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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 343
🕑 Added 2025-03-03 16:00:04 +0000 UTCChapter 343: The Vanishing Bloodline Limit
Facing the massive Three-Tails, as large as a small mountain, Zabuza and Jūzō Biwa wore grim expressions.
Their expertise lay in close combat, but the Three-Tails' carapace alone was a meter thick. Such heavy armor left them with only a few weak points to target, such as the neck and eyes.
But getting close to the Three-Tails was easier said than done. Though it appeared sluggish, its movement speed rivaled that of a high-ranking jōnin, capable of covering several hundred meters in mere seconds.
Gritting their teeth, Zabuza and Jūzō charged in once more. Mei Terumī continued her assault with Lava Release and Boil Release, attempting to corrode the Three-Tails' armor.
As its weak points came under attack, the Three-Tails curled up into a ball and began rolling across the battlefield.
Its massive body effortlessly crushed the Mizukage Building, flattening everything in its path as it barreled toward the outskirts of Kirigakure.
Seeing this, Ao, who had been observing from the sidelines, grew visibly tense.
He hadn't expected the genjutsu on the Fourth Mizukage to be this powerful. Even after such an intense, prolonged battle, it remained unbroken.
Nor had he anticipated the Fourth Mizukage to be so overwhelmingly strong, rendering even Jūzō and Mei Terumī helpless.
Even if they managed to push the Fourth Mizukage back, the mastermind behind the scenes could still drive him into a rampage, unleashing indiscriminate destruction.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Ao removed his eyepatch.
As his Byakugan activated, his vision pierced through the Three-Tails' body, locking onto the Fourth Mizukage inside. His expression softened slightly.
The genjutsu was already gone.
Once the Fourth Mizukage had fully transformed into the Three-Tails, the illusion had naturally dissipated.
This was good news for Kirigakure. If they could stop the Three-Tails' rampage, the Fourth Mizukage could regain his senses and stand with them once more.
But subduing the Three-Tails was a different matter entirely.
At present, Kirigakure had very few shinobi capable of standing against a Tailed Beast. Aside from Zabuza, Jūzō, and Mei Terumī, only Mangetsu Hōzuki and the newly inducted member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kisame, remained.
According to the Hōzuki clan, Mangetsu was gravely ill and no longer able to fight. But Kisame should still be in Kirigakure. So where was he? Had he left on a mission? Or had he been intercepted by the mastermind?
After a brief moment of contemplation, Ao issued the order to assist Mei Terumī.
There was no time to dwell on the mastermind’s whereabouts. If they failed to stop the Fourth Mizukage, Kirigakure would be reduced to rubble.
Soon, dozens of Kirigakure shinobi arrived at the scene. They began setting up a sealing formation around the Three-Tails. As long as Mei Terumī and the others could suppress it, they would be able to seal it away.
---
Several kilometers away, Byakuya stood with Haku and Kimimaro, observing the battle.
When they saw the Fourth Mizukage lose control and transform into the Three-Tails, Haku and Kimimaro couldn't help but gasp.
They had always known that, as one of the Five Kage, the Fourth Mizukage was powerful, but they hadn’t expected him to be this powerful. Even setting aside his abilities, his sheer size alone was enough to devastate an entire nation.
After their initial shock, Haku and Kimimaro grew increasingly worried for Zabuza’s safety. They suspected he wasn’t a match for the Fourth Mizukage at all. This so-called assassination mission seemed no different from throwing an egg against a rock.
Unlike the anxious Haku and Kimimaro, Byakuya remained completely unfazed. Compared to the One-Tail and Two-Tails, the Three-Tails was relatively weak. Not only was it failing to utilize its Water Release chakra nature, but it wasn’t even casting any jutsu. Its combat effectiveness was truly underwhelming.
Then again, considering the Three-Tails' true form was that of a turtle, this kind of behavior did suit its nature.
If this battle continued, Kirigakure’s shinobi might be able to handle the Three-Tails on their own, restoring the Fourth Mizukage to his senses without his intervention.
At that moment, the Three-Tails let out a deep roar and began gathering chakra, forming a Tailed Beast Ball.
The instant it appeared, everyone on the battlefield turned pale.
The Tailed Beast Ball was a jutsu exclusive to the Tailed Beasts. It didn’t involve any flashy techniques, only pure, overwhelming destructive power. It was precisely because of this power that the Five Great Nations maintained a fragile balance.
