"Finally out."
"So Kawaki Hatake actually kept his word after all."
The thought of all those years of hard-earned money made Kakuzu wince inwardly.
This was the most humiliating moment of his life.
Even when he tried to assassinate Hashirama and was later dragged back to the village as a scapegoat, he hadn't felt this level of humiliation.
Back then, ripping out the hearts of those higher-ups gave him some satisfaction.
Now, though, he didn't even dare consider seeking revenge against Kawaki.
If it happened again, he wouldn't have another nine hundred million to save his life.
Back then, he might end up with his head separated from his body.
After running for a while, he finally left Konoha far behind.
Kakuzu stopped and reoriented himself before heading toward the Land of Rain.
He needed to regain his strength as soon as possible—he still felt weakened without two hearts.
In such a hurry, he failed to notice the scattered Katsuyu slugs around him.
They were watching eyes everywhere.
"Target located. Prepare to move out."
A masked boy with golden hair shouted from behind him.
"Understood, senior."
The three people behind him responded in unison. It was Team Minato.
"Sensei told us to act more convincingly," Minato seemed somewhat uneasy and reminded them again.
"We got it, no problem."
Konan looked totally confident.
"That goes for you too. Don't be reckless."
"Focus on the fight once it starts. Less talking."
Minato gave her a slightly amused look.
"Blah blah blah~"
Konan didn't take it seriously at all—her masked face hid the cute scowling face she was making.
"Move out."
Minato led the way, heading in Kakuzu's direction.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu ran full-speed toward the Land of Rain, unaware of what lay ahead.
When he sensed four approaching presences drawing closer, he finally became alert.
After all, this was still within the Land of Fire. He needed to pay some attention.
He directed some attention toward the four people.
However, he didn't take them too seriously. With his current power, no ordinary ninja could handle him.
If nothing happened, that would be best.
And if trouble came, he wasn't afraid.
Gradually, Minato and the others came into view.
Just by looking at their uniforms, Kakuzu immediately recognized them as Anbu ninjas from Konoha.
He assumed they were an Anbu squad returning to the village after completing a mission.
Preferring to avoid trouble rather than invite it, Kakuzu even stepped aside deliberately.
For him, that was unusually considerate.
Yet, the group ahead refused to let him pass.
"Who are you?"
"Wandering around in our Land of Fire?"
Minato stopped not far from Kakuzu, his attitude clearly arrogant.
He acted like some high-ranking official from the Land of Fire.
Even stray animals would have to give their names.
"I know your Lord Kawaki of Konoha."
"I'm currently headed to the Land of Grass."
Kakuzu brought up Kawaki as a shield, hoping to avoid conflict with these people.
"He's lying. Anyone who hides their face like that is clearly up to no good."
Konan pointed straight at Kakuzu, instantly branding him a villain without any reasoning.
"You're wearing a mask too, you realize?"
Kakuzu was at a loss for words. These kids were clearly just looking for trouble.
"Yeah, let's take him down first."
"If he really does know Lord Kawaki, we can always apologize later."
Yahiko's logic was sound and his reasoning perfectly reasonable.
Only Nagato remained silent, standing there like a wooden post.
"What's your name, where are you from, and where are you headed?"
"Spit it out honestly, or else we'll make you regret it."
Minato kept up his arrogant attitude. All of them acted completely natural.
"I really do know your Lord Kawaki."
"Can't we each go our separate ways without interfering with each other?"
Kakuzu wasn't someone with a particularly good temper either, and he was already nearing his breaking point.
Who did these little Anbu think they were, daring to act so disrespectfully toward him?
How many punks like this had he killed in the past year alone?
"You actually dared threaten us?"
Minato played disbelief well—it was obvious he was the Second's protégé from Anbu.
He'd grown up never enduring any hardship, and clearly didn't know his place.
"Kid, next time you step out, make sure to watch who you're messing with."
"There are people you just shouldn't mess with."
"You still have time to walk away—I can pretend this never happened."
Kakuzu regarded the four of them as mere small fries.
His tone suggested that if he wanted to, he could crush them anytime.
If he didn't attack now, they should feel grateful.
"Presumptuous!"
"I'd like to see what skills you've got."
"Hit him with everything you've got—kill him!"
"If anything happens, I'll personally explain things to Lord Kawaki."
After Minato spoke, he pulled out a kunai and rushed straight for Kakuzu.
Nagato and the others immediately scattered, forming an encirclement around Kakuzu.
"Fool—he doesn't even see death looming."
"I'll claim all of your hearts."
This suited Kakuzu just fine. Killing these Anbu members and hurrying away quickly would solve everything.
Once he left the Land of Fire, far beyond the reach of heaven, what could Hatake Kawaki possibly do to him anyway?
"Don't waste your breath. Take this!"
Minato wasn't kidding around—his speed had brought him directly in front of Kakuzu, even without using Flying Thunder God.
He swung his kunai straight toward Kakuzu's throat.
"Your taijutsu is pathetic."
Kakuzu blocked swiftly with black threads erupting from his arms while taunting him mockingly.
[Rasengan]
Minato's kunai was effortlessly deflected by Kakuzu, but Minato's other hand already carried a spiraling ball hurtling toward Kakuzu's body.
"All your efforts will be in vain."
Oh damn!
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At first, Kakuzu hadn't thought much of it. But the moment the Rasengan made contact with his black threads,
he instantly regretted his decision.
Boom!!
A loud explosion rang out, and Kakuzu felt as though he had been struck head-on by an elephant.
Even Earth Grudge Fear's black threads were no match for the Rasengan's sheer force, sending Kakuzu flying backward harshly.
At this moment, he sensed something unusual unfolding.
How could an ordinary Anbu possess such strength?
"Attack!"
Nagato didn't miss a beat—he seized the moment. The three launched ninjutsu attacks simultaneously at Kakuzu.
Water Release, Fire Release, and Paper Release surged from three different directions.
With no way to stabilize himself midair, Kakuzu watched helplessly as Minato charged after him again, holding yet another gigantic Rasengan.
Seeing that scale, taking even one hit might cost him another heart.
[Earth Release: Earth Spear.]
Kakuzu used his usual trick, wrapping himself in black threads once more to form a double-layered shield.
Still, he still had his doubts. These people were clearly not clueless nobles.
How was he supposed to know that Minato and Nagato each could handle him on their own? Right now, facing four opponents at once was extreme overkill.
"Die."
Minato's Big Ball Rasengan struck true. Kakuzu crashed down like a stone, slamming heavily into the ground.
The impact carved a deep semicircular crater, spreading outward in countless spiderweb-like fractures.
The black threads shattered, exposing Kakuzu's dark skin underneath.
"Cough... cough..."
Coughing up blood, Kakuzu staggered to his feet.
His instincts had been spot-on.
Surviving Minato's attack had cost him all but two hearts.
His confidence plummeted by the second. He bitterly regretted his recklessness—there was no cure for regret in this world.
"How about it? Still not ready to surrender quietly?"
Minato didn't continue attacking—his orders were to take Kakuzu alive.
"Fantasizing."
Those words sounded familiar to Kakuzu.
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