Below the large screen erected in the small town square, tens of thousands of people gazed upwards, eagerly awaiting the continuation of the broadcasted events.
A palpable tension filled the air. Hope mingled with anxiety – hope for a favorable outcome in the future shown, yet fear that Kisame Hoshigaki's overwhelming power would ultimately crush Might Guy.
Their apprehension wasn't unfounded. While the footage had shown Guy scoring a few surprising hits against Kisame, the Akatsuki member's usual method was absolute domination, crushing opponents effortlessly. Even against the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B, Kisame had seemed assured of victory.
Amidst the throng, near the edge, Naruto Uzumaki was trying to weave his way forward.
"Excuse me! Coming through!"
Someone jostled by the boy grumbled, "Hey! Watch where you're shoving! Can't you see how crowded it is?"
Despite the annoyed glares, Naruto pressed on, determined to complete the task Jiraiya had given him. He hunched his shoulders and squeezed deeper into the crowd.
Being short, finding a good vantage point was crucial to see the images unfolding on the massive screen.
As he maneuvered, Naruto stumbled right into a woman he didn't recognize. Realizing his clumsiness, he quickly apologized, "Oh, I'm so sorry!"
The woman looked down at the boy who had bumped into her. Instead of anger, a gentle smile touched her lips. She ruffled his blond hair and asked kindly, "Does your head still hurt?"
Naruto looked up at the woman, Kushina Uzumaki. He was struck by her beauty – her gracefully arched eyebrows, large expressive eyes, and fair, flawless skin with a hint of pink. But what caught his eye the most was her vibrant, long red hair.
"Wow, your hair is amazing," Naruto couldn't help but compliment.
Kushina's eyes curved into crescents as she beamed. Hearing a boy other than Minato praise her hair was a pleasant surprise.
"Heh, you're quite the handsome kid yourself!" she replied warmly.
"Hehehe!" Naruto grinned, feeling a flush of pride. It was the first time a girl had ever called him handsome; usually, Sasuke hogged all that attention.
Looking down at the beaming boy, Kushina felt a pang of familiarity. In that moment, she saw a reflection of Minato – the same sunshine-yellow hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and the warm, infectious smile.
A sense of curiosity sparked within her. "What's your name, kiddo?" she asked.
Naruto opened his mouth, "My name is Uzumaki..." He paused, suddenly remembering Jiraiya's strict instructions. As a target for Akatsuki, revealing his real name in public was dangerous; it could expose his location.
Thinking quickly, Naruto stammered, "M-my name is Uzumaki... Menma."
Kushina's brow furrowed slightly at the name. The signature trait of the Uzumaki clan was their striking red hair. This boy, with his bright blond locks, using that surname... she suspected the name wasn't entirely truthful.
However, she didn't press the issue. They were just two strangers who had crossed paths briefly; there was no need to interrogate him.
"Well, little 'Menma'," Kushina said gently, "you can have this spot. I need to be going now."
For some reason, hearing that she was leaving filled Naruto with an unexpected twinge of reluctance. Though they had only spoken for a few minutes, he felt a strange, comfortable connection, as if they had known each other for a long time.
"Okay... Goodbye!" Naruto waved, watching the kind, red-haired woman disappear into the crowd.
Deep within Naruto's consciousness, the Nine-Tails, Kurama, opened his malevolent eyes. A moment ago, the urge to lash out, to make his presence known, had been almost overwhelming.
Through Naruto's senses, he had recognized her – his former Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina, the wife of the man he despised most, Namikaze Minato!
'Damn you, Kushina! Damn you, Namikaze Minato!' Kurama snarled silently. 'When I finally get out of here, I'll make you both pay!'
Meanwhile, Kushina hadn't walked far when she felt a fleeting, familiar chakra signature wash over her from the crowd – it felt distinctly like the Nine-Tails' chakra.
She paused, then shook her head, dismissing it. 'Probably just a phantom sensation... maybe a side effect of this Impure World Reincarnation,' she mused, though the feeling lingered. Resolutely, she increased her pace, heading towards Konoha Village.
