Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

Black Zetsu split himself from White Zetsu precisely to prevent this situation.

White Zetsu was responsible for relaying the results of Itachi and Sasuke's duel to Obito, just as planned from the beginning.

Black Zetsu was hiding at Itachi Uchiha's base, waiting for Obito's arrival.

"Kisame, you haven't completed your mission."

Having understood White Zetsu's implication, Obito narrowed his eyes, feeling a sense of disbelief. "That man's dedication to successfully completing missions is one of the few things I can completely trust. I never expected him to stumble on such a small mission."

They actually allowed a third party to get involved.

"Because Naruto Uzumaki got entangled with Kisame, that guy is a real problem."

Obito was taken aback by White Zetsu's words.

Obito suddenly looked toward the thick tree branch where Naruto had been standing.

But at some point, that yellow figure was no longer there.

"Shadow Clone..."

In just a moment, Obito analyzed the situation.

The Naruto who appeared before him and the others in Konoha earlier was probably just a shadow clone.

Naruto's preference for using Earth Release and Shadow Clone Techniques in battle is a rare point of consensus between Konoha and the Akatsuki organization.

But soon, Obito fell into deep thought again.

Is it possible that a mere shadow clone possesses such an astonishing amount of Nine-Tails chakra?

In these three years, has he truly become the perfect Jinchūriki...?

"Afei, what's the next step?"

White Zetsu interrupted Obito's thoughts.

"The plan may be in trouble... Notify Black Zetsu to retreat first."

But Obito's thoughts were only fleeting. He quickly composed himself and looked at the still bewildered Konoha members. His earlier intention to deal with these guys faded away.

Rather than getting entangled with these guys from Konoha, it's more important to find out what Naruto Uzumaki is planning to do.

Naruto Uzumaki's reappearance after disappearing from public view, and his actions, left Obito somewhat bewildered.

"Let's get along better next time, everyone in Konoha."

As soon as he finished speaking, the space around Obito distorted.

When the distortion of space ended, he had completely disappeared into the forest.

The White Zetsu that had just appeared next to Obito seemed to have never been there at all.

Chapter 59 Mizuki's Ninja Sword Collection Progresses Smoothly

"Hey! Aren't they getting further and further away from town?!"

Sakon and Ukon leaped between the trees, their voices full of complaints.

He stared at the enormous water sphere formed from chakra before him, clearly displaying a negative attitude towards chasing it.

In the narrow confines of the forest, it would be virtually impossible to lose sight of this enormous water sphere, which resembled a small hill.

But that only means they won't get lost.

The Sound Four had already used their fastest speed in their normal mode without using the Cursed Seal.

But that water sphere was moving even faster!

"What? Are you planning to give up? If Sasuke comes back and finds out you stood by and did nothing, you might die even worse than Orochimaru."

Hozuki Suigetsu, who was also chasing the water ball, grinned and spoke to Sakon and Ukon in a sarcastic tone.

"You bastard, don't think I don't know what you're thinking!"

Sakon and Ukon squinted at Hozuki Suigetsu: "You're just reluctant to part with your ninja sword, aren't you!"

The Sound Four and Hozuki Suigetsu were not chasing the giant water sphere itself.

It was Naruto fighting Kisame Hoshigaki inside the water sphere.

"I can't be bothered with someone like you who doesn't understand the power and symbolism of the ninja sword."

Hozuki Suigetsu lost interest in talking to Sakon and Ukon, and he refocused his attention on chasing the water sphere: "If you're scared, you can just stop. I didn't ask you to chase it with me in the first place."

In the abandoned town, after Kisame Hoshigaki used a massive water prison technique to imprison Naruto, the movable water sphere detached from the town.

Seeing that things were not going well—or rather, seeing the Executioner's Blade getting further and further away from him—Hozuki Suigetsu chased after the water sphere without hesitation.

After a brief hesitation, the bewildered Sound Four also joined in the chase after the water sphere.

After all, according to Sasuke's previous request, the four of them were also not allowed to participate in Sasuke's revenge against Itachi.

Naturally, they could only move in the direction of Kisame Hoshigaki and Naruto.

"Scared? You really dare to say that!"

