"The Second Hokage's Water Release techniques indeed require fewer hand seals and possess slightly greater power, but that's all there is to it. Nothing particularly surprising." Kisame Hoshigaki spoke calmly.
Earlier, the girl's Water Dragon Bullet had been more powerful, even absorbing the enemy's Chakra.
But once he got serious, his Water Shark, which also possessed tremendous impact force and Chakra absorption, shattered it.
The Water Formation Wall, which had deflected Uchiha Itachi's Great Fireball Technique and rotated in a circular motion, was also cleaved in two by his Samehada's Chakra-Devouring Slash.
"The Second Hokage's Water Release techniques were once the pinnacle of the Ninja World. But just as Konoha, once dominant, has fallen into decline, the Second Hokage's era has long passed."
"Konoha is no longer the Konoha of old, and the Hidden Mist is no longer the Hidden Mist it once was."
As he spoke, a sinister grin spread across his face, revealing rows of sharp, shark-like teeth.
"What the Second Hokage could do, I can do too—and even better!"
"Times have changed, little girl!"
Though his words were uttered with deceptive calm, anyone could sense the profound confidence radiating from him.
There was a palpable sense that he wished he had been born decades earlier to compete with the Second Hokage for supremacy.
If the Second Hokage had stood before him, one could almost imagine him uttering those very words:
"Times have changed."
"Stupid!" the pink-haired girl spat disdainfully, her icy gaze sweeping over Kisame Hoshigaki.
"When Lord Second Hokage was alive, he was universally acknowledged as the GOAT of Water Release master in the Ninja World.
Even the Mist Ninja dared not utter a word of dissent. But now, after his death, everyone claims to have surpassed his Water Release techniques—even you, a traitor from the Hidden Mist Village! How laughable!"
"When a warrior falls in battle, the first to swarm the scene are the flies. They buzz and feast on his wounds, flaunting their supposed superiority over the fallen hero.
"But the warrior lies dead, no longer able to swat them away. So the flies buzz louder still, deluding themselves that their clamor has become an immortal sound, secure in their safety far beyond the warrior's reach."
The heavy rain cascaded down her hair, streaming along her short strands and soaking into her fair skin, which had been rendered smooth as white jade by years of Water Release training.
The words Sasuke had once spoken, etched deep in Sakura's heart, now flowed smoothly from her delicate, pink lips.
"You've shattered my Water Release techniques which was passed down from Lord Second, countless times, all while incessantly criticizing their flaws and vulnerabilities. Do you think this proves your Water Release surpasses his? How laughable!"
After being struck by Sakura's Water Dragon Bullet due to his carelessness, Kisame Hoshigaki flew into a rage.
He had allowed Sakura free rein to unleash her ninjutsu, only to mercilessly crush her head-on while continuously disparaging her Water Release techniques.
"Lord Second's techniques may indeed have had some flaws, but he remains the master who elevated Water Release to its pinnacle. You, boasting about how 'times have changed,' are nothing but a fly buzzing around, criticizing the foundations laid by our predecessors, yet contributing nothing of your own!"
The Second Hokage was a visionary who built upon the past, innovated, and pioneered the path forward as a Water Release master.
His influence on Water Release practitioners throughout the Ninja World ran deep.
Even the Hidden Mist Village, renowned for its Water Release prowess, meticulously studied the Second Hokage's techniques and Water Release principles, seeking to improve their own.
One could even argue that the Second Hokage's contributions to advancing ninjutsu across the Ninja World far exceeded the scope of Water Release techniques alone. (The Shadow Clone Technique being the most prominent example.)
Kisame Hoshigaki hailed from the Hidden Mist Village.
Unless he had somehow mastered Water Release without a teacher, his techniques must have inevitably been influenced by the Second Hokage to some extent.
Sakura found it utterly ridiculous to judge the actions of past figures from the perspective of their successors, who stood on the foundation of their predecessors' work.
Upon hearing this, Kisame's smile faltered for a moment.
Though he wanted to deny it, the Hidden Mist Village had indeed absorbed much of the Second Hokage's Water Release techniques.
"Sharp-tongued little brat!" Kisame sneered, pointing his greatsword at Sakura. "While there's some truth to what you say, strength ultimately speaks louder than words. Your empty bluster won't get you anywhere!"
Sakura replied calmly, "Then let's put that to the test!"
As she spoke, Sakura's emerald eyes constantly scanned the surface of the water, tracking the dozen Water Sharks circling and swimming relentlessly, as well as the bandaged greatsword Kisame wielded.
It was precisely these powerful, chakra-absorbing Water Sharks that had shattered her Water Dragon Bullet and left the chakra-rich Naruto struggling to break free.
