Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"What are you staring at? Support him!"

Asuma shouted from afar, snapping Might Guy out of his daze. 

Kyōichi pressed his hand to the earth, channeling chakra to harden the riverbed into spear-like pillars—a self-developed technique impractical in most scenarios but perfect for trapping aquatic foes. 

Splash! 

A figure attempted to flee underwater. 

Kyōichi formed seals again, unleashing a rain of black oil. 

"Fire Release! Wind Release!" 

"Yes!" 

Shisui teleported atop the earthen ramparts, already completing hand seals. 

A colossal fireball erupted from his mouth. 

Asuma lagged, but Hayama arrived, blasting the flames with Great Breakthrough. 

Wind. Fire. Oil. 

The trapped river section became an inferno, boiling the water beneath. 

"Is this brat trying to evaporate the entire river?!" 

Hōzuki Chikage cursed internally. His attempts to raise the water level only expanded the earthen prison, trapping him in scalding, oil-coated liquid. 

No escape.

He burst from the water, flames clinging to his partially liquefied form. 

Body Flicker!

"Fast? I'm faster."

Kyōichi activated the First Gate, unsheathing his blade in a flash. 

Secret Sword: Moon Shadow merged with Quick-Draw Technique—a seamless slash. 

Too fast!

Chikage's body liquefied too slowly. The blade struck his arm, lightning-charged steel coursing through him. 

Crackle!

Half-transformed, he froze mid-waterization, paralyzed. 

A tidal wave surged upstream—Exploding Water Collision! 

Kyōichi gripped Chikage, draining his chakra while sprinting inland. 

"Save me! He's absorbing my chakra!"

"Fool! Should've retreated!"

A green-haired figure rode the wave—Yagura, wielding a iron hook. 

Hayama and Shisui lunged, but Yagura raised a Water Mirror, cloning himself to stall them. 

Kyōichi recognized the technique instantly. 

Yondaime Mizukage. 

"Avoid the mirror!"

Too late. 

Clones engaged the team as Yagura broke through, conjuring a Great Water Prison to ensnare them. 

By the time he turned, Kyōichi had already sealed Chikage in layered scrolls. 

A massive Katsuyu enveloped the prisoner. 

Seals. Summons. 

It's over. 

Yagura abandoned the rescue, riding the retreating tide. 

"Don't pursue!"

Kyōichi halted the team. 

Yagura's mastery of water made escape effortless. 

Risking the captive wasn't worth it. 

Kurenai stared at Katsuyu, awed. 

"Focus. This Hōzuki's data is priceless." Kyōichi ruffled her hair as a smaller slug crawled onto her shoulder. 

Kyōichi admonished the team: "You hindered more than helped. Learn from this."

"They're new to high-stakes combat. Forgive them." Hayama intervened, then frowned at the captive. "Hōzuki's involvement proves Kirigakure's persistence." 

"The green-haired one held high rank," Kyōichi noted. Yagura's presence hinted at a major operation. 

"Your capture was critical. The Hōzuki clan's near-immortal without Lightning Release…"

Hayama glanced at Kyōichi's blade— Sword of the Thunder God, a symbol of Sandaime's trust. 

"To the intelligence hub at Nagano Mountain. Move out."