The instant he finished speaking, the entire river churned violently, surging into the air like a waterfall flowing in reverse.
Immediately afterward, a massive ellipsoidal water prison formed, even enclosing the entire forest.
"!!!"
Roshi was stunned. He had never expected the man before him to possess a ninjutsu like this.
How much chakra did this take?!
The lava covering Roshi was constantly dissolving in the water. It only kept burning because his own chakra sustained it. He knew full well this could not go on; he would be worn down to death.
I have to find a way out as quickly as possible!
As he considered his options, he suddenly noticed Kisame's body undergoing a drastic transformation in the distance.
He looked just like a shark-man.
The sword in his hand had vanished, too.
"Heh heh heh..."
Kisame spread his enormous mouth in a vicious grin and said:
"The longer this drags on, the weaker you'll get. And... the weaker you get, the stronger I become. You understand how that works, don't you...?"
"Ugh..." Roshi had not heard Kisame's words very clearly. After spending so long underwater, he was growing increasingly short of oxygen.
Kisame Hoshigaki took his stance. "Well, then... here I come!"
Whoosh!
In his shark-man form, Kisame moved even faster through the water.
Seeing that things were going badly, Roshi decisively swam backward.
Whatever happens, I need to escape this water prison first.
Kisame spoke as he swam. "Don't waste your strength. You can't escape this Water Release. The difference in our terrain advantage is far too great now..."
"This water prison moves with me at its center, and I breathe through gills. Simply running away won't work!"
In just two seconds, Kisame caught up with Roshi.
Bam!
Kisame drove a headbutt straight into Roshi's abdomen.