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"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The Anbu squad leader's blade clashed against Kisame's Samehada, while the other three Anbu exchanged blows with Kisame's water clones.
"Fall back!"
Utakata's voice rang out, and the four Anbu immediately retreated.
At that moment, Kisame noticed that dozens of floating bubbles surrounded him. He didn't know their exact purpose, but his instincts told him they were trouble.
Without hesitation, he swung Samehada in a wide arc, attempting to clear them away.
"Water Release: Bubble Technique!"
Utakata snapped his fingers, and all the floating bubbles detonated simultaneously, each one packing the force of an explosive tag.
Nagato's legs were crippled because of them.
In a confined space like this, the detonation of dozens of explosive tags created an overwhelming blast force.
The Anbu and Utakata watched intently as the flames erupted.
The already weakened wall of Utakata's home, which had been damaged by Kisame's earlier attack, finally collapsed.
The only reason the house hadn't completely caved in was because of the supporting pillars though who knew how long they would last?
"Did it work?"
One of the Anbu cautiously asked.
As the smoke cleared, a large sphere of water came into view.
Inside the water prison, Kisame stood completely unharmed.
"He used the Water Prison Jutsu on himself… to defend against the explosion?"
The squad leader was shocked.
Within the water bubble, Kisame grinned, revealing his sharp teeth.
"This commotion is bound to attract reinforcements."
"Can't waste any more time let's make this a real brawl!"
Kisame swiftly performed several hand seals.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
He took a deep breath, then vomited out an ocean.
A colossal tidal wave surged forward, crashing toward Utakata and the Anbu.
The sheer volume of water was absurd—
A massive tsunami rose out of nowhere, completely submerging the battlefield in an instant.
Utakata and the Anbu burst through the roof, landing on the rooftops of a neighbouring street to avoid being swallowed by the flood.
Below them, Utakata's home was completely obliterated—
The previously injured Anbu, who had been left behind inside, was nowhere to be found.
"Is this… really a jutsu a human can perform?"
Hotaru, who had been proud of her Water Release skills, was left utterly stunned.
The squad leader responded in a grave tone:
"Kisame is known as the Monster of the Hidden Mist for a reason."
"When it comes to Water Release, only the Mizukage might be stronger than him."
Hotaru gulped her nerves tightening.
She glanced at the ruins of Utakata's home, feeling a pang of sadness.
That house had been filled with memories of her and her master… and now it was gone.
"Stay focused, Hotaru!"
Utakata snapped, bringing her back to reality.
He blew out another string of bubbles toward Kisame.
Kisame Rides the Tidal Wave
"Hmph."
Riding atop the massive wave, Kisame closed in rapidly.
Recognizing the attack, he swiftly performed hand seals:
"Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Jutsu!"
A massive water shark formed beneath Kisame, engulfing him completely before launching forward.
It devoured Utakata's explosive bubbles as it sped toward him.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Utakata, the squad leader, and Hotaru simultaneously raised three layers of water barriers.
The Water Shark Bullet collided violently against them.
The first two walls broke apart instantly.
The third held for a moment just long enough for Kisame to burst through, swinging Samehada directly at Utakata!
The squad leader barely managed to intercept, raising his sword in defence.
Utakata, meanwhile, drew his pipe a special metal weapon, reinforced to be as tough as a kunai.
But compared to Samehada, it looked small and fragile.
"Master—watch out!"
Hotaru threw herself forward, shoving Utakata aside.
SMASH!
Samehada slammed into her stomach, sending her flying.
She skipped across the water's surface like a stone, before crashing through a building.
She didn't move.
"HOTARU!!!"
Utakata let out a furious roar.
Suddenly—
Red chakra erupted from his body, forming six tails behind him.
The chakra quickly materialized, solidifying into a beast-like form.
"RRAAAAAAHH!!!"
Utakata was not a perfect Jinchūriki.
He couldn't fully control this transformation.
But his rage-fueled his desire to kill Kisame.
With his newfound speed and strength, Utakata lunged forward.
His chakra-coated fist smashed into Kisame's chest.
BOOM!
Kisame was sent flying, smashing through a building, before crashing into another.
He coughed up blood.
His ribs were broken.
"Tch… Tailed Beast transformations really are a pain."
Samehada reacted immediately, wrapping around his wrist—
It transferred the chakra it had stolen from Hotaru and the injured Anbu, healing Kisame's wounds.
But—
It wasn't enough.
Kisame was still injured, and Samehada was exhausted.
The sword stuck out its tongue as if whining:
"I'm empty! No more chakra!"
"Don't worry."
Kisame stood up, gripping Samehada tightly.
His small eyes locked onto Utakata, and he smirked:
"I'll feed you soon enough."
The squad leader knew this battle was only getting worse.
Samehada was the most troublesome of the Seven Swords, able to absorb chakra and even heal Kisame.
Meanwhile, Utakata's transformation was unstable.
If he lost control, he might attack everyone including them.
He quickly issued orders:
"Anbu Beta—go request reinforcements!"
"Anbu Gamma—check on the injured Anbu!"
"Anbu Delta—find Hotaru! She might be the only one who can bring Utakata back to his senses!"
"Understood!"
The Anbu dispersed, leaving the squad leader to support Utakata.
"ROOAARR!!"
Utakata charged forward, running across the water's surface on all fours.
Kisame responded by slapping the water, summoning four massive water sharks:
"Water Release: Four Shark Rain!"
The sharks launched at Utakata but as soon as they got close, they exploded into hundreds of smaller sharks.
Utakata shielded himself with his six tails, while a powerful energy gathered inside his mouth.
A Tailed Beast Bomb!
Kisame gripped Samehada tightly, then leapt into the air.
Bringing his sword down as a blinding white light engulfed him!
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