As the burning pain on Gato's body began to ease…
He realized…
The actual damage wasn't as severe as he'd thought.
"Heh heh heh." A strange flush crept over Gato's face, as if hypnotizing himself, murmuring, "That Lord was right. The power I've mastered surpasses ninja, surpasses this world! Yes, I'm stronger than you… stronger!"
With his self-assurance, his expression twisted with a warped desire.
If he'd initially hoped to escape…
Now, he only wanted to use this power to crush these two! Imagining them wailing and begging before him made his body tremble with excitement.
Suddenly, he dropped to all fours, assuming a bizarre stance.
"It's coming!" Itachi Uchiha sensed Gato's battle intent.
As soon as he spoke, Gato, mouth agape, lunged forward with a roar, his back legs propelling him at incredible speed. Itachi dodged with the Body Flicker Technique, leaving Kisame Hoshigaki to meet the charge.
Close combat's strength lay in denying enemies the chance to form seals for ninjutsu.
Kisame was forced into melee.
But the moment they clashed, he sensed something off.
Claws, arms, even teeth—Gato fought like a rabid dog, heedless of injuries, biting and clawing ferociously. His strength was staggering, and with four arms, within seconds, Kisame was wounded in multiple places.
"What kind of bizarre taijutsu is this?" Kisame had never seen anything like it.
Gato didn't respond.
This was Mad Fist.
Surrendering to instinct, his mind consumed by frenzied aggression, it was perfect for someone like Gato, with little combat experience.
Shen Mo watched more intently.
Truthfully, he sold cans to Gato not just for profit but to test if tycoons or daimyo—non-warriors—could rival skilled ninja after buying cans.
Like a noob versus a pro player: even with similar gear and stats, combat sense made a vast difference, tied to personality, experience, and mindset, which cans couldn't fully bridge.
Of course, cheating was another matter.
If Shen Mo fought, he'd be a classic hacker, his abilities requiring no skill—just press buttons for a total curbstomp.
But Gato clearly wasn't cheating enough to dominate these two.
Kisame seemed suppressed, but they were a duo. Itachi raised his hand, sending dozens of kunai whistling from all directions toward Gato.
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of sharp metal piercing flesh rang out.
Gato, like a crazed beast, only instinctively shielded vital areas, making no effort to dodge.
Yet…
The pain only fueled his ferocity. Not one kunai fully penetrated; all were stopped by his muscles.
Even more, his muscles forced the kunai out one by one.
"What kind of monster…" Itachi was shocked.
He could tell Gato used no energy or skills to block the kunai—just pure physical strength.
Unheard of.
"Kisame!" Itachi called.
"Got it!" Kisame, taking several heavy punches, gathered chakra,爆发 force, and kicked Gato skyward.
Then he rapidly formed seals.
Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!
A massive water sphere enveloped Gato mid-air, leaving only a head-sized opening.
Itachi appeared at the opening in a flash.
His seal-forming speed was near afterimage-level.
Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!
A massive, scorching fireball erupted from his mouth, engulfing Gato within the water prison, then detonating.
"Aaah—!"
Gato's screams were gut-wrenching.
But they showed the attack wasn't enough.
Great Fireball Jutsu!
Phoenix Flower Jutsu!
One fire ninjutsu after another was unleashed into the confined space like they cost nothing, Gato's screams unrelenting. Even Shen Mo's eyes widened.
A beat-the-dog-behind-closed-doors combo?
One maintains the water prison, the other bombards inside.
But—
Itachi and Kisame were even more stunned.
Such an onslaught, even they couldn't guarantee surviving, yet Gato's screams, though agonized, were full of vigor, showing no sign of defeat.
Itachi paused his attack.
He needed to assess.
As the flames inside cleared, Gato's form emerged.
He looked utterly wretched.
His clothes were burned away, his body like charred coal, no trace of original skin, dark red blood oozing everywhere.
Yet, surviving was a miracle.
"It hurts! Aaah!"
Gato kept screaming, his small eyes burning with venomous resentment.
He'd never felt such pain.
He was a top-tier tycoon!
"You forced me to this!"
Gato roared hysterically, raising a finger, his tone utterly crazed.
His aura surged uncontrollably.
Aimed at Kisame's head.
"Be careful!"
Itachi felt a bad premonition, but his warning came too late.
Dodon Ray!
Gato unleashed his strongest can-granted skill, focusing his ki at his fingertip and firing it.
Boom—!
A laser-like beam shot forward, instantly piercing the water prison, striking Kisame's body.
It tore through unimpeded, blasting several trees behind into splinters.
"What…?"
Kisame stared in disbelief at his chest.
A fist-sized hole gaped there.
"Pfft—"
Blood sprayed from his mouth. He clutched his chest, but blood gushed through his fingers.
The water prison collapsed.
Gato fell to the ground, seemingly too weak to stand, but laughed maniacally. "Hahaha, this is the strongest power I was granted! Damn it, it hurts! You'll all die, die!"
He raised his finger again, a faint glow at its tip.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage