By exploiting their youth and appearance to feign weakness, taking advantage of the Uchiha's arrogance, and feeding them false information, Zangetsu had successfully assassinated Honoo and Ao. It just went to show how critical intelligence was in the ninja world. Zangetsu knew about the Uchiha's abilities, their personalities, and their Sharingan. In contrast, Mikoto's team knew nothing about him.
They could never have imagined that this pale, delicate, almost fragile-looking boy was a genius from the Hidden Mist's Hozuki clan with the power of an Elite Jonin. And who would ever think such a genius would be found in a mere scout team?
"Ao! Honoo!!!!" Taro roared in fury, while Mikoto was overcome with grief. One moment they were fine, and the next, two of her comrades were dead before her eyes.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!!
Zangetsu and Taro were now locked in a frantic battle, their arms moving so fast they were just blurs. Mikoto rushed to Ao's side, cradling him in her arms. Seeing the blood flowing from his mouth, she felt utterly helpless.
"Ao, hold on! I'll heal you, I…"
"My lady… Go… get to the camp!" Ao interrupted, urging her to leave. He knew he wasn't going to make it; he could feel his strength fading, his consciousness blurring. He had to ensure Mikoto's safety. She absolutely could not die here. "My lady… this guy… he's dangerous… go, now!"
Taro, fighting Zangetsu, also shouted, "Mikoto, get back to camp and get help! Go!"
After killing the first two, Zangetsu no longer needed to hold back. He unleashed his full power, and Taro could clearly feel that this boy was, without a doubt, an Elite Jonin. If they had known from the start, if all four of them had taken him seriously, they might have been able to kill him. But now it was too late. With Honoo dead and Ao dying, he and Mikoto were no match for him. They had to retreat. But he couldn't leave before Mikoto; his mission was to protect her, even if it cost him his life.
Mikoto, however, watched Ao die in her arms, his eyes open and unseeing. Her heart shattered.
"AO!"
Tears streamed down her face. She stood up, ignoring their pleas, and decisively joined the battle. She knew she was the clan leader's wife, and she knew Zangetsu was dangerous, but she chose to fight. Because she wasn't just a wife—she was a Jonin of the Uchiha clan! If she abandoned Taro to save herself, she would never be able to live with the shame. She would advance and retreat with him.
Even if it meant dying here!
Seeing Mikoto join the fray, Taro's heart sank, while Zangetsu's soared. He had been afraid she would actually listen and leave, which would have made this whole battle meaningless. Since she had stayed, things would be much easier.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!!
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
HSSSS!!!
"Water Style: Water Gun Technique!"
"Hydrification Technique!"
The battle became a storm of fire and water ninjutsu. Taro and Mikoto coordinated their attacks, using taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. But Zangetsu, with his mastery of water style, managed to suppress them both.
This suppression, however, was temporary and purely due to the elemental advantage. Zangetsu was only seventeen; his body hadn't fully matured, and his chakra reserves were smaller than Taro's and Mikoto's. A prolonged battle of ninjutsu would only end with him running out of chakra and being forced to either flee or die.
Taro and Mikoto understood this, so they tried to force him to use ninjutsu. But Zangetsu saw through their plan and switched tactics. He closed in on one of them, engaging in close combat, which prevented the other from using large-scale attacks for fear of hitting their comrade. This was the difference between them. If the roles were reversed, Zangetsu would have fired away without a second thought for his clan members. Better my comrade dies than me. Clan loyalty meant nothing compared to survival.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!!
After another fierce exchange, Taro grew more desperate.
"Mikoto, go!!! Don't let Honoo and Ao's sacrifice be in vain!" he shouted again. He knew with certainty now that even with both of them, they couldn't beat this boy. If they continued, the worst would happen. Both of them would die here.
"Stop talking! I'm not leaving!" Mikoto refused again. It was a common flaw among Konoha ninja. They valued their comrades too much.
How enviable, Zangetsu thought with a hint of sarcasm.
His movements became even faster.
Finally, at a certain moment, he saw his chance.
Shink!!!!
Once again using his Hydrification Technique to nullify a physical attack, Zangetsu took his opponent by surprise and plunged his kunai deep into Taro's abdomen.
"TARO!!!"
Watching Mikoto catch the falling Taro and stumble back, Zangetsu licked his lips.
Finally, I've dealt with the third wheels.
Now, at last, I can get close to my lady.
-------
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