"What's going on?"
"What is this?"
"Why isn't anything working on him?"
Kakuzu's attacks continued relentlessly, yet none of them had any effect. Confusion crept into his expression as the situation became increasingly incomprehensible.
This was beyond strange.
Could it be genjutsu?
No, that didn't make sense.
As Ryūjin calmly walked closer, Kakuzu felt a rare sense of unease. He immediately commanded his remaining masked creatures to intensify their assault.
It made no difference.
Ryūjin kept advancing, completely unaffected.
"Kamui."
A sharp cracking sound echoed.
In the next instant, both masked creatures shattered into pieces as if erased from existence. Their overwhelming attacks disappeared along with them.
Just like that, two more of Kakuzu's lives were gone.
"What just happened?"
Kakuzu's eyes widened in shock, his heart tightening with pressure. He hadn't even seen what Ryūjin did, yet his masked creatures were destroyed instantly.
On the side, Shibuki and the others were equally stunned.
Even after using the Hero Water, they had been completely overwhelmed by Kakuzu. Yet this man had dismantled him with ease.
Who exactly was he?
Kakuzu clenched his teeth and released his remaining masks.
The Wind Release and Fire Release masks emerged, merging under his control.
He brought his hands together.
"Combined Ninjutsu, Searing Wind Wild Wave!"
A massive inferno surged forward, amplified by a violent hurricane. The flames twisted into a blazing storm that tore through the battlefield.
Ryūjin glanced at it, mildly impressed.
"Not bad."
The casual tone irritated Kakuzu.
"But it's still useless."
Ryūjin slammed his hands onto the ground. Golden dust surged upward, forming a dense barrier that completely blocked the incoming flames.
"Magnet Release, Gold Dust..."
Kakuzu's expression darkened. That was the technique of the Fourth Kazekage.
Now this man could use it too?
Before he could process further, giant hands of gold dust erupted from the ground, grabbing toward him and his masks.
Kakuzu used the Body Flicker Technique to evade, but it wasn't enough.
The gold dust pursued relentlessly, wrapping around the masked creatures and binding them tightly.
"Sand Waterfall Funeral."
Ryūjin clenched his hand.
The sand compressed violently, crushing the masked creatures into nothing.
They were completely destroyed.
"Kakuzu, you're down to one heart," Ryūjin said casually. "Still want to keep going?"
Kakuzu swallowed, sweat forming on his forehead.
This fight had barely lasted any time at all, yet he had already lost four hearts. Worse, his opponent hadn't even taken it seriously.
Now he understood why Orochimaru followed this man.
Still, Kakuzu's pride held.
"You think I'll bow to you?" he said coldly. "Don't joke around."
Ryūjin didn't look surprised.
He spoke calmly.
"Follow me. I'll give you what you want."
Kakuzu scoffed.
"And what exactly is that?"
"Money."
The single word made Kakuzu pause.
Then he smiled.
"Seems like you understand."
His interest was immediately piqued.
Ryūjin pointed at the gold dust on the ground.
"Take that as a deposit."
"Deal."
Kakuzu agreed without hesitation and quickly began sealing the gold into a scroll, working with surprising diligence.
"Needs refining," he muttered. "Still, it'll do."
Ryūjin watched without interruption.
Once finished, Kakuzu asked, "What now?"
"Stick with Orochimaru. He'll handle the details."
Ryūjin handed him a black receiver.
"Use that if you need to contact me. If the pay isn't enough, say it."
Kakuzu nodded, clearly satisfied.
Nearby, Shibuki and the others felt increasingly uneasy.
One moment this man had crushed Kakuzu, the next they were allies.
Ryūjin turned toward them.
Kakuzu spoke up, "Want me to take care of them?"
"I'll handle it."
Ryūjin walked forward.
Shibuki stiffened.
"What do you want? The Hero Water? Someone like you doesn't need it."
Ryūjin ignored that.
"Why didn't you use the Jinchūriki?"
The question caught them off guard.
Shibuki's face changed.
"You're after the Tailed Beast?"
"Call it out."
"Never."
"That's not your decision."
Ryūjin activated his Sharingan. Shibuki's eyes dulled instantly under genjutsu.
"Bring out the Seven-Tails."
"There is no Jinchūriki," Shibuki said blankly. "It is sealed in a container."
Ryūjin knocked the other Jonin aside and continued questioning.
The explanation was simple.
Takigakure lacked a suitable host, so the Seven-Tails had remained sealed in a container. Over time, the seal weakened, and releasing it became too dangerous.
Ryūjin understood.
"Then take me there."
Under control, Shibuki obeyed.
The group soon arrived at the sealing site.
"Open it."
Shibuki complied without hesitation.
A massive surge of chakra erupted as the seal broke.
Two Jonin rushed in, shouting in panic, but they were too late.
A roar filled the air.
"I am finally free!"
The Seven-Tails, Chōmei, emerged, its voice filled with rage.
Despair spread across the Takigakure ninja.
Ryūjin looked up at it calmly.
The beast attacked immediately.
"Annoying."
Ryūjin entered Sage Mode and slammed his hand down.
A massive fist of gold dust struck Chōmei, smashing it into the ground.
The impact shook the entire area.
Kakuzu watched silently, impressed.
Chōmei roared and retaliated with a Tailed Beast Ball.
Kakuzu instantly retreated.
Ryūjin didn't move.
"Kamui."
The incoming attack twisted and vanished into space.
Effortless.
Before Chōmei could react, another gold dust strike slammed it down again.
The beast crashed to the ground, unable to resist.
Ryūjin met its gaze.
His Sharingan spun.
Chōmei's eyes dulled instantly.
"Sleep."
The massive creature collapsed, motionless.
Silence filled the area.
Orochimaru spoke, "Will you reseal it?"
"Yeah."
They waited.
Half an hour later, Ryūjin resealed the Seven-Tails, stabilizing the container completely.
"Done. Let's go."
He turned and left as if nothing significant had happened.
The genjutsu on Shibuki faded soon after.
When he checked the seal, his eyes widened.
"It's... reinforced?"
The container was now perfectly stable.
Relief and disbelief filled his expression.
Far away, Ryūjin had already moved on.
With the Seven-Tails secured, his goal was complete.
Four Tailed Beast chakras now resided within him.
Elsewhere, at the Kannabi Bridge base, Obito remained absorbed in studying Edo Tensei.
Black Zetsu watched, growing impatient.
Finally, he made a decision.
"Obito, the Land of Lightning is making moves. I'm going to check it out."
"Go," Obito replied without looking up.
Black Zetsu sank into the ground.
His real destination was elsewhere.
A hidden location, unknown to nearly everyone.
He emerged near a quiet stream, where a man sat grilling fish.
"Enjoying yourself, Jigen?"
No response.
Black Zetsu stepped closer.
"Or should I say, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki?"
Jigen paused slightly, then glanced at him.
"You've got nerve showing up here."
Black Zetsu remained calm.
"If you wanted me dead, I'd already be gone."
Jigen snorted.
"You're just a fragment of Kaguya's will."
"I need your help."
Black Zetsu explained everything, including the Eye of the Moon Plan and Obito's doubts.
Jigen laughed.
"So you want me to pretend to be the Sage of Six Paths and fool Uchiha Obito?"
"Exactly."
Black Zetsu met his gaze.
This was the only way to bring Obito back under control.