Pale yellow mist poured from Terumi Mei's mouth, surging toward Raiden.
At the same time, Kisame beside her quickly formed hand seals, releasing a dense white mist that rapidly spread across the battlefield. The acidic vapor from Terumi Mei's Boil Release fused seamlessly with Kisame's Hidden Mist Jutsu, making it impossible to distinguish which areas were laced with corrosive acid and which were simple fog.
"Oh?"
"The range of this technique is impressive, and despite merging with the mist, the corrosiveness of the Boil Release hasn't weakened at all."
"A clever combination jutsu!"
Raiden murmured in admiration as lightning crackled around him. With a swift leap, he retreated several meters, creating some distance between himself and the approaching mist. However, Terumi Mei's acidic mist continued to spread aggressively, forcing him to reposition quickly.
"In an environment like this, not knowing Wind Release is a bit of a disadvantage."
"As expected of two ninjas who will one day rise to the top of the shinobi world!"
"Not bad!"
Sheathing his sword at his waist, Raiden swiftly formed hand seals. In an instant, two shadow clones appeared beside him. Without hesitation, the original body leaped into the air, while one of the clones provided a boost by striking the sole of his foot, propelling him higher.
While the original body ascended, the remaining shadow clone stayed on the ground.
Though the thick fog obscured visibility, Raiden's airborne position made him momentarily stand out. Spotting him, Terumi Mei swiftly changed her hand seals and unleashed a second attack.
"Boil Release: Acid Monster Jutsu!"
This time, instead of emitting a fine mist, she spat out a dense stream of liquid acid directly at Raiden mid-air.
Unlike the previous mist, this attack carried the full force of her Boil Release, integrating the fluid motion of Water Release with extreme corrosiveness.
"Kongō Fūsa!"
Realizing he couldn't evade in time, Raiden extended his hands, summoning golden chains that quickly intertwined to form a shield in front of him. The acidic liquid splashed against the barrier, sizzling upon contact.
"Tsssss!"
Hearing the ominous hissing sound, Raiden glanced at his shoulder and noticed the acid slowly corroding his Lightning Armor, eating away at his chakra-infused defenses. Though the damage was minor, it was enough to make him wary.
"Boom!"
Terumi Mei's attack sent Raiden hurtling backward, crashing into the ground and leaving a long trench in his wake.
"Hmph! So this is Konoha's Hokage? Is this all you've got?"
Kisame smirked, watching Raiden disappear into the distance.
"Don't underestimate him. That level of impact won't cause much damage."
"According to reports, Uzumaki Raiden possesses a defensive jutsu akin to the Third Raikage's. Ordinary attacks won't break through his defenses."
"And the technique he just used—it was the Kongō Fūsa of the Uzumaki Clan!"
Terumi Mei's words trailed off as a shiver ran down her spine. In that instant, she sensed something behind her.
"Clang!"
The sudden clash of metal startled her.
"If you thought I was taking this lightly, you were mistaken."
Kisame's voice came from behind.
Whipping her head around, Terumi Mei's eyes widened as she saw Raiden standing there, sword in hand, mid-swing. Kisame had intercepted the attack just in time with his own blade, deflecting the strike.
"You actually blocked my attack?"
Raiden's body crackled with lightning as he loomed behind Terumi Mei. Seeing Kisame successfully counter his strike, he couldn't help but grin.
The previous impact had done nothing to him—Terumi Mei's attack was nowhere near enough to slow him down.
"It's an honor to be praised by the Hokage!"
Though Kisame's voice was casual, his expression was tense. His weapon—a standard long sword from Mist Anbu—was now coursing with Raiden's lightning chakra. The residual current surged through Kisame's body, causing his muscles to involuntarily twitch. His grip on his sword weakened slightly.
"Since my praise means so much to you, why don't you work under me?"
With a sudden burst of power, Raiden grabbed Kisame's blade and yanked it from his grasp. In the same motion, he delivered a powerful kick to Kisame's abdomen, sending him flying backward.
Seeing this, Terumi Mei attempted to form hand seals, but Raiden moved faster. His fist slammed into her stomach, and instantly, a black sealing mark spread across her abdomen.
"You—!"
Terumi Mei's voice cut off as her body stiffened. Her limbs locked, and her chakra flow came to an abrupt halt. She had lost all control over her body.
At the same moment, a streak of lightning shot from the dense fog, striking Kisame just as he hit the ground. A flash of movement followed—the shadow clone Raiden had left behind earlier materialized beside Kisame.
Without hesitation, the clone delivered a precise punch to Kisame's stomach, sealing him with the same black curse mark that had immobilized Terumi Mei.
They never even had the chance to fight at full power—Uzumaki Raiden had subdued them before they could.
"Boom!"
The shadow clone dissipated into smoke, its job complete.
Two golden chains shot from Raiden's back—one wrapped around Kisame's body and pulled him toward Raiden, while the other bound Terumi Mei, suspending her in midair.
"From this moment on, you two are my captives."
Raiden smirked as he looked at the two restrained shinobi before him. He loosened part of the sealing jutsu, allowing them to speak, but left their limbs paralyzed and their chakra sealed.
Kisame's expression darkened as he tested his body's condition. His face shifted through several emotions, realization settling in.
He had barely used a few jutsu before being completely restrained.
After a long silence, Kisame exhaled sharply. A second later, his usual grin twisted into something more feral.
"Mist ninjas… do not become prisoners!"
(End of this chapter)