At other times, Sakon and Ukon might have rushed up and exchanged a few blows with Hozuki Suigetsu.

But now is clearly not the time for infighting, yet Sakon and Ukon are at a disadvantage in verbal exchanges with Hozuki Suigetsu.

Sakon and Ukon could only turn their gaze to Tayuya beside them, and they shouted, "Tayuya! You should also control this guy who's putting on such an arrogant attitude while Sasuke-sama isn't around!"

Hozuki Suigetsu also heard what Sakon and Ukon said.

He turned to look at Tayuya, who had the same red hair as Karin. This guy was really outspoken, much more difficult to deal with than Karin.

Tayuya merely glanced at Sakon and Ukon, showing no intention of speaking.

Seeing this, Hozuki Suigetsu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Sasuke... he's really something...

"..."

Jirobo, who had been silent until now, finally found an opportunity to speak and persuade everyone, "Now is not the time to argue."

But when Jirobo actually spoke, he didn't have much to say to appease everyone.

On the contrary, it was Kidomaru's conclusion about the water sphere, which had been observing its movements, that stopped everyone from arguing.

"The water balloon stopped moving."

Kidomaru's words made everyone stop in their tracks.

Even Hozuki Suigetsu, who was eager to ask Naruto how to obtain the Executioner's Blade, stopped along with the Sound Four.

What happened inside the water sphere?

This was a shared thought in the hearts of all of them.

The water sphere, which had been moving, suddenly stopped, contrary to its usual behavior.

This made those who were unaware of the water sphere's interior cautious and refrain from taking the opportunity to catch up with it.

Before they could figure out what was happening, the water sphere that had stopped moving suddenly exploded.

The water, which was originally fixed in a spherical shape, instantly transformed into towering waves with tremendous impact, scattering in all directions!

One of the waves crashed directly towards Hozuki Suigetsu and the Sound Four.

"Jirobo!"

Sakon shouted.

Come to my side!

Without needing any prompting from Sakon or Ukon, Jirobo had already jumped down from the tree.

Jirobo's decision to seek refuge on the ground, which was lower than the trees, instead of moving to higher ground in the face of the surging waves did not draw any criticism from others.

Sakon, Ukon, Tayuya, Kidomaru, and even Hozuki Suigetsu all jumped down from the tree and approached Jirobo.

Just as the wave was about to crash into everyone, Jirobo had already created an earth-escape technique, and a solid earthen barrier enveloped everyone.

It resists the impact of the waves.

……

While Hozuki Suigetsu and the Sound Four were still entangled with the waves.

The center of the originally broken water sphere was now covered with a large amount of water-soaked forest floor.

Kisame Hoshigaki lay on the ground, looking very weak.

Meanwhile, Samehada, the greatsword that had originally merged with him to become a shark-fish-man, was separating from Kisame Hoshigaki's body.

They have become independent individuals again.

The blade, covered in black spikes, opened its enormous mouth, its tongue lolling out and hissing.

It intends to "actively" approach Kisame Hoshigaki, who is the holder, once again by wriggling.

However, before Samehada could even move, Naruto had already thrown the Executioner's Blade at Samehada.

"A knife should just lie still like a knife. If no one reaches out to grasp the handle, it should remain still and not move."

Naruto looked at Samehada, who was struggling like a stranded fish, bound by the Executioner's Blade, and confirmed that Samehada was firmly stuck and unable to move.

Kisame Hoshigaki had no time to worry about Samehada's situation.

He stared intently at Naruto, puzzled by his own physical condition.

What did you do to me?

Kisame Hoshigaki had no external injuries, but he was weaker than when he was seriously injured.

"Eating too much will cause stomach upset. I thought that would be common sense for someone like you who likes to absorb other people's chakra."

Naruto approached Kisame Hoshigaki, whose face was faintly visible in the corner of his eye, almost imperceptible unless one looked closely.

Kisame Hoshigaki, who absorbed a large amount of Naruto's Sage Chakra, now looks just like the side effects Naruto experienced after failing to enter Sage Mode.

The body's chakra pathways and chakra balance have been disrupted by natural energy.

Kisame Hoshigaki is no longer able to mobilize the chakra within his body.