The sudden appearance of a large sword capable of absorbing Chakra had trapped Naruto in the Water Prison Technique.
'Is that Samehada?'
Sakura scrutinized the densely bandaged greatsword in Kisame's hand, her mind racing with analysis.
'Both the water sharks and Samehada absorb Chakra, but they can't absorb the impact force of water currents formed by Chakra itself!'
Having mastered the Water Dragon Bullet, a Ninjutsu that also absorbs Chakra, Sakura was well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of this type of technique.
While her mind raced, Sakura retrieved a pouch from her waist pack, containing a mixture of iron filings, diamond grit, garnet sand, and other abrasive materials, and poured it into her palm.
"Fu, buy me some time!"
As she spoke, Sakura swiftly executed several hand seals.
Placing her right hand over her left, she connected the pinky finger of her right hand with the index finger of her left, then pressed her thumbs together, forming a hollow frame with an opening facing outward.
'A new Water Release Ninjutsu? Is it one of the Second Hokage's?'
Kisame Hoshigaki showed no intention of stopping Sakura, his expression one of curiosity as he watched her proceed.
'Whoosh!'
A fist-sized torrent of water surged from the lake's surface, flowing into Sakura's hands.
There, it fused with her Diamond Dust and Garnet Sand, condensing into a highly compressed, cohesive mass.
To maximize the technique's resistance to Kisame's chakra-absorbing ninjutsu, Sakura used natural water rather than chakra-formed simulated water.
The technique she was about to unleash was her never-before-used S-Rank Water Release secret art: Water Severing Wave!
It was the Second Hokage's deadliest and most forceful Water Release technique!
By concentrating immense water pressure into a small area, like a razor-sharp blade, the technique possessed devastating power and could slice through any substance.
(I suspect the Second Hokage designed this technique specifically to counter the Susanoo. The Darkness Technique, which targets the Sharingan's vision, seems to serve a similar purpose.)
Although Sakura had learned this technique from Maruboshi Kosuke several months prior, mastering it didn't guarantee she could safely execute it.
This technique was simply too dangerous!
Just as improper use of Fire Release ninjutsu could burn the user's mouth, misapplication of Water Severing Wave could have disastrous consequences.
Conjuring a super-high-pressure, razor-thin jet of water from one's mouth is far more dangerous than simply using Water Release techniques.
Senju Tobirama, the greatest of Water Release ninja, and Maruboshi Kosuke, a ninja with decades of experience in Water Release, could naturally master this perilous ninjutsu.
While Sakura possessed exceptional talent for Water Release, she had only been practicing this particular technique for a short time.
Not only was it difficult for her to activate, but even when she managed to unleash it, she could barely tap into its true power and speed.
Had Sakura continued her progress at her usual pace, she would have fully mastered this ninjutsu within a year, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
However, two months prior, she had acquired the highly compressed Rasengan from Kakashi.
This revelation sparked a breakthrough in Sakura's studious mind, leading her to forge a new path toward mastering this technique.
In truth, the Ninja World had never lacked courses on mechanics analysis; these principles were even intrinsically linked to the ninja's craft.
Many of the cultural lessons at the Ninja Academy covered these concepts, yet few had ever considered applying this knowledge to ninjutsu.
After all, the Ninja World was teeming with powerful ninjas who were either illiterate or semi-literate. For many, the level of formal education simply held no relevance.
But for Sakura, who consistently topped her academic classes and only lost to Sasuke once on the graduation exam, academic knowledge was a tool to solve most real-world problems.
'If releasing chakra from the mouth is too dangerous, use the hands.'
'If insufficient chakra reduces cutting power, mix in abrasive particles to enhance it.'
Applying the compression principles of the Rasengan, she transformed her hands into ultra-high-pressure water compressors, creating a tiny nozzle.
From this simulated high-pressure water gun, a supersonic water arrow erupted!
She then mixed abrasive particles into the water arrow stream, mimicking the cutting action of a water jet cutter to amplify its slicing power.
Perhaps calling this Ninjutsu "Water Severing Wave" was no longer accurate.
This was something unique to Sakura, the academic prodigy:
'Water Release: Ultra-High-Pressure Water Jet Technique!'
"Water's flexibility lies in its ability to remain hidden underground, yet burst forth as a clear spring; it trickles musically when scarce, yet roars majestically when abundant!" Sakura murmured softly, the condensed water mass in her hands growing more turbulent, yet her aura radiating an even greater calm.
"Water nourishes all things, assuming countless forms while remaining fundamentally unchanged; in stillness, it is soft; in motion, it is unyielding!"
Kisame Hoshigaki's brow arched. "Huh?"
