"Kawakaze Hatake, are you determined to go against ?" Isobu roared, shrinking into his turtle shell and charging at Kawakaze like an oversized at-bomb tank.
Smoke and dust rose as the hulking mass crushed everything in its path, leaving a deep, unmistakable trail across the ground.
"I look forward to our next encounter."
"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique."
Kawakaze ford the seal for "Snake," and a massive tree erupted from the ground, growing at an astonishing speed.
In monts, a giant wooden figure took shape, its body wrapped in a coiling wooden dragon.
The wooden figure exuded a fearso, imposing aura that silenced even the bravest of the Kiri Ninja. Any thoughts of retreat were quickly snuffed out as they took in its sheer size and presence.
"It's even bigger than a Tailed Beast."
"Is this the power of Wood Release?"
"I heard that Hashirama Senju used this technique to pin the Nine-Tails to the ground and beat it," Genji murmured in awe, unable to take his eyes off the spectacle.
This was the overwhelming power he had only heard about in stories from his elders. No wonder Hashirama Senju had captured Tailed Beasts with such ease.
Kawakaze sat atop the wooden man's head, comfortably situated in a space seemingly designed for him.
As the turtle shell chariot barreled toward him, the wooden man extended its right hand, stopping it effortlessly with a single palm.
The powerful impact of the it seed utterly insignificant in the face of the wooden figure.
Isobu spun in place, the ground beneath him sinking as he struggled futilely, unable to move an inch.
When the montum finally ceased, the wooden man clenched its right hand around Isobu.
Trapped in its grip, the massive Tailed Beast seed like a re child, unable to break free.
The wooden dragon coiled around the wooden man opened its gaping maw and bit down on Isobu, further suppressing the Tailed Beast's Chakra.
"Hah!"
Kawakaze's eyes were cold as he raised his left fist high into the air, swung it back, and brought it crashing down with imnse force.
"Oww!"
Isobu let out a loud cry of pain, struggling desperately but unable to break free.
Under the wooden man's relentless barrage of punches, Isobu's howls grew weaker and weaker.
"It's terrifying..."
"The Tailed Beast is being beaten to death..."
"Who could possibly stand against soone like this?"
The Kiri Ninja watched in horror, unable to comprehend the sheer power displayed before them.
With one final, devastating blow from the wooden man, Isobu began to dissipate, his form fading into pure energy before disappearing entirely from the ninja world.
"Such power from a re junior!"
In a shadowy cave, Madara Uchiha slamd his fist against the stone bench beside him, frustration etched across his face.
Blood dripped from his Three Tomoe Sharingan, a testant to the strain of losing The Third Mizukage as a puppet.
Not only had this disrupted his plans, but now he would have to rely on Zetsu for his future operations—a significant setback.
What's more, his identity had been exposed.
This would force him to act with even greater caution.
If his hiding place were discovered, Madara wasn't confident he could face Kawakaze with his current body.
Still, after venting his anger, he cald himself.
One day, Kawakaze will see my true power, Madara thought with conviction.
He firmly believed that no one in the world, apart from Hashirama, could match the strength he wielded at his peak.
No... Even if Hashirama were resurrected, so what?
...
Seeing that the wooden man's hands were now empty, Kawakaze released his Ninjutsu and landed gracefully on the ground.
"Master Genji, let's talk about my appearance fee," Kawakaze said with a toothso smile, his deanor as carefree as a young boy.
There was no trace of the ferocity he had shown just monts before.
"Agreed," Genji replied without hesitation.
Turning to his subordinates, he said, "You all handle the aftermath. I'll have a nice chat with Lord Kawakaze."
Genji gestured politely to Kawakaze, inviting him to follow.
"Nagato, co here," Kawakaze called, waving for his disciple to join him as he led the way toward the Mizukage building alongside Genji.
Thanks to Kawakaze's intervention, Kirigakure had avoided major losses.
"No matter what, I have to thank you, Lord Kawakaze," Genji said, breaking the silence as they walked.
He carefully avoided bringing up Kawakaze's earlier intrusion into Kirigakure.
"You're welco. I also have to thank you for your generosity," Kawakaze replied, his tone soft but carrying a hint of reprimand.
Nagato, walking beside him, glanced at Genji with a less-than-friendly expression, and Kawakaze noticed.
"No, no, it was that puppet who insisted on capturing your disciple," Genji said quickly, eager to clear the air.
