The giant tree brought Kisame to the surface of the sea. His entire body was bound by vines, with only his head exposed. It looked as if his body had grown inside the tree roots.
"I was really caught just like this?"
Seeing this scene, Jokichi was somewhat surprised.
The spores were a tactical layout Jokichi thought of when he was knocked to the seabed.
Using Deep Forest Emergence, utilizing the forest's multiple vines to make up for his lack of speed and strength, while simultaneously scattering spores on the seabed to prevent Kisame from launching a surprise attack from below.
After all, his move of fusing with Samehada to turn into a half-fishman form was extremely powerful, especially in the sea. Even the partially tailed-beast-transformed Killer Bee was toyed with by him in the water.
Jokichi didn't think the dividing plant spores could take him down in one fell swoop. He only wanted to take advantage of the time the dividing plant spores entangled him to freeze the sea with the Sword of Protection, taking him down in one stroke.
He didn't expect that Kisame would be caught by the vines before he even had a chance to use that trump card.
The chakra-absorbing property of Wood Release rendered Kisame unable to exert his strength. Even, as long as Jokichi willed it, these vines could instantly absorb Kisame as nourishment.
Ultimately, Jokichi still underestimated Wood Release.
Past reincarnations of Asura all needed the Nine-Tails to fight against Indra's reincarnations. However, the First Hokage, possessing this power from the Divine Tree, completely reversed the situation. Uchiha Madara couldn't contend with him even with the Nine-Tails.
Catching a glimpse of the whole, one can somewhat imagine the power of Wood Release.
Although the power of the Divine Tree Crystal forged from Yamato was very weak, after being nourished by the massive vitality of the perfect Sage Body, this power grew visibly stronger every day.
Coupled with the support of Jokichi's massive chakra reserves, his Wood Release had long surpassed Yamato's.
Although it still couldn't reach the level when Tobi controlled Yamato, compared to the First Hokage reanimated by Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams, it was still slightly stronger.
"I didn't expect to lose to a kid. The affairs of the world are truly impermanent!"
With his life at another's mercy, Kisame's heart was very calm, even wearing a faint smile on his face.
He became a ninja very young, caught the eye of the big shots in the village, shouldered secret missions, and then continuously betrayed his comrades, killing them with his own hands.
His hands were stained with the blood of comrades and enemies, having seen countless lives pass away.
He felt that it wouldn't be strange for a sinner like him to die at any time. He just never thought he would be defeated by a nameless kid.
Perhaps, this is the punishment sent down by heaven for my crimes!
Hearing Kisame's words, Jokichi couldn't help but chuckle.
"There are so many impermanent things in the world, do you have to sigh over each one?"
"No, no need."
Kisame shook his head.
"I did indeed lose this battle. Do whatever you want, kill me or slice me."
"Rest assured, I won't kill you for now."
Kisame was the watcher arranged by Obito to be by Itachi's side. However, Kisame respected Itachi very much and obeyed his words.
If he killed him, Obito would arrange someone else to monitor Itachi. It would be bad to not know how things would turn out then.
Although Jokichi hadn't dispelled the shadow clone yet and didn't know Itachi's request, having watched the anime, he wouldn't fail to think of this point.
Jokichi plucked a tuft of hair from Kisame's head, placed it in a bottle, and kept it carefully. He then also wanted to slice off a piece from Samehada.
However, although Samehada could become very soft, its essence was very hard.
Jokichi tried several times but failed to cut a piece off.
Kisame didn't understand the point of Jokichi doing this, and couldn't resist, just watching silently.
Jokichi tried for a while and gave up.
Although he thought about directly taking Samehada for himself, this thing seemed quite loyal to Kisame. Even the Eight-Tails' chakra couldn't make it turn its coat.
He didn't think he had enough charm to make Samehada betray Kisame.
Even if Samehada really betrayed Kisame attracted by his chakra, with Killer Bee's example right there, he wouldn't dare trust it.
So, after thinking about it, he let it go. Weapons with special powers, it's not like he didn't have any; he didn't lack this one.
After Jokichi gave up on Samehada, he directly dispelled his shadow clone.
Instantly, his mind was filled with the information from the shadow clone's contact with Itachi. Along with it, the Domain Mirror also returned to his hand.
He unhurriedly stored the Domain Mirror back into the system space, then suddenly jumped out.
The next second, black flames ignited in the sea forest. The terrifying temperature made the seawater boil in that instant.
Jokichi stabilized his body on the distant sea surface. Looking back, Kisame had already broken free, and standing beside him was Uchiha Itachi.
They distanced themselves from the burning forest, looking at Jokichi from afar on the sea surface to his right.
Itachi couldn't use Kagutsuchi, and couldn't control the Amaterasu he released either. If they continued to stay in the forest, they would also be burned to death.
"I thought I was dead for sure. I didn't expect to survive a disaster. This is also the impermanence of the world, huh!"
Kisame held Samehada with one hand, stretching his bones and joints, looking very appreciative.
Having been bound by vines just now, stretching his body now felt extremely comfortable.
"There are many impermanent things in the world. Are you going to sigh like this every time?" Jokichi asked again.
"Kid, don't get cocky."
Kisame rested Samehada on his shoulder, saying full of confidence, "I did indeed lose just now, but don't think winning once means you're stronger than me."
Saying that, Kisame swung Samehada, pointing it directly at Jokichi.
"Let's continue our previous battle. This time, I'll bring out all my strength."
"Tch!"
Jokichi mocked. "The winner isn't strong, but the loser is? A defeated opponent saying anything is just the barking of a losing dog."
"You..."
Kisame was angered. He grabbed Samehada and was about to charge, but unexpectedly, Itachi extended his right hand and stopped him.
"Hmm?"
Kisame looked at Itachi in confusion. He saw him shake his head slightly and say indifferently, "We're retreating."
"Why?"
Kisame was very puzzled. "Even if I'm not his match, if the two of us joined forces, that kid would undoubtedly lose."
"The client is dead."
"Huh?"
Kisame was dumbfounded. It took him a while to recover. "What do you mean the client is dead?"
"Literally what it means."
Itachi said calmly, "Earlier, I was taken into a different dimension by that guy's shadow clone. When I broke free, I saw Gato's corpse."
"Why would that bastard be here?"
"I don't know. But seeing discarded weapons everywhere on the bridge and armed villagers, I can guess."
Itachi said calmly, "That guy probably wanted to bring his subordinates over to pick up a bargain while we were fighting the Konoha ninjas. He ended up getting killed by the villagers who drummed up their courage."
"Tch, how irritating!"
Kisame smashed the sea surface in frustration, then looked at Jokichi with an unfriendly expression.
"Since the client is dead, we have no reason to fight either. Of course, if you think you can take on two at once, you can chase after us and try. But, before that, I'll ask. Kid, what's your name?"
"Easy to say."
Jokichi patted his chest and said, "I am the future number one person in the ninja world, Sakakura Jokichi!"
"Sakakura Jokichi?"
Kisame was a bit puzzled. "What a weird name, but I'll remember you."