I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

”What a bunch of useless shit. A bunch of Anbu can’t even handle a squad of envoys,” Yagura walked into the inn with an iron club in his hand.

”Four... Fourth Mizukage!” The Konoha Shinobi stared in shock as the seemingly young boy with an iron rod, calmly entered the inn.

For Shinobi, the Kage commanded more respect than the Daimyo. While a Shinobi might not recognize the Daimyo of other countries, they would definitely recognize the Kage of any Great Shinobi Country.

Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, had distinctive features—a rare grey hair and a youthful face, resembling that of a teenager. Anyone might mistake him for a freshly graduated student from the Academy if they didn’t know his story.

Even among the Kage, the Fourth Mizukage stood out. The Konoha Shinobi immediately identified Yagura due to these unmistakable features.

”Lord Mizukage.” Kirigakure greeted Yagura respectfully.

This scene unfolded before the eyes of the Konoha Shinobi, eliminating their last shred of hope. There was no mistake that the grey-haired youth was indeed the legendary Fourth Mizukage.

Yagura’s unexpected arrival surprised everyone, including Shisui. He hadn’t anticipated such a significant disturbance tonight. Even the Fourth Mizukage personally stepped in.

’If that’s the case, then the deliberate provocations earlier were likely staged by the Fourth Mizukage.’

However, Shisui wondered why the Mizukage didn’t just drive them away from the beginning. Was there a disagreement between the high-brass and the Mizukage? Shisui felt he had figured it all out.

It turned out that it was all Fourth Mizukage’s doing.

This was normal; without orders, those Chuunin wouldn’t dare to act so arrogantly towards Konoha envoy. The Fourth Mizukage didn’t want to participate in the Five Kage Summit, but the high-brass didn’t want to pick a fight with the other Four Great Shinobi Countries. This disagreement led to the compromise of letting them enter Kirigakure.

Despite that, they didn’t reach any agreement was reached. The Fourth Mizukage didn’t want to meet them and kept dragging things out.

Now, Shisui guessed that the Fourth Mizukage had committed another serious crime, attempting to enrage Konoha by killing them, so that Konoha rescinded their invitation for Kirigakure to attend the Five Kage Summit, or even start a war.

’A true madman,’ Shisui thought, maintaining a calm expression despite the surprise. He knew that if they died in Kirigakure, Nagasawa would seek revenge regardless of the truth, potentially leading to war.

’Where does his confidence come from? Even Kumogakure lost so quick! Does he think Kirigakure is several times stronger than Kumogakure?’ Shisui was confused.

Although he had deduced the probable cause and course of events, Shisui still found it hard to understand. The Fourth Mizukage’s actions wouldn’t bring any benefits and only invited trouble. Why would he do this?

There was no deep-seated animosity between Konoha and Kirigakure; if anything, it was Kirigakure that invaded Konoha during the Third Great Shinobi World War.

Despite the illogical nature of the situation, it didn’t change the fact that they were in this situation. Kirigakure Anbu stood before him along with the Fourth Mizukage.

Fiction required logic, but reality didn’t, because there were always some people who would make grave mistakes and did something completely irrational.

Yagura turned to the Konoha Shinobi, a terrifying aura emanating from him along with a cold gaze directed at them.

Despair!

This was the only thought in the minds of all Konoha Shinobi present, except for Shisui.

In the face of Yagura’s emotionless and indifferent gaze, the Konoha Shinobi found themselves unable to move as if they were under the effect of some Paralyzing Technique.

However, they knew it wasn’t any secret technique; it was simply the vast power difference that allowed Yagura to overwhelm them with sheer pressure.

Although he seemed like a young boy, Yagura was in fact, a renowned Kage.

As an experienced Jonin, while not succumbing to the intimidation as the Chuunin did, Yanagi knew that his strength was no match to that of a Kage.

Yet, Yanagi didn’t despair because there was still a glimmer of hope, Shisui!

If they sacrificed themselves, perhaps they could grant enough time for Shisui to escape.

Yes, his current plan was to sacrifice himself and everyone else so that Shisui could flee back to Konoha, rather than confronting the Fourth Mizukage with Shisui.

Just then, Shisui, bearing the pressure and icy gaze of the Fourth Mizukage, walked in the front of the Konoha Shinobi.

”Fourth Mizukage, do you want war?” Shisui’s blood-red Mangekyo Sharingan spun rapidly as he locked his gaze onto Yagura.

”Yes, what do you think you can do? Prevent war? Save your comrades? You can’t do any of that,” Yagura’s somewhat cute face uttered malicious words.

”Not everyone will follow you into madness,” Shisui tried to confirm his hypothesis.

”Heh.” Yagura, who was under Obito’s control, seemed to have no interest in explaining to the enemy. He chuckled coldly and assumed a combat stance.

”Step back, all of you.” Seeing that Yagura was ready to engage instead of responding, Shisui ordered the Konoha Shinobi to step back to avoid being caught in their battle.

”Shisui, don’t be reckless. He’s the Fourth Mizukage. You’re no match for him. When the fight starts, I’ll do my best to stop him, and while I keep him in bay, escape as fast as you can to Konoha and report the situation here!” Yanagi whispered to Shisui.

”Please trust me.” Shisui turned and looked seriously at Yanagi.

If Yagura had brought a large force of Kirigakure Shinobi, Shisui might not have a choice but to ensure his own escape.

However, if it was only Yagura and a few Anbu, Shisui believed he could handle it. After all, his Mangekyo Sharingan was hailed as the ”Most Potent Genjutsu,” invincible in one-on-one situations.

However, due to how long the ability could be used again after it was used, Shisui would only use Kotoamatsukami as the last resort.

