Ch-82 Just Toying with me?

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...

"I don't fear you at all," said Kisame, using 'Water Release: Four Sharks Rain.'

Jiryoku raised his head and said, 'Black Hole.'

A miniature black hole, about one centimeter in size, formed in Jiryoku's hand. The water release unleashed by Kisame was completely absorbed into the black hole. Jiryoku then hurled the black hole towards Kisame. When it neared Kisame, it exploded with a resounding BOOM, creating a crater with a 5-meter radius.

No one present had any idea how powerful Jiryoku had become. After witnessing Jiryoku cause such destruction with a casual move, they couldn't even fathom the strength of his attack when he got serious.

Kisame appeared in front of Jiryoku, attacking him with his Samehada. Jiryoku didn't bother unsheathing his sword; he simply defended Kisame's attack with the wooden sheath of his sword.

Kisame backed away and tossed Samehada into the air, using 'Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave.'

Soon, the entire area was filled with water. Everyone dodged and moved to higher stone peaks, but Jiryoku remained still, submerged in the water.

However, the water didn't even touch Jiryoku. Within a 3-meter radius of him, there was no water due to the gravity barrier he had created around himself.

Kisame stood on the water's surface and unleashed 'Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks,' sending five shark bombs in Jiryoku's direction to attack him.

In response, Jiryoku unsheathed his sword and casually waved it three times, effortlessly cutting through all the Water Sharks. The remaining, undiminished force of sword slash tore through the water and soared into the air.

Jiryoku began to rise in the water and soon reached the water's surface, standing on it.

Two Kisame clones appeared beside Jiryoku; they were 'Water Clones created by Kisame.' With their hands outstretched, they employed the 'Water Prison Technique,' trapping Jiryoku inside a sphere of water.

However, Jiryoku stood his ground and suddenly released a tremendous amount of repulsion from his body, shattering the water sphere that had entrapped him.

"Damn it! None of my attacks work against him," said Kisame in frustration.

"Are you done playing?" asked Jiryoku.

"Referring to my attacks as play is an insult to me," retorted Kisame.

"I've been insulting you from the very beginning. If I respected you as a warrior, I would have gone all out and killed you instantly," said Jiryoku.

"Let's end this facade, shall we? I don't think you can provide any sort of challenge, especially considering you're only using 30% of your chakra," added Jiryoku.

After saying that, Jiryoku disappeared and reappeared behind Kisame, sheathing his sword.

Kisame questioned, "You could have ended the battle right from the beginning. Why didn't you?"

"It's just that I haven't fought in the past 3 years, so I was testing whether my senses are still as keen. I'm happy to say that I haven't lost a single bit of my fighting sense," said Jiryoku.

After Jiryoku's voice fell silent, Kisame's body split into three halves and fell to the ground.

Jiryoku's speed was incredibly fast. Within a second, he slashed Kisame's body three times and sheathed his sword. Jiryoku's physical speed, combined with the 'Swift Release: Body Flicker Technique,' was so rapid that no one could see him move. Even Guy only saw a blur.

----

At this moment, inside the cave where Shukaku was being sealed inside the Gedo Statue, Kisame's projection began to flicker.

Pain said, "Calm down, Kisame, and maintain your focus."

Kisame focused and stabilized himself. At the same time, Itachi also opened his eyes; he had returned after fighting Kakashi and the others.

"So you both were defeated so easily? Can't you hold them off for a while?" asked Deidara.

"Quiet," replied Pain.

"So you couldn't delay them any longer?" asked Pain again.

"No, the team I faced included Kakashi, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Ino-Shika-Cho, and others. I had a limited amount of chakra, so I could only do so much," explained Itachi.

"What about you, Kisame?" inquired Pain.

"It was that blind boy," replied Kisame.

Pain's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Do you mean 'The Rajin no Jiryoku'?"

"Yes, who else could it be?" said Kisame.

"He has become far stronger than he was three years ago. Even though I had only 30% of my chakra, he was toying with me. When he got serious, it was a one-shot kill," said Kisame.

"So it's him," said Pain, looking at Sasori and Deidara. "After you finish sealing the One-Tails, run as far away as possible and as quickly as possible. If you're caught by Jiryoku, no one will be able to save you."

Deidara responded, "We're not that weak, are we?"

Pain replied, "I'm not saying you're weak, but Jiryoku is exceptionally strong. The rest is up to both of you."

After that, they continued sealing Shukaku into the Gedo Statue.

---

After Jiryoku cut Kisame's body into three parts, Neji was shocked. He had thought he would see Jiryoku fighting at his full power, but all his expectations were in vain. After witnessing Jiryoku's battle, he understood that Jiryoku had been toying with Kisame.

"I guess I can't reach his level in this lifetime," Neji muttered. Guy overheard and said, "Neji, you can't control someone else becoming stronger than you, but you can try to become as strong as them through dedication. Make that person's strength your goal to achieve in this life."

"Yes, Guy-Sensei," Neji replied.

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