Back when he had infiltrated Konoha with Itachi, Naruto had still been a child.
Aside from his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kisame had never given Naruto a second thought.
In just a few short years, his growth had been astonishing.
First, he had taken two of Kakuzu's lives with a single blow, and not long ago, he had even defeated Pain, the public leader of the Akatsuki.
Now, even Obito felt threatened by him and had been forced to make a series of preparations.
Kisame said gravely, "You're someone the Akatsuki will take sooner or later, and you've taken the eye he wants, too. Our positions are utterly incompatible. I can't think of a reason you would save me."
Naruto said, "Things always happen suddenly. The reasons come afterward."
Kisame said, "Even so, whatever you're plotting, forgive me, but I won't act as you wish!"
A smile formed beneath Naruto's mask. "I understand. That's precisely why I admire you..."
"Ugh..."
"Urgh..."
The Raikage and Killer B were still lying on the ground, yet to recover. Surviving such a heavy collision at that speed was proof enough of how formidable they both were.
The Kumogakure ninja, led by Darui, hurried forward to protect them.
Darui said, "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, you again. Was making a scene at the Five Kage Summit not enough? You gave the boss information and finally got him to let you off, yet you still wouldn't give up and came after us. Why?"
Naruto glanced at Killer B, set aside his memories of the past, and replied with quiet confidence, "He got what he wanted and saved his younger brother. I want to save someone, too. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
Darui narrowed his eyes. "Someone you want to save... that shark from the Akatsuki? He doesn't seem grateful, though. What are you after?"
Naruto spread his hands. "I'm under no obligation to answer any more of your questions~."
Darui raised his voice. "Then let our ninjutsu do the talking!"
Storm Release: Laser Circus!
Storm Release combined water and lightning, possessing both lightning's destructive power and water's controllability. With Laser Circus, water vapor released from Darui's hands transformed into multiple powerful laser beams that shot toward Naruto!
Naruto raised his palm. A translucent Sealing Technique Barrier unfolded before it, his left eye glowing with ocular power in response.
Preta Path!
Whoosh!
The Storm Release lasers immediately weakened and were completely absorbed by the Preta Path.
Naruto lowered his hand and said indifferently, "Stop. I have no intention of fighting you right now..."
Darui gritted his teeth. "Tch, what an utterly tiresome eye!"
Naruto reached for the mask on his face. It had only one opening, exposing his left eye.
"Mr. Kisame, I know full well that you would never abandon your position, no matter what. So forgive my presumption..."
As he removed his mask, Naruto had already turned to face Kisame. The three tomoe in his right eye spun, transforming into a Mangekyō Sharingan with four distinct, hooked points!
A dark red light rose within his eye!
Kotoamatsukami!
Hum!
This technique worked subtly. Its target would not even notice anything unusual and would naturally act in accordance with the caster's wishes!
There were no complications... everything fell naturally into place!
The earth broke open, and one of Kisame's arms emerged.
Naruto reached out and pulled Kisame up, smiling. "Kisame, I look forward to working with you."
Kisame shook the dirt from his clothes and replied politely, "No, the pleasure is mine..."
"What!?" Darui could hardly believe his eyes. "How is that possible? Kisame Hoshigaki clearly wasn't grateful to him before. How could a man who faced death without a trace of fear betray his cause just because someone saved his life once!?"
The light in his right eye faded, and it reverted to three tomoe. Naruto put his mask back on, concealing it.
He extended his left hand toward the space behind Darui.
Banshō Ten'in!
Whoosh!
A powerful gravitational pull drew Samehada off Killer B's back and through the air into his hand!
Shhk! Shhk!
Samehada resisted. Burr-like barbs protruded beneath the bandages around its hilt. Blood poured from Naruto's palm, but his expression never changed as he held Samehada firmly.
Rustle, rustle, rustle...!
Samehada's blade thrashed wildly. When it failed to break free, it began absorbing Naruto's chakra, swelling in size!
The corner of Naruto's mouth lifted. He activated the Preta Path's ability and began absorbing Samehada's chakra instead.
When it came to absorption, the Preta Path was ultimately superior.
Samehada lost the struggle. Its enormous blade rapidly shrank and drooped limply.
"Ki, ki, ki..." Completely subdued, Samehada made pleading noises.
Clang!
Naruto tossed Samehada down in front of Kisame. "Here. It's yours again."
Kisame bent down and picked Samehada up. "We're both traitors now. I'll be counting on you from here on, Samehada..."
Samehada had returned to its rightful owner, but Kisame Hoshigaki had now joined Naruto's ranks!
Such was the power of Kotoamatsukami!
Naruto bandaged his profusely bleeding left hand. Looking at the ground by his feet, stained with his blood, he drove a kunai with an Explosive Tag attached into that spot.
He lifted his left hand, rested it on Kisame's shoulder, and said to the already dumbstruck Darui, "Then this is where we part..."
Whoosh!
The Flying Thunder God Technique activated, and Naruto departed with Kisame!
Boom...!
The Explosive Tag detonated, blasting away every trace of the bloodstained ground!
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
In the distant grass, a small snake that had been flicking its tongue, poised to act, had a frustrated gleam in its slit pupils. "Tch, he didn't leave even a trace of blood. Naruto is no longer the reckless brat he once was. He's cautious at every turn, like a wily old fox. No wonder even Lord Orochimaru was..."
"Ugh..."
No sooner had Naruto left than the Raikage and Killer B regained consciousness.
The Raikage said, "Where's that shark bastard from the Akatsuki!?"
Killer B said, "Where's my Goodkid??"
Darui said, "They were taken away..."
The Raikage instantly exploded. "What did you say!! Naruto Uzumaki again!!! If I ever get my hands on him again, I'll have his head!!!!"
Though disappointed at losing the Samehada he had only just acquired, Killer B still improvised a song. "..."
The Raikage looked over. "B..."
Killer B looked back. "Big bro..."
Clench!
"Running around everywhere, doing nothing but causing me trouble!!!" The Raikage's iron grip clamped around Killer B's head.
"Ow, ow, ow, oh, aaah! Big bro's tough love still packs that same old POOOOWER~~~~...!!!" Killer B's cries of pain rang on and on.
Darui and the Kumogakure ninja exchanged looks, all smiling wryly.
Naruto brought Kisame back to where Konan and Orochimaru were waiting.
They were all old acquaintances.
Kisame smiled. "Konan, Orochimaru, I never imagined we'd be working together again..."
Orochimaru smiled. "Neither did I, even less so. This time, would you let me study your Samehada?"
Konan asked, "We've accomplished our objective. Shall we return to Amegakure?"
In the twilight, orioles flew over the flourishing grass. The sight inevitably reminded Naruto of his days of training. Back then, he had always gone to a certain place afterward...
I probably won't be able to go there anymore.
"Before that, there's somewhere I still need to visit..."
Before you continue