Konoha's Tatsuya

"Is this the best you can do?"

Watching Terumi Mei suddenly intervene, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, remained entirely unperturbed. A mocking smile played on his already partially transformed, Tailed Beast-influenced face.

"Lord Mizukage!"

The four members of the Mizukage's Guard Unit dutifully rushed to his side, though even they didn't dare get too close to Yagura in his current half-transformed state.

Swish! Swish!

Zabuza and Hozuki Mangetsu flickered, appearing beside Terumi Mei and Kurosuki Raiga.

"What's this?" Zabuza glanced left and right at Raiga and Mei, somewhat bewildered. He had initially assumed this coup involved only himself and the kid from the Hozuki clan. He hadn't expected Kurosuki Raiga and Juzo Biwa of the Seven Swordsmen, as well as Terumi Mei, to join the fray.

His thoughts drifting, Zabuza's gaze instinctively shifted towards Elder Genshi off to the side. A closer look confirmed it: the old man was indeed staring intently at the partially transformed Fourth Mizukage, his expression grave. Within the village, Terumi Mei was known to be the successor Genshi was carefully grooming for the younger generation, possessing two Kekkei Genkai: Lava Release and Boil Release.

So, the vast majority of the village's power has actually sided with him, Zabuza realized, feeling distinctly slow on the uptake.

Far away, near the edge of the high platform in a relatively hidden spot, a giant pitcher plant slowly rose. The plant split open, revealing the combined form of Black and White Zetsu.

"Oh dear, oh dear! This situation doesn't look good at all. Can Obito handle this?" White Zetsu exclaimed, observing the distant turmoil.

"Relax. Yagura Karatachi is a perfect Jinchūriki. He can still achieve full Tailed Beast transformation," Black Zetsu stated gravely.

"Eh? But if he transforms completely, doesn't the Jinchūriki lose control entirely? How are we supposed to retrieve the Three-Tails after the fight?" White Zetsu asked in alarm.

Beside him, Black Zetsu's face darkened, and he remained silent.

"Obito is being far too reckless! It'll take several more years for Nagato's Gedo Statue to recover. If he gets Yagura killed now, how will we collect the Three-Tails later?" White Zetsu continued to ramble incessantly.

"Shut up!" Black Zetsu finally snapped, his voice harsh.

The voice abruptly ceased.

"Has everyone who intended to show their face come out now?" Yagura asked coldly, his gaze sweeping over Mei, Zabuza, and the others. His attention then shifted pointedly towards Elder Genshi.

Swish! Swish!

Two Kirigakure shinobi, Ao and Gonbei, flickered to appear at Genshi's side. Both were Jonin and trusted subordinates, loyal to the Elder.

Yagura paid them no mind, instead turning to look at the heads of the major clans seated below Genshi.

"We pledge our lives to Lord Mizukage!"

Meeting Yagura's gaze, the clan heads rose in unison, bowing respectfully. As they spoke, nearly ten shinobi who had accompanied them immediately moved to surround Mei, Zabuza, and the other rebels.

Seeing this, the expressions of Genshi and the rebelling Kiri ninja all changed drastically. They had assumed these clans would remain neutral, sitting on the sidelines, but instead, they had all thrown their lot in with the Fourth Mizukage.

"Lord Mizukage is being secretly manipulated! Are you still going to obey him?" Zabuza couldn't help but roar furiously at the clan shinobi. He had once been Yagura Karatachi's staunchest follower and was acutely sensitive to the changes in him. The difference between the Mizukage now and before was simply too vast; it was difficult to believe they were still the same person.

None of the clan shinobi responded to Zabuza's furious outburst. Many among them naturally harbored suspicions about the rumors circulating in the village, but they felt they had no choice. The mere thought of the elusive masked man sent shivers down the spine of Yukiha, head of the Yuki clan.

Steeling himself, Yukiha was the first to act, forming hand seals. "Ice Release: Thousand Ice Needles!"

He immediately unleashed a wide-range attack. Countless sharp, transparent ice senbon rained down densely upon Mei, Zabuza, and the others opposite him. Beside him, the shinobi from the other major clans also began launching their attacks.

Facing the pincer attack from several major clans, the four rebels—Mei, Zabuza, Mangetsu, and Raiga—were immediately thrown into a desperate struggle.

To the left, Ao and Gonbei remained protectively beside Elder Genshi, making no move. Genshi's face was calm. Although events had deviated significantly from his plan, he believed victory should still be within their grasp. His gaze drifted towards the area beyond the Chunin Exam grounds.

In the distance, four figures were already rapidly approaching.

Down in the rainforest below the platform, the seven Chunin Exam participants had long since ceased their fighting. The young Kiri ninja were still reeling, completely stunned by the events unfolding above. Not far from them, Juzo Biwa, once one of the revered Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was pinned gruesomely to a large tree by his own Executioner's Blade. Having taken a direct hit from a Tailed Beast Ball, large portions of his body were destroyed; he was clearly not far from death. Further behind Juzo, a massive crater scarred the rainforest where the Tailed Beast Ball had impacted.

Suddenly, all seven participants looked towards the distance.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

With a series of sharp sounds cutting through the air, four figures sped over their heads, ascending to the high platform in the blink of an eye. While still airborne, the four newcomers launched attacks against the shinobi surrounding Terumi Mei.

These four were ANBU Squad 11: Tatsuya, Kakashi, Itachi, and Guy.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Tatsuya, Kakashi, and Itachi unleashed the technique almost simultaneously, launching powerful ranged attacks. Guy, meanwhile, performed a series of acrobatic leaps, charging directly towards Yukiha.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Amidst a series of thunderous explosions, the sudden arrival of Tatsuya's team instantly forced back the dozen or so shinobi from the major clans.

"Who are they?" Zabuza's expression shifted slightly as he registered the newcomers. He recognized the forehead protectors they wore.

They were Konoha ninja!

Just as Zabuza tensed warily, Tatsuya and the others landed beside Terumi Mei.

"Hope we're not too late?" Kakashi glanced around at the situation on the platform, then turned to Mei.

Mei offered a sweet smile. "Your timing is perfect!"

From the main seat on the platform, Yagura Karatachi, still in his partial Tailed Beast state, shot forward like a cannonball, launching himself directly at the four Konoha ninja. The appearance of Leaf shinobi had made Obito, controlling Yagura from behind the scenes, feel a sense of unease.

"I'll handle him. You take care of the others," Tatsuya murmured to Kakashi, Itachi, and Guy, before flashing forward to meet the oncoming Jinchūriki.

BOOM!

In mid-air, a colossal fist materialized out of nowhere, slamming violently against the charging Yagura. An intense shockwave blasted outwards, carrying a fierce gale in all directions.

High on the platform, Tatsuya and the partially transformed Yagura clashed ferociously.

After more than two years of continuous enhancement, Tatsuya's physical capabilities had undergone another qualitative leap. Now, relying solely on Taijutsu, Tatsuya was confident he wouldn't lose to anyone.

Watching Tatsuya engage Yagura in fierce combat, the expressions of all the Kirigakure shinobi on the platform changed dramatically. This suddenly appearing Konoha ninja could actually clash head-on with the Fourth Mizukage in his partial Tailed Beast state using only his physical body!

Terumi Mei also turned to look at Kakashi, astonished. Not only does this man possess immense chakra reserves, but his physical strength is incredible too. Who exactly are these people?