The small pebble fired from Kitsuchi's mouth began to expand and grow as it flew through the air.
Like a solid cannonball, it hurtled straight toward Kisame Hoshigaki!
"Now that's some impressive combat instinct!"
Kisame couldn't help but exclaim, calmly forming hand seals.
Water Style — Water Shark Bullet Technique!
Water chakra rapidly spread from Kisame's body, forming a shark-shaped water bullet that encased him completely!
Using this technique, Kisame achieved brief midair suspension, then glided downward, effortlessly dodging Kitsuchi's attack!
At the same time, Kisame charged toward Kitsuchi's position.
Kitsuchi's face showed surprise as he quickly leapt backward.
The Water Shark Bullet wrapping around Kisame slammed into the spot where Kitsuchi had just stood, blasting out a large crater.
Kisame smirked. Using the momentum of the impact, he closed the distance to the retreating Kitsuchi in the blink of an eye, raising the Giant Sword — Samehada in a fierce downward slash!
Samehada — Shredding Slash!
The already heavy Giant Sword — Samehada, swung with Kisame's full force, let out a sharp whistle. Anyone caught by a strike that powerful would be lucky to survive — severe injury was almost certain!
"Earth Release — Hardening Technique!"
Kitsuchi's eyes widened with a low shout. Massive chakra flooded his body, boosting his defense until it was harder than rock.
Kisame let out an excited roar as the Giant Sword — Samehada slashed repeatedly at Kitsuchi, each blow producing a dull thud!
Kitsuchi crossed his arms over his head and endured Kisame's relentless barrage of slashes!
Seeing Kitsuchi withstand his continuous assault, Kisame only grew more excited.
"Not bad at all! But don't you know — you're never supposed to get too close to me?"
"This is where it ends!"
Kisame bared his sharp teeth, a cold smile on his face as he raised the Giant Sword — Samehada and aimed it at Kitsuchi.
Samehada — Chakra Devouring!
The Giant Sword — Samehada, which had been wrapped in cloth, suddenly began to writhe on its own. Then, covered in spikes and monstrous in appearance, the living blade Samehada revealed itself to Kitsuchi!
Seeing this, Kitsuchi's pupils contracted sharply, disbelief written across his face.
A sword? It's alive?!
Samehada opened its massive jaws and clamped down on Kitsuchi's shoulder with a grinding, crunching sound.
Kitsuchi snapped back from his shock. Although Samehada had bitten him, his Hardening Technique prevented any actual damage — and he relaxed slightly!
"You think Samehada's attack stops at just biting?"
Seeing Kitsuchi briefly relax, Kisame's tone carried a hint of mockery.
What?!
Kitsuchi froze — and then felt his chakra being rapidly drained by Samehada, which was still clamped on his shoulder!
A wave of weakness surged through him, and Kitsuchi's expression darkened.
Crack!
Crack!
In just a brief moment, the hard chakra coating on Kitsuchi's body began to fracture, the technique on the verge of collapse!
Kitsuchi tried to break free from Samehada, but Kisame wasn't about to give him the chance!
Kitsuchi's situation was growing dire by the second!
Just then, a shrill cry rang from the sky. Several white birds dove down rapidly from above, heading straight for Kisame!
Seeing the small birds swooping in, Kisame didn't hesitate for an instant. He quickly pulled back Samehada and held it in front of himself as a shield.
Boom! Boom!
The white birds exploded on contact with Samehada, their power comparable to explosive tags!
Kitsuchi staggered slightly, breathing hard. Though the encounter had been brief, Samehada had drained a considerable amount of his chakra.
A lean figure descended from the sky and landed beside Kitsuchi.
"Deidara? Didn't you leave with Uchiha Madara?"
Kitsuchi looked at the newcomer, surprise and disbelief on his face.
"Just because I left doesn't mean I can't come back."
"Don't thank me. I didn't come to save you — I just didn't want to see the old man's village get destroyed so easily."
Feeling Kitsuchi's gaze, Deidara spoke with his usual arrogant tone. He glanced at Kitsuchi with disdain:
"You're seriously weak — nearly got killed by that guy."
Hearing Deidara's words, Kitsuchi's eye twitched involuntarily, and he suppressed the urge to snap back.
Regarding Deidara—
Kitsuchi's feelings were complicated. But regardless, the fact that Deidara had returned at the last moment to help the village told Kitsuchi that the old man's efforts hadn't been wasted.
"Don't look at me like that. I told you, I'm not here to help."
"I've never liked Uchiha Itachi or Kisame Hoshigaki — you go somewhere else. This one's mine."
Deidara spoke in his usual arrogant, commanding tone.
Kitsuchi didn't get angry. He was silent for a moment, then nodded:
"I'll leave this to you, Deidara."
With that, Kitsuchi turned and headed for another battlefield.
Kisame swung the Giant Sword — Samehada hard, dispersing the smoke from the explosions, and walked out from the haze.
"Deidara."
"I didn't expect you to still be here. That's a surprise."
Kisame's gaze toward Deidara was openly hostile. Deidara's sudden attack hadn't hurt him, but it had been embarrassing.
"Too much talk, Kisame Hoshigaki."
Deidara spoke dismissively as he pulled clay from his sleeve and hurled it straight at Kisame!
Explosive Clay — Twin-Winged Bird!
A twin-winged bird, faster and more powerful than the small birds from before, streaked toward Kisame at incredible speed.
Before the bird even reached Kisame, it detonated in midair — the explosion's flames and shockwave engulfing him completely!
Kisame was pierced by the sudden explosion, blood spraying everywhere — but as the blood flew through the air, it turned into water droplets and splashed onto the ground.
A water clone!
Deidara's eyes narrowed and he immediately left his position, shifting sharply to the left!
But Kisame was faster. The Giant Sword — Samehada swung down hard, smashing into Deidara!
At that instant, Kisame saw the corner of Deidara's mouth curl into a smile.
No!
Boom!
Blinding light erupted from Deidara's body, followed by an enormous explosion of fire and sound that shook the surroundings!
High above, a massive white bird soared into view, its wings beating as it hovered in midair.
And Deidara's true self stood atop the bird, looking down with a triumphant expression.
[
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