"Impressive teamwork. I underestimated you both."
The Third Mizukage rose from the distance, nonchalantly brushing invisible dust from his robes.
His entire body was now enveloped in crimson chakra.
"Nawaki-nii, he's a jinchūriki," Minato said grimly. He knew his instincts hadn't failed him.
"Damn it, what kind of rotten luck is this?"
Nawaki cursed involuntarily. He already had a jinchūriki serving as Hokage in his own family.
And now, they ran into the Third Mizukage—who was also a jinchūriki.
He clearly understood just how terrifying these elite figures could be with tailed beast power.
If Tsunade were to fight him, she wouldn't even have to try hard.
At least this jinchūriki can be fought directly.
"Nawaki-nii, find a chance to absorb his chakra."
Minato saw Samehada writhing excitedly in Nawaki's grip, its tongue flicking out.
"Yeah, Samehada seems really interested in this chakra."
Nawaki hoisted Samehada onto his shoulder and glanced backward.
Thanks to Nagato's treatment, the injured had recovered, and he was now tending to other casualties.
In this case, it was up to the two of them alone.
Ordinary fighters would only be cannon fodder—Nawaki neither wanted nor expected anyone else to come help.
"Let me see what other tricks you have left."
The Third Mizukage was only using the tailed beast's chakra, not transforming into the beast form.
Perhaps he believed the tailed beast form wasn't even superior to fighting in human form.
[Summoning Jutsu]
The Third Mizukage bit his thumb, formed hand seals, and pressed one hand onto the sea surface.
With a puff of smoke, a massive devilfish emerged. Its flattened body bore two prominent dorsal fins.
Its massive tail crackled with electricity—a clear and deadly threat.
"Your turn now, Nawaki-nii."
Minato gave a bitter smile. Summoning the Katsuyu Sage underwater would probably leave him at the mercy of the enemy.
"Got it."
[Summoning Jutsu]
This time, Nawaki didn't hold back. A giant snake with purple stripes and a four-horned head appeared.
"Who dares summon this great lord?"
Manda made his dramatic entrance, flicking his serpentine tongue, sharp fangs glinting.
On the sea surface, it twisted freely without any obstacles. Compared to two years prior, it had grown significantly in size.
"It's me, Manda-sama. Sorry to bother you again."
Nawaki wouldn't have summoned Manda if there were another option. Manda's temperament was notoriously foul.
"I thought it was that Orochimaru guy again. So it's just you, the brat."
"Tch, you and your master only summon this great lord when you're in deep trouble."
Manda glanced at the slightly bigger devilfish across from him and immediately figured things out.
Is this my destiny? Always facing top-tier opponents—Sanshōuo first, then this monstrosity?
Don't I ever get a break with some easy prey?!
"Manda-sama, please."
Nawaki kept his tone respectful—he knew even his teacher had his hands full with Manda at times.
"Less talking. After this, have Orochimaru prepare extra meat for me."
Manda knew how stingy Nawaki was—sure enough, bad news really does travel fast.
"Let's go, Manda!"
Nawaki and Minato stood atop Manda's head as the three charged forward together.
Manda's massive body twisted rapidly through the sea, moving at an astonishing speed.
Almost as fast as the devilfish.
The two titanic beasts slammed into each other, sending tremendous waves crashing outward.
"This is already beyond our capability to get involved."
Lion watched in shock.
Summoning beasts weren't rare, but ones this massive were truly exceptional.
First one needed inheritance rights, plus sufficient chakra.
"For now, staying safe is the best way we can help."
Konan had a clear understanding of her own limitations, silently encouraging herself.
"I believe in Senior Nagato and Brother Nawaki."
Nagato looked up with those words before turning back to his task.
They were fighting for her sake—how could he not believe in them?
...
Manda opened his massive jaws and clamped down right between the devilfish's dorsal fins.
The surrounding waters quickly turned crimson with blood.
Despite the searing pain, the devilfish lashed its electrified tail at Manda again and again.
"Hn～"
Each blow forced a pained growl from Manda.
He knew this one wouldn't be easy. This hurt like hell.
After this fight, he'd be sure to demand extra meat rations from Orochimaru.
Enduring the agony of electric shocks, Manda bit down harder and harder, wanting nothing more than to kill this fish with one bite.
Using the devilfish's massive body as land, Minato threw all his kunai.
Third Mizukage dodged swiftly—the memory of Nawaki's death still burned fresh in his mind.
"Take this!"
With Samehada slung over his shoulder, Nawaki leaped from Manda's head, charging across the devilfish straight toward the Third Mizukage.
[Water Release: Water Mirror Technique]
Third Mizukage drew a circle in front of him with one hand, forming a water mirror that appeared before Nawaki.
The mirror reflected Nawaki's image—and then another Nawaki stepped out from within.
Same movements. Same weapons.
Roaring, Nawaki charged and clashed blades with his mirrored double.
"How is this even possible?!"
Nawaki assumed it was just an illusion at first, only realizing after engaging that this opponent's strength equaled his completely.
As the "himself" disappeared, Nawaki himself was sent flying backward.
Minato started circling around the Third Mizukage using [Flying Thunder God].
This chapter isn't over yet!
Please bookmark if you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade: (m.
Though the enemy wasn't as fast, their combat experience showed—they always managed to block Minato's surprise attacks.
"Hey kid, I'm not holding out much longer."
It hadn't even been a moment when Manda wanted to retreat—the areas hit by electricity had turned pitch black.
Step close enough, and you could even catch the scent of roasting meat.
Another losing battle—he hadn't even gotten a bite to eat yet, and now he might end up barbecued himself.
Just as Nawaki turned his head back, Manda vanished into smoke.
Right after, a sudden weightlessness hit Nawaki's feet—the devilfish had vanished along with Manda.
The devilfish disappeared, and all of Minato's kunai fell into the sea, leaving him unable to keep up with the Third Mizukage's speed any longer.
"Finished playing around? Now it's my turn."
The Third Mizukage steadily landed on the sea surface, gazing at Minato and Nawaki a short distance away.
[Water Release: Coffin of the Sea]
Massive waves of Tailed Beast Chakra surged into the sea as the Third Mizukage slammed his hands onto the water. In an instant, a towering wave, dozens of meters high, rolled toward the two young shinobi.
His true purpose in summoning the devilfish was to buy time while gathering chakra.
It wasn't about converting chakra into water—it was manipulating the seawater directly.
Both Nawaki and Minato were shocked—Samehada couldn't absorb this technique at all.
"Quick, dodge!"
Without hesitation, Nawaki grabbed Minato and launched skyward. Given the massive scale of the attack, Minato couldn't use Flying Thunder God without a suitable target to teleport to.
He muttered this to himself, though Nagato and the others in the distance heard it. He'd never seen such a Water Release before.
So this is the strength of the Mizukage?
"You can't escape."
The Third Mizukage didn't bother wondering why Nawaki could fly.
Even midair, Nawaki and Minato couldn't outrun the Coffin of the Sea.
They were mercilessly smashed by the ocean's force and sent flying backward.
Midair, blood burst from their mouths—the raw power of nature was beyond human endurance.
In the distance, Nagato and the others swiftly evacuated the injured, barely dodging the deadly strike.
If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark us: (m.)
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>