The three watched vigilantly as the thick fog rolled in. Before the enemy was even visible, a sudden surge of chakra erupted from the direction of the bridge.
Mizuki's brow furrowed, tension tightening in his shoulders. "Is Kakashi in a tough fight too? Looks like they timed this just right. We're the ones exposed, and our intel's useless now." Anxiety flickered in his eyes. "We can't count on Kakashi, and Ibiki's situation is unknown. A surprise attack is out—this'll be a head-on clash of strength."
The fog swallowed them slowly. Without a word, the three shifted into a zigzag formation, standing back to back, every nerve on edge.
Mizuki narrowed his eyes, trying to sense through the mist. "Four incoming... Hidden Mist assassination squad. This is going to be trouble."
Moonlight Gale tightened his grip on his blade. "Do we attack?"
Aoba, calm but wary, scanned the white void ahead. "Let's try negotiating first. If we fight Mist-nin directly, we'll spark a war. We need to know their purpose."
Gradually, four blurred figures emerged. The lead one looked unusually young, with white hair. The others stood behind, their hair stark red, green, and blue against the haze.
Aoba blinked, raising an eyebrow. "The three primary colors of light? Guess the ninja world never runs out of surprises."
He stepped forward, voice clear and firm. "You're Hidden Mist, right? What's your mission, barging into the Land of Waves?"
A raspy voice answered coldly from the white-haired figure. "Our target is a rogue ninja... and the blade he carries." The word "blade" was emphasized, sharp and deliberate.
Aoba's face hardened. "So you're not here to pick a fight with Konoha. As long as we stay out of your way?"
The figure didn't hesitate. "Exactly. Move aside."
Aoba didn't flinch. "Not happening. Our mission comes first."
Mizuki's voice cut in, sharp. "A rogue ninja is still Mist, isn't he?"
Silence fell for a moment before the enemy spoke again, voice low and dangerous. "Then there's nothing left to say. We'll kill you, and loot what we want from the Land of Waves."
Tension snapped. The battle began.
Aoba moved into position. He was the strongest of the trio, but his jutsu wasn't made for dense fog. Moonlight Gale's swordsmanship was precise, and his ninjutsu decent, but his health was a weak point. Mizuki, though average, had stamina, flexibility, and summoned water-based creatures for detection. In this environment, he could do the most.
Aoba assessed quickly. "The leader's a swordsman. Gale, he's yours."
"Understood." Moonlight Gale darted forward, blade gleaming.
Mizuki and Aoba faced the remaining three. Their opponents weren't elites, but they held their ground under pressure.
Mizuki glanced toward the white-haired enemy. His swordsmanship was solid, clashing evenly with Moonlight Gale. Still, he was young. His stamina might not last. Gale was hanging in—his condition not yet a problem.
"Buy me time," Mizuki muttered, pulling out a summoning scroll. He bit his thumb, blood smearing across the seal.
Aoba stepped up without hesitation. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
The blaze roared through the mist, creating a moment of space. The explosion forced the enemies back.
Mizuki didn't waste it. "Summoning!"
Blue light shimmered beneath the water. Glowing runes rippled outward.
"Get ready. We charge on my signal." Mizuki's face was calm, but focused. "No tank—guess I'll play the role."
He hurled three shuriken, one for each enemy, and charged. As they prepared to dodge, screams broke the silence. One was sliced in the arm and dropped their weapon. Another staggered as Mizuki slammed into him, kunai piercing chest. A third, already weakened, was finished off by Aoba's strike to the stomach.
"Toxic jellyfish..." Mizuki muttered. "Not just a bluff."
Aoba's voice called out. "Nice work, Mizuki."
"We're clear here—for now. I'm heading to support Gale. Be careful."
"Got it."
Mizuki dashed through the mist.
"One clean strike is best… can't afford a drawn-out fight."
Moonlight Gale was still locked in combat with the white-haired enemy. Neither had gained the upper hand. His swordplay was precise—Konoha style—but this wasn't the right battlefield. The mist, the terrain, the pace… all wrong.
Then he noticed something flicker underwater.
"Is that... one of Mizuki's summons?" A hint of relief crossed his face. "Looks like backup's here."
Carefully, he began luring the enemy closer to the trap.
Suddenly, lights burst from beneath the surface.
"Sealing formation—activate!"
The white-haired boy froze mid-swing. Magic circles glowed around him.
Moonlight Gale didn't wait.
"Dance of the Crescent Moon!"
Three slashes: one across the throat, one through the chest, one severing the hand that held the blade.
He exhaled. "It's over."
But Mizuki's voice shouted from the mist—urgently.
"Gale, behind you! Retreat!"
The white-haired body collapsed... and turned to water.
A water gun pierced straight into Gale's stomach. He gasped, barely able to react.
Mizuki's face twisted. "Damn it... it's Suigetsu. Ghost of the Hōzuki clan. Why is he this strong already?! And why hasn't Orochimaru scooped him up yet?"
He bolted toward Gale.
Suigetsu's form reformed from water, face calm and murderous. The steel blade lifted again, and in a few swift slashes, he cut down several of Mizuki's underwater jellyfish.
Mizuki's eyes narrowed. "Big loss…"
He grabbed Gale and dragged him back toward Aoba's position.
Shuimu wasn't weaker than Suigetsu in raw power—not by much. But with Gale gravely injured and the opponent fully mobile, the tide was turning fast.
Then he saw Aoba—and his heart sank. The older shinobi was on one knee, thigh bleeding heavily.
"What happened?!"
Aoba grimaced. "Poison. Got too close… didn't notice the blood in the water. Their attacks carry toxins."
Mizuki cursed under his breath.
Only the red-haired enemy could still fight. The blue-haired one had died instantly, and the green-haired one lay near death.
The red-haired Mist-nin stumbled toward Suigetsu. "Lord Suigetsu…"
"You're still useful," Suigetsu muttered. Then, without looking, sliced the green-haired one's head clean off. "Useless ones can die."
Mizuki's eyes narrowed. "What kind of mess is this... I just wanted a support role. Now I'm fighting a monster one-on-one."
Aoba's voice was weak but steady. "Mizuki… it's over. Retreat. Call the captain for backup."
"I would... but tell me honestly—if I run now, will the Third let me live?"
No one answered.
Mizuki took out a sealed scroll and pulled out a set of green vials.
"Life gamble time. Half a vial for serious wounds. Apply it to the rest. Side effects? Depends on your luck."
Aoba coughed. "What is this stuff?"
"Poison research leftovers. Use it or don't—your call."
He jabbed the syringe into his arm and screamed as the pain hit.
Gale and Aoba didn't hesitate. They each injected the medicine.
Aoba laughed through clenched teeth. "Mizuki... this is insane."
Mizuki growled. "Talk to me after we survive."
Gale, still pale, forced himself to stand. "We just need to hold a little longer."
Aoba nodded. "But the poison's still an issue."
"I've got that covered." Mizuki pulled out another scroll.
Inside, blue liquid shimmered. He poured it into the water, added more chemicals, and channeled chakra into the mix.
A foul smell rose.
"Stay inside the blue zone."
Aoba squinted. "What is it?"
"Engineered algae. Eats nutrients, neutralizes biological toxins. Worst case, it isolates them."
A pause.
Mizuki faced the mist. "Hey, Mist brat. Wanna stop now? Your technique isn't invincible."
Suigetsu didn't even blink. "Not a chance. I want the sword."
"Figured as much." Mizuki exhaled. "I'll go first. You two recover. Watch for his hydration technique. I'll buy time."