Trial

The bright moon hung overhead. It was already midnight, and Kirigakure's streets were utterly silent, save for the occasional streetlamp quietly illuminating the pavement.

Qi Shuang, Samehada strapped to his back, arrived at Fountain Square once again.

Hearing the disturbance, Kisame Hoshigaki opened his eyes in the pool.

"You finally came. I thought you'd forgotten me and planned to leave me locked up here for the rest of my life!" Kisame said with a grin.

Qi Shuang did not answer, because several Kirigakure ninja responsible for guarding the area came over.

"Sir!"

The squad leader bowed to him.

"Don't be nervous!"

Qi Shuang waved his hand and said softly, "I'm here to take Kisame Hoshigaki away. As for the other things beneath this pool, I won't touch them for now. You can continue keeping an eye on them in secret."

"All of you, stand down!"

"Yes, sir!"

The few Kirigakure ninja once again vanished into the shadows at the street corner.

Qi Shuang stepped into the pool and formed hand seals while dispersing his chakra into the water. It connected with the chakra in the ice chains around Kisame, allowing him to bring the chains back under his control.

Soon, a strange sense of control rose in his heart, and he gave a soft shout.

"Release!"

Immediately afterward, the ice chains around Kisame shattered inch by inch before dissipating into the pool.

"Come with me!"

Before Kisame could say anything, Qi Shuang grabbed him by the arm as soon as the ice chains were released. They shot into the air and vanished into the night sky.

"Where are you taking me—" Kisame shouted from the sky.

Since his companion was flying so fast, the cold, damp midnight air rushed down his throat the moment he opened his mouth, chilling him