I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 168 The Mangekyou Sharingan!

"That white creature that just crawled out of my body must be one of those special creatures that Lan Gui brought out of Uchiha Kagami's body!"

Minato Namikaze recalled the scene just now, and the previous situation flashed through his mind.

"There is absolutely no chakra fluctuation before it is activated. It can grow by absorbing the chakra of others, thereby restricting the opponent's ability to move..."

"This white creature would be an extremely troublesome target if used for assassination or attack!"

Minato Namikaze was unaware of the name White Zetsu, but that did not prevent him from quickly analyzing the general information about White Zetsu's abilities through their previous exchange.

He quickly checked himself and found that apart from the special kunai, no other ninja tools were missing.

Minato Namikaze sensed the condition inside his body again, but found nothing suspicious. His brows furrowed once more.

"Its ability to conceal itself is extremely strong, making it easy for people to fall victim to its trap without even realizing it..."

A chilling thought popped into Minato Namikaze's mind.

"Besides me, how many other Konoha ninjas have fallen victim to this white creature's ambush? Was Lan Gui also...?"

In Minato's perception, Kagami Uchiha's chakra remained around the waterfall, but the sense of threat emanating from the direction of the waterfall was constantly increasing.

He forced himself to suppress his worries and calm down, while simultaneously raising his alertness to the limit.

Above the waterfall, Uchiha Kagami, controlled by Uchiha Madara, continuously channeled water-style chakra into the waterfall below, constantly increasing its volume.

Whoosh—whoosh—

The rivers surrounding the waterfall roared like crashing waves, and the surging water spread in all directions, almost submerging the area into a vast ocean.

Minato Namikaze then realized what Kagami Uchiha was trying to do—to further expand the already advantageous terrain in favor of the opponent!

In a natural environment filled with flowing water, the power of water-based techniques is definitely greater than that of other escape techniques.

"Even a tailed beast would struggle with this level of chakra."

Minato Namikaze's figure receded continuously into the forest, moving away from the impact of the waves coming from ahead.

"Could it be that a ninja resurrected in the Impure World Reincarnation state can unleash far more chakra than they did in life?"

Minato Namikaze hasn't yet made any connection to the concept of "infinite chakra."

Although Uchiha Kagami's performance in both battles was very close to "infinite chakra"...

Minato Namikaze retreated while keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

But just then, a sudden thick fog spread from the direction of the waterfall, enveloping the entire forest with the wind.

A large amount of chakra was also mixed into this thick white fog.

Minato Namikaze's chakra perception ability was largely disrupted by the sudden appearance of the thick fog.

"This is... the Hidden Mist Technique of Kirigakure!"

Minato Namikaze felt a surge of surprise once again.

The Hidden Mist Technique is the signature ninjutsu of the Hidden Mist Village, which uses the creation of mist to disrupt the opponent's vision and perception.

Although its learning difficulty is extremely low, only at level D.

However, mastering the art of concealing oneself in mist is very difficult.

A ninja who is extremely skilled in the Hidden Mist Technique can even further disrupt the enemy's chakra perception by mixing chakra into the mist.

In the ninja world, apart from the ninjas of Kirigakure, very few other ninjas would use this D-rank water-style ninjutsu.

At this moment, Uchiha Kagami used it.

Minato Namikaze had a bad feeling.

In the thick fog filled with chakra, his own chakra perception was greatly interfered with, and his most commonly used visual perception was also largely blocked.

If this fog isn't cleared up quickly, the enemy's geographical advantage will only increase further...

"My opponent has completely discovered my presence. To prevent Madara Uchiha from escaping, I can no longer conserve my chakra..."

Minato Namikaze took a deep breath, his hands rapidly forming hand seals as he unleashed a relatively conventional Wind Release ninjutsu.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A fierce gale burst forth from Minato Namikaze's mouth, crashing powerfully against the surging mist.

Fog is inherently light.

Even with the water mist mixed with chakra, its wind resistance is only average.

Under the influence of Minato Namikaze's Wind Release technique, the dense fog created by Kagami Uchiha quickly dissipated backward.

But it was precisely because of this strong wind that Minato Namikaze's position was once again locked by Kagami Uchiha from a distance.

Within a thick fog, Uchiha Kagami swiftly formed hand seals and unleashed another super-advanced Water Release ninjutsu.

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"

A linear jet of high-pressure water shot out from the thick fog, slashing horizontally towards the forest where Minato Namikaze was located.

Sensing the approaching threat, Minato Namikaze was forced to stop using "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough" and quickly dodged to the side using "Body Flicker Technique".

The sharp water blades sliced ​​through a forest, causing large swathes of trees to fall and creating a continuous roar.

With the support of an almost perfect water environment, the already powerful "Water Release: Water Severing Wave" has a significantly expanded attack and reaping range.

