When different chakra natures collide, their interaction can drastically alter the outcome of the jutsu.
Wind Release can intensify Fire Release.Lightning Release can electrify Water Release.
This effect—where the fusion or clash of different elemental chakra creates new results—is known in the shinobi world as the Compound Jutsu Phenomenon.
Some compound effects greatly outperform the original single-nature jutsu, leading shinobi to record and categorize them. But combining nature transformations is never easy. It requires coordination, chakra control, and deep mastery.
A poorly timed gust can extinguish a flame.Some elements cannot combine at all.
That is why true compound techniques remain rare.
As a wall of flames surged forward, Neiki swung his long black sword.
In an instant—it was like a mudslide broke loose.
A violent surge of water mixed with earthen sludge burst from the blade, shaping itself into a monstrous river-creature that swallowed the fire completely.
Steam hissed from its surface, evaporating into the air—but Neiki stood untouched.
"He's using us to test his sword…" Tsunade realized with an icy expression.
The technique—some hybrid of two chakra natures—was powerful.But Neiki was clearly using it defensively, studying the reactions.
The mystery of how he had slaughtered Nara Suzaku's entire team remained unanswered. Whatever ability he used on Suzaku, he was refusing to reveal it while Tsunade watched. Even Hayama Byakumo's dying attempt to warn her had been killed mid-sentence by Neiki.
Five minutes had passed.
From the coastline, Konoha's ship was already visible. Only five minutes remained, and Tsunade knew they wouldn't capture Neiki in time. The moment she saw that sword technique, she abandoned the idea of arresting him.
She only wanted one thing now:Hit him at least once—to calm her fury and gather intel.
"Boom!"
Tsunade's punch reduced the mud-creature to splinters, but Neiki was already gone. She spun around—he had reappeared behind them, already countering another attack with casual precision despite the chaotic battlefield.
The battle continued.
Several kilometers away — Kirigakure forces
The Kirigakure unit watched the unfolding chaos closely.
When word reached them that Nara Suzaku, Hayama Byakumo, and numerous Konoha elite jōnin had been slaughtered by Neiki—and that Tsunade still couldn't subdue him—Mei Terumi was shocked.
"With so many of their elites dead… we should be equal in strength now," Fushark muttered."Should we… act?"
The suggestion was tempting.
But after a moment of thought, Mei shook her head.
"Unless we have overwhelming advantage, we don't make reckless moves."
A battle between evenly matched sides would only end in mutual destruction. That benefited no one.
Of course, if Neiki kept killing Konoha shinobi…and Kirigakure gained the advantage…
well, that would be a different story.
Just then, a sharp alarm rang through the forest.
Kirigakure ninja immediately snapped into formation.
Mei frowned and moved toward the commotion.
In a clearing, two black-robed figures—one tall, one short—were surrounded by Kirigakure soldiers.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"They infiltrated our camp," a ninja reported.
Mei studied them, a flicker of familiarity in their silhouettes.
"What is your purpose?" she asked sharply.
The tall man lifted his hood.
"No purpose. Just came to see you," he replied casually.
The Kirigakure rogue-ninja forehead protector glinted.
"Long time no see, Mei Terumi-sama."
Gasps erupted around them.
"Zabuza Momochi—the Demon of the Hidden Mist?!"
Even shinobi who disliked Yagura stiffened at the sight of him.As a man who once attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage—and who spilled the blood of many Kirigakure ninja—Zabuza was their sworn enemy.
Mei held up a hand to restrain her subordinates.
"So," she said coolly,"You risked your life to see me? Why?"
Shouts rose around them:
"You killed our tracking unit!""You dare show your face here?!"
Zabuza and Haku stood still—unlike Neiki, they had no escape technique like the Flying Thunder God. If Mei gave the order, they would die here.
Haku answered calmly:
"Our plan was to leave the Land of Waves peacefully. We didn't engage your tracking unit intentionally. They died because they trespassed into a place they shouldn't have."
"A place they shouldn't have…" Mei murmured.
Zabuza chuckled.
"Yes. Just like Kirigakure and Konoha are trespassing now."
"What do you mean by that?"
Zabuza leaned on his sword.
"Did you know a new ninja village has been established in the Land of Waves? Entering a ninja village's territory without permission is considered an invasion. Your tracking unit died because they invaded."
Several Kirigakure ninjas laughed aloud.
A new ninja village?In the tiny Land of Waves?
Impossible.
Mei sighed in disappointment.
"If that's your excuse, then we're done here."
But Zabuza's next words froze her in place.
"What if we can help you become the Fifth Mizukage?"
Mei didn't answer.She only smiled coldly.
Haku sighed."As expected… it failed."
Zabuza scowled."You were the one who said Mei Terumi was the most reasonable option."
"I said 'possible,' not 'certain.'"
"Then let Mr. Hashirama talk to them," Haku suggested.
Zabuza muttered under his breath:
"Arrogant Five Great Nations…"
Mei's expression hardened.
"Enough. Kill them."
A kunai flew straight at Zabuza.
He didn't dodge.
It struck his forehead—
—and his body instantly burst into a pile of dead wood.
"Wood Release?" Mei whispered, stunned.
She turned to Haku—
but he simply gave a small, polite wave—
—and turned to wood as well.
Only two withered logs remained on the forest floor.
Mei stared at them, heart pounding.
Her mind echoed with the name they had mentioned.
"…Hashirama?"
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