Chapter 13: CHAPTER 13
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shattered the massive Earth Release walls, sending chunks of stone flying. Konoha's remaining defenses crumbled in an instant. Before the shinobi could react, another monstrous tsunami surged forward—except this time, something far more terrifying emerged from the depths.
A colossal underwater volcano, spewing molten lava into the ocean, broke through the surface. The boiling seawater hissed violently, sending massive plumes of steam into the air.
"What the hell is this?!"
"When did Water Release start working with magma?!"
"That's not just magma—it's a whole damn underwater volcano! This is impossible!"
Panic spread like wildfire. Konoha's shinobi stared in utter horror as lava poured into the sea, instantly vaporizing the water and turning the battlefield into a nightmarish inferno.
"The sea is vast and unpredictable," Yutomused from the warship's bow, completely unfazed. "Summoning an underwater volcano? Perfectly normal."
Death in the Scalding Sea
"AAAAHHH!!"
Agonized screams filled the air. Shinobi caught in the scalding seawater writhed in agony as they were boiled alive. The water seared their skin, peeling flesh from bone within seconds. Their desperate cries echoed across the battlefield before being silenced forever.
Even the Mist shinobi, despite being on Wayne's side, were visibly shaken. Many had never witnessed such a horrifying technique.
"Brother… that was brutal," Terumi Mei muttered, watching the scene unfold.
Yutoremained indifferent. His golden eyes reflected the dying embers of the battlefield.
"Good work, brother! If we keep this up, you'll be a high-ranking officer in no time," Terumi Mei said, trying to lighten the mood.
Yutoshook his head. "Not interested."
"…Huh?"
"This victory will be your achievement, not mine."
Terumi Mei blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"To become Mizukage, you first need the approval of the villagers."
Yutosmirked. "And what better way to gain their support than by leading Kirigakure to victory?"
Terumi Mei's eyes widened slightly. He was setting her up for the Fifth Mizukage seat even before Yagura's fall.
"We won this battle under the brilliant leadership of my wise and beautiful sister," Yutocontinued, his tone light but his intent clear. "Without you, this war wouldn't have been won so decisively."
Terumi Mei's cheeks tinged pink. "Stop it! You're embarrassing me!"
Yutochuckled before turning his gaze back to the battlefield. The enemy was already crushed. Now, all that remained was the final push.
The Aftermath of Destruction
The scalding tsunami finally receded, but its destruction was permanent. What remained was a volcanic island, hundreds of meters high, still erupting lava onto the beach. Konoha's surviving shinobi stared in shock, unable to process the sheer devastation.
Bodies littered the coast. The sea had turned a sickening shade of red, filled with the charred remains of fallen comrades.
Yuhi Shinko, bloodied but alive, stood amidst the wreckage.
"How many survivors?!" he demanded.
His voice carried a deep, aching sorrow.
"Anyone still alive—regroup on me!"
Slowly, shell-shocked shinobi emerged from the destruction, their faces drained of all hope.
Shinko clenched his fists. His mind struggled to process the loss.
Ten minutes ago, they had nearly a thousand troops.
Now? Barely a hundred or two remained.
The casualty rate was beyond comprehension.
The Final Clash
Suddenly, the ground rumbled.
The warships of Kirigakure had reached the shore.
With a commanding presence, Terumi Mei stood tall on the deck, her posture rigid like a seasoned general. At her side, Yutoremained still, watching.
Mei glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He gave her a single nod.
"Cough."
Mei cleared her throat before addressing the battlefield.
"Konoha's forces have been crushed. Those still standing are nothing more than remnants of a defeated army," she declared.
Her voice rang with authority, loud enough for every Konoha shinobi to hear.
"Exterminate them all."
The order was absolute.
Without hesitation, Mist shinobi leaped from the ships, charging toward the remaining Konoha forces.
"Stand your ground! Fight back!"
Yuhi Shinko, despite the overwhelming odds, refused to surrender.
"Konoha shinobi—counterattack! We fight to the last man!"
Even in the face of death, the will of fire would not be extinguished.
"Kill them!"
"Drive the Mist shinobi into the sea!"
Hundreds of warriors clashed one final time—steel meeting steel, jutsu clashing with jutsu. But it was clear: Kirigakure held the advantage.
Their morale soared after their crushing victory. Konoha's forces, on the other hand, were already broken.
Yutoremained on the warship, scanning the battlefield. His gaze eventually landed on a particular figure.
A girl.
She stood calmly, a kunai in hand, her forehead protector proudly displayed.
Yuhi Kurenai.
Despite the overwhelming chaos, she refused to show fear.
Wayne's lips curled into a smirk.
"I'll deal with you myself."
And in an instant—
He vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.