"Boom!"
A deafening blast rang out.
"Heh, Deidara's going wild again..."
Looking at the small mushroom cloud not far away, Kisame curled his lips in a mocking remark, then turned to Ao and Chōjūrō before him.
"Ao, it's been a while. How have you been? And you, Chōjūrō, stop looking like such a coward. I know how talented you are. Why not have a little confidence?"
"Don't act so familiar, Kisame!" Anger filled Ao's eyes.
"You assassinated Suikazan Fuguki, stole Samehada, deserted the village, and then joined the Akatsuki. Those are already unforgivable crimes punishable by death! I assume you're prepared for the consequences..."
"Heh heh heh..." Kisame paid no heed to Ao's verdict.
He stood in the middle of the water, holding Samehada, a vicious gleam in his eyes.
"Do you really think the two of you together can defeat me? Just step aside. My target is Mei Terumi."
"A dangerous man like you wants to attack Lady Mizukage too?" Ao said angrily.
"I will bring you to justice and reclaim Samehada!"
"Chōjūrō, let's go!"
"Y-yes!"
The battle began, and Chōjūrō attacked first. Using water release ninjutsu, he controlled the lake's currents, forming blades of water that flew toward Kisame.
Kisame calmly swung Samehada, smashing the water blades one by one. Meanwhile, Ao formed hand seals with one hand and seized the chance to cast genjutsu, attempting to control Kisame's will.
"Hmph!"
Kisame had already noticed Ao's intentions. After spending so much time with Itachi, ordinary genjutsu was essentially ineffective against him. His eyes widened, and he instantly broke free of the genjutsu, not forgetting to sneer:
"Ao, your genjutsu is still a little amateurish compared to my partner's..."
With that, Kisame sprang up and launched a fierce assault on Chōjūrō, swinging Samehada.
Kisame's swordsmanship was clearly more practiced