The kunai and ninja swords in their hands collided violently, sending dazzling sparks into the air. The symphony of clashing metal echoed continuously.
"Oh?"
In the heat of battle, the Sand Village jonin was surprised to find that the kid in front of him had some real skill—lasting this long in a duel wasn't something most genin could do.
But that was the end of it.
He suddenly changed his stance.
Kisame was caught off guard. His ninja sword was knocked flying, and his balance faltered, exposing multiple vulnerabilities.
"Go to hell, kid."
The Sand Village jonin sneered and thrust his kunai straight for Kisame's heart.
At the last moment—
Kisame whipped his arm, flinging a large cloud of quicklime from his sleeve. At such close range, it struck the jonin's face directly.
"Argh!"
The Sand Village shinobi screamed in agony. Lime had entered his eyes, causing searing pain and temporary blindness.
Kisame seized the moment, creating distance between them and sprinting away.
But he barely took two steps before an intense heat radiated from behind him.
Whipping his head around, he saw a fireball rapidly closing in, exploding into a massive blaze that engulfed everything.
Though Kisame dodged as best he could, the blast launched him through the air, leaving him seriously wounded.
But—
That was his escape route!
Whoosh!
Using the explosion's force, Kisame arced through the air and splashed into the wide river with a loud thump.
The gill marks on his face weren't just for show.
In water, Kisame was in his element. He dove beneath the surface and swam away with ease.
Moments later—
Whoosh.
Pakura landed gracefully on the water's surface. Her sharp gaze scanned the area, and she frowned.
He escaped.
"Tch. Just a brat—no big deal," she muttered.
She turned back toward the dam and issued her command:
"Prepare the explosives. Destroy this dam completely. Then continue the pursuit of Mangetsu Hozuki."
"Yes!"
Ten minutes later—
Boom!
A deafening explosion split the dam. Torrents of water surged forth like a stampede of wild horses, swallowing the downstream forests in thunderous chaos.
Night fell. The moon shone brightly above a roaring waterfall that plunged from a 100-meter cliff into the abyss below.
In the forest near the cliff's edge,Mangetsu Hozuki slumped against a tree, gasping. His legs were scorched and bleeding, rendering him immobile.
He'd fled here under Pakura's relentless pursuit, only to find himself cornered.
She was a monster.
Her Scorch Release techniques could evaporate water itself—devastating against Mist ninja who relied on Water Style.
Even as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he was soundly defeated.
Now, he could only hope reinforcements would arrive before the Sand ninjas found him.
Suddenly—
Blub blub.
Bubbles rose from the river. A figure emerged, crawling onto the bank.
"Who's there?!"
Mangetsu Hozuki growled, grasping the Thunder Blade: Kiba. Lightning crackled from its edge as he channeled chakra.
"Sir, it's me."
Kisame stepped into the moonlight, hands raised.
"You're alive?" Hozuki blinked, surprised, but relaxed. "Heh. Tough little bastard."
Even among the bizarre-looking shinobi of the Mist, Kisame stood out. Shark-like features, gills—it made sense how he escaped through the water.
Mangetsu was quietly impressed.
Kisame approached, knelt respectfully, and reported:
"Sir, the Sand forces seem to have withdrawn after destroying the dam."
"Hmph. Cowards," Mangetsu grunted. "If not for their sneak attack, I'd have slaughtered them. Especially that woman—Pakura."
Kisame remained silent. He knew this bravado was just saving face.
In his memory, Mangetsu Hozuki was the most unimpressive of the original Seven Swordsmen. His power depended on his weapon, and even then, he failed to wield it to its full potential.
He was never revived in the Fourth Great Ninja War. A footnote.
Kisame's gaze drifted to Mangetsu's injured leg. His thoughts darkened.
But Mangetsu didn't notice. "Help me up," he ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Kisame stepped behind him and supported him gently.
"Careful with the wound."
His voice was kind—but his left hand slipped a kunai from his pouch. In one smooth motion, he drove it into Mangetsu's heart from behind.
Thud.
Mangetsu fell. His eyes wide, he looked down at the kunai protruding from his chest.
"Why…?"
Kisame stood over him, eyes cold and wild, a predator fully revealed.
"If you want me to die for you like a pawn, then it's only fair I kill you first."
He watched as Mangetsu's pupils dilated, then dimmed.
In his previous life, Kisame was a loyal, naive villain.
Not this time.
He would still be a villain—but never a fool.
Take orders blindly, no matter what?
Ha. Superiors exist to be eliminated.
Mangetsu, Suikazan Fuguki, Uchiha Obito, the entire Akatsuki—
All were targets now.
In the Akatsuki, Kisame had been the only true believer.
But surrounded by self-serving liars, what could be accomplished?
Better to walk the dark path alone.
His eyes drifted to the Thunder Blade: Kiba.
He picked it up, admiring its sleek curves and lightning-infused edge.
It was a dream weapon for any Lightning-style user. Though not as legendary as Samehada or the Twin Swords of the Silent Murder, it far surpassed the oversized Executioner's Blade in utility.
For now, it would do.
But Kisame wasn't a Lightning-style user, and just like Mangetsu, he couldn't use the weapon to its full potential. Worse, if he was caught with it, he'd face severe consequences.
He frowned.
Then—ding.
A familiar sound echoed in his mind.
A cheat system?
Yes. Like the single-player games he used to play.
It appeared as a panda head with an open mouth—waiting to be fed.
This cheat's function: devour special ninja tools and integrate them into Kisame's body, enhancing him.
Just now, by picking up the Thunder Blade, he had triggered it.
In this world where power is everything, he wasn't going to hold back.
Without hesitation, Kisame raised the twin blades. His eyes gleamed.
Buzz.
The Thunder Blades vibrated violently, sparks of lightning erupting. They resisted as if fearing their fate.
"Don't fight it. Let's become one… and evolve together."
Kisame whispered to the blade, grinning with sharp teeth.
A few seconds later—
The Thunder Sabre Tooth in his hand transformed into a brilliant streamer that melded into his body.
Kisame was shocked.
He could feel the streamer slithering through his limbs—from his arms and torso down to his legs—as if it were searching for a resting place.
In the end, it halted in an unexpected spot…
in his butt.