Following Pakkun's lead, Team Guy arrived in the desolate canyon described as the Akatsuki's hiding place in the Land of Rivers. The barren wilderness stretched endlessly, eerily silent.
"It's so quiet..." Lee said, his tone unusually tense. "Something feels off."
Kirito nodded, his white eyes scanning the surroundings. "The wildlife has been driven away by an unnatural presence."
"Could it be an enemy?" TenTen wondered aloud, gripping the small scroll at her waist.
Kirito's gaze sharpened. "Our enemy is coming."
In his field of vision, a familiar figure approached rapidly. Golden lightning crackled on Kirito's fingertips as he turned and pointed forward.
Zzzzz... BOOM!
A golden streak of light exploded in the distance, consuming the approaching figure in an eruption of energy.
The team immediately formed a defensive formation. Kirito stood at the front, Lee in the middle, with TenTen and Guy covering the rear.
"Kirito, did you get them?" Lee asked, his voice low.
Kirito shook his head. "No. They noticed the attack and dodged."
Before anyone could respond, a spinning object whistled through the smoke, heading straight for Kirito.
The sharkskin-covered Samehada hurtled toward him, aiming for the team behind him.
"Bold move," Kirito muttered, his left foot glowing red-hot as it morphed into molten lava. Just before Samehada could pass, Kirito extended his leg with blinding speed, bringing it down heavily.
BOOM!
The impact cracked the earth as Samehada was pinned under his molten foot. However, the sword twisted unnaturally, transforming into a humanoid figure with a shark-like face—Kisame Hoshigaki.
"You saw through my transformation," Kisame said, grimacing as Kirito's lava burned into his flesh.
"Of course," Kirito replied calmly, his molten ankle pressing Kisame into the ground.
"I'm being overpowered with one foot?" Kisame thought, gritting his teeth. Although this body was a clone created through the Corpse Reanimation Technique, the disparity in power was staggering.
Kirito applied more pressure, causing magma to erupt around Kisame like a bursting geyser. Enveloped in searing heat, Kisame formed a quick seal.
"Water Style: Water Collision Wave!"
A massive burst of water erupted beneath the magma, creating a violent explosion of steam and mist. The resulting shockwave blew Lee backward and obscured the battlefield.
Kisame used the mist as cover, slipping into the ground with the Hiding in Water Technique to escape Kirito's crushing hold.
Kirito analyzed the situation immediately. "The magma cooled into rock when it met the water, but he used the mist to mask his escape. He doesn't plan to run far—just to regain the advantage."
Clearing the mist with a wave of his hand, Kirito's Byakugan locked onto Kisame, who reappeared nearby, heavily injured. His Akatsuki robe was in tatters, revealing his burnt torso, while Samehada writhed in pain from its failed attempt to absorb Kirito's chakra.
Kisame smirked despite his injuries. "So, Konoha has a Lava Release ninja. You're tougher than I expected."
TenTen's eyes widened. "Is that the enemy? He looks... monstrous."
Guy frowned. "I feel like I've seen him before, but something's different."
"Mr. Guy, do you know him?" Lee asked.
"No," Guy replied, his brow furrowed. "But he does feel familiar."
Kisame pointed Samehada toward Guy. "We've crossed paths before. This time, I'll make you pay for that kick!"
With a sharp motion, Kisame hurled Samehada behind him and leaped into the air, forming rapid seals. "Water Style: Exploding Water Shockwave!"
A colossal wave surged forth, flooding the canyon and submerging the area in an instant. Kisame stood atop the surging waters, his injuries seemingly forgotten as he manipulated the currents.
"So much water..." TenTen muttered, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "Even with Lava Release, this might take some time."
Lee clenched his fists, unfazed by the overwhelming display. "Even against such odds, we won't lose!"
Kirito stood at the forefront, lava pooling around his arms as he prepared to counter Kisame's attack. Steam hissed and rose as the molten substance met the waves.
"Wait, Kirito!" TenTen suddenly shouted. "Let me handle this one!"
Kirito paused, his molten arms still glowing. He turned slightly to meet TenTen's determined gaze.
(End of Chapter)
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