"It was absolutely not the will of Kirigakure," he added, hurriedly distancing the village from the actions of the Third Mizukage.
Genji's anxiety was evident. He feared that Kawakaze might still wish to settle scores, and Kirigakure was in no position to handle such a confrontation.
"I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be discussing this deal with you," Kawakaze said, his casual deanor giving the impression that he wasn't taking the matter too seriously.
In reality, he was already calculating how much he could demand.
"Please co in," Genji said, opening the door to the Mizukage's office, which he expected to occupy for a long ti—provided he could first rid himself of the "plague" that was Kawakaze.
"Have a seat, I'll go prepare so tea," Genji offered, motioning for Kawakaze and Nagato to sit on the sofa before personally heading off to brew a fine pot.
"Here, have so tea," Genji said, pouring cups for Kawakaze and Nagato, a kind smile plastered across his face.
"The tea is good," Kawakaze remarked after taking a sip, showing no inclination to bring up the negotiation just yet.
This was his usual tactic.
"You're too kind. If you like it, I'll prepare so for you to take ho," Genji replied, his smile growing wider.
The shrewdness of an experienced negotiator began to show. Offering small benefits was a way to hopefully drive down the eventual cost.
"Please remove the seal on my disciple," Kawakaze said casually.
"Save the trouble."
It was a small request, but also a way to test Genji's sincerity.
"No problem," Genji replied without hesitation, placing his teacup down.
Nagato stood and approached Genji at Kawakaze's glance.
"This seal was the puppet's order, not mine," Genji said as he ford a series of hand seals.
Placing one hand on Nagato's abdon, he channeled Chakra into the seal.
Nagato could feel his strength returning as the restrictive seal was undone.
"It's done," Genji said, withdrawing his hand. The seal had been fully removed, and Genji hadn't dared tamper with it.
Kawakaze glanced at Nagato, waiting for confirmation. Seeing Nagato nod, he continued.
"Just now, I couldn't hold back, and you lost your Tailed Beast," Kawakaze said, feigning remorse.
"I'm also extrely sorry."
The destruction of the Tailed Beast ant Kirigakure would have no Jinchūriki for several years.
Even if a village doesn't use a "nuclear weapon," having one is a show of power. But now, Kirigakure no longer had that deterrent.
Of course, Kawakaze's words weren't an actual apology.
I've destroyed your Tailed Beast—so you'd better be sensible and say sothing I want to hear.
"Ahem..."
Genji coughed lightly, quickly catching the aning behind Kawakaze's words.
This young man doesn't play by any rules.
"Thank you for your help," Genji replied, his tone asured.
"How could I possibly bla you?"
"Please, tell us what you want, and we'll discuss it."
He wisely left the terms open-ended, hoping to negotiate if Kawakaze's demands turned out to be too steep.
"Oh, look at what you're saying," Kawakaze replied with a smile, switching to a friendly deanor.
It's always pleasant dealing with smart people.
Nagato, sitting nearby, watched Kawakaze's sudden shift in tone with calm indifference. He was long used to his Sensei's antics.
"But if you insist on thanking , I can't refuse to do you the favor," Kawakaze continued with a playful smirk.
"Just take it—I'm open to whatever you can offer."
Kawakaze leaned forward slightly, his wide eyes fixed on Genji.
The old man's nervous expression made Kawakaze feel utterly amused.
"My Kirigakure hasn't been wealthy in recent years," Genji began, his tone heavy with reluctance.
"I'll give you 200 million. What do you think?"
Genji's heart bled as he uttered the sum. He couldn't simply refuse after seeing Kawakaze's expression, and he dared not offer less.
"This is embarrassing," Kawakaze said, though his tone betrayed satisfaction.
It was a good deal. He'd rescued his disciple and earned 200 million on top of it.
"It's only right," Genji replied with a smile, though there was no hint of sincerity in it.
He just wanted this ordeal to end as soon as possible.
"I also have a humble request," Kawakaze said, feigning hesitation as though the words were difficult to say.
"What is it?" Genji quickly asked, eager to resolve the matter.
"Can I have the Scroll for Summoning the Ninja Blades?"
Kawakaze got straight to the point, hitting where it hurt most. He knew the Ninja Blades had been captured by Minato and the others, and instead of bothering with the process of resealing them, it was simpler to ask for the Scroll directly.
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