Kisame wore his usual deadpan expression as he and a ninja Akio didn't recognize held up a banner together.
Akio hadn't expected that this kind of job would have so many volunteers and not just one or two.
Yesterday, the subordinates who had followed Suikazan Fuguki had already returned to report. Naturally, the search for the "ninja who absconded with the funds" yielded nothing that person was still tucked away inside Akio's personal space.
"Civilian, you did well. Today, you can stand behind us and witness the battle between the great ones."
Outwardly, Akio looked excited. Inwardly, he stared at the middle-aged ninja across from him with silent disbelief.
I just wanted to tease Kisame with a banner… how did this turn into such a prized honor?
He couldn't understand why such an awkward banner had been accepted so readily.
Not only that the surrounding ninjas glanced curiously at the banner, some even running off in a hurry. Less than half an hour later, they returned with another banner that read "Lord Hōzuki Mangetsu, Victory!". That also told Akio who the other competitor would be.
"Hōzuki Mangetsu? That kid's contending for Mizukage now?"
He thought back to the time of the joint Jōnin exams in Konoha that event had practically shattered all of Mangetsu's dignity.
"Time really flies. Give it a couple more years and they'll be calling themselves old men," Akio muttered shamelessly.
As time passed, most of the spectators were the same as yesterday's. The wealthy merchants had each found new ninja for protection. The cost was less than before, but their safety was no longer guaranteed an ordinary Chūnin or Jōnin's protection could never compare to that of Suikazan Fuguki.
"Yesterday's protection… was top-notch," Akio thought.
As for the two no, three; Ninja Swordsmen who had appeared yesterday, none of them showed up today. One was likely still injured, while the other, Ameyuri Ringo, probably disdained the idea of earning money by charging protection fees.
Eventually, both duelists entered the arena. Unlike yesterday's two, they didn't engage in verbal sparring. Instead, their gazes turned toward the banners.
Judging from their expressions, they seemed quite pleased with what their subordinates had done.
"It's like watching a football match," Akio sighed.
Once Ao entered the field and the referee took position, the atmosphere really did resemble one.
Akio stepped over beside Kisame, who was still holding the banner.
"Hey, shark-face! Looks like you've finally made a name for yourself in front of your boss. How are you planning to thank me?"
Kisame's face remained stiff, silent as ever.
Akio felt a strange sense of relief finally, one normal… fish. At least Kisame seemed to realize how embarrassing it was to be holding up a banner in the ninja world.
Meanwhile, on the Rain Country battlefield
On the back of a massive toad, Jiraiya was panting heavily, staring at the gigantic puppet before him that kept shifting forms.
"Lady Chiyo, I didn't expect the Sand to still have this kind of hidden weapon up their sleeve!"
Chiyo didn't respond. Her enormous human-shaped puppet lunged forward at high speed.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Gamabunta, return for now…"
Releasing the summoning, he bit his finger and slammed his hand down. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Two elderly toads appeared on his shoulders. Glancing at the distant Konoha squad still barely fending off Ebizō's attacks, Jiraiya leapt aside to dodge Chiyo's strike.
"Looks like I'll have to use Sage Mode… let's finish this quickly."
Back in Kirigakure, the match had already begun.
Standing next to Kisame, Akio quietly provided commentary.
"This matchup's pretty unfair," he whispered.
"Yesterday was Lightning versus Water. Today, it's Water versus Water but the opponent's from the Hōzuki clan, with their Hydrification Technique."
"Oof… looks like your boss is at a disadvantage."
"Even though he's stronger overall, he's being pushed back everywhere…"
"You've got good eyes for a civilian," Kisame said mockingly.
Akio smiled. "Thanks for the compliment."
"Though seriously, why do you care about my eyesight? Shouldn't you be worried about your own boss?" he added loudly.
The surrounding ninjas heard him and turned their attention toward Kisame.
Kisame's mouth twitched. This guy…
Now he was sure this "civilian" was suspicious either he was hiding that he was a ninja, or he was hiding the fact that he had no brain.
The situation for Fuguki the "big fat man" had already taken a sharp downturn. Akio could feel the tension rising among Fuguki's subordinates, their breathing becoming fast and unsteady.
Akio chuckled and raised his voice.
"What's the rush? Cheer him on!"
The group exchanged glances. Finally, the same middle-aged ninja from before asked, "Civilian, do you have an idea?"
Akio grinned, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"Lord Suikazan Fuguki, Victory!!"
His voice was unnaturally loud the entire arena fell silent in an instant.
But rather than helping, the cheer had the opposite effect. Fuguki froze for a split second and took a full-on Water Cannon to the chest, crashing into a wall.
Feeling the murderous stares of the surrounding ninjas, Akio sighed inwardly. Yeah… I really did it this time.
Meanwhile, back on the Rain battlefield
The two elder toads had vanished from Jiraiya's shoulders; Sage Mode was gone. He was carrying a wounded man on his back, and from the earlier Konoha squad, only the captain was still alive.
Chiyo stood panting nearby, watching for any attempt at retreat. Her puppet had been destroyed.
"Jiraiya… put me down," the injured man whispered.
"Hold on just a little longer. Someone must have noticed the commotion reinforcements will be here soon."
"Even if they come… my injuries are too severe. Not even Tsunade could fix this…"
"No, Tsunade's medical ninjutsu has advanced a lot. She'll save you!" Jiraiya insisted, still believing Tsunade had healed Minato in the past.
The man didn't respond he had already lost consciousness. Jiraiya's heart clenched.
A flash of silver light cut through the air, blocking Ebizō's strike.
Jiraiya's eyes widened in relief. "White Fang, sir!"
Sakumo Hatake turned briefly. "Get back to camp."
Jiraiya gritted his teeth but didn't argue he leapt away. Chiyo didn't try to stop him.
Now, her eyes were fixed only on Sakumo.
"White Secret Technique The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu!" Ten puppets appeared around her as she glared at him. "Konoha's White Fang!"
Sakumo didn't respond. His expression was grave as he deflected the puppet's arm.
"So… the Sand still had such a hidden technique."
Back in Kirigakure
"YOU AGAIN, YOU CAT-HUGGING BASTARD!!" Suikazan Fuguki roared, his voice echoing across the arena before he began weaving hand seals.
"Lord Fuguki, please calm down!" Ao's anxious voice rang out.
"Go to hell! Water Style: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!!"
The arena erupted into chaos. Spectators scrambled for the exits as an ocean surged into being, flooding the entire field.
In an instant, the battleground became an undersea world. Everyone who failed to escape in time was swallowed by the torrent.
Only Akio and Kisame remained unmoved. The water stopped two meters in front of them, unable to advance further.
"Hey, shark-face," Akio said calmly. "Don't be in such a rush. This is the safest spot right now."
"The fat one's completely lost it. Guess he's given up on becoming Mizukage, now it's just indiscriminate attacks…
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