Chapter 168: The Shark's Counterattack
"Hmph! To survive my Raptor's Sky-Severing Slash... your vitality is indeed beyond that of a normal human," Ren remarked coldly, observing the heavily wounded Kisame.
The Raptor's Sky-Severing Slash was a technique Ren had developed himself. By utilizing the Mangekyo Sharingan's ability to manipulate the form of the Susanoo, he could reshape its defensive structure into a purely offensive, draconic projectile. Inspired by games from his past life, he combined this with Lightning Release chakra applied to his legs to stimulate his cells to their limit, achieving blinding speed. Encased within the transformed Susanoo, he became an unstoppable lance, crushing anything in his path. The drawback was the immense strain on his visual acuity; only the predictive capabilities of the Sharingan allowed him to accurately target his opponent at such velocities.
Cough... cough... "I never imagined... I would be reduced to such a state..." Kisame wheezed, blood trickling from his lips. Despite his injuries, he showed no fear, only a grim acceptance. "Itachi was right... Uchiha Ren... you are truly powerful... I think... perhaps only the Leader... could be your match..."
"Your Leader? That 'Pain' character? I look forward to testing that theory," Ren said dismissively. "But first, I must deal with you. Leaving a threat like you alive would only cause me trouble later." He raised his sword, Ryūko, intending to deliver the final blow.
However, as the blade descended towards Kisame's neck, the Samehada, which had been lying discarded on the ground, suddenly sprang to life. It shot forward, intercepting Ren's strike with its scaly body. Simultaneously, its hilt slammed into Kisame's body. In that instant, it not only absorbed a fresh surge of chakra from the contact with Ren's sword but also transferred a massive amount of energy into Kisame.
"Damn it!" Ren snarled.
The grievous wounds on Kisame's torso began to knit together at a visible rate. Enraged, Ren's Susanoo instantly materialized and delivered a powerful punch, sending Samehada flying. But by the time he turned back to finish Kisame, the Akatsuki member had already rolled away, putting distance between them.
"Well done, Samehada!" Kisame laughed, now standing firmly. The fused sword slithered back to his side. "I grow stronger based on my enemy's power! I do not tire, and I will not fall!" He tore away the tattered remains of his Akatsuki cloak, revealing a body that was already nearly fully healed, restored by the chakra infusion.
"Hmph! That damned sword, Samehada... it's a real nuisance," Ren muttered, his eyes narrowing. It captures the enemy's chakra and empowers its wielder. That's why they call him the Tailless Tailed Beast.
"Heh. You understand now?" Kisame grinned, his hands flashing through a rapid sequence of hand seals. He took a deep breath, his chest swelling. "*Water Style: Great Exploding Water Collision Wave!*"
A colossal tidal wave erupted from his mouth, flooding the entire forest clearing in an instant. The volume was staggering, creating a massive dome of water that trapped Ren within it before he could evade.
So this is his technique, Ren thought, suspended in the aqueous prison. He used this against Killer B. He creates a giant water sphere, his own personal battlefield. Inside here, his opponent can't breathe, and his own abilities are enhanced.
"Hehehe... In my domain, the longer the battle lasts, the weaker you become, unable to breathe," Kisame's voice echoed through the water, his form now merging further with Samehada, taking on a more shark-like, monstrous appearance. "And I... I will only grow stronger by absorbing your chakra!"
The key is that sword, Ren analyzed calmly, holding his breath. His current physical prowess allowed him to survive for an extended period without air. To defeat him, I must separate him from Samehada.
"Then try and take it from me!" Kisame roared, sensing Ren's intent. He surged forward through the water, his speed dramatically increased in his element, Samehada leading the charge like a hungry predator.
The battle had entered its most dangerous phase. Ren was trapped in the shark's tank, and the shark was coming in for the kill.
💀 WANT TO READ AHEAD? 💀
👉 JOIN MY PATREON — Patreon.com/The_Ripper_87
════════ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ════════
🔥 CURRENTLY AT CHAPTER 270: DARK PUPIL🔥
⚡ SUPPORT THE STORY WITH YOUR POWER STONES! ⚡
🖤 EVERY STONE AND EVERY PLEDGE HELPS KEEP THE STORY GOING! 🖤
BONUS CHAPTER FOR EVERY 100 POWERSTONE