Moreover, the prerequisite for this one-on-four complete victory was that Sasuke had only used strength equivalent to the Kage level.
Consider techniques like advanced Lightning Release speed enhancement or Divine Lightning Speed – Sasuke hadn't employed any of those. Not to mention abilities involving Black Rods or his powerful Dōjutsu; Sasuke hadn't utilized those at all either. If he had brought those powers to bear, these opponents would have been defeated long ago.
Sasuke gazed down at the three figures sprawled on the ground. The remaining one, the Third Mizukage, had been taken out instantly by a single, decisive Forceful Spiraling Water Blade technique. The Third Mizukage was now completely incapacitated, unable to even get up. The remaining Second, Fourth, and Fifth Mizukage weren't much better off. Judging by their condition, they had just reached the point where they could no longer fight.
Sasuke lightly dusted off his hands.
"Not bad at all," he remarked, offering praise to the three lying defeated. "You managed to last about three minutes against me."
However, hearing these words filled the three former Kage with immense frustration. Their opponent had been holding back significantly, yet even with four shinobi of Mizukage caliber working together, they had only endured for three minutes. Defeated before even reaching the four-minute mark... This… this was hardly something to be proud of!
At this moment, Boruto and the others watched as Sasuke dismantled three Mizukage in the blink of an eye. Whether it was Mitsuki or Sarada, they seemed to grasp a deeper understanding of what it truly meant to be a ninja.
Sasuke hadn't relied on some overwhelmingly powerful ninjutsu. Nor had he simply crushed them with raw strength. Instead, he had utilized tactics! Perfect strategy, combined with coordinated guidance, led to their effortless defeat.
His initial attacks likely weren't random choices either. By showcasing formidable Taijutsu coupled with astonishing speed via Shunshin, Sasuke sent a clear message to the four Mizukage: engaging him in close combat would be extremely unwise.
Therefore, they were forced into ranged combat. Preparing to maintain mid-to-long distance was the only viable option. Yet, because of this, the Second Mizukage didn't even get a chance to unleash his signature technique, the Steaming Danger Tyranny, before the battle concluded. By committing to ranged fighting, the threat of close-range clones also vanished. Against Sasuke's superior Taijutsu, trying to engage directly would only have needlessly drained the Second Mizukage's stamina. Naturally, under these circumstances, the Second Mizukage wouldn't choose to use that specific jutsu.
However, this very decision sealed their defeat, as the ensuing battle fell entirely under Sasuke's control. Whether it was using Earth and Water Release in combination to block the Fifth Mizukage's Kekkei Genkai attack, it was all done to obstruct their line of sight. Once their vision was broken, Sasuke's plan moved into its final phase.
First, he used a Lightning Release Shadow Clone to instantly paralyze two of them. Then, using the paralyzed Kage as bait, he swiftly dealt with the Fourth Mizukage, who had rushed in desperately trying to save his comrades. Turning his attention back to the remaining two, he finished the fight. Just like that, all four Mizukage lost their ability to battle.
Throughout the entire engagement, Sasuke hadn't even employed any excessively powerful attacks. He genuinely fought them using only Kage-level abilities. Both his speed and strength were at a level the four Mizukage could still somewhat react to. Otherwise, given Sasuke's true speed and power, even a casual strike would likely be impossible for any of them to withstand.
"So strong!" Sarada breathed in admiration. While the fight itself might not have been spectacularly flashy, Sasuke's absolute control over the flow of battle was astonishing.
"This kind of fight... this is what a real ninja battle is like, isn't it?" Boruto seemed to realize belatedly. He thought back to their own previous fights, which lacked any real tactical depth. They were little more than simple contests of ninjutsu, speed, and strength. Compared to the battle Sasuke had just orchestrated, their methods lacked something truly essential. A ninja doesn't just blindly throw out attacks. Every move is planned, premeditated, luring the enemy step-by-step into one's trap. To achieve absolute dominance using equivalent strength – that is what it means to be a ninja!
Watching Sasuke slowly approach the Nine-Tails, the faces of the Mizukage were incredibly grim. To be handled so easily by a young man... they, who carried the esteemed title of Mizukage, felt as ignorant as Genin before him.
Still, there was nothing they could do. Sasuke was proficient in all five basic nature transformations. Although he had only used Earth, Water, Lightning, and Wind Release just now, mastery of even these four elements was rare among Kage. The more types of jutsu one masters, the more versatile their combat options become.
"Damn it!" The Second Mizukage seemed particularly indignant, unable to accept being defeated in such a manner. As he thought this, his gaze towards Sasuke turned sharper, filled with resentment.
Meanwhile, Sasuke reached the Nine-Tails, looking at the beast within its cage. The Third Mizukage, primarily responsible for maintaining the seal, roared wildly in his mind.
'Bastard!'
'Even so, I won't just hand the Nine-Tails over to you!'
With his last ounce of strength, the Third Mizukage deliberately undid the crucial part of the Nine-Tails' seal.
BOOM!
Suddenly, the terrifying chakra of the Nine-Tails erupted, sending out waves of crimson ripples that spread rapidly.
Sasuke paused, glancing towards the Third Mizukage. He gave a faint shake of his head. This guy just doesn't know when to quit. Does he really think I can't handle the Nine-Tails?
The Third Mizukage looked back towards Sasuke. Though his vision was likely blurred, he was laughing maniacally inside. "Hmph! Don't think you can get the Nine-Tails so easily! If you want it, catch it yourself!"
Certainly, Sasuke was strong, but the Third Mizukage didn't believe he could capture the Nine-Tails effortlessly; it would surely take considerable effort. Furthermore, Sasuke currently had three liabilities with him. The Third Mizukage found it even more unlikely that Sasuke could capture the Nine-Tails while protecting three Genin-level shinobi.
BOOM!!
The Nine-Tails' chakra flared even more violently. Tearing through the cage as its eyes snapped open, the Tailed Beast threw its head back and let out a deafening, crazed roar. Its terrifying chakra was unleashed.
Sasuke paused for a moment. 'This chakra signature… it's different from the Nine-Tails' chakra I first sensed from Naruto!'
'So this is the Nine-Tails in its complete state?'
The Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto was only half of its full power, yet even that half was incredibly formidable. The complete Nine-Tails, however, was clearly on another level entirely. This power was indeed different. No wonder the Fourth Hokage died sealing it back then. With the Fourth Hokage's strength, defeating the Nine-Tails likely wasn't the main issue; suppressing a beast possessing such an immense volume of chakra, however, was far from simple!
Yet, a smile touched Sasuke's lips.
The four Mizukage watched the newly freed Nine-Tails, evident satisfaction spreading across their faces.
The Second Mizukage scoffed, "Hmph! Even if you defeated us, don't think you can just walk away with the Nine-Tails!"
The Fourth Mizukage added, "It took us considerable effort just to contain this beast. If you want it now, you'll have to handle it yourself!"
Hearing their words, Sasuke suddenly turned back to look at them.
"Is containing this thing supposed to be difficult?"
As he spoke, Sasuke raised his hand. Instantly, enormous Black Rods materialized out of thin air, swiftly pinning down all nine of the Nine-Tails' tails. Immediately after, Sasuke activated his Sharingan, unleashing its potent visual power.
The Nine-Tails, which had been rampaging just moments before, instantly fell silent.
"Capture complete."
Sasuke turned back to the Mizukage.
"See? Problem solved."
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