"Water Style: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"
A surge of water erupted from nowhere, twisting into the outline of a dragon as it roared toward Kenya's squad.
—La la!!!
But before the torrent could strike, it froze mid-air—then split apart as though slashed by countless invisible blades. In the blink of an eye, the dragon collapsed into nothing but scattered spray.
"So this is the 'Shinigami.' Just the aura he radiates makes even Samehada tremble in fear…"
Ahead, the spectral figure of Kisame appeared, hefting his massive living blade as it quivered on the ground. With its wielder's chakra feeding it, Samehada steadied, its trembling gradually easing.
"That cloak…!" Guy's eyes widened. "You're… the Monster of the Hidden Mist!"
Kenya's expression remained calm.
"Ghost Shark, huh? Then it must be Itachi who's holding Naruto back."
Kisame's hoarse voice carried a mocking laugh.
"As expected of the Shinigami. The world only sees your strength, but they overlook your terrifying insight."
With a sudden sweep, he swung Samehada down. The sheer force split the air, proving his monstrous power.
"Unfortunately, I was sent here only to stall you."
Kenya stepped forward, his tone light, almost curious.
"Oh? I wonder—on which side does misfortune truly lie?"
Kisame's grin faltered, cold sweat sliding down his cheek.
"…Didn't I say it three years ago? It'd be a pity for you to die here, Shinigami."
But his hesitation lasted only a moment. He masked his unease with a wild swing of Samehada, bringing it down with crushing force.
Kenya exhaled softly.
"Loyalty like yours… admirable. It makes even me hesitate to cut you down."
Clang!
The clash rang out—but Kisame's eyes widened. Kenya hadn't even drawn his blade. He'd simply shifted Kyōka Suigetsu's hilt and scabbard forward, blocking Samehada with the barest motion.
"Wha—?!"
Kisame poured more strength into his swing, veins bulging. But it was useless. It felt as if his monstrous blade was being held back by a pair of chopsticks—utterly immovable.
"Samehada isn't absorbing chakra… which means… he isn't even using chakra?" Kisame's pupils shrank.
"Is he… suppressing me with raw strength alone?!"
Even the Kisame clone maintaining the Substitution Technique far away broke into a cold sweat.
Is the gap between us… really this vast?!
Kenya's voice was calm, almost pitying.
"Leaving Akatsuki must have been a difficult decision for you. But it doesn't matter. Hold on to that resolve… and rest."
—Shing!
A single flash of light.
Kisame's vision lurched. For a heartbeat, he saw his own body below him… headless. Only then did he realize he had already been cut down.
[Current template character: Lord of the Hōgyoku · Aizen Sōsuke. Unlock rate: 72.06%]
"…Even with only thirty percent strength through the Substitution Technique, this is pitiful."
Kenya thought silently.
So… against me, anyone below Jōnin is meaningless for unlocking progress.
"Too strong…" Tenten's voice trembled. "He cut down an Akatsuki member… just like that."
"Unbelievable…" Lee muttered, equally shaken.
Even Neji, usually calm, was rattled. His Byakugan suddenly flared—and his expression shifted.
"Wait! Look at that body!"
The others turned just in time to see Kisame's corpse blur and melt. His features twisted, reshaping into another, unknown man.
"What… is this?!" Guy exclaimed.
"Akatsuki's secret art," Kenya answered flatly. "A proxy technique… born from those eyes. But imperfectly controlled."
Guy frowned, recalling Kenya's earlier words about trying to recruit Kisame.
"Master Shinobi, you—"
But Kenya was already walking forward.
"Gaara doesn't have time for our delays. Let's move."
Guy exchanged a glance with his team and followed without question.
Inside the sealed cave—
The watery projection of Kisame's clone dissipated.
"…He's dead."
"Too fast," Konan murmured, her expression betraying rare surprise. For her to speak out of turn was itself a sign of how shaken she was.
Kisame's projection chuckled grimly.
"I wonder… who's stronger, Pain… or the Shinigami?"
Konan's sharp gaze snapped toward him.
"Kisame. Watch your tongue. Pain is invincible."
Kisame said nothing, masking his doubts.
But in truth… he was certain.
Kenya has already surpassed Pain.
Pain's Rinnegan eyes narrowed.
"He defeated a thirty-percent Kisame clone so easily… His strength is not beneath mine. Once the sealing is complete, Sasori, Deidara—withdraw immediately. Do not engage."
Deidara scoffed, cracking his neck.
"Heh. I'd like to see this guy for myself. Anyone who can crack Tsukuyomi… that's worth testing."
"Then rush to your death if you like," Kisame laughed.
But in his heart, a dangerous thought stirred.
Compared to the [The Eye of the Moon Plan]…
Perhaps Uchiha Kenya's path—ruling the world through sheer overwhelming power—
…was another way to change this hypocritical world.