In Naruto with the Flame-Flame Fruit

The bullets, like armor-piercing rounds, shot out with incredible speed and tore right through his body.

Boom!

Kiyosuke's body vanished instantly.

Hozuki Genzuki reacted quickly—it had been a shadow clone.

He spun around just in time to see Kiyosuke crawling out from the earth behind him.

"Yo, having fun over here?"

When did he get back there?!

He immediately leapt back and shouted, "You hid underground with an Earth Style jutsu while attacking me?!"

"Of course."

Kiyosuke shrugged and grinned.

"So, you're from the Hōzuki Clan, huh? That makes things easier. Lightning Style..."

As soon as he heard "Lightning Style," Genzuki flinched and retreated further. Lightning Style had a natural suppressive effect on the Hōzuki Clan's hydrated bodies.

His opponent had already finished forming hand seals.

"Lightning Style!"

A massive punch followed—erupting into a wave of searing fire, nothing like the expected lightning strike.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

"You tricked me?!" Genzuki shouted, caught between shock and fury. The idea that he'd been made a fool of was hard to stomach.

At that moment, the girl they referred to as Lady Mei walked up, bringing Taketori with her.

"That's enough, Genzuki. You can't beat him," she said calmly. "This guy's much tougher than we expected."

"Hmph, I was just caught off guard..."

Taketori scoffed. "Spare us the excuses, Genzuki. Don't embarrass yourself in front of Lady Mei."

He turned to Kiyosuke. "Konoha shinobi—state your name."

"And what, just give it to you because you asked? What would that make me, a pushover? Who do you think you are?"

Kiyosuke picked his ear lazily, clearly unbothered.

"You—!"

Taketori's face flushed with anger, white bone spikes sprouting from his skin.

Kiyosuke gave him a look. "Ah, a Kaguya Clan member. Your clan's abilities are hell on clothes, huh?"

Every time those bones popped out, the fabric tore. After each battle, a new outfit—what a hassle.

Pfft!

Mei chuckled and looked at him with amusement.

"You're a funny one, Konoha ninja. We're in the middle of a battle and yet—what are you thinking?"

"Your measurements."

Kiyosuke said it without hesitation, leaving the three of them completely speechless.

Mei's face turned crimson. "That's incredibly disrespectful to women!"

"I am respectful. But I'm also a certified perv!"

There was no shame in being an LSP. A real man owns his preferences!

"A beautiful lady like you, may I have your name?" Kiyosuke asked smoothly, with a polite bow and gentlemanly tone.

It was such a dramatic shift from his earlier punkish demeanor that all three of them were momentarily stunned.

"Um... I'm Terumī Mei," she replied hesitantly.

"Oh, thank you—wait, Terumī Mei?!"

Kiyosuke's eyes bulged out of his skull.

This curvy young woman... was she really that Mei? The future Fifth Mizukage?

No way...

Time really was something else. Even flat plains could become towering mountains. Same went for Pakura and apparently Mei here too.

Who would've thought someone this gorgeous would end up single for so long?

What a waste of national resources.

Was it because of her super-dangerous kekkei genkai that she couldn't land a boyfriend?!

"You've heard of me?" Mei asked, eyeing him curiously.

"Nope. Never. Not even once. Sorry—my friend just called me home for dinner. Farewell, fair maiden! We shall meet again!"

And with that, he grabbed Samehada and bolted.

Like hell he was going to fight three bloodline-limit users—especially when Mei alone had two completely different kekkei genkai. That was a death sentence.

Nope nope nope—I'm out!

"Wow, Lady Mei. Looks like your name carries weight in Konoha already. The moment he heard it, he ran," Genzuki commented.

"I've barely just joined the war. How could I be well-known? That guy is definitely hiding something—we have to capture him! What are you waiting for?! Move!"

Mei didn't think she was some kind of monster. She just wanted answers.

Watching Kiyosuke's silhouette fleeing like mad, she found herself oddly annoyed.

The trio chased him for a while until he came to a stop in front of a waterfall.

Taketori smirked. "What's the matter? Done running? You were doing so well before."

"Tch, are you stupid? Are all Kaguya this dumb?" Kiyosuke raised Samehada and said, "I've already decided—I'm going all out. Come on!"

Mei gave him a look of admiration. Bold guy. But unfortunately, he was also her mission target. What a shame.

Taketori crossed his arms, white bone spikes sprouting from his fingertips.

"Shikotsumyaku: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"

The bone projectiles shot out like bullets, punching through Kiyosuke's body. Ten holes, all aflame, were quickly repaired by blazing chakra.

Mei narrowed her eyes.

"Looks a lot like your clan's secret techniques, Genzuki—immune to physical damage. But he's not like your people. His regeneration uses chakra, not water."

The Hōzuki Clan could recover even from being shattered by absorbing moisture. But Kiyosuke's body was elemental. Without chakra, he couldn't maintain that state, let alone regenerate.

"But with Samehada, chakra's the one thing he's not lacking," Genzuki added.

Many from the Hōzuki Clan were skilled in using blades. Even the founding of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen traced back to their former clan head—the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu.

Genzuki knew all about Samehada's abilities. Anyone who wielded it would have a steady supply of chakra. Kiyosuke had clearly tamed the blade, meaning he could draw on its stored chakra at any time.

Plus, Samehada could absorb chakra-based ninjutsu.

Their own attacks might end up fueling him instead.

And on top of that, Kiyosuke had a body immune to physical attacks.

Genzuki couldn't think of a single weakness.

Mei nodded. "He can't stay in that state forever. He's different from you—his transformation burns through chakra fast. Even with Samehada, it's only a matter of time. We just need the right moment."

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

She exhaled a thick cloud of mist, cloaking their positions.

Unfortunately for them, Kiyosuke immediately countered with a Wind Style technique, blowing the fog away.

All three were gone.

"Hm? They ran?"

He narrowed his eyes. "No… they still think they can win. They wouldn't flee so suddenly. But I sure can."

He smiled and glanced back at the waterfall—then leapt onto the cliff edge and sprinted straight down.

"Not good—he's escaping! After him!"

The three of them had been lying in wait, hoping to find an opening.

But just as they were about to strike—he ran.

I'm outta here!

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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