Susanoo

Under Kisame Hoshigaki's shocked gaze, his greatsword, Samehada—the deadly strike flashing with cold light and gathering all its strength—had been just a hair's breadth from Naruto's face when it inexplicably froze in midair.

It was as though time itself had frozen at that moment.

At the same time, the black flames of Amaterasu unleashed by Itachi Uchiha, those flames representing destruction and despair, were likewise isolated by Naruto's "Infinity Technique." They clung tightly to the surface of Naruto's body yet could not penetrate even the slightest bit, struggling and roaring in vain without ever being able to advance.

At that moment, both Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha wore looks of disbelief.

They had never seen such a strange and powerful defensive technique, much less expected that this seemingly young blond boy was concealing such unfathomable strength.

Kisame Hoshigaki felt as though he had been struck by lightning. Before he could recover from his earlier shock, his hand suddenly felt empty. The greatsword, Samehada, which had accompanied him for many years, had somehow already been seized firmly by Naruto.

Naruto moved so quickly it made one's tongue click in amazement, like a bolt of lightning tearing across the sky. Not only had he easily snatched Kisame's greatsword, he had also wrapped the rampaging flames of Amaterasu around his fist.

Immediately afterward, Naruto suddenly drove the fist wrapped in Amaterasu's flames into Kisame Hoshigaki.

The punch was so fast that Kisame Hoshigaki had no time to react. His face instantly contorted, and saliva sprayed from the agony, only to be isolated in midair by the "Infinity Technique," where it hung there eerily.

Before he could react, Naruto's second punch followed like a shadow, slamming straight into his face.

The blow was so powerful that it forcibly punched Kisame Hoshigaki's already bulging eyeballs, swollen from shock, back into their sockets.

The flames of Amaterasu began to run rampant across Kisame's body. His stomach and face were covered in fire, and the pain nearly forced him to howl, but the flames scorching his throat left him unable to make a sound.

At that moment, Kisame Hoshigaki was like a wild beast trapped in a web of fire. No matter how he struggled, he could not escape the blazing flames or Naruto's heavy punches raining down like drops of rain.

Below, Itachi Uchiha watched this series of astonishing changes unfold, his shock impossible to put into words.

He hurriedly dispelled Amaterasu. The black flames vanished from the air in an instant, as though snuffed out by an invisible hand.

Complex light flickered in Itachi Uchiha's eyes. He sensed that Naruto's strength was not to be underestimated, but he had never imagined that the blond boy's danger level would have reached such a terrifying height.

Just as Itachi Uchiha was reeling from the shock, Jiraiya and Might Guy quietly appeared on the rooftop of a distant Konoha building.

They were also rushing over.

Itachi Uchiha knew that this was no time to linger. They had to retreat as quickly as possible to avoid falling into an even more disadvantageous position.

Thus, he immediately shouted at Kisame Hoshigaki, "Retreat!" His voice was filled with urgency.

Kisame Hoshigaki was suffering terribly. Of course he wanted to escape from this terrifying blond boy—he was nearly beaten to death.

However, how could Naruto let him off so easily? Naruto unleashed Sage Art Frog Kumite to its fullest.

His movements were as fast as lightning, and his strength was astonishing. Every attack landed with precision on Kisame Hoshigaki's vital points.

Kisame Hoshigaki felt unbearable pain throughout his body, as if countless enormous hands were tearing him apart and leaving him on the verge of unconsciousness.

Under the frenzied bombardment of Sage Art Frog Kumite, Kisame Hoshigaki finally understood just how terrifying this seemingly young boy before him truly was.

Kisame Hoshigaki's heart filled with regret and fear. He knew he had already fallen into a desperate situation.

To stay alive, he clenched his teeth and endured the pain, trying to find a chance to counterattack.

However, facing Naruto's storm-like assault, he discovered that he did not even have the strength to defend himself.

For Kisame Hoshigaki, this battle was undoubtedly a nightmare.

He had never imagined that he would suffer such a miserable defeat at the hands of a mere brat.

Yet reality was simply this cruel.

Seeing that Kisame Hoshigaki could not escape under Naruto's fierce assault, Itachi Uchiha grew secretly anxious.

He knew that if this dragged on any longer, the two of them might both be plunged into danger.

Thus, he simply activated Susanoo. A gigantic skeletal arm burst into existence across the sky, carrying an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth as it reached straight for Naruto.

Seeing this, excitement flashed in Naruto's eyes. It was as though he had spotted a new challenge. He released Kisame Hoshigaki from his grasp, turned around, and fearlessly charged toward Susanoo.

However, at that moment, Itachi Uchiha's Susanoo suddenly changed direction. The enormous skeletal arm drew a strange arc through the air and caught Kisame Hoshigaki, who was about to fall.

Itachi Uchiha formed Hand Seals at incredible speed, as though invisible notes leaped between his fingers. Every movement was precise and swift.