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The screen slowly faded to black.
A cold, mechanical voice rang out in Max's mind:
"Congratulations, Host, on completing this video edit!"
"Congratulations, Host, for earning 97,000 Awe Points!"
"Congratulations, Host, for receiving 97,000 system credits!"
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Eight Inner Gates Formation—no side effects!"
"Congratulations, Host, for acquiring Armament Haki!"
Max's heart leapt. Seriously? That's insane! These rewards are amazing!
But before he could even bask in the joy, the system spoke again—this time, with a chilling new directive.
"Mission: Engage in combat with Kisame Hoshigaki from the Naruto world."
Max froze. Wait… what?! You want me to fight the tailless Tailed Beast? Are you kidding me? There's no way I can beat that monster!
Before he could even protest, a flash of white light swallowed him whole.
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in the middle of a dense forest. Everything was unfamiliar.
"Proceed one hundred meters north to face Kisame Hoshigaki from the Naruto world,"the system instructed coolly.
Max sighed. "Guess there's no way out of this, huh?"
He followed the voice north, and sure enough, the trees opened into a clearing—where a blue-skinned, shark-faced man sat resting with a giant sword propped against his shoulder. Kisame.
Max approached cautiously.
Kisame's eyes narrowed as he stood up. "You're…?"
A flicker of recognition crossed his face. "You're that Administrator?"
Max smiled disarmingly. "Hey there, Kisame. Mind sparring with me for a bit?"
Kisame's lips curved into a grin full of sharp teeth. "So it's my turn this time, huh? Fine by me. But don't blame me if you die."
With a wave of Max's hand, a massive floating screen appeared in the sky—broadcasting their fight live across countless worlds.
Live Chat:
Kakashi (Naruto World): "That cloak… Akatsuki? The Administrator's challenging one of them this time?"
Third Hokage: "The Akatsuki? Just what is this Administrator planning?"
Deidara: "Hah! So Kisame got picked? Shame, the multiverse deserved to see my art explode!"
Konan: "Nagato, who do you think will win?"
Nagato: "Hard to say. The Administrator's growth rate is insane—but Kisame isn't someone you take lightly. If he lands a single blow, it could be over."
Luffy (One Piece): "Admin's gonna win!"
Usopp: "Yeah, Admin's got this!"
Natsu (Fairy Tail): "Why doesn't he come fight me already?! I'm fired up!"
Frieza (Dragon Ball): "Another weakling to practice on? Pathetic."
Goku: "Oh! The Administrator's fighting again? This'll be fun!"
In the Field
Kisame stood, pulling his massive blade from his back. "Let's get started."
Max took his stance. "Show me what that Water Style of yours can really do!"
Kisame's hands blurred through seals. "Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
A roaring torrent burst from his mouth, flooding the clearing like a tidal river rushing straight at Max.
Max leapt high, threads sprouting from his feet as he activated his String-String Fruit—lifting himself into the air.
Kisame rode the rising waves upward, chasing him relentlessly.
"Gum-Gum Rocket Cannon!" Max shouted, his arm stretching out like rubber before slamming forward with explosive force.
Kisame's eyes widened. "His arm—extends?!"
He raised Samehada to block. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, forcing him to slide backward several meters.
A grin tugged at his lips. "Not bad."
Before he could recover, several blazing projectiles shot toward him. Max was firing light blasts from both hands.
Kisame dove underwater instantly.
"Tch—slippery bastard," Max muttered.
Suddenly—BOOM! Kisame exploded upward like a torpedo, swinging Samehada down at blinding speed.
Too fast! Max barely reacted—only for Kisame's blade to slice through his torso… and meet nothing but flame.
"What—?!" Kisame blinked as Max's fiery form flickered back into shape several meters away.
"That wasn't a clone," Kisame muttered darkly. "He can turn parts of his body into fire… terrifying ability."
"Let's test that theory." His hands blurred again. "Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!"
A massive shark made of water surged toward Max.
Max clenched his fists. "Mirror Flame!"
A blazing inferno burst from his body, colliding with the water shark in a deafening roar.
Water and fire clashed violently—steam billowing across the battlefield.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the forest. Rain-like droplets fell from the misty sky, soaking both fighters.
Steam hissed off Max's body as his Flame-Flame Fruit evaporated the water instantly. Within moments, the battlefield was calm again.
Kisame's face was grim. "His chakra… it's insane. Fire should lose to water, but he's matching me head-on."
He clenched his teeth. "That can't be possible!"
Live Chat:
Naruto: "Whoa! The Admin's fire jutsu is nuts!"
Sasuke: "Tch. Someone stronger than an Uchiha at Fire Style? Impossible."
Genos (One Punch Man): "When's he coming to fight my master? I want to see him face true power."
Luffy: "He's even stronger than when he fought me!"
Krillin: "Man, I wanna spar with him too!"
Gohan: "You got this, Krillin!"
Back on the Battlefield
A violet aura suddenly erupted around Max. "Second Gear!"
In a blur, he vanished.
Kisame's eyes snapped wide. "He's so fast!"
He quickly formed seals. "Water Clone Jutsu!"
Two identical Kisames appeared beside him.
Max streaked in like a bullet, kicking one clone into mist.
The real Kisame lunged, blade swinging. Max blocked with his leg, but Samehada's surface rippled—and countless spikes shot out.
"Tch!" Max jumped back, narrowly avoiding being shredded.
The air buzzed with tension as their clash intensified, blades and fists striking faster than the eye could follow.
Suddenly, Kisame hurled Samehada high into the air and began weaving seals again."Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"
A massive dragon of swirling water rose, roaring toward Max.
Max smirked. "You think the same move will work twice?"
"String-String Fruit—Five Color Strings!"
Lines of shimmering threads erupted from his fingers, glowing as Armament Haki flowed over them. With a flick, he slashed through the oncoming dragon—slicing it neatly into pieces. The creature dissolved into a crashing wave.
Catching his falling sword, Kisame charged again.
Max pulled on his threads—metal ringing as the strings and Samehada collided midair, sending water flying in all directions.
The battle had only just begun.
"..."
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