No matter how fierce the wars between them became, they refrained from indiscriminately slaughtering civilians, preserving a semblance of mutual restraint.
A few seconds later, the Three-Tails’ attempt to fully form the Tailed Beast Ball was forcibly interrupted.
Even so, the incomplete attack resulted in a massive explosion. A devastating shockwave swept across the battlefield at supersonic speeds.
Even Byakuya, standing several kilometers away, felt the tremors.
Blocking the incoming shockwave with one hand, he mused, “Zabuza and Jūzō still need more training. If it were me, I wouldn’t have given the Fourth Mizukage the chance to enter Tailed Beast mode in the first place. But I suppose there’s no harm in letting them play with the little turtle for a while. It’s not like Tailed Beasts are all that strong anyway.”
Hearing Byakuya’s casual remark, Haku and Kimimaro’s expressions turned strange.
To them, Tailed Beasts were walking disasters. But to Byakuya, they were… mere pets?
‘Maybe we’re the ones in the way here… we should just leave quietly…’
Suppressing their complaints, Haku and Kimimaro approached Byakuya, lowering their heads as they pleaded, “Byakuya-sama, will you intervene against the Fourth Mizukage? If this continues, Zabuza-sama and Jūzō-sama… will die!”
Byakuya glanced at them and said, “Zabuza and Jūzō are experienced shinobis. Their reaction speed and agility are seven times that of an average shinobi.”
Haku and Kimimaro exchanged confused glances, unsure of what he was getting at.
“What I mean is, even though they can’t defeat the Three-Tails, if they truly wanted to escape, the Three-Tails wouldn’t be able to stop them. They’re choosing to stay and fight, maybe for Kirigakure, maybe for themselves. If they don’t want to run, why should I interfere?” Byakuya shrugged. “Besides, I already offered Zabuza a position as my subordinate. I would have handled his problems for him. But unfortunately, he turned me down.”
Haku and Kimimaro finally understood Byakuya’s meaning.
After exchanging glances, they bowed deeply. “Byakuya-sama, we won’t ask you to intervene. But at least… let us go help them.”
Byakuya chuckled. “Let you rush in and throw your lives away? Maybe when you’re adults, you’ll have the strength to fight the Three-Tails, but right now, you’re useless.”
Haku and Kimimaro nodded. “We know we aren’t strong enough, but we still want to go. Even if it means dying, we want to die fighting alongside Zabuza-sama.”
Their determination was unwavering. No matter how powerful the Fourth Mizukage was, they refused to abandon Zabuza. Had he not protected them in the past, they would have long since become corpses left for the wild dogs to feast upon.
Byakuya studied them for a moment before suddenly smiling.
“I admire your courage and loyalty but I told you, right now, you don’t have the strength to fight the Three-Tails. Unless…”
“Unless?” Haku and Kimimaro looked at him in confusion.
“Unless you obtain the power of an elite jōnin right here and now.” Pausing briefly, Byakuya continued, “And as it happens, I can lend you that power.”
After thinking for a moment, Haku and Kimimaro looked at Byakuya with determined eyes and said, “Byakuya-sama, if you lend us your power, what price must we pay?”
Their childhood experiences had taught them that nothing in this world comes for free.
Byakuya looked at Haku and Kimimaro with a meaningful expression and said, “I require your loyalty. I can grant you power, but from now on, you must swear allegiance to me.”
Haku and Kimimaro hesitated for a moment before asking in confusion, “Byakuya-sama, isn’t your goal to bring all of Kirigakure under your command? When that happens, we will naturally be your subordinates.”
Byakuya shook his head lightly. “You are Zabuza’s subordinates, not Kirigakure’s. And I see great potential in you. Rather than indirect allegiance, I prefer to lead you directly.”
Hearing this, Haku and Kimimaro thought for a while before nodding in agreement.
Seeing how quickly they accepted, Byakuya didn’t waste words. He directly formed two Wood Release seeds and placed them on Haku and Kimimaro’s shoulders.
Haku and Kimimaro were a little confused, but they soon noticed the seeds transforming into vines and wrapping around their wrists.
Byakuya explained, “These are Wood Release seeds, a secret technique of the Wood Release Bloodline Limit. Their effect is simple, they provide you with the chakra reserves of an elite jōnin. In critical moments, they can also save your life. This is your reward for joining me, and also the only aid I will provide you.”
