Even the [Hidden Mist Technique] could no longer be maintained.
A low, hoarse voice came from the deepest reaches of the gradually dispersing mist.
"Fall back!"
As though granted a pardon, the Kirigakure ninja retreated to either side.
Amid the thinning mist, a tall, burly figure slowly emerged, carrying a large sword wrapped in white bandages over his shoulder-[Samehada].
Kisame Hoshigaki's small eyes swept over the corpses of the Kirigakure ninja on the ground without the slightest change.
"A bunch of useless trash."
Using the last of the mist as cover, Kisame Hoshigaki moved.
His movements were astonishingly fast, completely at odds with his burly build.
This was not the [Body Flicker Technique], but terrifying speed unleashed through sheer physical strength.
The immensely cumbersome [Samehada] weighed nothing in Kisame Hoshigaki's hands.
The great sword swept sideways, its bandage-wrapped blade cleaving through the dense mist as the air howled.
Kakashi Hatake's sensory abilities were equally formidable. He had specifically trained in the Inuzuka Clan's [Super Smell] secret technique, giving him a nose as keen as a ninja dog's.
He had smelled the blood and shark stench on Kisame Hoshigaki in advance.
Facing the incoming slash, Kakashi Hatake leaned backward.
[Samehada]'s broad blade brushed past his black mask, the wind it stirred sending his silver hair streaming backward.
At the same time.
Kakashi Hatake's hands shot out like lightning, sending eight shuriken held between his fingers flying toward three vulnerable areas on Kisame Hoshigaki's body: his throat, chest, and abdomen.
Kisame Hoshigaki's expression remained unchanged. With a flick of his wrist, he abruptly redirected [Samehada], turning it into a broad shield before him.
Thud, thud, thud-
A series of slightly muffled impacts rang out.
The shuriken struck [Samehada]'s blade without leaving so much as a scratch.
Without pausing, Kisame Hoshigaki swung [Samehada]