Sarutobi Hiruzen blinked, watching the clone trapped in Kazuku's Water Prison.
It clicked!
"I get it!"
Hiruzen exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.
They stared at him.
He explained.
"Kazuku's Water Prison restricts Steaming Danger Blast's movement, slowing the oil's heating."
"The cold water absorbs the oil's heat."
"Preventing the internal water from boiling and producing steam!"
This fundamentally solved Steaming Danger Blast's trickiest aspect!
"But, while Water Prison is the best counter to Steaming Danger Blast…"
"And it's not a high-level technique…"
"Thinking of this and executing it? Probably only a handful in the ninja world could do it."
Hiruzen swallowed, stunned by Kazuku's tactics!
To him, it was like shogi.
There were many moves, but often only one decided victory!
When played, everyone saw it.
A divine move.
But…
Seeing and making that move…
Was rare.
A genius!
This situation wasn't mere shogi.
One mistake could mean death by Gengetsu's technique!
Under such pressure, staying calm, analyzing, and strategizing…
Was beyond rare!
Especially the Wood Clone, clearly a premeditated trap.
Timing-wise…
When Steaming Danger Blast first exploded…
Kazuku had already analyzed and planned.
"Steaming Danger Blast pauses for a second to cool before moving."
"With Kazuku's sealing speed, a second isn't enough for his Water Clone to emerge and cast Water Prison."
"So, he used the Wood Clone to extend the clone's pause."
Hiruzen gasped.
Good lord.
What kind of brain did Kazuku have?
In ninja battles, predicting one move often decided victory.
But now…
Every move of Gengetsu seemed within Kazuku's calculations!
It was as if he knew Gengetsu inside out!
This was their first encounter, their first fight.
Kazuku couldn't have had prior intel.
Everything was his on-the-spot judgment!
Brilliant!
"This is Konoha's ninja…"
Kabi, witnessing this, admired Kazuku completely.
Gengetsu's strength was undeniable.
To Kabi, even all the Land of Waves' samurai combined couldn't beat Steaming Danger Blast.
It was true terror!
Despair!
Yet such a fearsome technique…
Was cracked by Kazuku in moments!
Even crazier, Kazuku was only…
Seven!
A seven-year-old genius!
Simply astounding!
The daimyo stared at Kazuku's profile, recalling his words.
Even the Mizukage!
With me here!
He can't kill you!
Kazuku's features were refined.
Though only seven, he'd surely grow into a striking, elegant man.
Tall and lean.
The perfect man.
Kagami, Koharu, Homura, and Danzo were even more shocked.
They'd fought Kazuku, but he'd overwhelmed them with raw power.
This fight was different.
Gengetsu's strength far exceeded theirs, and even Kazuku's Wood Release couldn't counter Steaming Danger Blast.
This victory was purely Kazuku's intellect!
"Not just immense chakra, stunning ninjutsu, and fierce taijutsu, but his mind too…"
Koharu gazed at Kazuku.
Her heart was captured by this seven-year-old.
Why…
Was Kazuku only seven?
If he were seventeen…
I'd be ready!
I'd be ready!
I'd really be ready!
Gulp.
Koharu swallowed, frustrated.
Why couldn't Kazuku have been born earlier?
"Is this the bloodline of Senju and Uzumaki combined…" Danzo gasped, attributing Kazuku's intellect to Hashirama's genes.
Homura collapsed, relieved. "With Kazuku as our captain, maybe no crisis is too big."
"This is too terrifying, Captain Kazuku."
As everyone reeled in shock…
Kazuku used Kagura Mind's Eye to lock onto Gengetsu.
On one hand, if Gengetsu lived, he'd keep targeting the daimyo.
On the other, he was the Second Mizukage.
Possibly Mist's strongest ever.
"During the First Ninja War, all First Kages were gone."
"The Second Kages, including Gengetsu, attacked Konoha."
If Gengetsu was spared, after Hashirama's death…
He'd lead Mist's elite to invade Konoha.
Rather than let him kill Konoha ninja then…
Better to eliminate him now, in his weakened state.
A strategic move.
"Besides, my goal is to surpass Hiruzen and become Hokage."
"As Hokage, I need Hokage's resolve."
"Hesitation and softness only weaken Konoha."
He…
Must be decisive!
This wasn't his first time killing.
Kazuku used Body Flicker, appearing before Gengetsu.
"You…"
Seeing Kazuku, Gengetsu unleashed chakra, casting Water Bubble Technique.
Countless bubbles floated from beneath, exploding at Kazuku.
The smoke cleared, revealing a wooden log.
Substitution Jutsu.
"Stop struggling. After Steaming Danger Blast, you're too weak, with barely any chakra."
Kazuku reappeared, a blue chakra orb in his hand.
(End of Chapter)