Chapter 35: So I Came Back for You
The acid mist spread within the cave, and as time passed, its corrosive properties grew increasingly potent.
Su Xiao held Dragon-Slashing Flash horizontally before him. After a moment of consideration, he made a decision. His figure vanished instantly, using Shave.
The moment Su Xiao disappeared, Terumi Mei's hands were already rapidly forming hand seals.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique."
With a crash, a vast amount of clear water spread outward from Terumi Mei as the center point. The Great Waterfall Technique was a signature jutsu of the Hidden Mist Village. As an A-rank technique, while powerful, it consumed significant chakra.
Su Xiao, who had already charged to within three meters of Terumi Mei, halted. The turbulent water pressed against his body, attempting to push him back. The force of the current drove his feet deep into the rock beneath.
Su Xiao immediately dispelled his Counter Shield. Now submerged in the water, he didn't need to worry about the acid mist for the moment. The surrounding Counter Shield would only increase water resistance, causing him to be slammed into the magma wall behind him.
With a sizzling sound, the water crashed against the magma wall. Steam rose as the magma rapidly cooled, transforming into a black rock wall that was even more solid.
Amidst the surging current, Su Xiao held his breath, pushing against the immense water pressure as he closed in on Terumi Mei.
Terumi Mei was also in the water, her orange-red hair flowing as her hands quickly formed seals.
Su Xiao had no idea what technique Terumi Mei was using underwater, but suddenly, an intense pain erupted across his skin. He instinctively closed his eyes and tightened his Counter Shield around himself.
When the stinging sensation subsided, Su Xiao opened his eyes. His skin still felt scorching hot, and his eyes burned as if on fire.
Soon, Su Xiao understood what had happened. The sealed cave was now filled with water, submerging both him and Terumi Mei.
Bubbles rose within the water, occasionally bursting. The surrounding water immediately turned a pale green.
Su Xiao realized what was inside those bubbles—the acid mist Terumi Mei had created earlier. She hadn't used the Great Waterfall Technique just to repel him; she was also altering the terrain.
Water + concentrated acid mist formed a potent acidic liquid. Su Xiao was now essentially submerged in sulfuric acid. As the bubbles in the water continued to burst, the corrosiveness of the acidic liquid would only intensify.
Su Xiao pulled a pair of underwater goggles from his storage space. With his Counter Shield blocking the worst of it, the water near him was less corrosive, only causing a burning sensation on his corneas.
He wasn't sure how long the goggles would hold, but it should be enough time.
As the caster, Terumi Mei naturally had a way to avoid being eroded by the acidic water. The longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for Su Xiao.
Kage-level fighters all had their strengths. Even though Terumi Mei was among the lower tier of the Five Kage in terms of power, the cave terrain suited her fighting style perfectly.
Hundreds of bubbles filled with acid mist floated around Terumi Mei. Her palm was raised flat, suggesting she could control these bubbles.
Clang, clang, clang...
A dozen blade auras cut through the water, slashing toward Terumi Mei. Her body leaped up within the water, moving faster than usual.
But at that moment, Terumi Mei suddenly felt a pulling force.
With a splash, the water inside the cave surged outward. The black rock wall had been shattered at some point.
Su Xiao's hand dug into the rock wall to avoid being swept away by the current. He had shattered the black rock wall behind him while Terumi Mei was dodging those blade auras.
"Impossible."
Terumi Mei couldn't understand how Su Xiao had broken through the black rock wall so quickly.
The outward-rushing water was turbulent, causing Terumi Mei's body to tilt forward uncontrollably.
With a sharp sound, a blade aura cut through the raging water, slashing toward Terumi Mei.
Blood spread through the water as half of Terumi Mei's palm was swept away by the current.
Hands were crucial for ninjas; most techniques required hand seals to perform.
But Terumi Mei was no ordinary ninja—she was a Kage, the Mizukage.
"Boil Style: Melt..."
Terumi Mei was actually forming seals with her damaged hand.
But at that moment, a sharp pain suddenly struck her lower abdomen. A metal needle pierced into her belly, quickly blooming into a metal flower firmly embedded in her abdominal muscles.
Boom!
The metal flower exploded. Blood and shredded flesh surged up, soon washed away by the current.
This sudden heavy blow interrupted Terumi Mei's hand seals. Moreover, most of the water in the cave had already drained out, leaving only about knee-deep.
"I lose."
