Retracting his thoughts, Seimei turned his gaze toward Mizuki Zangetsu, who was entangled with two shadow clones nearby.
After consecutively killing two people, Seimei's momentum had reached its peak. Even someone as strong as Mizuki Zangetsu couldn't help but feel uneasy being stared at so intensely.
With a quick movement, Mizuki Zangetsu dodged another joint attack from the two shadow clones and quietly pulled away.
He glanced at the battlefield around him.
Due to having more troops and superior individual combat skills, the forces of the Hidden Mist currently held a clear advantage on the battlefield.
Confirming this, Mizuki Zangetsu made up his mind — he had to keep Seimei here.
As long as he could stall for time and let the others, or even other battlefields, secure victory, they would win, even if they didn't kill Seimei in the end.
After all, wars are never won by just one person.
However...
Mizuki Zangetsu turned back to look at Seimei's two shadow clones and thought, "Before that, I need to deal with these two first."
Although he was somewhat arrogant, he wasn't reckless.
Since Seimei had the power to kill Yamada Shinichi and Takeshima Ichiro, it proved that his strength was formidable. From their previous encounter, Mizuki Zangetsu didn't dare underestimate him.
Therefore, it was essential to eliminate the shadow clones before they fought again.
First, doing so would ease the pressure in the next fight.
After all, fighting one-on-one was better than one versus three.
Second, this would also consume Seimei's chakra.
Although some chakra returns to the original body after a shadow clone is destroyed, it's far less than if the user dispelled the clone voluntarily.
Thus, if possible, Mizuki Zangetsu didn't want to give Seimei's clones the chance to disperse willingly.
With this in mind, Mizuki Zangetsu stopped hesitating and rushed toward one of the shadow clones.
The shadow clone, seeing this, didn't delay and immediately formed hand seals, casting the ninjutsu — Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!
In the next instant, countless fireballs were spewed out like bullets, aimed at the rapidly approaching Mizuki Zangetsu, trying to force him to retreat.
At the same time, the other shadow clone also began preparing, ready to follow up as soon as Mizuki Zangetsu dodged.
For a while, they had used this strategy to restrain him.
However, to their surprise, this time, Mizuki Zangetsu didn't choose to retreat.
Facing the barrage of fireballs, Mizuki Zangetsu focused his mind and fully sensed the incoming fire, weaving through them to dodge.
Several fireballs flew past his body, narrowly missing him, and any slight mistake would have caused injury.
But even so, Mizuki Zangetsu didn't give up.
While avoiding the fireballs, he continued to move swiftly toward the shadow clone casting the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
Seeing this, the shadow clone didn't back down but instead spewed more fireballs.
Mizuki Zangetsu was already dodging with great difficulty, and with the distance closing, it naturally became even harder.
Finally, after dodging several more fireballs, Mizuki Zangetsu couldn't avoid them all and was hit by three fireballs.
However, the expected scene of his flesh being scorched didn't occur.
At the moment the fireballs struck his body, the impacted area, along with a large surrounding portion of flesh, turned into liquid.
This was none other than the Hozuki Clan's secret technique — the Hydrification Technique!
The fireballs hit the liquid, causing some damage, and Mizuki Zangetsu frowned slightly, but there were no further consequences.
After reforming his body, there was no sign of injury.
Indeed, the Hydrification Technique not only provides 100% immunity to physical attacks but also offers strong resistance against various ninjutsu.
For example, even Fire Release, which naturally counters Water Release, couldn't inflict significant damage on Mizuki Zangetsu.
The only consequence was that his chakra consumption was higher than when dealing with other ninjutsu.
Of course, the Hydrification Technique wasn't perfect.
At least, as far as Seimei knew, Lightning Release was highly effective against it.
This wasn't because Lightning Release had a direct counter-effect, but because its paralyzing effect would prevent the user from fully liquefying.
In other words, Lightning Release could interrupt the Hydrification Technique.
However, Seimei hadn't developed Lightning Release chakra and didn't know any Lightning Release ninjutsu, so he couldn't counter the Hydrification Technique.
This was exactly why Mizuki Zangetsu dared to take the risk of getting close to the shadow clones.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to face the clones head-on, even with ten times the courage.
After all, there was still another shadow clone nearby, waiting for him to make a mistake!
If he were really restricted by Lightning Release, he would face devastating consequences.
Fortunately, after some testing, he confirmed that Seimei didn't know any Lightning Release ninjutsu, allowing him to take the gamble.
And after taking the risk, the reward was great.
Seeing the shadow clone right in front of him, Mizuki Zangetsu didn't hesitate. He swiftly swung his short sword, striking the shadow clone.
The shadow clone couldn't dodge in time and had its throat slit.
*Poof!*
With a puff of chakra smoke, the shadow clone dissolved completely.
Though it seemed long, all of this happened in an instant.
Neither Seimei nor the remaining shadow clone had the chance to intervene. They could only watch as it happened.
*Sigh*
Letting out a breath, Mizuki Zangetsu retracted his short sword and turned to face Seimei and the last shadow clone.
His face was calm, as if he had done something insignificant.
If Seimei hadn't noticed the significant change in his breathing before and after the strike, he might have been fooled by this display.
As for now...
It was time to act.
Since his opponent had already made a move, Seimei couldn't remain idle.
Exchanging a glance with his shadow clone, Seimei didn't need to give an order — the clone immediately rushed forward.
It seemed that close combat was about to begin with Mizuki Zangetsu.
Not long ago, Seimei had instructed his shadow clone to keep their distance and strike from afar.
But now, the clone was charging in.
To this, Seimei could only say, times change.
Back then, the goal was to restrain the opponent and buy time, so it was important to avoid close combat to prevent the clone from taking too much damage.
Now, however, the goal was to create an opportunity.
There was no need to be cautious anymore.
After all, it was just a shadow clone. As long as it created a chance to strike down the opponent, sacrificing it didn't matter.
(End of Chapter)