"Breath of Water, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
A clear, composed voice echoed through the misty air.
A white afterimage darted across the battlefield, gracefully weaving past the surging Water Dragon Jutsu.
The body moved in sync with the blade, the blade flowed like the current.
The Sun Blade in Tian Yu's hand, once fierce with sharp sword energy, now shimmered with a soft, fluid radiance.
Like a trailing ribbon, the sword's arc spiraled in the air, coiling around the charging water dragon.
Tian Yu danced in rhythm with the flowing current.
With each step, his sword movements executed the elegant yet deadly technique—Six-Fold Flowing Dance.
"Sever!"
Tian Yu's low command cut through the clash of jutsu.
In that instant, the massive water dragon was split into multiple segments,
Its form collapsed, breaking apart midair and transforming into a cascade of heavy rain.
Raindrops pattered down in torrents, yet none soaked the white feathered cloak on Tian Yu's shoulders—
The surface shimmered with a gentle chakra luster, repelling water entirely.
His dark pupils, calm and unfathomable, stared forward with unwavering composure.
A shiver of fear involuntarily crept into the heart of Momochi Zabuza.
"This… This is insane. How can I, a veteran of the Blood Mist, feel fear toward a boy who doesn't even wear a forehead protector?!"
Zabuza's inner voice trembled.
He had survived the savage era of Kirigakure's Blood Mist Trials—a land where only the strongest lived. There shouldn't exist anyone left in the world who could make him afraid.
Maybe it was because the boy looked too young…
Or perhaps it was because the strength Tian Yu displayed… was overwhelming.
Like a humanoid Tailed Beast in motion—unfathomable, uncontrollable, terrifying.
Zabuza let out a growl, trying to suppress the fear tightening in his chest.
To prove himself, to deny the dread forming inside him,
He gripped his massive blade, the Kubikiribōchō, and lunged once more toward Tian Yu.
"Die!"
He roared, pouring every ounce of chakra and strength into his attack.
"It's useless. You were never my opponent," Tian Yu said coolly, a faint smile on his lips.
From the very beginning, he hadn't considered Zabuza a threat.
"In the face of my swordsmanship… all will pale in comparison."
With a graceful motion, Tian Yu sheathed his blade and dropped into the stance of Iaido, the art of the quick draw.
Blue chakra surged from the soles of his chakra-enhanced boots, gathering rapidly into a focused burst.
"Breath of Water, First Form: Water Surface Slash."
The simplest, yet purest strike in the entire style.
Every fragment of Tian Yu's focus channeled into this single, perfect draw.
Years ago, this move had been powerful enough to force Might Guy to activate the Eight Gates in a spar.
Now, after years of relentless training and advancement, Tian Yu's strength and swordplay had evolved far beyond their former limits.
Crack!
At a speed that defied human vision, Tian Yu vanished.
Only the trace of blue light marked his path through the mist.
A heartbeat later, he reappeared—five meters behind Zabuza, his blade already sheathed.
Zabuza froze in place, his expression stunned.
The massive blade in his hands cracked and fell in two, clanging against the soaked earth.
Pfft!
Zabuza collapsed to his knees.
A geyser of blood burst from his chest, rising over a meter high.
A massive gash ran diagonally across his body—from his left shoulder to his right thigh—cutting clean through muscle and bone, even severing ribs.
Not even someone like Tsunade, using the Strength of a Hundred Seal, could survive such devastation.
"It's over, Zabuza,"
Tian Yu said softly, back turned, rain falling around him—untouched.
---
Chapter 47: Mission Completion
"The one hiding in the shadows—are you not going to come out?"
Tian Yu's voice echoed calmly toward the jungle beyond the road.
"Eh? There's another one?"
Tazuna jolted, nervousness rising again.
But then he remembered—this young man named Tian Yu had just killed a Demon of the Mist.
That feat alone far surpassed his expectations.
Thinking back on how he'd once doubted Tian Yu, Tazuna shivered.
Good thing he hadn't provoked this youth any further… or he might already be a corpse in the mud.
"Someone else is here…"
Might Guy's face grew sharp, his senses activating. He felt it too.
Whoosh!
A figure flickered from the shadows—appearing a few meters before them.
It was a young man—no, a beautiful youth whose features were softer than most women's.
With calm eyes and a respectful tone, he bowed to Tian Yu.
"We forfeit the mission. Please, allow me to retrieve Lord Zabuza's body. I am willing to accept any condition you set."
Tian Yu gazed at the elegant boy—Haku.
There was no malice in his voice, only sincerity and sorrow.
"You may take the body," Tian Yu replied. "But the Kubikiribōchō stays."
A moment of hesitation crossed Haku's face.
Then he bowed again.
"Thank you, Lord Tian Yu."
Haku stepped forward silently, eyes steady, unshaken by Tian Yu's presence.
Even now, there was no sign of killing intent.
In those dark, tranquil eyes, Tian Yu glimpsed only death—a quiet resolve.
Perhaps he wasn't seeking revenge.
Perhaps he was simply a kind soul who had abandoned bloodshed.
Or perhaps… Zabuza's body meant more to him than anything else in the world.
Tian Yu didn't dwell on it. There was no need.
He sensed no hostility from Haku and allowed him to pass without resistance.
As Haku walked by, Tian Yu whispered something only he could hear.
Haku paused, then gave a small, respectful nod.
"Yes, Lord Tian Yu."
He gently lifted Zabuza's body… and disappeared into the mist.
Tian Yu picked up the broken Kubikiribōchō from the ground.
Then—
[Ding! Quest Complete!
Reward: Six-Star Weapon Blueprint — Zanpakutō: Great Red Lotus Ice Wheel Maru!]
The familiar system notification rang in his mind.
Tian Yu's heart surged with satisfaction.
As he reviewed the blueprint, shock flashed in his eyes.
"A six-star…?"
He hadn't expected it.
The Great Red Lotus Ice Wheel Maru—the most powerful ice-type Zanpakutō known.
Just one glance confirmed it—this weapon would one day shake the world.
It was his first six-star blueprint.
Despite four years of missions, the best reward he had previously earned was five-star.
Now, everything had changed.
He pulled up the updated system panel:
---
[System Panel]
Host: Tian Yu
Age: 12
Forging Level: Intermediate
Unlocked Weapons:
Six-Star: Zanpakutō – Great Red Lotus Ice Wheel Maru
Five-Star: Intermediate Storage Ring, White Mist Sword, Ten Skyfire Needles
Four-Star: Mechanical Bird, Three Tomoe Eye, Nine-Dragon Pearl Crown, Eight-Treasure Nightlight Helmet
Three-Star: Sun Blade
Two-Star: Tianyu Robes
One-Star: …
---
Tian Yu closed the panel.
Forging the Ice Wheel Maru would require a massive number of rare materials—hundreds, in fact.
While he had collected many unique ores and crystals over the years, this project demanded more.
Some materials could only be found deep within the Land of Fire.
"I'll forge it… once I've gathered everything."
Might Guy approached, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Tian Yu! You've grown even stronger! Truly, this is the result of youthful effort!"
"I'm sorry, Teacher Guy," Tian Yu chuckled. "I kind of stole your opponent this time."
"Hahaha! No problem! That's youth too!"