Minato Namikaze stood among a group of bare tree stumps, racking his brains to come up with a strategy for the upcoming battle.

His true strength lies in close-quarters combat.

However, his opponent clearly didn't give him a chance to fight at close range.

However, if one were to rashly rush into the still-lingering mist and try to locate Uchiha Kagami through the thick fog, one would likely be ambushed by him.

The Impure World Reincarnation technique's enhancement of turret-type ninjas was almost fully demonstrated in this battle.

"We can't delay any longer!"

Just as Minato Namikaze gritted his teeth, preparing to plunge into the fog.

Suddenly, a familiar chakra appeared in his senses—it was his Flying Thunder God Kunai!

"Lan Gui is here!"

Minato Namikaze felt much calmer.

His "ground infantry" was no match for Uchiha Kagami's vast fog.

However, Nara Rangsei, this "flying air force," doesn't need to care about the existence of the fog at all!

Nara Rinka, riding his Shadow Creature and guided by Gamakatsu Kosuke, rapidly approached the target waterfall.

Even from a great distance, Nara Rinka could see the astonishingly large white fog.

"That's really outrageous! They've already started fighting?"

Nara Rinka actively manipulated the [Shadow Creature] to approach, while not forgetting to remind Toad Kosuke behind him.

"Kosuke, you can go back now."

"Okay, Nara-sama."

With a soft "thump".

Kosuke Gamabunta voluntarily ended the effects of the summoning technique and returned to Mount Myōboku.

The shadow creature actively approached the area above the "Mist Concealment Technique," looking down at the scene below.

In Nara Rinka's perception, the mist below was filled with traces of chakra flow, completely disrupting one's senses.

"Tsk tsk, the Mist Concealment Technique, it really proves the saying: discussing efficacy without considering dosage is just empty talk!"

Nara admired the wondrous path of the Osmanthus Festival.

"Even if you brought ten Kirigakure Jonin over, they might not be able to create this kind of Kirigakure Hidden Mist Technique."

"However, this mist concealment technique is mainly for defense against ground troops; the height of this mist is rather pitiful..."

The thick fog created by the "Mist Concealment Technique" is naturally not as good as the real dense fog created by the power of nature.

From the perspective of Nara Rangsei, the "Hidden Mist Technique" below looks like a white pancake spread out on the ground.

Compared to its ridiculously large "area", its "height" is practically negligible.

Nara Rinka stood on the back of the [Shadow Creature], preparing to take action.

A surge of chakra suddenly appeared beside him.

"Brother Shuimen?"

Nara Rinka turned around, her brows furrowing slightly.

"How did you get up here? What's going on down there?"

Before setting off, Nara Rinkazu had asked Uchiha Shisui for the three-pronged kunai, so that Minato Namikaze could use it to locate him.

"The thick fog below was summoned by Uchiha Kagami-senpai. He was summoned from the Pure Land by the enemy using the Impure World Reincarnation technique."

Minato Namikaze quickly recounted the current situation.

"We will face the resurrected Uchiha Kagami head-on, and the process will be extremely difficult."

"But we can head to the waterfall first. Based on my previous observations, the ninja who looks like Uchiha Madara is hiding in the waterfall."

"Great idea!"

Nara Rinka's eyes lit up slightly.

"I thought their secret base was hidden in the thick fog, but it turns out it's in the waterfall... Hold on!"

Nara Rinkachi, manipulating the [Shadow Creature], decisively abandoned the thick fog below and headed straight for the large waterfall.

Due to the powerful force of the waterfall's flow, the surrounding mist has no way to gather here.

This waterfall is arguably the only place in the surrounding environment with extremely high visibility.

However, the shadow creatures that Nara Rinkazu and Namikaze Minato rode were far too conspicuous.

Before the two could even get close to the waterfall, they were spotted by Bai Jue, who was acting as a sentry.

Uchiha Kagami, who was below, quickly received the message, formed hand seals, and slammed his hands heavily onto the water below.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bite!"

A gigantic whirlpool immediately appeared on the wide water surface, and clusters of condensed water formed cannonballs that shot into the sky, heading straight for the location of Nara Rinkazu and Namikaze Minato.

"Grab the laurel! Dodge!"

Without the obstruction of the mist, Minato Namikaze easily sensed the chakra fluctuations below and quickly spoke up to warn him.

Nara Rinka piloted the Shadow Creature, weaving through the continuous barrage of water projectiles, skillfully dodging their attacks while further closing the distance to the waterfall.

Seeing this, Uchiha Kagami, without waiting for the water in the sky to finish gathering, directly manipulated the water sphere that was mostly gathered in the sky, and shaped a water dragon from inside it.

