Kisame Hoshigaki.
The missing-nin from Kirigakure who partnered with Uchiha Itachi in the original story.
His individual strength was by no means insignificant.
Even without counting his greatsword Samehada, the strength Kisame Hoshigaki displayed later on placed him firmly above the average Kage level. In the shinobi world, barring those few freaks with cheat-like powers, Kisame Hoshigaki had the qualifications and strength to face any powerhouse, with varying chances of defeating each of them.
Among the shinobi world's hundred thousand-plus ninja, someone like Kisame Hoshigaki fully deserved to be called a genius. He was also unquestionably one of those who stood at the top of the shinobi world's pyramid.
Such a top-tier powerhouse showed an extraordinary bearing even in his youth. Though his body and mind were still growing rapidly, and his personal chakra reserves remained far short of their eventual peak.
The amount of chakra he was releasing at this moment already far exceeded that of any chunin, reaching a level comparable to any jonin.
No wonder this guy was called a tailed beast in human form.
With a deeply solemn expression, Kei watched Kisame Hoshigaki, who stood opposite him radiating a terrifying aura from head to toe, and thought with profound wariness. If he had avoided fighting Heiji Kaguya earlier merely because he did not want more trouble...
Then now, facing Kisame Hoshigaki, he was genuinely wary of this shark-faced fellow's strength. Although he still did not know precisely how strong Kisame Hoshigaki was at present, these glimpses told a larger story. From the terrifying chakra spilling out of him and Minazuki Ranne's miserable condition beside Kei, Kei could at least judge that Kisame Hoshigaki was no weaker than himself.
This was a formidable enemy!
A formidable enemy he had to face with everything he had!
"Ranne, go rest to the side and tend to your wounds. Leave this to me for now."
If possible, Kei would naturally have preferred to take this older clanswoman of his and make a clean getaway. But with Ranne clearly severely injured, she could not pick up speed. Judging by what he had just seen, had he arrived even a few minutes later, Kisame Hoshigaki would undoubtedly have hunted her down and killed her. One look at the virtually unscathed Kisame Hoshigaki opposite them made the gap between their strength abundantly clear.
As for foolish talk like asking why they were fighting or seeing whether things could be resolved peacefully, that was out of the question. This was Kirigakure, and this was the Mist Ninja's most thrilling graduation examination!
A truce!?
That depended on the circumstances and timing, and most importantly, who they were dealing with!
"No, Kei, I'm fighting alongside you. Don't worry, I can still hold on!"
Ranne clearly did not accept Kei's kindness, however. One could call her reckless or stubborn, but this was simply Minazuki Ranne's nature. Unless things were truly at their most desperate, Ranne was the sort who would not readily submit. Having a younger clansman like Kei come to her aid already left her deeply ashamed. To retreat to the side and rest as well was something her pride would not allow!
Thus, even if she had to force her wounded body onward, she would keep fighting.
She merely took advantage of the brief opening to dress and bandage her wounds before looking at Kei with a resolute expression and saying those words.
A fiercely competitive girl.
This was not Kei's first encounter with one.
In the society of Kei's previous life, strong career women might not have been everywhere, but he had encountered his share. In particular, the first female superior he met after entering the workforce had perfectly demonstrated that women were every bit the equal of men!
Calling her a strong career woman hardly did her justice. She was the perfect embodiment of a queenly presence!
And so.
Kei was not surprised in the slightest by Minazuki Ranne's declaration.
If she showed cowardice after a single defeat, she could hardly be called a strong woman!
Nor would Kei make a show of forcing her out of the fight. His earlier words had merely come from the affection between fellow clansmen. If she insisted on continuing to fight, he could hardly ask for more. Even if Minazuki Ranne was not the most gifted member of their Yuki Clan, and her individual strength clearly was not particularly great, she could still provide a measure of support!
"All right, Ranne. Be extra careful!"
Without wasting any more words, Kei nodded lightly and spoke in a low voice.
"Another one from the Minazuki Clan!? You people from the big clans really do have it good. Finished discussing things? If you're willing to hand over that mission item, I can let you go!"
Kisame Hoshigaki shouldered an exceedingly rugged greatsword, his wide mouth splitting open. Though he too was only around ten years old, the smile he revealed at that moment was utterly terrifying.
Combined with that shark-like face so unlike an ordinary person's, it could very well strike fear into an average person the instant they saw him!
"Hmph! Hand over the mission item!? Forget it, Kisame Hoshigaki! The honor of our Yuki no Minazuki will not be sullied!"
Kei had yet to say anything.
Ranne, standing beside him, had already given a cold snort and glared at Kisame Hoshigaki with an icy expression as she spoke sharply.
The pride of a clan!
This was something anyone born into a prestigious shinobi clan possessed. The most typical examples were Konohagakure's Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan!
These were the two shinobi clans with the longest continuous legacies in the shinobi world's history!
Almost all their clansmen took pride in the blood flowing through their veins. That self-respect was taught and passed down from generation to generation.
It would not readily be denied or shattered by outside influences!
Their Yuki Clan was naturally no different.
As one of the finest inheritors of the Minazuki Clan's bloodline in this generation, Ranne was even less willing to let an outsider trample her clan's honor!
Especially someone of common birth like Kisame Hoshigaki!
Even if Ranne acknowledged that he was much stronger than she was!
"Your clan's honor? Then die for that so-called honor of yours!"
A fierce, murderous air flashed across Kisame Hoshigaki's face.
Smack!
He clapped his hands together.
"Hah!"
His hands rapidly formed seals.
As that low shout rang out.
"Water Release: Water Ripple Jutsu!"
Intense chakra fluctuations burst forth, and after a violent tremor swept through the surroundings.
Whoosh!
Across the ground.
A surge of water erupted directly upward.
In an instant, it rolled furiously toward Kei and Ranne.
"Scatter!"
Surging waves bore down on them!
Kei's and Ranne's gazes sharpened, and both sprang away, leaping aside to evade them.