After making his decision, Ryūjin entered Sage Mode, instantly extending his perception across the entirety of Takigakure.
Every chakra signature within the village became clear to him.
Due to the distinct nature of his chakra sensing, he identified Kakuzu almost immediately.
"Five elemental chakra attributes, and this level of density. That has to be Kakuzu. Let's go."
Possessing all five chakra natures was extremely rare in the ninja world. Aside from the Third Hokage of Konoha, no one else was widely known to have such a trait.
Finding such a presence in Takigakure left little room for doubt.
Without hesitation, Ryūjin moved forward, with Orochimaru and Kimimaro following closely behind.
They sped past the base of a mountain and through a sparse grove before arriving at an open clearing. Several figures were clashing violently in the distance.
One man stood out immediately.
Black threads writhed around his body like living things.
It was Kakuzu.
Explosions and metallic clashes echoed across the battlefield as both sides fought fiercely.
However, the gap in strength was overwhelming. The Jonin of Takigakure were being completely suppressed, pushed into a miserable state.
"Kakuzu! So many years have passed! Do you really intend to destroy the village?" Shibuki shouted, his voice filled with anger and tension.
Beside him stood four other Jonin, the last remaining elites of Takigakure.
"I risked my life for this village, and what did I receive? Betrayal," Kakuzu replied coldly, his eyes devoid of emotion. "From the moment I escaped, I decided I would destroy it one day."
Back during the Warring States period, Kakuzu had been assigned to assassinate the First Hokage.
The result had been obvious.
He failed completely, barely surviving.
Facing someone like the First Hokage was no different from challenging a god. A mere Jonin from a small village never stood a chance.
Yet instead of being honored for surviving, Kakuzu had been imprisoned and punished upon his return.
In fury, he broke free, stole the forbidden technique Earth Grudge Fear, and fled.
Since then, he had sustained his life by replacing his hearts.
"Kakuzu, those responsible are long dead. That past is gone!" Shibuki said, staring him down.
"I'm still alive," Kakuzu answered flatly.
"Chief, there's no other option. We have to use the Hero Water!" one of the Jonin shouted weakly.
The Hero Water was a secret treasure of Takigakure. It could multiply a person's chakra dozens of times.
But the cost was severe, often causing irreversible damage or even leaving the user crippled.
Shibuki had always forbidden its use, reserving it as a last resort.
Now, they had no choice.
"Everyone, listen. I authorize the use of the Hero Water."
Without hesitation, the five Jonin drank from their flasks.
Kakuzu watched silently, making no move to stop them. He wanted them to exhaust every last effort before crushing them completely.
Only then would despair truly set in.
Moments later, a violent surge of chakra erupted from their bodies.
Their power skyrocketed.
"The Hero Water? I'll show you how useless it really is," Kakuzu said, a hint of killing intent entering his voice.
At the same time, he activated Earth Grudge Fear and released two masked creatures.
One embodied Fire Release, the other Lightning Release.
"Attack together! Water Release, Water Dragon Bullet!"
Shibuki and the others rapidly formed hand seals.
Five massive water dragons surged forward, roaring toward Kakuzu.
With their chakra amplified and surrounded by water, the technique carried immense power.
Even a typical Kage-level ninja would struggle to withstand it directly.
A flicker of hope appeared on Shibuki's face.
But Kakuzu remained still.
Unmoved.
Unimpressed.
He brought his hands together.
"Fire Release, Intelligent Hard Work!"
A massive wave of flames erupted, engulfing the sky as it crashed into the incoming water dragons.
The scale of the fire was overwhelming, rivaling even the most powerful Fire Release techniques.
In an instant, the five water dragons were completely suppressed.
Effortlessly.
"Impossible..." Shibuki muttered, disbelief written across his face.
"Lightning Release, False Darkness!"
Before they could react, bolts of blue lightning shot forward, piercing through the remnants of the water dragons.
The attacks struck the Jonin directly.
Their bodies convulsed as they were thrown backward, crashing to the ground.
Blood spilled from their mouths.
They lay there, unable to stand.
Between the backlash of the Hero Water and Kakuzu's attacks, the fact they were still alive was already a miracle.
"This... is Kakuzu?" one of them whispered.
"He's a monster..."
Kakuzu walked toward them slowly, his expression unchanged.
"No more tricks?" he asked coldly. "Then I'll take your lives."
Shibuki and the others glared at him, filled with resentment but unable to resist.
"Die."
Kakuzu extended his arm, his hand detaching and shooting forward like a projectile, grabbing Shibuki by the throat.
Just as he was about to crush it, a calm voice interrupted.
"That's strange. You're all about to die, yet the Jinchūriki still hasn't shown up."
The voice carried a hint of casual disbelief.
Ryūjin stepped forward.
"The situation doesn't match what I'd expect."
Kakuzu turned sharply, eyes narrowing as he saw the approaching group.
Orochimaru. Kimimaro. And the one leading them.
Kakuzu released Shibuki, letting him fall aside like discarded trash.
"Konoha's Sannin... Orochimaru?"
His gaze shifted to Ryūjin, growing more cautious.
Someone Orochimaru followed was not ordinary.
"Are you their reinforcements?" Kakuzu asked.
Ryūjin shrugged. "Do they look like they could afford that?"
Kakuzu paused.
Fair point.
"Then why are you here?"
"I came for the Seven-Tails," Ryūjin said plainly. "But running into you is a bonus. I happen to need subordinates. Kakuzu, Work for me."
Kakuzu let out a cold laugh.
"You've got guts, kid. Don't think having Orochimaru behind you means I won't kill you."
"Heh..." Orochimaru chuckled softly. "You've misunderstood. It's not that Lord Ryūjin relies on me. I rely on him."
Kakuzu's expression froze.
For a moment, he genuinely wondered if this was an impostor.
"Lord Ryūjin, should I assist?" Orochimaru asked.
"No need," Ryūjin replied casually. "If I want him, I'll handle it myself. I prefer convincing people with strength."
Kakuzu's eyes sharpened.
"Big talk. Let's see if you can back it up."
The ground beneath Ryūjin suddenly split apart.
A hand shot out, aiming directly for his throat.
Ryūjin didn't move.
At the last moment, he casually raised his hand and caught it.
Firmly.
Kakuzu's pupils shrank.
"Kamui."
In an instant, the black threads connecting the arm were severed.
Cleanly.
Kakuzu's expression turned serious.
That technique...
Ryūjin casually tossed the severed hand back.
"You dropped this."
Black threads extended again, reattaching the limb.
Without hesitation, Kakuzu attacked.
"Fire Release, Intelligent Hard Work!"
"Lightning Release, False Darkness!"
Flames and lightning surged toward Ryūjin simultaneously.
Yet Ryūjin simply walked forward.
Calm.
Unbothered.
As if the attacks didn't exist.
He moved through fire and lightning like it was nothing, closing the distance toward the masked creatures step by step.
===
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