"roar--"

The slender water dragon charged toward the shadow creature, attempting to intercept the two.

"Keep going! Keep going!"

Minato Namikaze reacted swiftly, forming hand seals and drawing upon the Fire Release chakra within his body.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

boom!

A massive, blazing fireball was released from in front of Minato Namikaze, blocking the menacing water dragon. The two collided violently in mid-air and dissipated into nothingness.

The movement speed of the shadow creatures was not affected in the slightest.

It was clear that Nara Rinka and Namikaze Minato were about to break through the waterfall's defenses and rush into the cave behind it.

slam-la-

The raging torrent of water cascading down the waterfall was forcibly blocked by a force bursting forth from within, and dark brown wooden strips emerged from the waterfall, directly attacking the [Shadow Creature].

Thick, dark brown wooden strips formed a dense, impenetrable net in mid-air.

The shadow creature resembles a bird that has walked right into a trap, about to crash into it.

At this critical moment, Nara Rinka manipulated the [Shadow Creature] to retreat, avoiding the Wood Release defense and counterattack that appeared out of nowhere.

"Wood Release! This is the First Hokage's unique bloodline limit, Wood Release!"

Minato Namikaze wiped the water droplets from his face and stared wide-eyed at the thick wooden beams hanging between the waterfalls.

"How is this possible?!"

"If it really is Uchiha Madara, how could he possibly possess the First Hokage's Wood Release kekkei genkai?!"

Nara Ranke opened his mouth, intending to habitually shift the blame onto Orochimaru.

But he held back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

With Madara Uchiha right in front of me, I'd better not waste my breath trying to shift the blame...

"Once we actually meet each other, everything will become clear."

Nara Rinka controls the [Shadow Creature] to rapidly increase its altitude.

"But it seems we'll never find such an easy opportunity again, Brother Minato."

In the river below the waterfall.

The thick fog gradually dissipated.

The arrival of Nara Rangsei essentially signaled the failure of the "sight-blocking tactic".

After all, creating a powerful Hidden Mist Technique that could even obscure the sky was extremely difficult, even for Uchiha Kagami in his Edo Tensei state.

The difficulty lies not in the process of performing the spell, but in the time it takes.

The release of the Mist Concealment Technique requires a certain amount of time.

However, it is clear that Nara Rinkazu will not give Uchiha Kagami that time to form hand seals and cast a spell.

【Spiral Shadow Binding Bullet】!

Nara Rinka raised his right hand and, taking advantage of the fact that there was no fog between them and Uchiha Kagami, released a jet-black bullet at Uchiha Kagami above the river below.

Having already known Nara Rinka's fighting style, Uchiha Kagami easily avoided the attack from the sky by simply using "Water Release: Instant Water," thus preventing himself from being controlled by the Shadow Technique.

"Lan Gui, continue your attack from the sky."

Minato Namikaze offered his suggestion.

"I'll go down there and keep Uchiha Kagami at close range."

"Brother Minato, don't forget that mask from before."

Nara Rinka reminded him.

"I'm not very proficient with the Flying Thunder God Technique yet, but it's usable."

"Don't worry, it's always been with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Minato Namikaze threw a Flying Thunder God kunai downwards, and his figure disappeared behind the [shadow creature].

Nara Rinkachi maintained aerial firepower over the ground while continuously providing cover for Minato Namikaze's approach.

Minato Namikaze landed on the water's surface and, with the help of his teammates in the sky, approached Uchiha Kagami's position from behind in an extremely cunning manner, while trying his best to avoid direct eye contact with him.

Uchiha Kagami noticed Minato Namikaze's whereabouts, but he couldn't find an opportunity to fight him head-on.

Under remote control.

Without making any hand gestures, Uchiha Kagami suddenly plunged into the water below, relying entirely on his physical strength to descend to the bottom of the river.

The natural refraction effect provided by the water surface gave Uchiha Kagami a brief respite.

In the clean and clear water.

Uchiha Kagami activated his Sharingan. Within the crimson Sharingan, the three black tomoe connected, forming a strangely shaped windmill.

The power of the Mangekyou Sharingan was continuously released and flowed into the surrounding water.

Hidden in the water, Uchiha Kagami quietly unleashed the unique eye technique of his Mangekyou Sharingan—

"Weeping Ze!"

Rumbling--

Dense eddies formed on the surface of the water, and the rapidly spinning water pulled everything that flowed around it, dragging them into the depths of the water.

Minato Namikaze sped across the water's surface, dodging the swirling currents.

The next moment.

The water surged back and forth, like an underground fountain, shooting straight into the sky!

It's Dragon Boat Festival today, and it was very lively tonight, which made me a little late...

It's still past four in the morning.

This is the second update.

The third update might not be until after midnight...

(End of this chapter)