A Move to Decide the Battle?

Sakura Haruno carefully examined Kisame's transformed form, her gaze lingering on his gills for a moment.

"Compared to me, this guy is the real master of transformation, isn't he?" she remarked, while gathering Chakra for her next attack. "At least I'm still human; he's completely transformed into another species!"

The girl appeared calm on the outside, but beneath her composed expression, her mind raced as she analyzed the situation with lightning speed.

"Those gills are probably not just for show; it looks like it can breathe underwater..."

"And the tail, fins... they're perfect for swimming."

"His combat prowess has been enhanced by his expertise in aquatic environments, and coupled with this enormous lake, he has completely gained the upper hand... The resistance in the water is too great, and I don't possess the super-powerful Taijutsu of Might Guy, so I can't instantly kill him with Nintaijutsu. I can only rely on Ninjutsu to exchange blows... Although the aquatic environment is also an advantage for me, manipulating the water flow infused with his Chakra is still a bit troublesome. That's not the main issue, it's just that Water Release can't defeat him in a short time."

"If Sasuke didn't need reinforcements, this would be a great opportunity to teach him a lesson about being too clever for his own good. But right now, we need to finish this quickly..."

"That's enough probing. He's probably revealed all his cards; he doesn't have any major tricks up his sleeve..."

"Then, we're confident enough..."

"Finish him off with the next move!"

She lowered her eyelids, lost in thought.

Her previous mistakes had tempered her impetuousness, but they hadn't caused Sakura to lose confidence or become self-deprecating. On the contrary, after shedding that arrogance and frivolity, Sakura Haruno's aura became even more solid and composed. If the previous battles were a test of her skills, then this battle with Kisame was a test of her will and character!

Currently, through gradual probing, Sakura has gathered enough information. She is confident that even if Kisame has any other tricks up his sleeve, he won't be able to stop her next attack!

"This is the first time I've been pushed to this point," the merman said, floating in the water nearby, blowing bubbles as he spoke. Unable to speak properly underwater, he used Chakra to transmit his words. "While I could win by dragging this out, out of respect, let me finish you off with my next strike!"

"One move to decide the outcome?" Sakura Haruno, "Just what I wanted... I'm in a hurry too!"

As if by unspoken agreement, neither of them concealed their Chakra fluctuations during their conversation, and the Chakra energy circulating within their bodies was laid bare!

Sakura Haruno's surging Chakra even forced the lake water back, Kisame could feel the terrifying aura emanating from the girl even from a distance of over a hundred meters!

Kisame felt a chill run down his spine, but a vicious sneer appeared on his face as he said, "Although I hate to admit it, whether Chakra reserves, Water Release, or Taijutsu, you've surpassed me..."

"And your strength is still growing! It's probably an honor for me to meet an opponent like you!"

"What a pity! Someone like you, who knows how far you could have gone in the future! It's a shame you're going to die at my hands today!"

As he said this, for some reason, Kisame suddenly thought of that person: Madara Uchiha.

No, that's impossible.

Having fought to this extent, he had to admit that Sakura Haruno's strength far exceeded his expectations. Without Samehada, he probably wouldn't have been able to withstand even a single move from her! But no matter how much she grew, how could a ninja with only Ice Release Kekkei Genkai Madara Uchiha?

Besides, what future can a dying person possibly have?

The Mist Ninja missing-nin shook his head slightly, banishing the absurd idea from his mind.

He was nearing the end of his hand seals and was full of confidence in defeating Sakura Haruno when he heard the voices of the Konoha Ninja on the other side.

"Are these your last words?"

The voice remained as cold and indifferent as ever, without the slightest ripple.

Sakura Haruno did not respond to Kisame's words, as if she hadn't paid any attention to him at all.

The murderous intent was hidden within those seemingly ordinary words, spreading outwards.

On the contrary, her Chakra was extremely restless and agitated. The massive amount of Chakra in her body seemed to solidify into a tangible form, fluctuating as if it had a life force, giving birth to an unimaginable Ninjutsu.

Even Kisame, accustomed to high-energy-consuming Ninjutsu, couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine upon seeing the power of this technique. Compared to it, the Ninjutsu he was preparing, while also an extraordinary high-level Ninjutsu, paled in comparison!

"However, no matter what kind of Ninjutsu it is, I will ultimately be the victor."

Thinking of the characteristics of his Ninjutsu, Kisame forcibly suppressed his apprehension and methodically completed the last Hand Seals.

"My technique is designed to become stronger against stronger opponents; the stronger the opponent, the more powerful it becomes!"

Despite this understanding, for some reason, Kisame had a bad feeling. It was the intuition of a battle-hardened warrior; a voice seemed to be telling Kisame to run away and avoid that Ninjutsu!

Kisame ignored the warning sign. He clenched his fists tightly and then swung them forward with a surge of Chakra!

"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!"

Roar--!!

The moment Kisame's Chakra left his body, it transformed into a gigantic shark, roaring and howling, its gaping maw tens of meters wide, charging towards Sakura Haruno!

"The Great Shark Bullet Technique is no ordinary Ninjutsu... It possesses Samehada's abilities! In the clash of Ninjutsu, it can absorb Chakra to weaken its opponent and strengthen itself. No matter what kind of Ninjutsu is, it will devour it completely, turning the tables and utterly defeating the opponent!"

"To date, no one has been able to stop this attack... It's a Ninjutsu that grows stronger against stronger opponents!"

The giant shark conjured by Kisame's Ninjutsu, carrying the confidence of Kisame's Kisame, roared with earth-shaking force as it pressed down on Sakura Haruno with overwhelming momentum.

And at that very moment, Sakura's Ninjutsu finally arrived, albeit belatedly!

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away from the center of the fierce battle.

In a secluded cave hidden deep in the mountains.

The masked man slowly opened his eyes.

The eerie, swirling mask has only one eyehole at the center of the spiral, through which a blood-red and sinister eye can be seen.

The black Tomoe spun endlessly in his Red Eye. The short-haired man who called himself Madara Uchiha sat on a stone chair, his legs crossed, and his index finger, painted with black nail polish, tapped idly on the chair.

"How is the situation?"

In the darkness, Obito Uchiha asked calmly to the empty hall.