Whoosh.
Kurihara Kushimaru pulled the steel wire taut, retracting his long blade. He licked the hot blood from its edge, flashed a sinister grin at Ye Cang, and vanished into the shadows once more.
Such was the terror of the ruthless duo.
Wuli Jinba engaged enemies head-on, keeping them occupied, while Kurihara Kushimaru lurked in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike a fatal blow. Their seamless coordination made them formidable, even against foes outnumbering them.
Boom.
As the Sand Anbu's corpse hit the ground, the battle shifted to a two-on-one, placing Ye Cang at a severe disadvantage.
"Prepare to die," Wuli Jinba snarled, brandishing his explosive blade and charging at Ye Cang.
Simultaneously, Kurihara Kushimaru's eerie laughter echoed through the woods as he moved stealthily, ready to exploit any opening, further pressuring Ye Cang.
"Despicable," Ye Cang muttered, gritting her teeth. Desperation forced her into a defensive stance, summoning several scorching fireballs to form a protective barrier.
She attempted to retreat, but each escape effort was thwarted. The experienced duo maintained a strategic distance, wary of her scorching techniques, while steadily depleting her chakra.
At this rate, Ye Cang's defeat seemed inevitable.
Observing from the shadows, Kisame realized he couldn't remain passive. If the ruthless duo eliminated Ye Cang, his ambitions to claim the long blade and explosive sword would be dashed.
He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
Whoosh.
Kisame stepped out of the woods, calling out, "Lord Kurihara Kushimaru!"
"Oh, it's you," Kushimaru responded, turning to face him. "Why didn't you finish off that guy?"
Referring to Zabuza Momochi, whom Kisame had previously spared.
Kisame's eyes gleamed as he sidestepped the question. "My lord, this woman killed my comrade and my beloved senior, Raiga Kurosuki. Please allow me to avenge them!"
Without waiting for a response, Kisame formed a series of hand seals, channeling chakra to his throat, and unleashed a powerful jutsu.
Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave.
A massive torrent surged from Kisame's mouth, forming a towering tsunami that swept across the battlefield.
"This kid can perform B-rank ninjutsu?" Kurihara Kushimaru remarked, surprised. However, his astonishment grew as the wave engulfed not only Ye Cang but also himself and Wuli Jinba.
All three combatants ceased fighting momentarily, evading the deluge.
The aftermath of Kisame's technique transformed the terrain, creating a vast lake within the woods.
"Kisame, what are you doing?" Kurihara Kushimaru demanded, standing atop the water. But Kisame was nowhere in sight.
Suddenly, a massive whirlpool formed beneath Kushimaru, generated by five chakra-infused sharks circling rapidly, trapping him.
Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks.
Another B-rank technique.
The ferocious sharks relentlessly attacked, aiming to tear Kushimaru apart.
Caught off guard, Kushimaru found himself in peril.
"Hey, what's wrong with your subordinate?" Wuli Jinba shouted, witnessing the scene.
Ye Cang, equally surprised, recognized Kisame but was certain he wasn't a Sand Village infiltrator.
Regardless, the internal conflict presented an opportunity to escape.
Seizing the moment, Ye Cang activated her chakra and fled using the Body Flicker Technique.
"Trying to escape?" Wuli Jinba exclaimed, pursuing her with his explosive blade, reigniting their battle.
Meanwhile, Kurihara Kushimaru, though physically robust, struggled underwater due to his lanky frame. Kisame, in his aquatic element, had the advantage.
Kisame dragged Kushimaru deeper, aiming to drown him.
As they descended—twenty meters, fifteen, ten—the distance closed.
Just as Kisame was about to succeed, Kushimaru counterattacked. Gripping the wire tightly to prevent Kisame from seizing his blade, he performed a one-handed seal.
Swish, swish, swish!
Steel wires shot from his palm, targeting Kisame's vital points.
Kushimaru had calculated that at such proximity, evasion was impossible—unless Kisame could truly become a fish.
To his shock, Kisame's speed surged. With agile movements, he dodged every wire, accelerating toward Kushimaru.
Trailing behind him was a gray-brown sword-like tail, barely visible...