Chapter 254 254: Rise of Umbrella: The Fall of the Mist

In just a single clash, more than a dozen Kirigakure shinobi surrounding Mei Terumī fell lifeless.

The splatter of blood and the thick, metallic scent in the air ignited Mei's fury.

Though this battlefield was far from the ocean, the dense mist and humidity of the Land of Water were all she needed.

A barrage of Water Release techniques—combined with hidden weapons—shot toward Shisui from every direction!

"Uchiha Shisui! Don't get ahead of yourself! Do you really think a mere two thousand of you can defeat us?"

Mei's voice was icy.

Umbrella had brought roughly two thousand elite operatives, while Kirigakure had a force exceeding ten thousand.

"History belongs to the victor. Just because you think you can win doesn't mean you will!

Your ambition is ridiculous—destined to collapse!"

Her tone dripped with disdain. Umbrella's goal was nothing less than the domination of the entire shinobi world—too wild, too unthinkable.

Shisui let out a short laugh.

"Times have changed, Mizukage-sama.

This world is no longer driven by lone heroes… but by unity."

His eyes sharpened.

His voice boomed:

"Form up!!"

Behind him, Zabuza Momochi brandished Kubikiribōchō, sharply signaling the rest of their forces.

They were badly outnumbered. Even with superior equipment, a head-on clash would be grueling.

Thus—they activated Umbrella's Military Formation Jutsu:

Martial Arts Army Formation

and

Chakra Army Formation.

The chakra of thousands surged and joined as one—

a monumental killing intent erupted into the sky.

"What… what kind of secret technique is this?!"

Mei's eyes widened.

To her vision, the chakra of Zabuza and every Umbrella shinobi had merged into a single colossal entity.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!!"

A titanic wave—shaped as a roaring dragon of water spanning over a thousand meters—rose into the air.

The Hidden Mist forces looked up with horror frozen on their faces.

Morale snapped.

"Is that really ninjutsu…?"

"That's not human power…"

"Monsters. They've become actual monsters!"

Some shinobi stumbled backward, terror stripping away their will to fight.

"Stand firm!! We are Kirigakure shinobi—

We don't break that easily!"

Chōjūrō shouted, desperately trying to rally his comrades despite his own trembling grip.

Beside him, Ao activated his Byakugan—observing the technique's structure.

"Their chakra… it's all being funneled into a single point!

They're focusing the power of thousands into one technique!

If we disrupt their coordination—even from one side—we might break their formation!"

His voice held a spark of hope.

But Mei only shook her head—expression heavy.

"Not that simple…

With synchronization at this level, their formation will adapt instantly.

Only overwhelming force could break through."

From her seasoned judgment, the only way to counter such a united attack was raw power exceeding all of them combined.

And Kirigakure… no longer possessed such power.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Now she finally understood Umbrella's confidence.

With only two thousand, they dared to block the Mist's army of ten thousand…

Still—

Surrender was not her way.

"Everyone! We fight to the last breath!!"

"To the death!!"

"For Kirigakure—Fight to the death!!!"

The Hidden Mist forces roared, faces twisted with grim resolve.

Mei inhaled deeply, then raised her voice toward Shisui:

"If we lose…

Promise me this—spare Kirigakure's innocent civilians."

Shisui paused—taken aback.

Even now, she worried not for herself, but for the people she led.

That earned her a flicker of respect in his heart.

But—

For Naruto's grand design… this step was necessary.

Shisui nodded solemnly:

"Of course. Umbrella is not here to destroy the innocent.

We fight for the people—not against them.

You have my word: they will live better than before."

Then he glanced toward Zabuza.

Zabuza grinned savagely—

—he already knew the command.

Shisui met Mei Terumī's gaze—the final moment between commanders who both understood what must come next.

Behind Shisui, the titanic Water Release dragon loomed above the battlefield like a divine beast, its presence alone enough to crush morale.

Mei made the first move.

If she hesitated even a heartbeat longer, her resolve might shatter.

"Lava Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"

Boiling acidic vapor surged from her lips, swallowing Umbrella's front line in a corrosive haze. Even portions of Zabuza's water dragon began to sizzle and evaporate.

Shisui's expression darkened—

"Defend!"

"Haku!"

Zabuza's voice rang out.

Haku's hands blurred through seals— in an instant, a dome of glittering Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals formed overhead, sealing their forces within a fortress of frozen mirrors.

Ice against acid—cold against heat.

Under Umbrella's amplified chakra formations—Mei's Jutsu couldn't even scratch the surface.

"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!!"

An ocean of corrosive lava surged forward, swallowing everything in its path.

But Shisui's crimson Sharingan spun—and his form flickered out of existence.

The ground where he stood was devoured in a heartbeat.

Haku struck again—freezing waves of molten acid into solid jade-like sculptures.

"Impossible…"

Mei stared wide-eyed.

Her most dangerous techniques—nullified in seconds.

Meanwhile, countless Shisui afterimages danced around her, each indistinguishable from the real thing. Many had believed his fame rested on Kotoamatsukami…

But Shisui had pushed his Body Flicker Technique to a transcendent level—

When the real becomes illusion, and illusion becomes real.

"Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!!"

A roaring dragon of water—charged with crackling lightning—erupted forward.

A collaborative Ninjutsu once performed by the Mizukage and Raikage—

—now executed alone by Shisui.

It tore through Kirigakure ranks.

And in the same instant—Shisui's blade flashed, slicing through Mei's defenses and leaving thin crimson cuts across her arms and shoulders.

Her eyes widened.

"He combines genjutsu… taijutsu… kenjutsu… and shunshin…

A monster…"

Mei inhaled sharply—

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Another colossal dragon surged forward.

But Shisui raised his blade—chakra sharpening its edge to the point where Intent itself became a weapon.

Kenjutsu Secret Art: Instant God Slash!

One strike—and Mei's Water Dragon split cleanly in two.

Hidden Mist forces collapsed beneath the shockwave, many stunned or knocked unconscious.

Those who dared meet the lightning dragon head-on…

…died without even a final scream.

Mei's lips trembled into a bitter smile—

They were like a mantis trying to stop a charging war chariot.

She finally understood:

Umbrella didn't come here to gamble—

—they came already certain of victory.

Shisui materialized behind her, blade resting coldly against her neck.

"Surrender, Mizukage-sama.

A new era is coming."

Breathing heavily, Mei forced out one last question:

"That power…

What did you use just now?"

Shisui's Sharingan glimmered.

"Intent.

A sword guided not by muscle or chakra—

but by the will to cut."

Naruto once told him—if he fully mastered Intent…

He would step beyond Kage—

—into the realm of Super-Kage.

...

TN:

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