[Akatsuki Hideout]
Everyone present was silent for a long time.
Most Akatsuki members were rogue-nins from various villages. They joined either because they were beaten into submission or because they sought protection. Of course, some served as spies and so on; essentially, they all had their own ulterior motives.
On the screen, why didn't the future Akatsuki act as a united force, and instead got picked off one by one?
Simple, because the members each harbored their own agendas, and there was no true mechanism to forcibly control them. If a fight was halfway through and Obito or Itachi suddenly turned their hand against you, what could you do?
And believe it or not, if Tendo Pain pulled a massive Shinra Tensei in Iwagakure, Deidara would instantly fly to the Land of Rain and start dropping bombs.
However... Kisame really was loyal! He chose death over leaking any intelligence.
Tendo Pain's eyes showed deep wariness. He hadn't expected Kisame to be so utterly devoted to Obito. Fortunately, the Sky Screen had exposed this intel—otherwise, he might have been stabbed in the back.
---
[Konoha, Year One. On the Cliffside]
Madara thoughtfully studied Guy with the Seventh Gate open on the screen, deep in thought.
"Hashirama... what do you think? This guy with seven gates open, how does he compare to us?"
Hashirama stroked his chin. "I'd say… his display of strength is decent. He could probably beat that kid Nagato. But compared to us, he still falls a bit short."
Tobirama also nodded from a distance.
Although they were all Super Kage-Level, his brother and Madara's strength far exceeded these people.
Just then, the screen's voice continued.
[As two of Kirigakure's most iconic Kage-level fighters, who is stronger; the Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, or Hoshigaki Kisame?]
The moment people watching the Sky Screen heard this, their interest was instantly piqued.
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Kirigakure, Mizukage's Office]
"Ooh!" Mei propped her face on both hands, looking at the screen with great interest.
"Now this is an interesting topic. But… Kisame, though decent, is definitely no match for me."
Ao and Chōjūrō also chimed in from the side: "Indeed, Mizukage-sama."
They genuinely believed it. After all, Mei was the one who personally overthrew the Fourth Mizukage's tyrannical rule.
So if Kisame had really been that strong, why didn't he rebel against the previous Mizukage when he was young, instead of just killing his direct superior and defecting?
[First, let's look at their Water Release abilities individually.]
[As the Mizukage, Mei's Water Release is naturally formidable. For example, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, she used Water Style: Water Formation Pillar to single-handedly block Madara's Great Fire Annihilation. And previously, that same Great Fire Annihilation required a whole group of Water Style users working together just to barely hold it off with a Water Formation Wall.]
[In addition, Mei's hand seals for the Water Dragon Bullet are greatly simplified, unlike Zabuza, who needed over forty seals. And without a doubt, a Shinobi who can simplify hand seals must have exceptional precision and mastery in using their Ninjutsu. After all, hand seals are merely an aid to casting, not a necessary process.]
[Though unlike Mei's Water Release, Kisame's Water Release emphasizes sheer volume. Possessing immense chakra reserves, he is known as the "Tailed Beast Without a Tail." And using massive amounts of chakra to reshape terrain with Water Release is second nature to him; an feat ordinary shinobis could never replicate.]
[Whether in his battle against Guy or his fight with Bee, Kisame used Water Release to transform the battlefield into a water environment advantageous to himself. This boosted his own combat power while hindering his opponent due to the terrain, effectively buffing himself and debuffing the enemy.]
[Beyond that, as a Water Release user, Kisame has other advantages that few can match: his massive blade Samehada and the Super Shark Bomb Jutsu that can absorb an opponent's chakra. Kisame can also fuse with Samehada, allowing him to adapt perfectly to underwater combat.]
[That's why, even someone as strong as the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki was easily suppressed by Kisame when transformed into his Tailed Beast form. In other words, Kisame's Water Release hard-countered most Ninjutsu-based fighters, and only a rare few Taijutsu specialists like Guy could counter him.]
[Therefore, in terms of Water Release alone, Kisame's is superior to Mei's. Not only does he have massive chakra reserves to easily create water and reshape terrain, but he also possesses chakra-absorption methods. Plus, his underwater combat ability in the fused state with Samehada is unmatched—traits Mei does not possess.]
Hearing this, Mei's expression instantly turned sour. But the next second, her brow smoothed out again.
[But a fight between the two wouldn't be limited to Water Release. After all, Mei's true strength lies in her dual bloodline limits: Lava Release and Boil Release.]
[If they truly fought, Mei—as a long-range caster—would actually hard-counter Kisame. Most likely, Kisame wouldn't even get to see her face before being boiled dry.]
[Kisame's combat style mainly revolves around two core abilities: Samehada devouring chakra, and Water Style: Great Exploding Water Shockwave creating a massive water environment.]
[This set of tactics is a natural counter against melee-type opponents. For instance, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi and Bee were both sucked dry while in the water.]
[But against Mei, Kisame's water environment is not really that big of a home-field advantage. And as long as he doesn't touch her immediately, against Lava Release and Boil Release—which can even corrode Susano'o—his Water Release would instead become something that traps and kills him.]
---
[Kirigakure, Mizukage's Office]
Mei beamed with joy, her whole body relaxing. "See? I told you! No matter how strong that guy is, can he really surpass my dual bloodline limits?"
Her voice was full of pride as she spread her hands. "Lava Release and Boil Release can corrode everything. No matter how strong his Water Release is, he's no match for me."
Ao quickly nodded: "Mizukage-sama is wise! Lava Release can even corrode Susano'o, what's Kisame's Water Release compared to that?"
Chōjūrō also chimed in: "Exactly! He wouldn't even see your face before being boiled dry."
Mei laughed heartily, her mood greatly improved.
---
[Akatsuki Hideout]
Kisame didn't agree with the Sky Screen's assessment.
Sure, he couldn't beat Guy… but Mei was definitely no match for him!
If they actually fought, he definitely wouldn't give her a chance to use her bloodline limits. And Mei's Taijutsu wasn't anything special.
Deidara approached him with a grin: "Kisame, are you unconvinced? Why don't you go to the Hidden Mist Village and pick a fight with the Mizukage?"
Kisame glanced at him: "If I get the chance, I definitely will. But future matters, let's leave them for the future."
*****
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