Haku and Kimimaro carefully felt the changes in their wrists and realized that the Wood Release seeds were continuously supplying them with chakra. Their hearts filled with joy, and they bowed respectfully to Byakuya. Then, without hesitation, they leaped from their high vantage point, diving toward the battlefield where the Three-Tails was rampaging.
Watching them leave, Byakuya shook his head slightly, admiring their loyalty.
In the original timeline, both of them were outstanding shinobi who remained devoted to their superior until their deaths. And right now, loyal subordinates were exactly what he lacked.
The Akatsuki was full of talent, but none of them were truly trustworthy. Kakuzu was obsessed with money. Hidan worshipped his so-called god. Sasori had to be won over using puppetry. And Hiruko only joined to exact revenge on Konoha.
As for Orochimaru… he was a notorious traitor who would betray anyone unless he was in charge. If Byakuya ever let his guard down, Orochimaru would surely turn on him.
His subordinates were far from reliable.
Reflecting on the state of the Akatsuki, Byakuya turned his gaze back toward the Three-Tails, eager to see how Haku and Kimimaro would perform. The Wood Release seeds he had given them were, in truth, an application of Spore Technique.
This secret ability, derived from Black Zetsu’s White Zetsu, could drain chakra from its host, or supply them with chakra when needed. It was an extremely potent jutsu.
His recruitment of Haku and Kimimaro wasn’t just because of their loyalty and potential, he also wanted to test the limits of the Spore Technique, seeing how strong Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku could become when granted a vast chakra reserve.
Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Byakuya surveyed the battlefield.
The fight between Zabuza and the Fourth Mizukage had gone on long enough. If Obito had any intelligence at all, he should have realized what was happening by now.
So why hadn’t he shown up yet? Could it be that Byakuya had coincidentally chosen a time when Obito was absent?
---
With the power of the Wood Release seeds boosting them, Haku and Kimimaro used Body Flicker Technique repeatedly. In just a few minutes, they reached the battlefield.
At that moment, the battle between Kirigakure’s forces and the Three-Tails had reached a critical stage.
The Three-Tails had crushed numerous Kiri-nin with its sheer size and Tailed Beast Balls, but it had taken some damage in return. Its head and limbs bore injuries, and even its shell had a noticeable crack.
Sensing movement behind them, the Kiri-nin quickly turned to look.
When they saw that Haku and Kimimaro weren’t wearing Kiri forehead protectors, their expressions darkened. They immediately fixed their eyes on the two unexpected intruders.
At this critical moment in the fight against the Three-Tails, any unknown factor could be dangerous.
Just as Ao was about to lead his men to confront Haku and Kimimaro, Zabuza and Jūzō Biwa noticed them as well.
Zabuza retreated a few steps, approaching Haku and Kimimaro with a frown. “Why are you two here? Didn’t I tell you not to interfere in the Mizukage’s affairs?!”
Haku and Kimimaro stared at Zabuza, silent.
Mei Terumī glanced over and smirked. “Zabuza, these two are your subordinates? I have to admit, they’re pretty loyal to come all the way here for you.”
Zabuza’s expression darkened. He said coldly, “Loyal? These two idiots disobeyed my orders and ran here anyway. What use do I have for such useless subordinates?”
Mei raised an eyebrow but smiled knowingly.
She understood, Zabuza was trying to push them away for their own safety.
Who would have thought that the infamous “Demon of the Hidden Mist” actually had such a soft side?
Haku lifted his head and looked Zabuza straight in the eyes. “We are not useless. We now have the power to fight the Mizukage. We can help you, Lord Zabuza.”
As he spoke, Haku raised his hand, and in an instant, dozens of ice needles formed in the air and shot skyward.
Kimimaro activated Shikotsumyaku, and sharp bones protruded from his body, reflecting the morning light with a chilling gleam.
“Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku?”
The Kirigakure shinobi around them were visibly shaken, their expressions changing as they turned to Zabuza.
The “Demon of the Hidden Mist” had been secretly harboring the remnants of the Yuki and Kaguya Clans? And judging by their proficiency in Bloodline Limit, they had already reached the level of a jōnin. Even Zabuza’s face changed slightly.
Just three days ago, Haku and Kimimaro had only been chūnin-level at best.
How had they suddenly become as strong as jōnin? They weren’t lying, they truly were strong enough to join the battle. But Zabuza absolutely would not let them.
