"What is that?"
"Me?"
Jinlin was completely stunned after being slammed by this sudden second version of himself. The key point was that the hardness and physique were exactly the same as his own.
The two crashed into each other, and as he felt that overwhelming physical strength, Jinlin genuinely began doubting his own existence.
"No need to be surprised. That's the Fourth Mizukage's technique."
"He's already under control. Jinlin, don't get tangled up with him!"
Gekko Chizan saw the Fourth Mizukage, and when he noticed the other party's eyes had turned completely hollow, he immediately understood. The Akatsuki clearly knew he had already arrived in the Land of Water, so they had deliberately taken control of the Fourth Mizukage and brought him back.
For someone like Uchiha Makito, who possessed a space-controlling dōjutsu, this kind of thing was far too easy.
"No wonder. I was wondering why another me suddenly popped out."
"Hmph! Imposter! Let's see how I tear you apart!"
How could Jinlin tolerate someone impersonating him? He immediately roared and charged forward.
And to be honest, the Fourth Mizukage's Water Mirror Technique was truly outrageous.
The Water Mirror Technique created a mirror made of water. Inside the mirror would appear an exact copy of the enemy, capable of using the same ninjutsu with equal power.
Tch. Who knows how that guy even invented such a technique? In some sense, it was nearly unsolvable.
Especially now—Jinlin, who was supposed to be the breakthrough point, was directly tied down by himself. Where was the logic in that?
"Hehehe, in the Land of Water, on our own turf, and you still dare to come knocking at our door."
"Gekko Chizan, should I call you brave… or ignorant?"
Uchiha Makito looked at Gekko Chizan with undisguised pride. Though he admitted Chizan was powerful, he had absolute confidence in their side as well.
"Kill him!"
Upon hearing Uchiha Makito's command, the Fourth Mizukage condensed another massive water mirror and angled it toward Gekko Chizan.
Seeing this, Gekko Chizan let out a disdainful laugh.
"You really think one technique lets you run rampant across the world?"
"Watch me shatter it!"
"Rasengan!"
Within the Titan Python, Gekko Chizan raised his right hand. Terrifying chakra began to condense at high speed in his palm.
A crimson glow illuminated even the Titan Python itself in red.
"What is that?"
Seeing the sky flooded with red light, Uchiha Makito felt a sense of danger. No—not just him. Everyone on the battlefield turned toward that crimson radiance.
That chakra was simply too terrifying.
"Sage Art! Fire Release: Rasengan, Scorching Sunflame!"
The Titan Python maintained its charging posture, yet opened its massive maw wide.
Gekko Chizan shot out fiercely, the Rasengan in his hand transforming into a streak of red light.
Chakra shifted into sage chakra, and the Rasengan became like a blazing pillar of fire.
Under this dual enhancement, the Rasengan slammed into the water mirror. The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura's water mirror had no chance to resist and was instantly ignited by the extreme heat.
Thick white steam billowed upward. A wicked smile curved across Gekko Chizan's lips. After shattering the mirror, the Rasengan lost none of its force and struck Karatachi Yagura directly.
"Boom!"
The true terror of the Rasengan lay in its highly compressed chakra.
Combined with the searing flames, Karatachi Yagura was blasted backward and ignited into a massive fireball midair. At the same time, the flames spread outward in all directions.
They formed an expanding ring of fire.
"Damn it… Sage Art?"
"Mukyō!"
The power of Sage Art was not to be underestimated. Uchiha Makito had no intention of tanking it head-on. Though with Susanoo activated he likely could withstand it—
He still activated his dōjutsu, using Mukyō to block the flames.
"Look at you chickening out. Don't you have Susanoo?"
"What are you afraid of?"
"Sage Art, Water Release!"
Seeing that Uchiha Makito hadn't chosen to take the hit with Susanoo, Gekko Chizan mocked him outright.
Sage chakra gathered again. This time it wasn't fire—but water.
Dozens of massive water tornadoes surged up from the ground, crashing toward Susanoo from all directions.
He already understood Uchiha Makito's dōjutsu—it could shorten or extend distances within his line of sight.
So his attack had to strike from every angle.
"Tch!"
"Don't underestimate me, you bastard!"
Susanoo raised both arms. Terrifying chakra condensed into two Spears of Longinus.
They were swung wildly, shredding every incoming water tornado to pieces.
"Missiles! Fire!"
"Banshō Ten'in!"
While Gekko Chizan pressed his assault against Uchiha Makito, Nagato had also arrived on the battlefield.
Missile after missile launched from the Asura Path's arsenal of heavy weaponry.
At the same time, Nagato used Banshō Ten'in to assist the assault.
The Titan Python became the target of bombardment, its enormous body engulfed in explosions.
"Tch, one after another."
"Watch me—"
"Roar!"
"....."
Just as Gekko Chizan was about to voice his irritation and counterattack, a furious roar interrupted him.
A massive turtle, covered in jagged spikes and bearing three tails, made its appearance.
And the moment it appeared, a blast of water cannon shot from its mouth, aimed directly at the Titan Python's head.
"Damn it, it went straight into full Tailed Beast transformation?"
"A controlled Tailed Beast…"
"What a pain!"
Gekko Chizan maneuvered the Titan Python out of the attack's path. Watching the Three-Tails, eyes glowing red as it charged toward him, he frowned.
Having one more enemy at a time like this only made things more troublesome.
It wasn't that he couldn't win.
It was just far more troublesome.
"Chizan, let me handle it!"
"Let me out! Watch how I properly educate that big turtle!"
"I guarantee I'll beat it until it can't take care of itself!"
Chōmei's voice suddenly rang out. The eagerness in the giant insect's tone was unmistakable.
Gekko Chizan pondered for a moment. This time, Sage Mode had brought every bit of violent impulse within him to the surface.
Of course, those impulses were part of his own will to begin with.
"Tagitsuhime, unleash it."
"Since it's come to this, let them witness my true strength."
"All these years, I've never gone all out. Do they really think I'm some small fry?"
Facing the charging Three-Tails, the Titan Python showed not the slightest fear. It whipped its massive tail and struck directly.
That strength-laden blow actually staggered the Three-Tails.
"Jinlin, Urokohane, Kurohebi, Yamoryū—withdraw!"
Hearing his command, the four snakes didn't hesitate. They immediately released the Summoning Technique and vanished in clouds of white smoke.
Meanwhile, the Titan Python that Gekko Chizan had transformed into erupted with chakra once more.
"What's going on?"
"He dismissed the summons?"
With the giant serpents no longer obstructing him, Kakuzu—now transformed into his ultimate stitched monstrosity—retreated to his side. Kabuto did the same.
Neither of them had ever witnessed Gekko Chizan's more savage combat style before, so confusion flickered across their faces.
But Nagato and Uchiha Makito looked grave.
"It's coming…"