Kisame was the first to be hit. He was the closest to the center of the explosion, and though he had subconsciously thrown Samehada up to block the instant the water prison shattered, the terrifying shockwave and countless sharp water blades still slammed into him with brutal force.

CLANG!

SQUELCH!

Samehada's broad side blocked most of the frontal impact with a dull thud, but the immense force still sent Kisame's massive body skidding back a dozen meters, his feet carving deep grooves into the muddy rock. The red-clouded Akatsuki cloak on his body was torn to ribbons by several uncontrolled water blades, and one even grazed his cheek, leaving a shallow, bloody mark.

Kisame clutched the restless Samehada tightly, and for the first time, an unconcealable shock and a hint of raw fury appeared on his shark-like face. This woman… she had actually used such a violent, unthinkable method to destroy the Great Waterfall Jutsu he was so proud of.

Through the swirling smoke, dust, and mist, Tsunade's figure landed steadily amidst the blast wave. She was gasping heavily, her chest heaving. That one punch had nearly drained the massive burst of chakra and strength she had just unleashed. The skin on her right knuckles was cracked, and blood dripped from them, but her gaze was like a newly quenched blade, piercing the rain and locking firmly onto Kisame in the distance.

"Your water prison is weak like you.."

Tsunade shook her bleeding hand, her voice a little breathless but filled with an incomparable, absolute dominance.

Kisame slowly stood up. He wiped the blood oozing from his cheek and looked at the scarlet on his fingertips. Instead of an angry roar, a low, suppressed laugh rumbled in his chest, like that of a wounded beast.

"Hehe… hahaha… that was incredible!"

His laughter grew louder and louder, filled with an almost insane excitement. His small eyes were fixed on Tsunade as if he were staring at the most precious prey he had ever encountered.

"This power… this chakra! It's amazing! Samehada… it's thirsting! It's trembling with excitement!" He suddenly pointed the Samehada in his hand at Tsunade. The scales on the blade opened and closed wildly, its hissing sound reaching a fever pitch, as a thick, sticky substance dripped from it like a waterfall.

"Your chakra… belongs to me!"

Kisame let out a beast-like roar, and his huge body burst forward with astonishing speed once again. This was no longer a test or a long-range ninjutsu battle; this was real, brutal, close combat. He gripped Samehada tightly in both hands, and the huge blade tore through the rain curtain. With a shrill whistle, he slashed fiercely toward Tsunade, every blow powerful and heavy, each with a tricky, unpredictable angle. The greedy scales on the blade opened and closed violently with every swing, like countless mouths waiting to feast.

Tsunade was a little surprised. What's wrong with his movements? His body's signals should be in complete disarray!

As if seeing her confusion, Kisame sneered. "Don't take me for a fool, Lady Tsunade. I've been hit by that trick once. If I couldn't adapt to it, I wouldn't deserve to be called the Monster of the Hidden Mist!"

Tsunade's expression was solemn, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. She knew very well how terrifying Samehada was. Once it entangled her or even touched her body, the consequences would be disastrous.

Tsunade channeled her incredible strength into her fists and legs, dodging and blocking the incoming blades at high speed. Her movements were both fierce and swift, sometimes gliding along the flat of the blade like a nimble cat, and at other times fiercely blocking the side of the sword with her chakra-infused fists or elbows like a pouncing tiger, creating a series of dull, drum-like thuds that echoed through the canyon.

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