Terumi Mei stared at the cold gleam ahead. The wound in her abdomen made it impossible for her to dodge.
With a wet thud, Dragon-Slashing Flash pierced straight through Terumi Mei's chest, carrying her body backward.
Clang!
Dragon-Slashing Flash embedded into the rock wall, pinning Terumi Mei there. A metal wire was tied to the hilt of Dragon-Slashing Flash. Following the wire, Su Xiao was maintaining a throwing posture.
Charging through knee-deep water would drastically reduce Su Xiao's speed, so he chose a faster method—throwing Dragon-Slashing Flash. The Realm Severing Thread attached to the hilt ensured that even if the attack missed, he could immediately retrieve the blade.
The result was success. The throw was precise, piercing straight through Terumi Mei's heart and pinning her to the rock wall.
"Lava Style: Lava..."
Even with her heart pierced, Terumi Mei didn't give up.
Whoosh~
A short blade flew from Su Xiao's hand.
Clang!
Blood splattered as the Slaughter short blade pierced through Terumi Mei's hands mid-seal, pinning them to her chest.
This time, Terumi Mei quieted down considerably.
"It's useless."
Blood dripped from the corner of Terumi Mei's mouth. She was muttering something.
"Even if you kill me, your plan won't succeed. You're opposing everyone. Everyone will rise up against you."
This time, Su Xiao understood her meaning.
Su Xiao walked up to Terumi Mei and gripped the hilt of the Slaughter blade. Her body twitched in pain.
Su Xiao pulled out the Slaughter blade and stabbed it into Terumi Mei's heart.
"I... will never... cooperate with scum like you..."
Terumi Mei's eyes gradually lost their luster, soon fading completely. Though she was a woman, she was the Mizukage, with her own convictions and beliefs. In that regard, she was similar to Su Xiao—only their positions differed, and they were enemies.
"Killing you has nothing to do with any plan. You almost killed me back then, so I came back for you. It's that simple."
Su Xiao never spoke nonsense before confirming an enemy's death. He eliminated his enemies in the shortest time possible. If he had anything to say, it was after they were dead. Spouting a bunch of nonsense after subduing an enemy was a very unwise move. Now it was fine—even if the enemy disagreed with his viewpoint, they had no ability to argue. And Su Xiao wouldn't force his views on anyone. Different convictions, opposing perspectives—it all came down to who was stronger.
[You have killed Terumi Mei.]
[Warning: Due to plot character White Zetsu's full assistance throughout the battle, this reward is reduced by 40%.]
[Terumi Mei is the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village. Obtained World Source 6.2%. Total World Source obtained: 33.9% (this reward has been reduced by 40%).]
[Your talent 'Soul Devourer' has activated. Permanently increased Mana Points by 18. Current maximum Mana Points: 3664 (this reward has been reduced by 40%).]
[Obtained Treasure Chest (Dark Purple) (this reward has been reduced by 40%).]
...
Seeing the notification from Reincarnation Paradise, Su Xiao frowned. Without needing to think, he knew White Zetsu had left Spore Technique on his clothing, so in the judgment, White Zetsu was considered to have participated in the entire battle.
Although the reward was reduced by 40%, Su Xiao didn't care much about that. He had only come to collect a debt from Terumi Mei—she had nearly killed him before.
As for the Hidden Mist Village, as long as they didn't come seeking revenge, Su Xiao wouldn't actively attack them. He only had a personal grudge against Terumi Mei; her identity didn't matter.
Strangely, Chojuro still hadn't arrived with the Hidden Mist assassination squad to provide support. Or rather, there was no support at all.
Su Xiao wiped Dragon-Slashing Flash and the Slaughter short blade clean, then tossed two alchemy bombs into the cave. As he walked out, the bombs exploded with a roar, and the entire cave began to collapse.
"So, where should I go next?"
Su Xiao had achieved his expected goal, and he had gained quite a bit this time. After all, he had only just entered the Naruto world. In the remaining time, he only needed to complete the main mission and the hunt mission.
"Let's go check out the commotion. Let's go, Bubu."
Su Xiao walked off in one direction, with Bubu Wang and Amu following close behind. Amu was badly injured, but since he was an alchemical creature, as long as he didn't die outright, Su Xiao could repair him quickly—after all, he was Amu's creator.
PS: (The mosquito wrote four chapters in a row, but got stuck on the third. No matter how many times I refreshed, the fourth chapter wouldn't show.)