The sweeping gale enveloped a large area, including the location of Sakumo Hatake and the others. Everywhere the sharp, blade-like currents passed, it was split in two. No ordinary body could survive in it, and a corner of the shrine was directly pierced by the storm.
Kana's eyes widened, wanting to speak, but Kakuzu was gripping her throat, preventing her from uttering a single word. No matter how much she struggled, it was useless.
"Don't waste your energy. Those brats are finished, along with those two people." Kakuzu tightened his grip, and Kana nearly fainted. This situation surprised Kakuzu somewhat. He looked at Kana, who was struggling to breathe, and said with a hint of admiration, "As expected of the First Hokage's daughter, your physique is truly impressive."
After a compliment, Kakuzu turned to leave. Suddenly, he heard something cut through the air and slightly tilted his head. A short sword with an electric glow flashed past. He was very familiar with this sword. Turning around to look at where the brats had been, his face immediately showed a look of surprise.
There was a sunken pit, and Sakumo Hatake, covered in tiny blood marks, was panting, maintaining the posture of throwing the short sword. The other two also had similar injuries, and surprisingly, one of the Jashinists was still alive, though his aura was weak, as if he had only one breath left.
With Kakuzu's extensive experience, he immediately understood what had happened—realizing there was no space to dodge, the three immediately came up with a method: to artificially create a place where they could take shelter and not be swept away by the Wind Release ninjutsu. Considering time and location, only the ground beneath them remained. So, they used their ninjutsu to quickly dig a hole and hide inside. Although they were still affected by the residual Wind Release, they survived.
—Incredible. Such quick wit to come up with a solution in a critical moment, and the unwavering execution ability, could it really appear in children around ten years old?
Kakuzu was quite experienced. No matter how talented young ninjas were, they would inevitably encounter problems due to lack of experience. However, the performance of these three brats clearly showed they had accumulated a certain amount of experience. One could imagine the kind of training they received daily.
Given time, these three young ninjas would likely become renowned experts in the ninja world, worthy of being on Kakuzu's hunting list. However, now they no longer had that chance to grow. Honestly, Kakuzu was quite looking forward to the white-haired brat's chakra pathways. At such a young age, he already possessed such mastery of Lightning Release. If it weren't for the mission, he might have waited a bit longer.
Dense "black threads" emerged from Kakuzu's body, like living creatures. This abnormal phenomenon instilled a sense of fear in everyone present. This appearance was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people; even ninjas might not be able to accept such a bizarre sight.
"Farewell, brats." Kakuzu said.
A large number of "black threads" rapidly stabbed towards Sakumo Hatake and the others, engulfing them from all directions.
Facing this attack, the three knew they definitely couldn't withstand it, but they weren't afraid because they had already seen their savior arrive.
Just as the "black threads" were about to pierce their bodies, a bright sword light tore through the dense "black threads," revealing a passage. Before the blood oozing from the severed "black threads" could stain anything, the figure had already passed through, appearing on Kakuzu's other side.
Kakuzu's pupils slightly contracted, and he pulled Kana towards him, but the opponent had chosen a very good position, making it difficult for Kakuzu to pull her directly. After a slight delay, that cold light rapidly expanded in Kakuzu's eyes. He quickly turned his head, but it still grazed his forehead, leaving a bloodstain.
Just this one blow shook Kakuzu's heart. The Earth Release secret technique he had learned could harden his entire body. Unless it was a Lightning Release ninjutsu, ordinary attacks were almost impossible to harm him. Even if it was wind-attributed chakra skilled in cutting, a mere ordinary blow had broken through his hardened skin. This… Kakuzu didn't have time to think deeply. The opponent had already approached, single-handedly embracing Kana's body, and then continuously delivered illusion-like kicks to Kakuzu's body, preventing him from using his "black threads" to separate his body and capture the opponent. All his attempts to keep Kana were shaken off by the impact of the kicks.
While creating distance from Kakuzu, the person flicked their hand. This was not a meaningless action; some transparent, slightly reflective ninjutsu detached from their hand. Kakuzu quickly tensed all his muscles, pushing his Earth Release secret technique to its limit, causing his skin to change color—
Even so, his rock-hard body was still separated, though not much blood flowed out. Instead, a large number of "black threads" emerged from within, connecting his severed left half. Kakuzu now looked completely unlike a human.
"Heh, simple cutting can't take your life, can it?" The person who rescued Kana—Fumori Masaki—said.
It was Kakuzu's first time seeing Fumori Masaki, but from their brief encounter, he was certain that this person was Fumori Fumori Masakiand no one else. This level of Wind Release mastery, lightning-fast speed, and confidence in his own abilities undoubtedly lived up to the name of the Second Hokage's student.
"It's not that easy to kill me," Kakuzu said. This statement not only indicated his immense strength, not easily overcome, but also referred to the unique characteristics of his secret technique, Jiongu. As long as one of his five hearts remained, he would not die. Even if he lost all five hearts, as long as he managed to snatch another person's heart before breathing his last, he could continue to live. This was the power of Jiongu.
However, no one had ever managed to take Kakuzu's life five times alone. Even once was a rare feat, and most of those who tried were deceived by Kakuzu's multiple lives, dying at his hands, their hearts and chakra pathways replenishing what he had lost.
"It's certainly not easy, but I think I can kill you," Fumori Fumori Masakisaid.
"You can try." Kakuzu revealed a cold smile. "I also want to take you down, but this isn't the right place. Consider this round a loss for us. Let's settle it next time."
With that, Kakuzu formed a hand sign for the Body Flicker Technique, and his figure suddenly vanished. Fumori Fumori Masakiconfirmed that Kakuzu had already left the area. Currently, no one could evade his perception. He asked Kana, "Are you alright, Kana-nee?"
Kana finally came to her senses. The pace of the battle had been too fast, leaving her almost no time to think. From worrying about Tsunade and the others, to the relief of their narrow escape, then the fear of facing Kakuzu's attack again, and then the surprise of Fumori Masaki's appearance… The fluctuating emotions were overwhelming, almost suffocating her.
"Masaki-sensei, I…" Kana grabbed Fumori Masaki's clothes, seemingly wanting to say something, but couldn't. Suddenly, her eyes closed, and all her strength vanished, collapsing into Fumori Masaki's arms.
"Aunt Kana!" Tsunade climbed out of the pit. Seeing this, she turned pale with fright and ran over, anxiously staring at Kana. "Could she be injured somewhere?"
"No, she just fainted." Fumori Fumori Masakishook his head, felt Kana's wrist, and checked her pulse. "This incident was too much for her. She needs a good rest."
Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Masaki, let's hurry into the shrine. If that monster brings more people, it'll be troublesome."
Although Fumori Masaki didn't think Kakuzu would actively return, staying there was indeed not ideal, given the many eyes and ears. The shrine, protected by a barrier, would be less worrisome. So, he picked up Kana and, with his students and the barely living Jashinist, entered the shrine.