Back in the town square,
the screen flickered back to life, resuming the playback of the intense battle.
...
[On Screen]
[Just as Kisame Hoshigaki forced the crucial intelligence scroll into the mouth of one of his summoned sharks, Might Guy caught up!]
["Water Style: Thousand Feeding Sharks!"]
[Instantly, a swarm of identical chakra-sharks erupted from the water, scattering in every direction!]
["Damn it! Impossible to tell which one has the scroll!" Guy cursed. Leaping high into the air, his fists ignited with fiery chakra!]
["Morning Peacock!"]
[In a blinding barrage, hundreds of flaming punches rained down, obliterating scores of the chakra-sharks. Only a few managed to escape, diving deep beneath the waves.]
[Seeing his targets escaping, Guy's frustration mounted. He plunged into the ocean after them. Veins bulged on his face and neck as the vibrant green aura around him intensified, slowly shifting to a burning blue steam. With a mighty roar, he yelled]
["The Seventh Gate: Gate of Wonder! Open!"]
[Kisame, initially watching with disdain from the water, scoffed, "Trying to fight me in my element? What a brainless beast!"
But his expression shifted dramatically in the next second. His shark-like eyes widened in disbelief as Guy's explosive blue chakra aura erupted with such force that it momentarily parted the sea itself, throwing up colossal waves reaching thousands of meters high.]
[Might Guy's sheer power stunned Kisame, transforming his shock into fierce excitement. His entire body trembled.]
["Incredible! For that rare beast to have honed his Taijutsu to such a level... truly exceptional in the ninja world!" Kisame thought, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "I can't resist... I must fight him seriously!"]
[Across the churning water, Guy seemed to read Kisame's intent. "My next technique is on a completely different level,"
Guy declared, his voice resonating with power.
"Asingle, unavoidable, straight punch! Don't even blink!"]
["Bring it on!" Kisame roared, gathering the immense chakra stored within his blade, Samehada. His hands flew through seals.]
["Water Style: Great Shark Bullet Technique!"]
[Behind Kisame, a gigantic shark composed entirely of swirling water and chakra materialized, lunging towards Might Guy with monstrous jaws agape, ready to devour him and his chakra!]
[Simultaneously, Guy poured every ounce of his strength into his right arm. He clenched his fist violently and then thrust it forward in an earth-shattering straight punch aimed directly at Kisame.]
["Daytime Tiger!!!"]
[A colossal, roaring tiger formed of pure, compressed air pressure blasted forward, its form shimmering white against the blue chaos. Its immense power surged towards Kisame, meeting the Great Shark Bullet head-on!]
.
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Konoha Village,
Watching the display, countless Konoha shinobi gasped, once again astounded by the sheer power Might Guy possessed.
Even just viewing it on screen, the terrifying destructive force radiating from Guy after opening the Seventh Gate was palpable – an aura capable of overwhelming nearly any ninja.
As Might Guy's closest friend and rival, Kakashi Hatake stared blankly at the screen, murmuring, "The victor is decided..."
-----------------------------
Kirigakure Village,
Meanwhile, within the HiddenMist Village, the observing shinobi had mixed feelings. Though many disliked their former comrade Kisame, seeing him unleash the Great Shark Bullet Technique caused a grim silence to fall.
They too felt the battle's outcome was clear, but they believed the victor would be Kisame.
Even the Mizukage, Terumi Mei, silently acknowledged this likely result. She understood the terrifying nature of the Great Shark Bullet – it wasn't just a powerful ninjutsu; it possessed the unique ability to absorb the chakra of an opponent's technique, growing stronger the more powerful the attack it clashed against.
Against such a jutsu, Might Guy seemed destined to lose.
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A/N: Sorry guys, but due to some medical issues daily chapters will be reduced from 2 to 1 .
I am very sorry!!🙇🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻
But worry not this fanfic will not stop...