Night lay heavy, and mist churned over Grass Dam.
The water was chillingly still, moonlight shattered across the lake, and only the night wind howled all around.
Kisame Hoshigaki gripped his great sword, killing intent surging around him. His brows were tightly furrowed, his fury impossible to contain, and chakra raged wildly throughout his body as he stared fixedly at the figure opposite him.
Uchiha Lei rested his left hand on his sword hilt, his expression indifferent and haughty, utter disdain in his eyes.
In his eyes, this enraged shark before him was a future subordinate who needed a lesson.
Blue chakra covered his entire body, his overwhelming presence dominating the area as he quietly waited for Kisame to act.
Kisame's expression grew calm. The fingers of his left hand swiftly finished forming hand seals, and he gave a low shout:
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
The thin mist already hanging nearby instantly thickened into dense white fog.
Kisame had already vanished into the white fog.
The fog continued rapidly spreading in every direction, stopping only after it extended beyond a hundred-meter radius.
"Sharingan-activate!"
Uchiha Lei gave a low shout, and his black pupils became crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
The surroundings, previously blurred by the white fog, became clear again.
Whoosh!
A dark figure flashed behind Lei!
Swish!
A silver blade flashed in its wake, its light like a shadow as it swiftly slashed toward Lei's back.
Unfortunately, it struck empty air.
The dark figure came fully into view, revealing Kisame Hoshigaki.
Just as Kisame brought his left hand back to form seals and use the Body Flicker Technique to leave again-
A sword rang out behind him!
Swish!
A silver sword flash, swift as a gale and without the slightest hesitation, swept across Kisame's neck.
Splash!
Kisame turned into a