Chapter 364: Shock and Awe
The round moon in the sky shed a phosphorescent glow over a lake, lending a dreamlike quality to the ripples on the water's surface.
Untainted by light pollution, the natural scenery beneath the moonlight possessed a mysterious allure.
At this moment, the diminutive Kankitsu Yagura stood on the surface of the lake with a scepter in hand, surrounded by ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village who had attended the earlier feast.
"Ordinary Jinchuriki, if they carelessly use the power of the Tailed Beasts, face a tremendous burden on their bodies, but I and Utakata have almost completely communicated with the Tailed Beasts and can perfectly harness this power,"
Kankitsu Yagura, having been the Fourth Mizukage and aware that Tao Yu was a guest and possibly a future patron, patiently explained some things to Tao Yu, who stood on the shore.
"I see, please proceed, Kankitsu-kun,"
Tao Yu stood on the shore and extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.
Simultaneously, True Yuan simulated Chakra to walk on water, starting to make his way toward the surface of the lake.
"Not yet knowing Mr. Tao's abilities, I can't gauge properly,"
Kankitsu Yagura earnestly said, in turn inviting Tao Yu to make the first move.
Tao Yu did not stand on ceremony in response.
His hands quickly formed Hand Seals.
While Tao Yu used both hands for Hand Seals, several different Ninjutsus appeared at his side!
First, seven Water Clones rose from the surface of the lake, then changed into the image of Tao Yu, followed by the rise of two dragons behind him, one in deep blue and the other in profound black, each three to four zhang in length.
This method of simultaneously forming Hand Seals for two types of Ninjutsu, and saving a significant amount of the sealing process, shocked the observing ninjas.
He really only studied for a dozen days during his trip here?!
And he's already modifying Ninjutsu on his own?!
The Blade Seven, who had been standing on the side with a somewhat scrutinizing demeanor, now had a change in expression.
The Hagoromo Stingfish-Fugu clan member extended his fan-sized hand and scratched his chin,
"Only studied for a dozen days? Why does it feel like he's more adept than even me at escape techniques?"
"We're more into blades,"
At this moment, Raiga sought another topic to save face, as his own Water Escape techniques couldn't reach this level!
"Moreover it feels... it's slightly different from the ordinary Water Dragon Bullet..."
The next moment, the two Water Dragon Bullets roared and lunged at Kankitsu Yagura with tooth and claw.
The dragons, ten meters in length, far more majestic than the smaller dragons summoned by Tao Yu's Dragon's Chant ability, were undoubtedly behemoths compared to the sizes of Tao Yu and Kankitsu Yagura.
Unlike the somewhat scattered Water Dragons released by ordinary ninjas, Tao Yu's dragons were extremely detailed, with clear scales and fierce claws.
Even the Dragon's Chant gave off an awe-inspiring sensation.
Kankitsu Yagura was quite surprised; Water Dragon Bullet Techniques of this caliber were indeed rare.
But as the former Fourth Mizukage and the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, he had his own confidence.
"Bring it on!"
A surge of Chakra spread across his body, immediately forming a Tailed Beast cloak. Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire
The opponent wanted to see the power of a Jinchuriki; he did not wish to show off Ninjutsu.
Then, without forming any Hand Seals, his Tailed Beast cloak swelled as if he intended to tear the Water Dragon Bullets apart in mid-air with brute force.
Being a Jinchuriki, he least feared a direct comparison of strength!
"Be careful,"
Tao Yu warned, causing a flicker of concern in Kankitsu Yagura's heart.
But it was already a bit late; his Tailed Beast-clad hands instantly hit the heads of the two distinct Water Dragon Bullets.
The astonishing resistance and impact made Kankitsu Yagura inwardly shocked, but also relieved.
"However, uh-uh-uh-uh~"
Struck by the linked forces of Ren Water's Thunder and Gui Water's Thunder, which pierced through the Tailed Beast cloak, Kankitsu Yagura was shocked and jittered on the spot.
This turn of events led the watching ninjas to a sense of disbelief.
Even Mei Terumi, who knew Tao Yu the best, widened her eyes in amazement; he had grown stronger again!
He had come up with new tricks!
Hozuki Gengetsu also crossed his arms,
"This fusion is interesting, usually even if you control both Lightning Escape and Water Escape, it's difficult to achieve this kind of coordination."
Mixed Ninjutsu wasn't anything unusual; the Third Hokage had even used all five escapes together, but to achieve this subtly and penetrate the Tailed Beast cloak was an entirely different matter!
Fortunately, as a Jinchuriki, Kankitsu Yagura was after all protected by the Tailed Beast cloak's Chakra.
Although his Tailed Beast cloak began to dissipate slightly, Tao Yu didn't follow up with a coup de grâce, allowing him to recover his breath.
Wiping the saliva from the corner of his mouth, still feeling the lingering tingling sensation, and seeing Tao Yu, Kankitsu Yagura also revealed a resigned smile,
"Mr. Tao has fine skills, managing to infuse Lightning properties into the Water Dragon Bullet, and I, relying on the Tailed Beast's Perception, didn't notice anything at all."
"After all, I'm not using Chakra, so it's quite normal,"
Tao Yu politely smiled, acknowledging that a Jinchuriki was indeed powerful; just the tearing force of the Tailed Beast cloak was enough to destroy his Water Dragon Bullet, with a brute defensive power and strength stronger than even his own Demonization.
But in the end, there were weaknesses, and the insight afforded by the Yi Sword Technique made him adept at finding these weaknesses.
"So, your Water Clones must also be infused with this Lightning attribute, indeed a formidable tool for restraint,"
Kankitsu Yagura came to realize, eyeing the approaching Water Clones with a serious expression as the Chakra in his body thickened further, transitioning from its original translucent state to one closer to a beast, entering a semi-Tailed Beast state.