The two figures attacking the Mist Ninja wore rain hats, preventing Kisame from seeing their faces clearly.
But the strength they displayed definitely placed them among the strongest in the Shinobi World. That puppet capable of using Magnet Release, in particular, was simply unheard of.
Holding his breath, Kisame fled toward the water without the slightest hesitation.
He did not know whether those two ninja were friends or foes, but he lacked the courage to calmly face an unbeatable enemy. It was not yet time for him to give his life. He had not found his own ninja way.
As he ran, Kisame suddenly dropped into a slide, dodging the incoming storm of iron sand.
Once back on his feet, Kisame formed hand seals without hesitation and shouted in a low voice, "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Taking advantage of the abundant moisture around him, a water dragon nearly ten meters long lunged at the puppet manipulating iron sand in midair. Its powerful impact broke through the iron curtain of sand, leaving puddles across the ground.
"The iron sand's gotten heavier. Looks like we have some decent prey..."
Sasori, who had been secretly controlling the Kazekage puppet, appeared and complained about the iron sand growing heavy from the water. "Who would have thought an ordinary squad would have a Kirigakure Jonin so skilled in Water Release?"
"Not quite, Sasori." Orochimaru appeared from somewhere, his voice hoarse. "This one is a Kirigakure Missing-nin... look at his forehead protector."
Only then did Sasori notice the slash across the forehead protector on Kisame's brow, the mark of a Missing-nin.
With a cold snort, he said to Kisame, "Shark face, what's going on in Kirigakure?"
Kisame did not answer. He recognized one of them. Orochimaru, once one of the Sannin and now a Missing-nin,