The Strongest Artist in Naruto

The next day, Deidara received a mission from Nagato: the Three-Tails had been reborn in the wilderness near Kirigakure. The task was to capture it.

"Finally, a mission after such a long break," Kisame remarked.

"But doesn't it feel like Akatsuki is down to just the two of us for fieldwork?"

"Right?" Deidara sighed. With Kakuzu out of commission, it really did seem like only he and Kisame were carrying the workload.

Akatsuki's ambitions were supposed to be on the rise, growing stronger day by day. So why did it feel like the organization was heading toward its twilight?

Riding on Deidara's clay bird, the pair flew across the Land of Fire, passed through the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Waves, and then spent two days soaring over the vast ocean before finally reaching the Land of Water.

Among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Water was the smallest in terms of territory. It was primarily a massive island surrounded by countless smaller ones. However, its abundant resources, particularly in food, allowed Kirigakure to remain isolated for extended periods.

"According to the intel, this should be the place," Kisame said as they landed on a remote island southwest of Kirigakure. Akatsuki had only discovered this location by chance.

Not long ago, a former Kirigakure shinobi—now aligned with Amegakure—had secretly returned to his homeland. He chose a secluded route to avoid detection and happened to encounter the newly resurrected Three-Tails.

Standing before a massive lake, Kisame's face lit up with excitement.

"Deidara, you've already captured the Seven-Tails. Your assigned quota is complete. Let me handle this one."

Deidara nodded. He had already harvested plenty of "shock value" from the Three-Tails during their encounter with Yagura, so he didn't mind letting Kisame take the lead this time.

"By the way," Deidara mused, "I've heard a rumor that your Samehada used to serve the Three-Tails. Any truth to that?"

"None whatsoever," Kisame replied flatly. "Samehada was brought to Kirigakure by one of our predecessors. It came from the distant seas where humans rarely tread. Those regions are home to ancient creatures that still linger from a time before chakra was widespread."

According to legends, before the arrival of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the Shinobi Continent wasn't dominated by humans but by powerful beasts with extraordinary abilities. The strongest among them gave rise to places like the Three Great Sage Regions.

However, with Kaguya's descent, the emergence of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, and the spread of chakra, most of these ancient creatures were either eradicated or became summoning beasts. Only in the remote seas could one still find primordial beasts, like the giant turtle Deidara and Sasori hunted before.

While Deidara pondered this, Kisame had already stepped onto the lake's surface.

"Even though the Three-Tails has the advantage in this environment, so do I. After all, I'm called the Tailed Beast without a tail. Let's see which of us is stronger."

"Water Release: Thousand Feeding Sharks!"

A swarm of massive sharks surged into the depths of the lake, searching for the hidden Three-Tails.

"Got it!" Kisame exclaimed. As his words fell, the lake erupted in chaos. Small ripples grew into turbulent waves before a colossal turtle emerged, breaking the surface.

This wasn't an ordinary turtle—it had three tails. Its limbs and shell were covered in hardened spikes, making it a formidable foe.

Among the tailed beasts, the Three-Tails ranked high in combat power. While its chakra reserves weren't exceptional, its natural abilities compensated for it. Like Shukaku in the desert, the Three-Tails thrived in water, where its defensive capabilities were unparalleled.

"Filthy humans! How dare you disturb me!" the Three-Tails roared, spitting massive water bullets.

Kisame nimbly dodged the attacks, weaving through them with Samehada in hand.

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

The Three-Tails unleashed a wide-range attack, mixing high-level water-nature chakra into a rushing current. Even Kisame couldn't brush it off lightly.

Instead of retreating, Kisame hurled Samehada forward. The weapon's hilt extended into a chain, allowing it to slice through the raging waters.

Samehada greedily absorbed the chakra from the attack, growing larger and more menacing as it did so. Without its chakra infusion, the water technique was reduced to a harmless current. Kisame charged through effortlessly, forming seals with lightning speed.

"Water Release: Water Whip!"

Gigantic water whips lashed out, binding the Three-Tails in place. Kisame seized the opportunity to slash at its head.

"Humans! Stealing my chakra—how dare you!" the Three-Tails roared in anger.

With Samehada feeding on its chakra, the Three-Tails found itself at a disadvantage. Kisame, now brimming with chakra, couldn't hide his exhilaration.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

The Three-Tails retaliated with dozens of water dragons, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

But Kisame countered with his own barrage of water dragons, nullifying the attack. Realizing it was outmatched, the Three-Tails attempted to retreat, but its sluggish movements made escape impossible.

"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!"

A colossal shark leaped from behind Kisame, its gaping maw aiming to devour the Three-Tails whole.

The Three-Tails retreated into its shell just in time. The shark crashed into the shell, failing to leave a scratch. With no chakra to absorb, the attack was wasted.

"Stubborn turtle," Kisame muttered, gripping Samehada and preparing for another assault.

Meanwhile, Deidara, enjoying the show from the shore, suddenly found himself surrounded. A group of Kirigakure shinobi emerged, led by none other than the famed and alluring Mei Terumī.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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