Oh? So he broke through the Genjutsu.
Looking at the Third Mizukage still wrapped in crimson chakra, Kazuyama Gekkō let out a cold sneer.
"Chōmei, increase the chakra flow."
"I'm going to bind him completely!"
Chōmei said nothing, simply following Kazuyama's command and intensifying the chakra surge.
The chakra grew even denser, and the temperature began to rise. At first, Kazuyama didn't dare raise the temperature too much—he still needed to keep the Scale Powder active. But now, with the oxygen nearly depleted, the Third Mizukage was clearly deteriorating. That was enough reassurance.
Sure enough, as the temperature climbed, the Mizukage's condition worsened. Short of breath, unable to mold chakra—and now the rising heat—his pupils contracted sharply, as if something had just shattered within him.
Then he glanced around in a panic, becoming increasingly agitated.
Kazuyama blinked in surprise but quickly realized the reason.
The Genjutsu must've been broken. The oxygen deprivation, combined with the intense chakra stimulation, likely disrupted the Dōjutsu that Madara Uchiha had placed on him.
"Kazuyama, what's going on with him?"
"Yeah, the Genjutsu's lifted. In that case..."
With a sudden swing of his right arm, a crystal spear materialized. Kazuyama hurled it toward the Third Mizukage.
The spear flew straight into the Tailed Beast chakra and pierced the Mizukage at lightning speed.
His eyes bulged in shock. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
[Ding! Detected that the host has dispelled the Third Mizukage's Genjutsu and inflicted serious damage, causing massive confusion and pain! Madara Uchiha's plan has been shattered. Reward: 20% reduction in ninjutsu cost.]
Sure enough, the Genjutsu was gone, and the Mizukage had regained his senses.
Unfortunately, the moment he came to, he found himself in a desperate situation. The scorching Tailed Beast chakra seared his skin. The suffocating lack of oxygen darkened his vision. And that brat below had just run him through with a crystal spear.
For a brief moment, the Third Mizukage felt a complete loss of hope—ready to embrace death.
His pierced body began to bleed, but the heat instantly vaporized it. The searing pain jolted him out of near-shock.
Suddenly, he realized the chakra surrounding him was fading, the air returning.
He gasped desperately for breath—but something was wrong.
As he inhaled, his body began to go numb. He could no longer control his chakra.
Clearly, there was still Scale Powder in the air—and it was taking effect again.
When the chakra finally dispersed, the Third Mizukage crashed heavily to the ground, the crystal spear still lodged in his abdomen.
"Cough, cough..."
His harsh coughing made him look utterly spent.
Kazuyama didn't even blink. He strode over and looked down at him.
"Heh... Kid, you're impressive. Even while I was under Genjutsu, I knew who you were."
"Kazuyama Gekkō... Never imagined the Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki would be just a kid..."
Kazuyama wasn't surprised at all.
This man had been at the very first Kage Summit. He knew all nine of the Tailed Beasts well.
"Damn that Madara Uchiha... I haven't even fulfilled my ideals yet..."
"And it all came to this... because of him..."
Worn and fading, the Third Mizukage uttered Madara Uchiha's name.
The moment he heard it, Kazuyama's expression darkened. He thought grimly: So it really was him. Damn. That means I'm not safe anymore.
"I don't know why he wanted you dead, but I hate being controlled."
"I'll tell you this—he's not in good shape. Kid, if you're angry, go find him and finish the job."
"Hahaha... After all, he's your village's number one enemy, right?"
Even though he'd been under Genjutsu, Madara had implanted a direct kill command in his mind—his other memories remained intact. So when the illusion was lifted, he still remembered everything that had happened recently.
Thinking back to his fight with the boy in front of him, even he had to admit—
Kids these days... are terrifying.
"Don't try to bait me. That won't work."
"If he really wanted me dead, he'd do it himself—not send someone like you and still rely on Genjutsu."
"That just shows his condition isn't great. He probably can't even stray far from wherever he's hiding."
"Which means... I'm still safe. Not even you, the Mizukage, could finish me. No one else stands a chance."
The Third Mizukage fell silent.
Yeah... even at full power, he couldn't beat this kid. How could anyone else?
"Kid, you're strong—but don't get cocky. I may die, but the Blood Mist will live on."
"One day, you'll face the elite of Kirigakure. They may not match you in strength, but with certain outside forces, don't think you'll get off easy!"
He was furious. He refused to accept this defeat.
But Kazuyama's next words shattered whatever pride he had left.
"Oh? You mean the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"
"I killed Raiga Kurosuki. Their swords are mine now. Mangetsu Hōzuki? Captured alive."
"They're all a bunch of scrubs. Blood Mist? What a joke."
The Third Mizukage: ...I... He... Pfft!
Before he could say another word, blood burst from his mouth—his final breath expelled in a single cough.
And just like that, the pitiful Mizukage passed on.
[Ding! Detected that the host directly enraged the Third Mizukage to death, causing intense lingering resentment. Special reward unlocked: Curse Technique - Draw a Circle and Curse You.]
What... the hell?
Kazuyama Gekkō stiffened as he heard the reward.
What kind of nonsense is this? A curse? What is this, some ghost story world?
...
At that moment, far in the southern reaches, Madara's eyes flew open.
Confusion filled his gaze.
"Madara-sama, what's wrong?"
"The Third Mizukage... is dead..."
"What? He was the Mizukage! And he just died? Kazuyama Gekkō did it?"
"...Yeah. I didn't see that coming. Looks like I need to reassess him."
A glint of killing intent flashed through Madara's eyes, his displeasure toward the Mizukage evident.