"Can't understand?" Sakura's pale green eyes flashed with mockery as she suddenly shouted, "That's why you should read more, you ugly bastard!"
'Water Release: Water Severing Wave!'
The moment her words rang out, a slender, crystal-clear stream of water shot forth from Sakura's palm and mouth.
There was no roaring wind, no thunderous boom—if one word could describe this ninjutsu, it would be speed.
Speed to the extreme!
In an instant, the high-pressure water arrow reached 915 meters per second, almost three times the speed of sound and arcing through the air.
The dozen or so Water Sharks blocking its path were sliced through like slime meeting a blade, cleaved in two without the slightest resistance.
The same ninjutsu the Second Hokage used to sever the God Tree's roots in the original timeline now appeared in a different form, wielded by Sakura!
'Danger!'
'This technique is fatal!'
Kisame Hoshigaki's expression twisted as he leaped to evade.
Though he desperately wanted to counter with his own ninjutsu, Sakura's technique was simply too fast.
As a dutiful and honest ninja focused on hand seals, Kisame Hoshigaki had no time for hand seals and could only evade.
"Trying to escape? Not without my permission!"
Just as Kisame was about to dodge the Water Severing Wave, an even more intense crimson chakra suddenly erupted from Naruto's body, shattering both the Water Prison Technique and his water clone.
"Don't underestimate Naruto Uzumaki, you bastard!"
Konoha's Ultimate Taijutsu Technique—Dragon God!
'Boom!'
In an instant, Naruto transformed into a crimson, indestructible dragon-shaped whirlwind, unleashing a deafening roar as he hurtled toward Kisame at supersonic speed!
'That jinchuriki brat!'
Kisame's eyes widened, and he instinctively raised Samehada before him in defense.
'Boom!'
A deafening crash rang out as Samehada let out a pained wail, clearly having absorbed some of Naruto's Konoha Dragon God chakra.
However, the immense kinetic force generated by Naruto's ultra-powerful taijutsu strike was beyond absorption!
Just as Kisame, even in his fused form with Samehada at his peak, couldn't absorb Might Guy's Morning Tiger—a high-pressure air bullet—and was instead gravely injured.
The overwhelming force numbed Kisame's hand, causing Samehada to fly out of his grasp.
The momentum of the impact sent his airborne body crashing to the ground.
'Splat!'
The moment Kisame Hoshigaki landed, before he could even react, a high-pressure stream of water pierced through a narrow gap in the torrential rain, as if teleporting across space, striking his heart with deadly precision.
A sharp crack echoed as the arrow's terrifying power erupted after piercing Kisame's chest.
A massive, gaping hole was blasted through his chest, obliterating nearly half his torso in a single strike.
Behind him, the water stream's impact continued to wreak havoc.
Amidst the explosion of blood, trees and rocks along its trajectory shattered into splinters and debris, collapsing with a thunderous roar, scattering gore and debris across the landscape.
"To think... I'd lose to two Konoha brats," Kisame muttered in disbelief, glancing down at the gaping wound in his chest.
As soon as he finished speaking, his body collapsed limply onto the water's surface, staining it crimson with blood.
"Your name was Haruno Sakura, right?" Kisame asked, grinning at the pink-haired girl who approached, seemingly to confirm his death.
"Truly a gifted ninja. Mastering such potent Water Release techniques at such a young age... Heh, it seems Konoha will soon produce a ninja who surpasses even Lord Second Hokage."
"I'm not a ninja renowned for innate talent."
Faced with her enemy's praise, the girl shook her head slightly, her face deathly pale and her body trembling faintly—symptoms of extreme Chakra exhaustion and near-exhaustion.
Her pale green eyes flickered as she murmured, "I'm just an ordinary ninja who can see further by standing on the shoulders of my predecessors."
The most crucial thing for a ninja is—inheritance!
This was what her master, Maruboshi Kosuke, had taught her, a lesson she had always kept close to her heart.
She never considered herself exceptionally talented. The reason her current strength far surpassed that of her peers was because she had inherited the legacies of three Hokage!
"Inheritance..."
A hint of reminiscence flickered in Kisame Hoshigaki's eyes as he gazed at the girl.
"I'll remember you, Haruno Sakura!"
"Huh?"
Naruto, who had just arrived, froze, pointing at his own nose and demanding, "What about me? I'm Uzumaki—"
But Kisame Hoshigaki paid him no attention.
As soon as he finished speaking, a shark suddenly emerged from the water, tearing his materialized clone to shreds.
Though it wasn't his true body, Kisame Hoshigaki's modus operandi had always been to leave no trace of information behind.
"Aaaagggghhhh!"
Naruto roared, his face contorted with indignation.
___
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