Battle Against Kisame Hoshigaki

Step, step, step...

Sasuke Uchiha's face was ghastly.

That terrifying man, who appeared in his dreams countless times like a demon, had returned!

And this time, the man's target was... Naruto Uzumaki.

Although Sasuke Uchiha would find it hard to admit aloud, in his heart, Naruto Uzumaki was indeed his most important companion.

Now, this vital companion was in mortal danger!

I must... make it in time!

Sasuke's legs crossed in a blur, his chakra surging and burning wildly; this was speed that pushed past his limits!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

A rhythmic knocking echoed out; it was clear the person at the door possessed great composure.

"What is it? Getting tossed back already? I heard you!"

Naruto Uzumaki woke from his slumber, his lips pouting high.

He hopped off the bed, kicked on his shoes, and walked toward the door.

"Coming, coming, I'm opening the Space Gate now!"

Lin Mu sat cross-legged on the other bed, not moving, but he had already begun to silently condense his chakra, preparing to deal with whatever was coming next.

Naruto Uzumaki, innocent and naive, assumed it was Jiraiya returning and lacked any real vigilance.

But Lin Mu knew exactly who was knocking at this hour...

Creeeak—

The wooden door slowly swung open. Naruto Uzumaki looked up, ready to shout a few complaints, but what met his eyes was not that familiar white-haired figure.

He saw a pair of eyes—a pair of terrifying, crimson-glowing... Sharingan!

Itachi Uchiha!

Feeling the astonishingly horrific aura, the smile on Naruto's face vanished, and cold sweat began to trickle down his forehead.

"These eyes... Sasuke..."

"If it's not him, then who... they're just like Sasuke's Sharingan."

Naruto Uzumaki's muscles tensed, his face betraying a hint of panic; at only ten years old, he could not yet perfectly conceal his emotions.

Itachi Uchiha lowered his head slightly, his eyes scanning Naruto Uzumaki up and down.

"I didn't expect a brat like this to be the one sealing the Nine-Tails."

The tall, hideous Kisame Hoshigaki stepped out from behind Itachi Uchiha, the massive Samehada strapped to his back.

His round, shark-like eyes also swept over Naruto Uzumaki, filled with disbelief—that the most powerful Nine-Tails was actually sealed within such a small child.

!!!

Naruto's eyes widened further.

How do these guys know about the Nine-Tails?

The high collar of the Akatsuki cloak obscured the lower half of Itachi Uchiha's face.

This did not diminish Itachi Uchiha's presence; if anything, it made his exposed, blood-red eyes appear even more eerie.

"Naruto..."

Itachi Uchiha spoke again, his tone remaining indifferent to everything, yet carrying an unquestionable weight.

"Please come with us, outside."

Naruto Uzumaki's pupils trembled; every word from Itachi Uchiha sounded like a request, yet his body began to step forward involuntarily.

It was as if he were obeying Itachi Uchiha's command.

A hand landed on Naruto Uzumaki's shoulder, pressing down on his lifted foot.

The hand was not large; one look told you it belonged to another child.

"Hey... I know you guys are strong, but don't act like I don't exist, alright?"

Lin Mu pushed Naruto Uzumaki back into the room and stepped out himself.

Although they were nearly the same age, Lin Mu was nearly half a head taller than Naruto Uzumaki, and his temperament was far more mature and steady.

In reality, Lin Mu was not panicked. Not to mention that Jiraiya had heaven-defying means and would arrive quickly if a battle broke out here.

Even if Lin Mu had to face these two alone, he was fearless, for he still held a trump card up his sleeve!

This brat...

Kisame Hoshigaki bared his sharp teeth; there was a faint aura emanating from Lin Mu that made him feel very uncomfortable.

This aura was called... danger!

As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kisame Hoshigaki was a ninja who had spent years licking blood off the edge of a blade, and his intuition was incredibly sharp.

Yet, he was also deeply puzzled. What kind of tricks could a mere child possibly have that would make him feel threatened?

"Hehehe, brat, it seems you still don't understand the situation you're in!"

Kisame Hoshigaki drew the great sword Samehada from his back and swung it a few times.

"Then let me hack you a few times to help you wake up!"

With that, the great sword swung down directly, as if to mince Lin Mu into meat paste.

The light in Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan flickered slightly; he could tell that the chakra within this child was somewhat unique.

However, he did not stop Kisame Hoshigaki. Their mission this time was only the Nine-Tails jinchuriki; anyone else could be killed if they got in the way.

It was irrelevant!

"Wood Style: Cutting Technique!"

The chakra within Lin Mu circulated to his hands in a unique manner, and two incredibly sharp blades, shimmering with a dark, eerie glow, rapidly extended outward.

With the power of the Wood Style Body, this ninjutsu didn't even require hand signs!

The massive Samehada descended from the sky, slamming directly onto the wooden blade in Lin Mu's right hand.

Lin Mu's body sank, trembling slightly as he channeled the immense force he received down into the floor beneath his feet.

This was one of the benefits of the Wood Style Body that Lin Mu had discovered during his constant training.

The Wood Style constitution allowed him to be like a great tree in battle, transferring the roots of his injuries into the earth.

This was a unique technique for dissipating force.

"Huh..."

Kisame Hoshigaki tilted his head slightly, surprised. Lin Mu had actually blocked his great sword Samehada?!

"Still distracted at a time like this?"

Feeling the pressure on his right hand decrease slightly, Lin Mu knew his chance had arrived.

He did not hold back, thrusting his left hand directly toward Kisame Hoshigaki's abdomen!

Unfortunately, Kisame Hoshigaki was a veteran with rich combat experience. He instantly sensed the biting chill of the blade on Lin Mu's left hand and knew the strike was powerful.

He did not act arrogantly; he bent his body slightly, his muscles tensed as he controlled his power with precision, instantly dodging Lin Mu's attack.

"Heh..."

A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Lin Mu's mouth; Kisame Hoshigaki had still underestimated him.

With a shift of his thoughts, the vast chakra within his body condensed frantically onto the blade of his left hand.

Sshh—

The blade grew like vegetation, extending its length at an astonishing speed.

Puff—

The razor-sharp, pitch-black blade pierced directly into Kisame Hoshigaki's abdomen.

"Arghhh!"

Kisame Hoshigaki hurriedly retreated, clutching the injured area with both hands as the gushing blood soaked his robe.

Lin Mu tensed his muscles, using his powerful explosive force to charge forward, the blades on his arms striking repeatedly.

This was called pressing the advantage!

He had been careless!

Kisame Hoshigaki cursed inwardly; he had ultimately underestimated this brat.

Furthermore, they were inside an inn surrounded by walls, which significantly restricted the space for his great sword Samehada to maneuver.

At the same time, it gave the lethal wooden blades on Lin Mu's arms even more room to operate!