However, before Kisame could unleash his next attack, he was suddenly surrounded by countless tree roots and vines.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Kisame slashed at the vines in front of him, but more burst forth from behind.
"Go to hell, shark freak!" Obito shouted.
Obito and Kakashi threw their kunai at each other, using the exchange to gain momentum.
At the same time, Takayama Haru's shadow clone launched a powerful kick at Kisame.
Thump! Thump!
Kisame reacted quickly, but fragments of kunai still pierced his cheek.
He had no strength left to resist the vines and was focused solely on avoiding Takayama Haru's strike.
"You damn brats, just you wait!" Kisame shouted, fury in his eyes. With kunai still embedded in his scalp, he turned to flee.
But the vines and roots kept emerging, wrapping tighter around him, closing off his escape.
Obito burst into laughter. "Haha! Shark freak, now you're not so tough!"
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
Rin stood nearby, her gaze sparkling as she looked at Haru's back. In that moment, he looked so heroic.
She had once thought Takayama Haru was reckless and even feared he might lead Obito into danger. But now, in just a few short days, Obito had grown more than he had in the past year.
And she, too, felt changed.
All thanks to Haru-sensei.
"Ah!" Kisame suddenly let out a furious roar, tearing the vines and roots apart with brute force.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, the forest exploded outward as Kisame broke free and fled into the trees.
"As expected of a tailless tailed beast. His power is on par with one of the actual beasts. We have to chase him!"
Takayama Haru sighed and gave chase.
His Wood Release: Birth of the Forest technique was powerful, but once Kisame left the area of effect, it became difficult to restrain him.
Kisame was the type to run fast and endure long pursuits.
"Sensei!" Rin cried, running to catch up.
Seeing she was lagging behind, Haru simply picked her up and carried her in his arms.
Rin flushed bright red with embarrassment.
"Wait for me, sensei!" Obito shouted from behind.
Of course, Takayama Haru had no particular intentions toward the young girl. He was simply practical.
"You're too slow, Rin. What were you saying earlier?"
Rin stammered, blushing. "Sensei, weren't we supposed to be looking for that little girl? Why are we now chasing after a Mist ninja?"
"We need to catch up first. Their presence here means they're also searching. They might already have a lead."
Rin nodded, convinced. "I see. Sensei, you really think of everything."
In truth, Haru just wanted a good fight—but he had to find a reasonable excuse.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Haru left a clone behind to stay with the slower Obito and Kakashi, while he carried Rin in pursuit.
There was no choice—Kisame, a tailless tailed beast, was incredibly fast. If they didn't close the distance now, they might lose him completely.
"Wait, sensei!" Obito shouted again, leaving a clone behind as well.
Kakashi looked exasperated. This teacher of theirs was way too unreliable. Was he a lolicon or what?
As he fled, Kisame glanced back and saw Haru chasing him—still carrying a little girl. His eyes nearly popped out of his head.
What kind of monster was this? Carrying a child and still able to keep pace?
"Terrifying... You'd better ask Lord Hoshigaki Mangetsu and Lord Jūzō Biwa. Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen together might not be able to take him down..."
With that thought, Kisame increased his pace toward the direction where the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were stationed.
He knew they were still moving together, and if they got separated, this monster could pick them off one by one. That would be disastrous.
After five full minutes of fleeing, Kisame was starting to tire. He glanced back—and Haru was still right behind him!
"Damn it! Where's Hoshigaki Mangetsu? I'm exhausted!"
Chasing him, Haru was just as surprised. Kisame looked so young—barely in his twenties—but had this much stamina?
He had crossed a few lakes and used waterways to gain speed. His chakra seemed limitless.
Haru was suddenly curious—was this the power of a true bloodline limit?
Just then, birds ahead burst into flight, and laughter echoed through the trees, shaking the entire forest.
Kisame's eyes lit up. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were just ahead.
He glanced back at Haru again, terror flashing across his face—but inside, he was secretly thrilled.
"Keep chasing, you freak! You'll be dead soon enough! I'm going to slice off your legs and feed them to the sharks!"