Observing Shisui’s resolute gaze, Yanagi felt a slight hesitation. While he didn’t believe the sixteen-year-old boy before him had the strength to defeat a Kage, Shisui’s unwavering confidence made him a little shaken.

He suddenly recalled his past—a time when he wanted to prove himself before everyone after arduous training. The confidence in Shisui’s eyes resembled his own back then.

”But...”

Before Yanagi could say another word, a booming sound echoed!

Without waiting for Yanagi to speak further, Yagura’s iron rod struck violently. Fortunately, Shisui had been closely watching Yagura’s movements. With a swift push, he pushed Yanagi aside, and in an instant, Shisui disappeared from his original position.

Boom!

The iron club struck the ground, erupting with a powerful shockwave. The wooden floor shattered instantly.

”I’ll leave the Kirigakure Anbu to you; Mizukage is mine,” Shisui didn’t wait for Yanagi’s response. He drew a short sword from his back and charged towards Yagura.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The iron club and the short sword continuously clashed, creating sparks in the air.

The two moved with incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, their positions were entirely different.

Upon observing this scene, Yanagi felt somewhat relieved. Although he couldn’t keep up with their movements, he knew Shisui wasn’t falling behind.

”Maybe, there truly are geniuses who possess the strength to confront a Kage at the age of sixteen,” Yanagi thought as he shifted most of his attention to Kirigakure Anbu.

Despite having nine Konoha Shinobi against five Kirigakure Anbu, they couldn’t afford to be careless.

”Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique!” After a series of exchanges, Shisui jumped backward to create distance and quickly made hand seals for a Fire Release Technique.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A massive red fire dragon was expelled from Shisui’s mouse. Unlike earlier, this time it was a singular Fire Dragon, but twice the size of the previous three dragons.

Yagura’s figure seemed incredibly tiny compared to the fire dragon as if a mantis facing a carriage.

Boom!

In the next moment, the fire dragon exploded, directly struck Yagura.

Yagura erupted with a massive amount of Chakra and swung his iron club, and a water dragon instantly appeared and rushed toward Shisui.

Unfazed, Shisui’s expression remained unchanged. He once again used the Great Fire Dragon Technique, spewing out another red fire dragon.

Bss! Bss! Bss!

The fire dragon collided with the water dragon, causing a large amount of water to evaporate into white steam, shrouding both combatants.

Amidst the continuous sound of collisions and weapon clashes, it was evident that the battle was far from over.

The more Shisui fought Yagura, the more perplexed he became. Yagura wasn’t as strong as Shisui had anticipated.

Although Yagura demonstrated excellent Taijutsu and Water Release Techniques, for a Kage, they seemed below average.

Shisui couldn’t shake off the feeling that Yagura was holding back.

However, why would Yagura hold back if his intention was to kill them. Moreover, throughout the fight, Shisui felt that Yagura was genuinely committed, so why held back?

Shisui recalled that the Fourth Mizukage was known to be a Jinchuriki. Yet, from the beginning of the battle, Shisui hadn’t seen Yagura use any of his Tailed Beast move. He hadn’t even used basic Tailed Beast chakra.

Shisui felt that something was off about the Fourth Mizukage at this moment—unnatural, like a puppet being manipulated.

Shisui suddenly came up with a terrifying hypothesis.

The Fourth Mizukage has been manipulated through a Genjutsu!

This was a bold hypothesis, but at this moment, Shisui had an eighty percent certainty that this hypothesis was the truth.

Suddenly enforcing crazy policies like that and had no intention to participate in the Five Kage Summit, risking the wrath of the Four Great Shinobi Countries. All of this made sense if the Fourth Mizukage was being manipulated by Genjutsu!

No one could imagine that a Kage was manipulated by Genjutsu. Almost everyone would subconsciously think so, including Shisui before awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Based on this basis, most people would assume that the Fourth Mizukage simply became somewhat radical. After all, Obito hadn’t issued an order for Kirigakure Shinobi to commit suicide. He simply oppressed one side and favored the other.

However, with the awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, Shisui believed that the Fourth Mizukage was being manipulated by Genjutsu.

”Let me see,” Shisui’s three-tomoe Sharingan spun wildly and then fused into a shuriken pattern after activating the Mangekyō Sharingan. With the Mangekyō Sharingan activated, Shisui’s perception was instantly elevated to a new level.

He focused his visual prowess on the Fourth Mizukage, seeing through the outward appearance to perceive the chaotic aura within.

’I knew it!’ Even though he had prepared for it, Shisui couldn’t help but be shocked when he confirmed it with his own eyes.

The Kage of one of the Five Great Villages was actually being controlled by Genjutsu and had committed such absurd actions.

Shisui felt that if this information were to spread, it would undoubtedly shock the entire world.

And the person controlling the Mizukage would gain notoriety, possibly earning admiration from those who wanted chaos.

Although unsure why Shisui suddenly stopped moving, Yagura wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass and rushed toward Shisui.

”Creation is challenging, but destruction, on the other hand, is quite simple,” Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly as he approached Yagura.

There were many ways to dispel Genjutsu. For lower-level Genjutsu, physical contact with the external environment could dispel it. However, more sophisticated Genjutsu involved more complex Chakra manipulation. To snap someone out of such a Genjutsu, one needed an equally refined or forceful technique.

Shisui opted for a forceful approach. He used Genjutsu on Fourth Mizukage, and since Yagura was already under the effect of Genjutsu. The clash of those two Genjutsu would result in a conflict, eventually neutralizing the illusions.

”Damn it...”

After falling under Shisui’s Genjutsu, Yagura paused for a moment, then displayed a confused expression. Suddenly, he became extremely angry, and just as he seemed to break through the Genjutsu, he collapsed.

Clap, clap.

Outside the inn covered in darkness, applause could be heard.

A figure covered in a black robe with a mask walked out.