The aftershocks of the explosion gradually subsided, and the storm that had been continuously raging earlier had also stopped.
"Did we win?"
Removing the Water Release Ninjutsu used for defense, Mei Terumī's condition was far from good.
Not only did she have scars from Tian Yin's previous Wind Release, but more critically, they were within the attack range of her own Ninjutsu and could not escape, and the power of this move was astonishing.
To defend, she consumed a massive amount of Chakra.
This is also why this move is considered a semi-finished product.
Its principle is to instantly electrolyze water mist using low-temperature superconductivity, producing a large amount of hydrogen and oxygen, and then igniting it with Ninjutsu or a flint to cause an explosion.
Essentially, this is a move that competes in defensive power with the attacked target, harming a thousand enemies at the cost of a thousand to oneself, almost a mutual destruction.
It perfectly aligns with Ringo Yuriko's personality.
However, Mei Terumī remained optimistic at this moment. Because Ye and Ringo Yuriko were together, her Ice Release defense should normally be superior to her own Water Release.
And the Konoha Anbu she confronted earlier was skilled in Wind Release; facing this explosion, which was essentially a Fire Release in nature, her wind armor would undoubtedly be countered.
So, what was the outcome?
Mei Terumī stared cautiously ahead, not relaxing even in her poor condition, waiting for the smoke and dust to clear.
Before long, the first thing that caught her eye was a circle of "water flow."
That's right, water flow!
Her emerald pupils suddenly contracted. As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the full extent of the water flow slowly became clear.
First, there was its purity.
It was completely transparent flowing water, without the slightest impurity.
Because of this, one could clearly see the incredibly fast water flow, so fast that it was almost impossible to catch with the naked eye! Its flow appeared intricate, but upon closer inspection, it was clearly structured, ultimately forming a spherical Barrier that firmly protected the central area.
At the center, naturally, was that Konoha Anbu.
At this moment, her hands were one above the other, and a rapidly rotating core of flowing water surged in her palms.
"How is this possible! There's a Water Release that can simultaneously achieve Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation?!"
Mei Terumī exclaimed in shock.
She was a genuine Water Release master, so she naturally saw how terrifying and incredibly advanced the Ninjutsu Tian Yin was currently using was!
She instantly recognized it as a Ninjutsu combining both Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation!
At this moment, Tian Yin didn't pay attention to Mei Terumī; her attention was on the other side, on her past friends, and the expression under her mask was one of helplessness.
She instantly increased her Chakra output, and the water flow Barrier rapidly expanded outwards! The clear, spiraling water flow carried immense power, instantly flinging Mei Terumī on one side and Ye, who looked flustered, on the other.
Both of them lost consciousness.
This was not because they were weak, but because the moment they touched the water flow Barrier, they were impacted and thrown by the immense, surging torrent-like speed contained within it.
Water Release: Spiral Vortex Formation Wall!
This was a Ninjutsu Tian Yin created herself after mastering the integration of Rasengan's Shape Transformation and Water Release's Nature Transformation.
Once activated, a rapidly rotating clear Chakra water Barrier would spread out from the center of the jutsu.
It possesses extremely strong deflection and defensive power, capable of absorbing and neutralizing impact forces, and its coverage can freely expand or contract by adjusting the Chakra output.
How should one evaluate it?
It aligns well with Tian Yin's combat style and is indeed powerful, but unfortunately, it is not a destructive move.
After all, Tian Yin originally possessed an efficient defensive method like Adamantine Sealing Chains, which could quickly set up a Barrier without worrying about being countered by elemental attributes.
Therefore, for her, this jutsu could at most be considered a counter card for special circumstances.
"In certain specific situations, it might be useful for deflecting attacks or damaging enemies who make contact."
After developing this move, Tian Yin could only comfort herself in this way.
Having released the jutsu, Tian Yin came to Ringo Yuriko, who was lying motionless on the ground, half-dead and gasping for breath, and said:
"Are you really going all out like this just because you're young? Is this mission truly worth sacrificing your life for?"
Hearing the voice, Ringo Yuriko endured the excruciating pain that permeated every cell of her body from over-refining Chakra, looked at the unharmed person in front of her, and a bitter, self-mocking smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"How impressive... not a single scratch. I thought... I could at least knock your mask off."
Although her tone was self-mocking, the fervor in her eyes had not diminished in the slightest, as if she had already recognized the true identity of the person before her.
That feeling from when she faced Ringo Yuriko years ago surged in Tian Yin's heart again.
Hard to understand.
However... "Answer my question."
Tian Yin said indifferently.
"...Does it matter? Ninja are born for missions, and die for missions; this is our destiny," Ringo Yuriko replied in a low voice.
"I see," hearing this answer, Tian Yin drew a conclusion, "It seems that what drives you to fight so desperately is not the mission itself."
After hearing Ringo Yuriko's answer, Tian Yin stated her conclusion.
Ringo Yuriko chuckled, not answering, but a fleeting regret flashed in her eyes as she looked at Tian Yin's mask.
Seeing this, Tian Yin couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
[Damn it! Is it really that serious?!]
Looking at the person in front of her, whose skin was partially exposed due to the aftermath of the explosion and covered in wounds. The color of her skin, besides some charring, also showed an extremely abnormal and strange hue.
Tian Yin knew this well.
It was clearly the marks left by long-term excessive drug use coupled with reckless training!
Back when she was in Root, she was the same. If not for the powerful vitality inherent to the Uzumaki Clan, she would have long ago ended up like this Little Apple in front of her.
Thinking of how she felt after tasting a small piece of Ringo Yuriko's flesh with her Sage Body, Tian Yin's expression grew even uglier.
Ringo Yuriko's body was already severely overdrawn, and with today's reckless extreme Chakra refinement, she probably wouldn't last even a year.
Did Mei Terumī and Ye just let her do as she pleased?
This was the reason for Tian Yin's sigh.
From the clues currently available, Ringo Yuriko's actions might have been for the Hidden Mist Village, but the more core motivation was for... her?
[Damn, this is hard to understand. Even I feel a bit narcissistic thinking this, but there seems to be no other explanation...]
"It's still early, tell me," Tian Yin decided to hear Ringo Yuriko's thoughts and continued:
"That person named Hibiki Tian Yin. Why are you so obsessed with her?"
This time, Ringo Yuriko no longer remained silent. She looked at Tian Yin and softly said:
"Because she's the only person I've ever met who truly resonated with my heart."
These words made Tian Yin involuntarily swallow, feeling a touch of unease.
Before she could press further, Ringo Yuriko cast her gaze towards the clear blue sky and continued:
"I've never seen my parents; they probably died in the war. Thanks to that, I've always lived on my own, and no one has the right to dictate my actions. I actually quite like this feeling of freedom."
[You told me this before]
Tian Yin silently recalled, continuing to listen quietly.
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