Chapter 96

Kisame, controlled Samehada like a centipede, its iron-like scales scraping against the ground with a metallic clatter.

Kisame raised his head, gazing at Naruto, realization dawning upon him. "So, in your Tailed Beast Mode, you're different from any other ninja in a sensory state. You can feel emotions... and hatred."

Killer Bee clenched his fists and rapped in frustration, "Damn shark, sneaky shark, hid inside Samehada's flesh. Just now, I confirmed that the chakra wasn't off—so how the hell did I still miss the real you?!"

Naruto smirked. "Uncle Bee, the one you fought alongside the Raikage was a clone, created by White Zetsu after absorbing Kisame's chakra. The real Kisame had long hidden inside Samehada."

Hearing Naruto unravel the mystery so easily, Kisame chuckled. "Not only sharp perception but also incredible analysis. Is this also one of the Rinnegan's abilities?"

Naruto said nothing, only smiling in response.

Orochimaru stepped forward, his golden eyes narrowing. "It's been a long time, Kisame."

Kisame smirked. "Fascinating. Even you, Orochimaru, are now following this kid?"

Naruto interjected, "Let's be clear—Uncle Snake and I are in a partnership, nothing more. We both have something to gain, so we work together. Now, as for you, Kisame, do you know why I didn't expose you back there but brought you here instead?"

Kisame scoffed. "You're not about to try recruiting me, are you?"

Naruto's smirk deepened. "Is that really such a crazy idea?"

Kisame laughed, then sneered. "Naruto, I admit you're strong. I don't know what tricks you pulled to take Nagato's Rinnegan or how you managed to persuade the Eight-Tails and even Orochimaru. But let me tell you something—I've lived through too many deceptions to believe in anything anymore. No matter what you say, I refuse to put my faith in a world built on lies."

His tone turned cold. "Such a shame. This infiltration plan was going so well, and now it's ruined. Guess that means I'll be taking my leave."

Kisame turned, attempting to flee with Samehada.

Before he could take more than a few steps, Naruto blurred in front of him, slamming his fist into Samehada. Since Kisame and Samehada were deeply bonded, Kisame coughed up a mouthful of blood from the impact.

Killer Bee's eyes widened. "Damn, what the—?! Flying Thunder God?!"

Orochimaru smirked, licking his lips. "No, this is an attack teleportation unique to Tailed Beast Mode. He didn't use the Flying Thunder God at all."

Killer Bee nodded. "Got it! At this distance, it's even faster than my bro's Lightning Release teleport!"

Kisame clenched his teeth, his face pale. He hadn't expected Naruto's speed and power in this form to be so overwhelming. Worse yet, he had already spent most of his chakra hiding inside Samehada.

Naruto's glowing eyes bore into him. "Don't move."

Kisame refused to back down. He twisted his body, preparing to slip away again—

Naruto's fist struck again.

"Ghhaaak!"

Another mouthful of blood splattered onto the ground.

Naruto's voice was calm but menacing. "I said, don't move."

Samehada trembled, then made a deep, whining sound. It suddenly regurgitated Kisame, slithering toward Killer Bee like a scolded pet. The great sword latched onto Bee's leg, rubbing against him pitifully.

Once their chakra connected, Bee understood its plea.

"Oh? You say you were forced? That it wasn't voluntary? And now you want me to tell Blondie to stop beating your ass?"

Killer Bee snickered, then grinned at Naruto. "Looks like you broke it, kid. No worries, it's cool now. Huh? You wanna stick with me now? Hahaha! Alright, alright, just don't bite, you overgrown fish!"

Konan, watching from the side, had an uncomfortable look on her face. She turned to Nagato. "Why does this feel... oddly unsettling?"

Nagato remained silent, but his expression suggested he felt it too.

With Kisame severed from Samehada, his true body was exposed. Drained of chakra, he looked emaciated, barely able to stand. Naruto relaxed his stance, his blazing chakra cloak fading away. Instead of a fist, he extended his palm.

"Absorption Seal."

Kisame tensed. "You're draining my last reserves of chakra?!"

Naruto's smirk remained. "Just making sure you don't cause any more trouble."

Naruto had always been intrigued by Kisame's loyalty to Akatsuki. Despite his brutality, Kisame had died protecting the organization's secrets. Looking back on it after becoming Hokage, Naruto had come to respect Akatsuki's members in his own way.

Pain represented peace.

Deidara represented art.

Konan represented friendship.

Itachi represented sacrifice.

Black Zetsu represented manipulation.

Obito represented love and loss.

Kisame represented sheer strength.

Kakuzu represented greed.

Hidan represented fanaticism.

Sasori represented childhood and the past.

Each of them embodied a core human desire.

After draining the last of Kisame's chakra, Naruto grabbed the weakened ninja by the collar, lifting him effortlessly. His glowing eyes stared into Kisame's exhausted gaze.

"I'll give you a choice. Work for me, help me build a world without deception. Not the fake utopia your old boss wanted—a real world. A world where strength isn't wasted on empty causes."

Kisame chuckled, shaking his head weakly. "Tch... You're delusional. No such world exists."

Naruto took a deep breath. "What if I told you I could bring back Uchiha Itachi?"

Kisame's expression froze.

"What?"

His disbelief was palpable. Even Orochimaru's interest visibly sharpened, while Nagato and Konan exchanged wary glances. They had heard Naruto make a similar promise regarding Yahiko.

Killer Bee scratched his head. "Uchiha Itachi? That guy who wiped out his own clan?"

Kisame gritted his teeth. "Impossible. Itachi-san is dead. There's no way you can bring him back."

Naruto's expression didn't change. "Don't be so sure. Answer me, Kisame. If I resurrect Itachi, and he chooses to follow me, will you?"

Kisame fell silent, lost in thought. Then, after a long pause, he spoke. "If you can truly bring back Itachi-sama, and if he chooses to stand with you... then, and only then, I'll follow."

Naruto nodded. "Good answer. But to be safe, I need you to take a nap first."

With that, he activated his Rinnegan.

"Human Path."

A sickening noise echoed as Kisame's soul was forcibly extracted from his body.

Naruto pulled a sealing scroll from his waist.

"Sealing Jutsu: Spirit Binding."

Kisame's soul was sealed within the scroll, his body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

Orochimaru grinned. "Well, well... things just got interesting."

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