Palm Thunder and the Mangekyo!

As his words fell, Kakashi and the others turned their eyes toward the Old Celestial Master, mildly puzzled.

They had no idea when Konoha had gained such a figure.

Chen Feng explained, "He is the head of Dragon Tiger Mountain of the Dao School. You may address him as the Old Celestial Master."

"Old Celestial Master?"

Kakashi's expression shifted. Though he knew little about the Dao School, anyone called a Celestial Master was surely no ordinary person. Moreover, although this man appeared aged, he had saved Sasuke from Samehada's attack. That alone showed how formidable he was.

Kisame, on the other side, said, "Never heard of any Dragon Tiger Mountain, but blocking a blow from Samehada means you've got some skill. Let me see what this head of yours is made of."

As he spoke, he charged forward again, the great blade in his hand slashing down with tremendous force. This strike was enough to grind a boulder into powder.

The Old Celestial Master remained calm. He simply extended his palm, intending to meet the attack barehanded.

Yet, beneath everyone's astonished gazes, the expected bloody scene of shattered bones and torn flesh did not occur.

Golden light flickered, and the Old Celestial Master's palm seemed to turn into an indestructible divine weapon, steadily blocking the blow.

Seeing this, Kisame's expression changed slightly. He said with some surprise, "Not bad, old man. Too bad you don't know how terrifying Samehada is!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the great blade in his hand seemed to come alive. Dense, razor-sharp barbs rose up and wrapped around the Old Celestial Master's arm.

The purple barbs writhed incessantly, as if greedily devouring something.

Feeling the energy coating his body slowly drain away, the Old Celestial Master raised an eyebrow. "It can absorb another's power and use it for itself? Interesting."

As he spoke, a blinding flash of lightning burst from his hand. The terrifying current instantly paralyzed Samehada before coursing into its wielder's body.

The intense pain made both Samehada and Kisame tremble involuntarily.

Kisame was startled. He suddenly exerted force with both arms and only then broke free of the lightning's restraint, stumbling backward without pause.

"What powerful Lightning Release!"

Feeling the stabbing pain continuously spreading through his body, a solemn look appeared on Kisame's fierce face.

But immediately afterward, surging battle intent filled his heart. He grinned and said, "Interesting. Someone can actually withstand Samehada barehanded. Then let's have some real fun!"

As his words fell, Samehada transformed into a living creature and slowly coiled around his arm, its sharp barbs sinking deeply into his flesh.

Yet surprisingly, not a single wound appeared on Kisame's body. Instead, a look of enjoyment even surfaced on his savage face.

Samehada continued to soften, turning into clusters of flowing water that merged into his body.

Within two breaths, the two had completely fused into one.

At the same time, Kisame's physique and appearance changed drastically. He became half-man, half-shark, looking even more horrifying.

This fusion technique was his ultimate trump card. Becoming one with Samehada greatly enhanced his strength, speed, and physique.

He became a true "humanoid tailed beast"!

Feeling the explosive power within him, Kisame clenched his fists, now sprouting sharp claws, and grinned viciously. "Good. This is the feeling!"

After completing the fusion, his confidence soared, and he launched another attack without hesitation.

His shark-like body shot forward at terrifying speed. He swung a claw, tearing the air with an explosive roar.

With such force, even a steel plate would be ripped apart!

Facing this attack, the Old Celestial Master still responded with nothing more than a simple palm strike. In an instant, claw and palm collided.

Golden light burst forth as waves of powerful force surged outward. Kisame was actually sent flying back once more.

Just then, the Old Celestial Master's eyes flashed as he said lightly, "You do have quite some brute strength."

As his words fell, lightning flashed beneath his feet, and his figure vanished. When he appeared again, he was already behind Kisame.

Seeing this, Kakashi's eyes widened. Even with his Sharingan, he had only barely caught a blurry afterimage of lightning.

Such astonishing speed reminded him of a powerful man who had died long ago.

That was his teacher, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Naruto known as the Yellow Flash.

Kakashi had never expected that, aside from the legendary Flying Thunder God Technique, there was another technique capable of unleashing such terrifying speed!

At that moment, the Old Celestial Master abruptly swept his sleeve, and golden light lashed across Kisame's back.

Kisame cried out in pain. It was as though he had been struck by a ten-thousand-pound hammer, and he was sent flying directly away.

Before he could steady himself, lightning flashed, and the Old Celestial Master appeared before him again.

A palm gleaming with golden light struck his chest. At the same time, an even more dazzling bolt of lightning suddenly erupted!

Palm Thunder!

Dazzling lightning blossomed from his palm and slammed heavily into Kisame's chest.

"Aah!"

With a miserable scream, Kisame's body flew backward like a cannonball, leaving behind only an afterimage.

His shark-like body smashed through several thick tree trunks in succession, then shattered a massive boulder several meters tall before finally coming to a stop and crashing to the ground.

That devastating blow directly knocked him out of his fused state, returning him to human form.

Kisame spat out a mouthful of blood and shakily rose to his feet. His chest was charred black, and his Five Viscera and Six Bowels felt as though they had been shattered.

Fortunately, his physique was extraordinary. Had it been an ordinary person, they would have been unable to rise after taking such a blow.

At this sight, both the Konoha group and Itachi Uchiha were stunned. They all understood Kisame's strength—he had absolutely crossed the threshold into Kage Level.

Yet such a fierce fighter had been injured so badly within only a few exchanges against this elderly Dao Sect man. It was truly terrifying!

The Old Celestial Master still wore that calm, unhurried expression. He merely commented, "Thick skin and tough flesh."

Hearing that remark, everyone could only twitch their mouths, speechless.

Just then, Itachi Uchiha stepped forward. A rare hint of battle intent appeared on his face as he said politely, "Your strength is exceptional, sir. I would like to ask for a few pointers."

As his words fell, he took a step forward and raised his eyes toward the other man.

At the same time, the blood-red three tomoe in his pupils flickered slightly. As they spun at high speed, they transformed into a beautiful yet eerie pattern.

The Mangekyo Sharingan, activated!