The next morning, Kumo's search team, following the trail of clues, found the site of Killer Bee and Kisame's battle.
Kumo ANBU: "There are many sword marks here, definitely from Bee-sama. Another sword, judging by the cuts, is the Mist's great sword, Samehada!"
Raikage: "Hmph! Hoshigaki Kisame, it's Akatsuki!!!"
ANBU: "The battle marks are fresh, indicating the fight happened last night. Bee-sama didn't use the Tailed Beast Bomb, or this area would be leveled!"
Yes, before encountering Kisame, Killer Bee was learning enka from Master Sabu. Using the Tailed Beast Bomb would have affected him, so Bee didn't go all out.
Raikage: "What about Bee? Can you find him?"
ANBU: "The ground here is damp, with a lot of residual water. This indicates a large-scale Water Release jutsu. If the caster had been killed, the water would have dissipated quickly. The fact that it's still here means the caster is alive!"
"Bee-sama isn't skilled in large-scale Water Release jutsu, so it must be the enemy's work. Therefore, Bee-sama must have... lost!"
"Damn Akatsuki!!!!!!"
The enraged Raikage punched a tree, shattering it!
"The battle happened last night! He can't have gone far with Bee!!! After him!! Fighting Bee, he can't be unscathed. He must have left traces!! Find that Akatsuki scum, and I'll tear his head off!!!"
Thus, Kumo began a full-scale pursuit of Kisame!
By noon, they were only ten miles from the designated village.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions echoed from the forest behind.
Kisame stopped and looked back.
"The traps I set are being triggered one after another. Clearly, the pursuers know about the traps but are charging through them. This style..."
He glanced at the still unconscious Killer Bee.
"Your big brother is coming to save you..."
Knowing a big battle was inevitable, Kisame took out an iron chain, securely fastening Killer Bee to his back. He gripped Samehada and faced the forest behind him!
There, lightning flashed, and the Raikage led the charge, followed by Darui, C, and a large number of Kumo ANBU!
Kisame, unafraid, said, "Raikage, your brother is on my back. If you want to save him, you'll have to turn me into a corpse!"
The Raikage shouted, "As you wish! Darui, none of you interfere. I will personally kill this Akatsuki scum!!!"
Crackle!
Lightning armor enveloped the Raikage. He landed, crouched, and sprang forward!
In an instant, he covered the hundred-meter distance, his lightning-charged elbow striking forward!
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—Heavy Boulder Slam!
The same move that had reverted Jūgo from his Cursed Seal Level 3 state!!
Kisame blocked with Samehada, a dull thud echoing as the Raikage's elbow struck the sword!
"!" Kisame struggled, retreating continuously, using his free hand to brace the sword's back, summoning his monstrous strength to counter. Even so, he kept retreating.
Boom! With a second surge of power from the Raikage's elbow, Kisame was sent flying. He stabbed Samehada into the ground, sliding back dozens of meters before stabilizing. The surrounding trees were shattered.
Feeling the numbness in his arms, Kisame said sincerely, "What a terrifying monster. Even stronger than your brother's human-tailed beast form..."
"Hmph!" The Raikage snorted, his thick neck cracking audibly!
"Too late to be scared now..."
He launched another assault.
Kisame didn't dare be careless.
—Samehada: Flying Chain Slash!
Samehada's hilt extended over ten meters, twisting like a chain, the blade curving towards the Raikage!
Crackle! Pop!
The Raikage shifted his position mid-charge, dodging the flying chain slash...
Kisame frowned. "More troublesome than strength is speed..."
He released Samehada, quickly forming hand seals.
—Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!
Splash! A large amount of chakra condensed into a shark-shaped water bullet, speeding forward!
"Hmph! Petty tricks!"
The Raikage snorted, charging through the water shark bullet with his body!
But the water's resistance slowed him slightly.
Kisame took the opportunity to retrieve Samehada, standing aside.
"Ordinary Water Release is meaningless against his body. I'll use that move..."
He quickly formed hand seals, his chest swelling.
—Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
Splash!!!
A massive wave of water erupted from his mouth, forming a huge ellipsoid water prison. From above, it looked like a large area of forest was submerged!
Darui and the others, observing from a distance, retreated further, marveling at the enormous water sphere.
"A technique only a monster could use. The water left on the battlefield earlier was from this move?"
"Fighting in the enemy's domain puts the boss at a disadvantage!"
Slash! Darui drew his sword. "Be ready to support the boss!"
When the Raikage regained his senses, he found himself in an endless water world. His vision was impaired, and the water's tension restricted his movements. Most critically, he couldn't breathe...!
You might wonder why lightning doesn't conduct in water. It's because the conductive lightning chakra is absorbed by the water.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
On the other side of the water world, Kisame had fused with Samehada, transforming into a half-man, half-shark form.
In this state, Kisame could breathe and move freely in the water, with chakra absorption and sensing abilities!
"Your greatest speed advantage is gone. The lightning around you is chakra-based, so it will be absorbed. I'll accelerate this process..."
Splash! Splash! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Kisame darted through the water, repeatedly striking the Raikage's body...
Fused with Samehada, Kisame was like the sword itself. Each collision absorbed a large amount of chakra...
The Raikage's lightning armor weakened. He closed his eyes, burying his face.
Kisame: "Losing chakra, unable to breathe, it's painful, right? Don't worry, you'll be free soon..."
Outside, Darui anxiously asked, "What's the situation?"
C activated his sensory ability. "The boss isn't moving..."
"Still not working!!" Darui prepared to charge.
C: "Wait... the boss's chakra is rising, not falling!"
Darui stopped, sheathing his sword. "Looks like the boss is using that move. He doesn't need our help? Stubborn as always, choosing a solo fight over a group attack!"
Crackle! Crackle!
In the water, the lightning intensified, the Raikage's hair standing up like spikes!
—Lightning Release Chakra Mode: Full Power!
Whoosh!
Kisame darted down again but missed!
"What? He's resisting the water pressure, dodging my attacks, and his chakra has suddenly surged to a level comparable to a tailed beast. What's going on!?"
Bubbles...
The Raikage held his breath, advancing!
Kisame quickly changed tactics, distancing himself from the Raikage. The water prison moved with him, so as long as he kept his distance, the Raikage couldn't leave its boundary.
With his chakra draining and continuous suffocation, even the Raikage couldn't last long!
The Raikage realized Kisame's intent and pursued even harder. But despite his speed, the water prison restricted him, and he couldn't sense Kisame's chakra in this domain.
Gradually... he began to falter!
"Damn Akatsuki, each ability more disgusting than the last!"
Focusing all his senses on the Raikage, Kisame felt assured. "It's just a matter of time now..."
"The eighth sword."
But at that moment, Killer Bee, bound by chains on Kisame's back, murmured...