Ninja World: I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am no longer human!

The Snow Woman has come to realize that simply avoiding her destiny as she has in the past is not the solution. But if she can become as strong as Kisame, she will no longer need to fear anything and will surely attain the happiness she desires.

So these past few days, the Snow Woman has quietly resumed her training, diligently practicing her Ice Release ninjutsu.

"Okay, then I'm leaving."

Seeing that there was nothing more to say, Kisame turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Just then.

The snow woman hesitated for a moment, then suddenly rushed forward and hugged Kisame tightly from behind.

"Mr. Kisame, you are truly a man of great charm, a man I can rely on. If you have time, please come back and visit my son and me often."

She pressed her face against Kisame's broad back and whispered.

After all, she's a married woman, so she's certainly very bold in this regard.

Faced with the snow woman's overtures, Kisame didn't turn around. Instead, he remained silent for a moment before speaking to her:

"But madam, I'm only twelve years old, still a child."

As soon as he finished speaking, he drifted away amidst the astonished and stunned gaze of the Snow Woman.

Snow Village.

A mysterious man wearing a headscarf and mask, with a slash on his forehead resembling the headband of the Hidden Takigakure village, arrived in the village.

He is Kakuzu, a bounty hunter ninja who worships money.

"A step too late?"

Kakuzu frowned as he looked at the villagers' corpses lying haphazardly in the courtyard.

During this time, he had been hunting down the rogue ninja duo from Kumokage Village.

For him, killing these two people would not only bring a high bounty, but also replenish his strength with a fresh Lightning Release Heart, thereby further enhancing his power and lifespan.

He has already devoted several months of time and effort to this, and there is absolutely no way he would give up halfway.

But a few days later.

When Kakuzu arrived at the gold exchange in the Land of Water, he learned that his prey had already been snatched up by someone else.

Disappointed, he asked his boss for a name.

Sametaro Ghost Gate.

He sounds like a pretty impressive guy.

Kakuzu remembered it.

Meanwhile, the so-called Onimon Sametaro had returned to Kirigakure after several days of trekking through mountains and rivers.

29. Birthday gifts delivered to your door

A land of water, isolated overseas.

As a typical island nation, the Land of Water is somewhat similar to the former British Empire in reality, controlling most of the sea lanes in the Naruto world and being the overlord of the sea.

In terms of foreign policy, the Land of Water follows the same approach as England, consistently pursuing a balance of power policy on the continent.

For a long time, thanks to this offshore balancing model, the relationship between Kirigakure and the major ninja villages has been relatively good, and even if there are occasional conflicts, they are quickly resolved.

Against this backdrop, although Kirigakure never formally allied with other forces, it maintained close ties with neighboring ninja villages, frequently sending people to Konoha and Kumogakure to participate in the Chunin Exams.

Sometimes, they would also act as hosts, inviting ninjas from other villages to Kirigakure to exchange and learn together.

There are only three days left before the Hidden Mist genin gather and head to Konoha to participate in this year's Chunin Exams.

"Why are you here?"

Kisame pushed open the door and saw Mei Terumi and Ringo Ameyuri standing smiling at the door, with Ameyuri holding a large box in her hands.

Kisame was somewhat surprised.

He had just returned home and was planning to visit them at the hospital when he found out they had already been discharged and had come to his door.

"Kisame, I really have to thank you this time. If you hadn't defeated the Iron Duo, we would probably be dead in the wilderness, never to return."

Mei Terumi spoke with a sincere expression, from the bottom of her heart.

“We are comrades in a squad, and this is what I should do. However, I hope you can keep my secret. After all, the sooner a ninja like me reveals his strength, the sooner he will die.”

Kisame said this.

"Don't worry, we've never told anyone else about your situation."

Yuri quickly interjected, making a solemn promise.

