time, her hands began forming seals again.
Clearly, she was preparing another attack.
"What incredible combat instincts."
Guy took a deep breath and suppressed the shock in his heart.
He immediately changed his strategy.
Abandoning the idea of close combat, he tightened his grip on the alloy nunchaku.
At the same time, he poured more Chakra into the Golden Bell Shield.
He would use the nunchaku as a medium-range weapon.
Meanwhile, the Golden Bell Shield would help him endure the continuous corrosion from the Boil Release while disrupting Mei's rhythm.
"Hah!"
Guy let out a low roar.
The deck beneath his feet cracked apart.
His figure transformed into a green blur.
Instead of retreating, he charged forward.
He forcefully rushed into the outer edge of the Skilled Mist.
No longer attempting to penetrate the core area, he swung the nunchaku into a curtain of flashing light.
The chain drove the short sticks through the air, tracing sharp and unpredictable arcs.
Through the mist, he smashed toward Mei Terumī's estimated position.
Clang!
A crisp metallic collision rang out.
Mei Terumī had clearly anticipated his charge.
Within the mist, she raised a kunai and blocked the strike.
However, she had underestimated Guy.
After opening the Third Gate, his physical strength had increased dramatically.
No matter how powerful Mei's Bloodline Limits were, her physical body was still that of a young girl.
The impact directly knocked her off balance.
Splash!
Her body flew from the deck and fell into the sea beside the ship.
Guy immediately felt a surge of joy.
For the moment, he had successfully forced back the most dangerous opponent.
Without hesitation, he turned around.
Ebisu and Genma were already in an extremely dangerous situation.
He needed to help them stabilize the battlefield first.
However, at that very moment, Ao, who had been battling Hyuga Yukian, noticed Mei Terumī falling into the water from the corner of his eye.
At the same time, he sensed Chakra signatures rapidly approaching from the distant sea.
His expression changed instantly.
"No more time!"
Ao shouted.
Forcing back one of Hyuga Yukian's Gentle Fist strikes, he immediately formed a complex sequence of hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Prison Shark Dance Technique!"
A huge amount of seawater was pulled upward by Chakra.
Water surged beneath the ship.
In an instant, it formed a gigantic sphere of constantly rotating and flowing water.
The water prison completely enveloped Hyuga Yukian and the surrounding area.
The currents within the sphere churned violently.
Powerful restraining forces interfered with movement while also disrupting the effectiveness of the Byakugan.
The Hidden Mist Chunin immediately seized the opportunity.
He desperately engaged Hyuga Yukian, preventing him from concentrating enough force to break the prison.
Ao's body merged into the flowing water.
Using both the concealment of the currents and his mastery over the technique, he instantly closed the distance.
Alarm bells rang in Hyuga Yukian's mind.
His Gentle Fist palm strikes split apart portions of the water.
Yet he could not accurately locate Ao's position.
Then, the next moment, Ao's cold voice sounded directly beside his ear.
"I'll be taking your Byakugan."
A hand wrapped in Chakra, its nails sharp as blades, shot forward like lightning.
Filled with greed and murderous intent, it stabbed directly toward Hyuga Yukian's right eye.
His fingers plunged into the eye socket.
With brutal force, Ao tore it free.
Blood erupted.
Hyuga Yukian's right eye...
Was gouged out.
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