Several people peeked out from behind the trees to check the situation.
Hana couldn't help but cough twice.
In just a moment, the Wind Demon Clan ninja had suffered heavy losses.
But the one attacking them… was only a strange man with a bare upper body and long tentacles.
"Damn… Kakuzu?!"
Naruto couldn't help but curse softly.
"Why is this guy here?"
"They're too strong…"
Hana and Izumi grabbed Naruto's clothes from both sides. He turned and saw their pale faces.
At that moment, he realized something—
This was their first mission after graduating from the Ninja Academy.
Even the original Naruto had been frozen in fear when facing the Demon Brothers.
Let alone them.
Facing someone at B-rank… or even S-rank level… it was normal for them to be scared.
Yamato also looked serious. He clearly understood how dangerous this enemy was.
This strange ninja was not only strong in taijutsu, but also possessed extremely powerful abilities.
"Lightning Style!"
Kakuzu laughed loudly.
From the Lightning Mask on the ground, a sharp lightning attack shot out from its mouth, sweeping across the battlefield.
Several Wind Demon Clan ninja were instantly killed.
The clan leader shouted angrily:
"Who the hell are you?! Why are you attacking us?!"
Kakuzu replied coldly:
"If you want to blame someone… blame the ones who put a bounty on your heads."
A Jonin from the Wind Demon Clan roared and threw the Wind Shuriken from his back toward Kakuzu.
A look of disdain flashed in Kakuzu's eyes.
"Wind Shuriken? That's it? I'm the man who fought Senju Hashirama."
"Earth Style!"
His skin instantly hardened and darkened.
He grabbed the high-speed spinning Wind Shuriken with his bare hand.
"How is that possible?!"
The Jonin's face changed drastically.
That technique was their clan's pride—even Jiraiya once praised it.
But in front of this man… it looked like a toy.
Kakuzu snorted and threw a heavy punch.
With a dull sound—
The Jonin's chest collapsed instantly. Blood burst out from his mouth as he was sent flying, his life uncertain.
What is an S-rank ninja?
When numbers and skill no longer matter against you… that is S-rank.
Kakuzu, a monster from the Warring States era, had terrifying experience.
With his near-immortality and five-element ninjutsu…
A small clan like this had no chance.
In small countries, even Jonin can be weaker than elite Chunin from the Five Great Nations.
Less than half an hour later—
The entire caravan was wiped out.
Hana and Izumi were trembling, hiding in Naruto's arms, too scared to speak.
The pressure from Kakuzu…
Was far more terrifying than Gaara.
Even Hana's ninja dog trembled, not daring to make a sound.
Kakuzu grabbed the fat merchant by the neck.
Struggling, the merchant asked:
"Who… are you…?"
Kakuzu tightened his grip.
"Hmph… that's all? Not even worth much money."
"If Kusagakure didn't offer extra payment, I wouldn't even bother with this job."
The fat man's eyes widened in anger:
"Kusagakure?! Those bastards—!"
Before he could finish—
Kakuzu slammed him into the ground.
His eyes froze in terror… he was dead.
Kakuzu threw the body aside and opened one of the cargo boxes.
Inside were many ninja tools—kunai, shuriken, and more.
He looked uninterested.
"Useless."
After confirming the mission was done, he jumped onto a tree branch.
Seeing this, Yamato let out a deep breath.
Facing someone like that… even he had little chance of winning.
Naruto, however, understood something.
That earlier probing attack…
It was fear.
Kakuzu was wary of Wood Style.
He thought Yamato might be someone on the level of Hashirama.
That's why he didn't act seriously until Yamato left.
Naruto rubbed his chin.
"So even Kakuzu has trauma from Hashirama…"
Just when they thought everything was over—
A strange plant suddenly appeared on the tree where Kakuzu stood.
"What a mess~"
Kakuzu's pupils shrank.
He instantly jumped back.
From the forest—
A figure with orange hair, wearing a black robe with red clouds, slowly walked out from the smoke…!