The kunai and ninja swords clashed violently, spraying dazzling sparks. The sharp metallic clangs echoed endlessly through the misty battlefield.
Oh?
In the thick of combat, the elite Jōnin from Sunagakure—Sand Ninja—was surprised to find that the boy before him had actual skill, managing to hold out this long under his onslaught.
But that's as far as he'll go.
In an instant, the Jōnin shifted his stance sharply.
Kisame, caught off guard, had his blade knocked clean out of his hand. Off balance and exposed, he became riddled with openings.
"Die, brat."
The Sand Ninja sneered, driving his kunai straight toward Kisame's heart.
But in the critical moment—
Kisame violently flicked his arm, sending a cloud of quicklime bursting from his sleeve. At this close range, it splashed directly into the Sand Ninja's face.
"Argh!"
The Jōnin screamed. The lime burned fiercely as it entered his eyes, blinding him in a flash.
Kisame took the chance to bolt, putting distance between them.
But just a few steps into his escape, searing heat surged from behind.
He whipped his head around—
A massive fireball tore through the mist, exploding in a roaring inferno that swallowed the ground whole.
Though Kisame twisted midair to dodge, he was still blasted off his feet, seriously injured.
But—
This was the route he'd planned.
Part 2: Erwuzi and Cheaters
Whoosh!
The force of the explosion launched Kisame's body in a graceful arc, before he crashed into the river below with a mighty splash.
The gill slits on his face weren't for show.
Once submerged, Kisame dove deep, swimming swiftly away into the shadows beneath the current.
Moments later—
Thud.
Ye Cang landed lightly atop the water's surface, her eyes sharp as blades as she scanned the river.
He got away.
She frowned. But it didn't matter—he was just a nobody.
She turned toward her squad on the bank and commanded, "Plant explosives. Destroy the dam completely. Then, we resume pursuit of Black Hoe Leiya!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The team responded immediately.
Ten minutes passed.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion rocked the dam. The floodwaters surged like stampeding beasts, tearing through the forest below in a crashing wave.
…
Night fell like a veil; the moon hung high in the sky.
Downstream, a waterfall thundered off a hundred-meter cliff, plummeting into the abyss with stunning force.
In a forest clearing at the edge, Black Hoe Leiya lay slumped against a tree, gasping for breath.
His legs were scorched and bloodied, rendering him immobile.
He had fled here in panic under Ye Cang's relentless pursuit—only to realize he'd cornered himself.
That woman was a monster.
Her Scorch Release, a rare Kekkei Genkai, could instantly evaporate water—an absolute nightmare for the Water Style-dependent Mist ninja.
Even he, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, had lost to her.
Now, Leiya could only hope silently that the Sand troops wouldn't find him before his village's rescue team arrived.
Suddenly—
Gurgle.
A trail of bubbles surfaced in the nearby water. Leiya tensed.
A figure emerged from the river and dragged itself ashore.
"Who's there?!"
Leiya growled, grabbing his Thunder Blade—Fang—with both hands. Chakra surged into the weapon, sending silver lightning crackling down the blade.
The figure raised both hands.
"My lord, it's me."
Kisame stepped into the moonlight.
"You're alive?"
Leiya was surprised, but lowered his weapon and extended a hand in welcome.
He held this subordinate in high regard.
In a village full of eccentric-looking shinobi, Kisame—with his shark-like features—still managed to stand out.
Leiya noticed the gills on Kisame's cheeks and shoulders. No doubt they'd helped him survive underwater and escape Sand's pursuit.
This kid's got grit.
Kisame approached and knelt before him, bowing his head.
"My lord, the Sand forces have retreated after destroying the dam."
"Hmph. Cowards."
Leiya snorted. "If not for their dirty sneak attack, I would've slaughtered them all. Especially that damn woman, Ye Cang."
Kisame said nothing, knowing Leiya was trying to save face.
In his memory, Black Hoe Leiya had always been the least respected among the first generation of Seven Swordsmen.
He depended too heavily on Thunder Blade—Fang—and failed to fully wield its power. In the original series, he was humiliated by Konoha ninja and never even appeared in the reanimation arc. A disgrace among the Seven.
Kisame glanced at Leiya's injured leg subtly, thoughts swirling.
Leiya, oblivious, said, "Help me up."
He was furious.
His squad was obliterated, and he'd been defeated by a woman. Returning to the village like this, he'd become a laughingstock.
"I understand."
Kisame stepped behind him and lifted him gently.
"Watch the wound," he said, sounding considerate—but his left hand quietly drew a kunai.
In a flash, he plunged it straight into Leiya's back.
Thud.
Leiya's pupils shrank. He looked down in disbelief at the kunai now protruding from his chest, blood gushing down his torso.
Kisame released his grip. Leiya collapsed.
"Why... why…"
Leiya choked out the words as his vision blurred.
Kisame stood above him in the moonlight, expression cold, eyes glinting with feral intensity.
Gone was the obedient follower from moments before.
"You wanted me to die for you. So it's only fair I kill you."
Kisame spoke slowly, watching as Leiya's eyes went wide… and then lifeless.
In his previous life, Kisame had been a foolishly loyal pawn.
Now? He would still be a villain—but no longer a blind one.
Obey superiors without question?
Heh. That's exactly why superiors are made to be killed.
Not just Leiya.
Suikazan Fuguki. Uchiha Obito. Akatsuki.
One by one—they'd all become prey.
In the past, Kisame was the only truly devoted member of Akatsuki.
Surrounded by traitors and hypocrites, how could they ever achieve true goals?
Better to walk alone.
The path of the true villain.
His eyes landed on the Thunder Blade—Fang.
He picked it up and admired the gleam of the blades.
The Fang twin swords could channel and amplify lightning, a perfect weapon for a Lightning-Style user.
Among the Seven Ninja Swords, they weren't the strongest—still better than the oversized Decapitating Blade, which had style but little substance.
It would suffice until Kisame could claim Samehada.
But…
He didn't wield Lightning Style.
Just like Leiya, he couldn't unlock the blades' full potential. Worse, he had to keep them hidden, or the village would suspect foul play.
Kisame frowned, deep in thought.
Then—
Ding!
A sudden chime rang in his mind.
He froze. That sound was unmistakable—he'd heard it countless times in his past life.
A cheat menu.
Floating in his mental space was a cartoonish panda head, its mouth agape as if waiting to be fed.
A gluttonous little beast—the Iron-Eating Beast.
Its function was simple: devour special ninja tools, merge them into Kisame's body, and trigger his evolution.
The system activated the moment he picked up the Thunder Blade—Fang.
Time to cheat.
In this world where everyone's a monster, a regular ninja wouldn't survive.
Kisame didn't hesitate. He raised the twin swords, eyes gleaming, and activated the Iron-Eating Beast's power.
Buzz...
The blades trembled and crackled with wild lightning, as if sensing their fate and resisting their doom.
"Don't fight it. Join me. Become one with me."
Kisame whispered, smiling coldly as he stroked the blade.
Seconds passed—
(to be continued...)