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"That guy's weakness is Lightning Release. Kakashi, you go after him. Fū, listen to Kakashi's commands." To be on the safe side, Minato sent someone skilled in Lightning Release and someone who could fly.
"Yes!" Fū responded enthusiastically. "Masked uncle, I'll be counting on you!"
"...Yes." Kakashi forced a smile. I've reached the age where I'm called 'uncle' now, huh?
With this arrangement, Itachi felt relieved. While Sasuke could be reckless at times, Kakashi was reliable.
"Itachi, Gai, Naruto you three handle Kisame. End it quickly. The rest, with me, will deal with Pain."
"Yes!" The three immediately headed toward Kisame. Naruto inwardly noted how well his father picked the teams.
"Are you done strategizing?" From Pain's ranks, a bald figure emerged it was the Asura Path.
Asura Path detached his right wrist, revealing a hidden compartment filled with miniature missiles, launching them one after another in rapid succession biu! Biu! biu! Meant to disrupt the pursuers.
Naruto couldn't help but want to comment before launching, those missiles really looked like the dried chilli pepper garlands some people hung at their doors.
The dozens of missiles split into three groups, each targeting a different squad. However, none of the shinobi even bothered to turn around; they simply continued their pursuit.
"Heavenly Foot of Pain!" Tsunade moved swiftly to one side, stomping the ground and launching a massive stone slab, intercepting Asura Path's missiles.
"Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane!" Jiraiya extended his white hair, capturing and neutralizing another wave. The ensuing explosions didn't even singe a single strand.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" Shisui flickered toward the third batch, unleashing a swirling fire dragon that engulfed and detonated all the missiles in midair.
Shisui unsheathed his blade. "The Hokage's orders are for us to deal with you. It would be best if you didn't cause trouble elsewhere."
Kushina and Minato took up positions in two directions. Lee and Kimimaro blocked one another. Sakura stood beside Shisui. They spread out, encircling the Six Paths of Pain from six directions.
"You think you can defeat a god?" Deva Path raised his hand. "Then, from this moment forward let the world feel pain."
The Six Paths of Pain stood back-to-back, forming a defensive circle. Each was prepared for battle.
"Summoning Jutsu!" The Animal Path, a young girl in appearance, placed her hand on the ground a massive bull was summoned, charging forward!
---
From afar, hidden in the tall grass, Tenten narrowed her eyes. She had a clear view of Animal Path's face. Although the hair colour was different, she recognized her instantly.
"Neji," Tenten's tone was sombre. "The intel says that the Paths of Pain are actually reanimated corpses, right?"
Neji nodded. "Yes, that's what the reports indicate."
"I see…" Tenten remembered her old Chunin Exam rival's dream to master powerful summoning techniques. And now, someone else was using her corpse to summon powerful creatures.
What kind of twisted joke is this?
Seeing someone similar to herself, someone she had once fought alongside, reduced to this state it was a bitter feeling.
Neji, observing Tenten's expression through his Byakugan, spoke gently, "If you're feeling upset, wait until the battle is over. We still have our mission."
Tenten took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "I understand."
---
On Naruto's side.
Naruto turned to Itachi. "Big bro, can you help me with something later?"
"What is it?" Itachi looked into Naruto's sparkling eyes, unsure of what he was scheming.
"I want his jutsu."
Not all of them just a few. The Five Feeding Sharks and Thousand Feeding Sharks techniques were great for clearing out mobs, and the Great Shark Bullet Technique, which absorbed chakra-based attacks, was also extremely useful.
"I see." Itachi smiled knowingly and nodded. "But the Hokage wants us to end this quickly. That means we might have to assist the others later."
Gai, who had no idea what they were talking about, stood there clueless. What did he understand?
"I know. Just fight normally. No need to force it." Naruto was aware of their priorities, but he wasn't too worried. After all, the rest of the battlefield had plenty of people ganging up on the enemy. They also had intelligence advantages this was a one-sided fight.
---
After running for several kilometres, Kisame finally stopped and faced his three pursuers. "Three against one, huh? I suppose I should be honoured. A Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, an Uchiha…"
Kisame immediately averted his gaze upon seeing the Sharingan, running a self-genjutsu check just in case. He even let Samehada poke his back, just to be extra cautious.
Everyone knew never to make eye contact with the Sharingan. Kisame was not about to become one of those people who accidentally glanced at a Uchiha and never forgot their face.
For additional safety, he and Samehada swapped a bit of chakra now he was certain he wouldn't get caught in an illusion.
As for the rumours about him escaping one-on-one fights…
Well, this was one versus three so he didn't need to run.
Kisame continued analyzing his opponents. "An Uchiha, and… a rare beast?"
Kisame tilted his head. These three didn't match in art style at all.
Even Akatsuki members fought over whose combat style was superior, but these three looked like they belonged in different manga.
"How do they even work together?"
Naruto turned to Gai. "Sensei, he just called you a rare beast."
"Ah, how flattering! But as an enemy, I will still defeat you with all my might." Gai's tone was dead serious.
"I wasn't complimenting you!" Kisame quickly wove hand seals.
Naruto recognized them immediately. These hand seals… I know them!
Naruto copied him, weaving the same seals.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave!" x2
Two massive waves erupted simultaneously. Kisame stood atop him, surfing the crest. Naruto didn't bother, choosing to watch from below.
He wasn't a "riding the waves" kind of guy and definitely didn't want to be a casualty of reckless surfing.
Kisame wasn't shocked. The intel already confirmed Naruto's talent in Water Release. It wasn't surprising that he could use his jutsu.
The real problem was… Why is his wave bigger than mine?
If it had been a little bigger, Kisame could have accepted it Naruto was a Jinchuriki, after all. But this was ten meters higher than his own.
Was this guy the Three-Tails Jinchuriki instead?!
Seeing the incoming water wall, Kisame dived underwater, minimizing impact.
After all, he had gills this was his home turf.
Watching as his water surge completely overwhelmed Kisame's, Naruto smirked.
No wonder Kakashi enjoys being the Copy Ninja. Copying someone else's jutsu and then making them suffer with it?
It's pretty damn fun.
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