The black threads on Kakuzu's body had already gathered together, forming several terrifying tentacles like octopus limbs.
He stared intently at the last ember flickering out, not daring to relax for even a second.
Nothing remained.
Everything in his field of vision had been consumed by the sea of flames, leaving only a scorched, barren ground behind.
"You done performing?"
Just as Kakuzu thought Takeshi had been reduced to ashes, a mocking voice rang out behind him.
"Nani?!"
The tentacles lashed out behind him—but hit nothing.
With the clang of a Flying Thunder God kunai landing, Takeshi reappeared in front of Kakuzu.
"Now then, it's my turn!"
He coated White Fang with ice, the bone-chilling cold instantly dispelling the lingering heat from their earlier battle.
"Ice Release: Great Ice Circle!"
The dragon let out a thunderous roar.
The enormous ice dragon, flapping its immense wings, charged toward Kakuzu with unstoppable force.
The frozen ground beneath Kakuzu's feet limited his movements—just like how he had tried to restrain Takeshi with his black threads.
By the time he managed to yank his legs free from the ice, the dragon had already reached him.
At that moment, Kakuzu felt like he'd been hit head-on by an out-of-control dump truck, sent flying uncontrollably into the distance.
Everything in his path was smashed apart, the ground torn open by the dragon's frosty force, leaving a deep gash in the earth.
Only after being blasted several hundred meters away did the dragon's momentum finally slow. Just as Kakuzu thought it was all over—that he had barely survived thanks to Earth Release: Earth Spear—Takeshi began forming hand seals.
"Ice Release: Ice Explosion!"
The frosty dragon emitted a blinding white light, and in the next second, a tremendous explosion occurred under Kakuzu's horrified gaze.
...
"This used to be a forest, didn't it?"
Approaching Takeshi and surveying the shattered trees all around them, Pakura brushed the dust from her body.
In the end, she hadn't even gotten the chance to fight.
"It's fine. I know a little underling—he can regrow this forest when he grows up." Showing absolutely no shame over the environmental destruction, Takeshi, through repeated battles, had grown into a "fine ninja" who didn't blush at doing bad things.
"Alright, let's go greet our new companion."
Takeshi took the lead, dashing toward the center of the explosion.
"New companion? After taking a hit and explosion like that, even the strongest ninja should've been blown to pieces." Pakura didn't believe Kakuzu could've survived such a brutal attack, but with Takeshi already on the move, she had no choice but to follow.
As soon as the two landed, they saw scattered chunks of Kakuzu's body being drawn back together by the black threads. Under Pakura's stunned gaze, those pieces gradually reformed into a humanoid shape.
When the threads yanked Kakuzu's head back from afar and reattached it to his neck, his dull, lifeless eyes suddenly regained their light.
"Ugh... AAAAAAH!"
Letting out a foul, ragged scream, Kakuzu arched his back as three masks on his back shattered, spewing black fluid onto the ground.
"Three hearts."
Takeshi nodded knowingly.
"You knew about my secret technique..." Beyond rage, Kakuzu's eyes were also filled with fear.
In the shinobi world, only one person in his memory had ever wielded Ice Release of this caliber—the leader of the Ice Release clan, who had helped the First Mizukage unify the chaos during the founding of Kirigakure.
But that man, who had lived in the same era as Hashirama, had long been dead.
Kakuzu, who had spent most of his life focused solely on bounty missions, naturally didn't know Takeshi's name—nor did he know that this person he'd mistaken for a little girl... was actually a boy.
After all, Takeshi wasn't listed on any bounty boards.
"So, shall we have a little chat?"
Takeshi's tone was calm.
Evaluating the current situation in his mind, Kakuzu figured the boy likely didn't have the chakra left to use that terrifying jutsu again, but...
"Alright, speak." Having just lost three hearts, Kakuzu didn't dare gamble. Money could be earned again—life, once gone, was truly gone.
Walking up to Kakuzu, Takeshi extended his hand.
"Be my son—no, be my subordinate."
Damn it, the moment was too iconic—I messed up my line!
Hearing the first part, Kakuzu actually started considering whether he should agree to this kid's request.
What a nasty little brat!
There's no way a girl like this would ever get married!
"Subordinate, huh? Hmph, are you asking me to join Konohagakure?" Kakuzu forced down his rage. His impression of Konoha wasn't exactly positive.
"Yes and no. Becoming my subordinate doesn't mean you have to join Konoha. I plan to create an organization—one that doesn't belong to any village or country."
"Oh? You're quite the ambitious little lady. So, what's your goal?"
"My goal..."
Takeshi paused for a moment, then gave Kakuzu an unexpected answer:
"World peace."
"That's a laughable ideal. I—" Kakuzu had just opened his mouth to scoff, but was cut off by what Takeshi said next.
"This new organization needs someone good with finances. Kakuzu, that's why I came to find you."
"What a noble cause, Boss." Kakuzu instantly changed his tone, nearly making Pakura throw out her back from whiplash.
Watching Kakuzu clasp Takeshi's hand, Pakura suddenly realized...
Wait, this guy is actually kind of funny?
"Alright then, let's go." Now that Kakuzu had agreed, Takeshi could finally take the first step in executing his plan.
"Wait, aren't you going to mark him with a curse seal or something?" Feeling a bit indignant, Pakura frowned.
Why did this brat trust such a dangerous guy so easily? It wasn't fair.
"Hmph. I've never gone back on my word. Honesty is the most basic virtue of a bounty ninja." Kakuzu snorted coldly, countering Pakura's comment.
"Mhm, oh right—I haven't introduced myself. I'm Shimura Takeshi. And I'm a guy." Takeshi finally remembered Kakuzu still didn't know his name.
"Hmm?"
"If you mess up my gender again, say goodbye to all your hearts."
"Huh?!"
...
The trio walked farther and farther away, and only after everything had settled down did the border patrol ninja slowly arrive at the scene.
"Wait... wasn't this supposed to be a forest?"
Looking at the scorched, empty ground ahead, a few shinobi wondered if they'd come to the wrong place.
"By the way, how did you even find me?" On the way, Kakuzu still brooded over who had betrayed him.
"I don't know his name either, but he felt bad for ratting you out, so he insisted on showing up in person to apologize." Takeshi said as he glanced toward Pakura.
"Ahem. Want to take a look?" Pakura reached for the summoning scroll.
"Forget it. I forgive him."