On the other side-
Charles was laying in his room, watching the footage that Red Queen had prepared via satellite.
He knew that Terumi Mei had arrived at the scene, and the chaotic events were about to come to an end.
However, he was still unsure about the results of the Sound Ninja Four's attack. Had they managed to inflict enough damage on S.H.I.E.L.D. to make them feel the pain? If they could take out Nick Fury in the process, it would be a nice bonus.
Though Charles believed that even if the Sound Ninja Four killed Nick Fury, the man would likely reappear.
After all, he wasn't sure if the Nick Fury leading S.H.I.E.L.D. was the real one, a Skrull imposter, or how many backup bodies were stashed away on the island of Tahiti.
But still, killing him once wouldn't be a loss. However, doing so would likely provoke him to call in Captain Marvel with his pager, and she could wipe out the Sound Ninja Four in one fell swoop.
Charles shook off the thought and turned his attention back to the video, where he saw the crystal barrier shattering.
…
On the central island-
Inside the Triskelion, the remaining three members of the Sound Ninja Four—Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, and Jirobo—noticed the barrier outside breaking apart.
Seeing this, they realized their time was running out and prepared to use their most destructive techniques to wreak havoc.
"Explosive Array Formation!"
Sakon and Ukon immediately fused together and spread out in opposite directions, forming an explosive array between them. As the formation activated, continuous explosions erupted, causing the building they were in to collapse.
"Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains!"
Tayuya entered the second stage of her cursed seal, with a blood-red aura rising into the sky. She played her flute, summoning multiple spirits, and every S.H.I.E.L.D. agent within the sound's range fell to their deaths.
As for Jirobo, unable to activate the second stage, he resorted to using Earth Style: Earth Corridor to cause massive destruction. The chaos caused by the three drew the attention of the four Mist Shinobi who had just arrived on the island.
Terumi Mei spoke up, "Ao, Haku, Kimimaro, I'm leaving the Sound Ninja Four to you. Any issues?"
"No problem!"
As the three responded, the S.H.I.E.L.D. building completely collapsed. Other than the underground safe house, all above-ground structures were destroyed. Anyone who hadn't reached the safe house was likely dead.
As the building collapsed, Guren emerged, dragging the severely injured Kidomaru along with the other three.
Seeing the five emerge, Terumi Mei smiled and said, "Perfect, now we can go in and deal with them. That new ninja must be the Crystal Release user."
"I'll handle her. The other three are yours."
Guren threw Kidomaru to the ground and said, "Let's make this quick. It seems we won't be able to retreat without dealing with them."
With both sides now facing off in groups of four, Guren quickly engaged Terumi Mei, while Sakon and Ukon took on Haku, Tayuya in her second stage faced off against Ao, and Jirobo confronted Kimimaro.
Guren charged at Terumi Mei, launching her first attack. "Crystal Release: Crystal Shuriken!"
With a wave of her hand, countless snowflake-shaped crystal shurikens flew toward Terumi Mei.
Whoosh!
Terumi Mei calmly watched the oncoming crystal projectiles. She quickly formed hand seals and shouted, "Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
The water wall blocked Guren's attack, and Terumi Mei immediately followed up with a counterattack. "Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Given that they were already in the middle of a river, the power of her water-style jutsu was immense.
A colossal wave rose up around Terumi Mei and surged directly toward Guren, sweeping away the remnants of the S.H.I.E.L.D. building. The entire central island was flooded by the wave, covering the land with water.
Terumi Mei's single move had altered the landscape, turning the battle into one fought on the river's surface.
Fortunately for those involved, this was not a significant problem. Even Steve Rogers, who had been unconscious, was awakened by the wave.
Finding himself on the river, he immediately began swimming toward the shore. Although his strength had increased greatly, he still lacked the ability to fight on water.
Meanwhile, in an unnoticed corner, Kidomaru was swallowed by a large snake.
Nick Fury, observing the situation via satellite, marveled at the power of the Mizukage. A casual attack with the ability to change the landscape—such power was akin to a human natural disaster.
If used to trigger a tsunami, it could be more terrifying than a nuclear weapon, wiping out coastal cities.
Guren had avoided the impact of the wave and was now standing on the water's surface, once again charging toward Terumi Mei.
"Crystal Release: Giant Hexagonal Shuriken!"
As she ran, she flung a massive crystal shuriken that spun rapidly across the water toward Terumi Mei.
Calculating its trajectory, Terumi Mei dodged with a swift movement and then raised her hand, summoning a gigantic water sphere in the sky.
The sphere launched large water bullets at Guren.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Guren agilely dodged the incoming water bullets, but each one that hit the water caused a huge explosion, like missiles striking the surface.
By this time, Guren had closed in on Terumi Mei. With a quick movement, she appeared right in front of her opponent, slashing with a crescent-shaped crystal blade formed from her arm.
Terumi Mei stepped back, raising a water wall that intercepted the attack. At the same time, a spinning water column rose from beneath Guren, targeting her.
"Bang!"
Guren's figure shattered into countless crystals—it was just a Crystal Release clone.
Realizing she had only hit a clone, Terumi Mei quickly scanned the area, searching for Guren's real location.
Guren was hiding underwater, watching Terumi Mei above her. She formed hand seals and cast her jutsu.
"Crystal Release: Mirror!"
A crystal mirror suddenly appeared beneath Terumi Mei's feet, launching her into the air. Guren then shot out of the water, appearing above Terumi Mei, ready to finish her off with a crystal blade.
However, when the blade struck Terumi Mei, no blood was drawn—the figure turned into a piece of wood.
Guren thought to herself, When did she use a substitution jutsu? Such incredible speed.
"Water Style: Water Whip!"
Terumi Mei reappeared on the water's surface, pulling a water whip from her mouth. She grasped it in her hand and lashed it toward Guren, who was still airborne.