Kisame was one of the most feared villains in the Naruto universe for the many water-based jutsu at his command. His great sword, Samehada, was capable of devouring the chakra of his targets even by merely blocking their attacks.
The shark-like villain has fought many battles and was the only member of his organization (alongside Itachi) to pose a direct threat in the original series. By identifying Kisame's best matchups and their outcomes, we can better understand the terror he has wrought across the shinobi world and the harm that has become of it.
10 Kisame Fought Suigetsu Outside Itachi's Hideout
When it finally became time for Sasuke to enact his vengeance against Itachi Uchiha, there was an immediate and difficult impediment to his goal. The Akatsuki member's partner, Kisame, awaited him outside the compound and was ready to fight.
However, the former Mist shinobi secretly wanted to see how Sasuke would perform against his older brother and used Suigetsu as a distraction to keep himself occupied. This sparked a battle between water ninja, one that Jugo and Karin carefully avoided getting caught up in.
9 Winner: The Fight Was Inconclusive
After Itachi's death, Zetsu surfaced to relay the outcome of the battle to Kisame. The message interrupted his fight with Suigetsu and shocked everyone present to varying degrees.
There hadn't been much progress in determining the victor between Kisame and Suigetsu; now that their target had been successfully assassinated, there was also no reason to continue the fight. Sasuke's allies absconded the scene without an official victor being declared for duel. Since it would be the last time the two ninja crossed paths, the fight's potential outcome will remain one of the series' mysteries.
8 Kisame & Itachi Fought The Jonin At Konoha's Border
When it came time for the Akatsuki to collect the Nine-Tailed fox, Kisame and Itachi were dispatched to Konoha. The villains' presence did not go unnoticed - they were quickly accosted by many of the village's sensei, including Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Might Guy.
This was a particularly harrowing encounter since it was the first true illustration of the Akatsuki's power. Moreover, Kakashi immediately identified Itachi and understood the importance of keeping him away from Sasuke - an endeavor that would ultimately prove futile regardless of his best efforts.
7 Winner: The Jonin Forced The Akatsuki To Retreat
Though the Akatsuki could have defeated any two members of the defending party by themselves, it quickly became evident that the longer they fought, the more reinforcements would arrive. Since Might Guy was able to fight intuitively without meeting Itachi's gaze because he used taijutsu, Kisame's natural counter, he provided a serious challenge to both villains.
However, Kisame and his partner didn't leave empty-handed. They were able to cast an excruciating genjutsu on Kakashi that took him out of commission for several days and further infiltrated the Leaf by using a different route. Soon, they came face to face with the target they were sent to collect, Naruto Uzumaki.
6 Kisame Fought Killer Bee In The Forest
Kisame interrupted Killer Bee's lyric creation and attempted to capture him on behalf of his masters. Fortunately, the Eight Tails Jinchuriki was prepared for combat and used the pen he'd been writing with as a deadly projectile.
What ensued was a brutal fight that illustrated the extent Kisame's might. Although Samehada was a perfect counter for Killer Bee's chakra, it relished the flavor so immensely that it defected to his side midway through the encounter.
5 Winner: The Forth Raikage Joined The Battle & Helped Bee Defeat Kisame
Even without Samehada, Kisame had a massive advantage over Killer Bee and almost managed to defeat him. Fortunately, the commotion of the battle attracted the Forth Raikage, who had been searching for his younger brother ever since Sasuke had presumably kidnapped him.
Working together, Bee and A performed the Double Lariot, a devastating taijutsu technique that applies immense force to either side of the subject's head and crushes their skull. Although Kisame managed to hide himself in Samehada and substituted a white zetsu for his original body, he effectively fled the battle and therefore lost.
4 Kisame & Itachi Attempted To Kidnap Naruto, Only To Be Interrupted By Jiraiya
After Itachi cast a genjutsu on a local woman to distract Jiraiya and play on his lechery, the Akatsuki believed they had an opportunity to ambush Naruto and seize him while his mentor was preoccupied.
Though this gambit was nearly successful, the Sannin came to his senses and interrupted the villains immediately before Kisame could begin cutting off his student's limbs. Sasuke also used the opportunity to attempt his revenge on Itachi though had little to show for his efforts.
3 Winner: Jiraiya Forced The Akatsuki To Flee
Jiraiya was able to exhaust Itachi's sharingan through expending his Amaterasu. Given that it was the Uchiha's greatest asset, he ordered Kisame to flee. Together, the villains narrowly escaped the stomach of a toad and obviate the Sannin's wrath.
Kisame was frustrated by Itachi's decision but knew that he could not defeat Jiraiya before his Konoha allies joined the fight just as they did at the village's border. Their retreat gave the Toad Sage an opportunity to train Naruto for when the villains would be back as he knew they would not rest until Kurama was in their hands.
2 Kisame's Attempt To Attack Naruto Was Interrupted By Might Guy
Since Killer Bee had taken Samehada with him ever since his first run-in with Kisame (and because the villain was hiding within his own sword), he had an opportune chance to prey on Naruto while he was attempting to master Kurama and bridle Kurama's power.
Fortunately, Might Guy caught onto the ruse and attacked him before he could enact his plan. This resulted in Kisame's final and most memorable fight.
1 Winner: Might Guy Defeated Kisame By Opening The Seventh Gate
Though Kisame was a difficult adversary to defeat even for a taijutsu master, Might Guy's victory was assured by opening the Seventh Gate. This facilitated his usage of the Daytime Tiger technique, a powerful shockwave that won the battle in a single decisive strike.
Having captured the villain, Guy and his allies prepared to interrogate him about his comrades and the increasingly ominous forces at work. However, Kisame created sharks that consumed his own body, taking what secrets he knew to his grave. Despite his treacherous nature and history, he died with a semblance of loyalty to the cause he'd given everything to profligate.