Both she and Mei Terumi knew that Kisame came from a poor background, so he was always used as cannon fodder by the village and sent on dangerous missions. He always hid his strength and kept a low profile in order to protect himself.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Mei Terumi opened the box that Yuri was holding, revealing a carefully made birthday cake, and said to Kisame, "Happy Birthday!"

Kisame was taken aback.

He had never celebrated his birthday before, and this was the first time he had ever done so.

On this cold, rainy day, the wind howled and the rain lashed against the doors and windows outside, but inside, the three members of the team sat around a warm fireplace, eating birthday cake, creating a particularly cozy atmosphere.

"Kisame, I'm sorry, my injuries haven't healed yet, so I can't participate in this Chunin Exams."

Mei Terumi's eyes dimmed, filled with apology.

"Me too."

Yuri also looked unhappy. She wasn't seriously injured, but the elders in her family were very worried and wouldn't let her go.

Anyway, they're all quite young, and the Chunin Exams are held twice a year. If all else fails, they can just participate in the exams near their home village next time it's Kirigakure's turn.

"It's okay, you don't need to blame yourselves. I can get through it on my own."

Kisame replied.

His participation in the Chunin Exams in Konoha was merely a formality; his more important purpose was to gather intelligence that interested him.

"Yes, we believe you."

After Mei Terumi learned how strong Kisame was, she realized that his participation in this exam was simply bullying him.

"Promise me you'll use your unrestricted taijutsu to teach those brats from Konoha a lesson and show them what you're capable of."

Yuri pumped her fist and said excitedly.

"No problem." Kisame nodded with a smile.

It's getting late.

Kisame, holding an umbrella, personally escorted his two companions home. He then bought some food and daily necessities along the way before returning home.

Unexpectedly, there was a person standing at the door.

It's Hozuki Full Moon.

He's here again.

"You're finally back, Kisame Hoshigaki. Do you know how much I've suffered waiting for you these past month?"

Hozuki Mangetsu spoke softly, like a resentful woman.

What brings you here?

Kisame asked calmly.

"Of course it's to celebrate your birthday."

Hozuki Mangetsu gave a wicked smile and walked step by step toward Kisame.

Did you come alone?

Kisame suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked a question. At the same time, he carefully sensed his surroundings but did not find any other ninjas besides Hozuki Mangetsu.

"Hmph, I'm enough to deal with you on my own."

Hozuki Mangetsu finally revealed his true intentions, his voice suddenly turning cold, "Today I will not only avenge my previous humiliation, but I will also make you honestly confess the clues about the missing ninja sword."

Yes, Hozuki Mangetsu no longer wanted to play with Kisame.

He lost his patience and decided to capture Kisame first, regardless of the consequences, and then interrogate him slowly, determined to pry open the latter's mouth.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hozuki Mangetsu raised his hands and quickly formed hand seals, sending water bullets hurtling towards Kisame.

Water Release: Water Jet Technique.

Kisame took his usual ninja sword from his back and charged straight at the enemy. With a few "whoosh" sounds, the sword flashed and shattered all the water bullets.

Then, he unleashed a fierce sword technique, slashing at Hozuki Mangetsu in one fell swoop.

"Wow, you're really full of energy."

While dodging, Hozuki Mangetsu didn't forget to make sarcastic remarks, as foul-mouthed as ever.

He would occasionally get slashed by Kisame, but these attacks, which were enough to break an ordinary person's limbs, were all easily neutralized by his water-transformation technique.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, aside from those underhanded tricks, is this all the real skill you have?"

Hozuki Mangetsu suddenly shouted and leaped into the air, spreading his arms wide.

"Oh!"

A scroll in his right hand conjured a large, door-shaped sword.

At the same time, the water in his body gushed to his left arm, causing it to swell up and become even thicker than Kisame's arm.

Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique.

This technique can greatly enhance the strength of the arm, giving it the superhuman strength to break through steel and rock walls.

"Hahaha, take this!"

Hozuki Mangetsu laughed wildly, gripping the massive, door-like steel sword in his left hand, and descended from the sky to slash at Kisame.

Click!