Susanoo

Under Kisame Hoshigaki's shocked gaze, his Greatsword Samehada—its cold gleam carrying the full force of a lethal strike, a hair's breadth from Naruto's face—froze impossibly in midair.

It was as if time itself had been suspended in that instant.

At the same time, the black flames of Amaterasu unleashed by Itachi Uchiha—that blaze of destruction and despair—were likewise isolated by Naruto's "Infinity Technique," clinging to the surface of his body without penetrating a single layer, writhing and roaring in futile struggle, unable to advance even a fraction.

In that moment, both Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha wore expressions of utter disbelief.

They had never seen such a bizarre and powerful defense, nor had they expected this seemingly young, golden-haired boy to conceal such unfathomable strength.

Kisame Hoshigaki, struck as if by lightning, had yet to recover from his earlier shock when he felt his hand go empty—the Greatsword Samehada, his companion for years, was now firmly gripped in Naruto's grasp.

Naruto's movements were astonishingly fast, like a lightning bolt tearing across the sky. Not only did he effortlessly seize Kisame's greatsword, but he also wrapped the rampaging Amaterasu flames around his fist.

Then, in a sudden burst, Naruto punched Kisame Hoshigaki with that fist wreathed in Amaterasu's fire.

The punch was so swift that Kisame Hoshigaki had no time to react. His face instantly twisted, saliva flying from the searing pain, yet it was suspended eerily in midair, isolated by the "Infinity Technique."

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

The force of this blow was so immense that it drove Kisame Hoshigaki's already bulging eyes—shock-widened—back into their sockets.

Amaterasu's flames began to ravage Kisame's body, covering his stomach and face. The agony nearly made him roar, but his throat, scorched by the fire, could produce no sound.

At this moment, Kisame Hoshigaki was like a beast trapped in a net of fire. No matter how he struggled, he could not escape the blazing flames or the rain of heavy fists descending from Naruto.

Below, Itachi Uchiha witnessed this series of jaw-dropping developments, his heart churning with indescribable shock.

He quickly dispelled Amaterasu, the black flames snuffed out as if by an invisible hand, vanishing into thin air.

A complex light flickered in Itachi Uchiha's eyes. He had sensed that Naruto's strength was not to be underestimated, but he never imagined that this golden-haired boy's level of danger would reach such an astonishing height.

Just as Itachi Uchiha's mind was reeling, the figures of Jiraiya and Might Guy appeared silently on a distant Konoha rooftop.

They, too, were rushing over.

Itachi Uchiha knew that this was no place to linger. He had to withdraw quickly to avoid falling into an even more disadvantageous position.

So he immediately shouted to Kisame Hoshigaki, "Retreat!" His voice was thick with urgency.

Kisame Hoshigaki's heart was filled with misery. He wanted nothing more than to escape this terrifying golden-haired boy—he was nearly beaten to death.

But would Naruto let him go so easily? A set of Sage Art Frog Kumite was executed by Naruto with flawless precision.

His movements were as fast as lightning, his strength staggering. Every strike landed precisely on Kisame Hoshigaki's vital points.

Kisame Hoshigaki felt unbearable pain all over his body, as if countless giant hands were tearing him apart, pushing him to the brink of unconsciousness.

Under the relentless barrage of this Sage Art Frog Kumite, Kisame Hoshigaki finally understood just how terrifying this seemingly young boy truly was.

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

To survive, he gritted his teeth, enduring the agony, and tried to find an opportunity to counterattack.

Yet, faced with Naruto's storm of attacks, he found himself utterly unable to even defend himself.

This battle was nothing short of a nightmare for Kisame Hoshigaki.

He had never imagined that he would be defeated so miserably by a mere brat.

But reality was brutally cruel.

Itachi Uchiha, seeing Kisame Hoshigaki unable to escape under Naruto's fierce assault, grew anxious inside.

He knew that if they delayed any longer, both of them would be in danger.

So he activated Susanoo. A massive skeletal arm materialized, carrying an earth-shattering momentum, and shot straight toward Naruto.

Naruto's eyes gleamed with excitement at the sight. He seemed to see a new challenge, dropping Kisame Hoshigaki and turning without fear to meet Susanoo head-on.

But at that moment, Itachi Uchiha's Susanoo suddenly changed direction. The enormous skeletal arm arced through the air in a bizarre trajectory, catching the falling Kisame Hoshigaki.

Itachi Uchiha's hand seals were incredibly fast, as if invisible notes danced between his fingers, each movement precise and swift.