At that moment, the gleaming golden hand of Susanoo reached down and yanked someone out from beneath the ground.
"Zetsu!"
Seeing that it was the instigator of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kazama's heart skipped a beat.
Black Zetsu was a manifestation of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's will.
Since the time of the Sage of the Six Paths, it had sparked the conflict between Asura and Indra.
Later, it manipulated Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama into their fateful battle at the Valley of the End.
Its goal? To sow chaos in the ninja world, gather the nine Tailed Beasts, and revive Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
White Zetsu, on the other hand, was formed from those who fell under the Infinite Tsukuyomi in ancient times.
"As expected of Konoha's genius. You actually sensed my presence!"
Though caught by Kazama, Zetsu showed no trace of panic, as if it could slip away at any moment.
"What would happen if I used Betsutenshi to control Zetsu?"
With that thought, Kazama immediately unleashed his strongest genjutsu, Betsutenshi, on both Black and White Zetsu.
To his surprise, Betsutenshi had no effect on them whatsoever.
"Kid, I don't know what you tried with those Mangekyō Sharingan, but we're not bound by such eye techniques. Save your energy!"
"As expected of something born from Ōtsutsuki. Even Betsutenshi can't control it."
Realizing this, Kazama prepared to kill Black Zetsu to prevent the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"Kid, you killed our Akatsuki members Kakuzu and Hidan. By all rights, you should be dead. But I see your strength and your ability to absorb attacks. Join the Akatsuki and hand over the Two-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Hmph!"
Kazama let out a cold smirk at Black Zetsu's words.
"Join the Akatsuki? Not a chance. The Two-Tails Jinchūriki stays with me, and your life is mine!"
As soon as he spoke, the giant Susanoo hand crushed White and Black Zetsu into pieces.
"Kid, you're nowhere near strong enough to kill me. We'll meet again!"
The shattered Black Zetsu instantly burrowed into the ground, while White Zetsu died on the spot.
"To escape my Susanoo? Impressive."
Kazama knew Black Zetsu was a creation of Ōtsutsuki's will, nearly impossible to kill without the power of the Six Paths, so he let it go for now.
But he wasn't careless. While grabbing Black Zetsu, he had planted a Hiraishin seal on it.
Once he gained the power of the Six Paths, he could easily track Black Zetsu and finish it off.
Kazama collected White Zetsu's remains, planning to give them to Orochimaru for research.
After all, White Zetsu was a relic of ancient times.
Who knows? Orochimaru might actually uncover the secret to immortality from it.
By now, Kazama's Yōhi power had healed Yugito's injuries.
However, her severe wounds had taken a mental toll, leaving her unconscious.
Kazama quickly brought Yugito to the Hidden Cloud Village, delivering her to the Fourth Raikage.
He also left behind a kunai marked with his Hiraishin seal.
"Thank you, Kazama, for stepping in to help!"
The Fourth Raikage was deeply moved.
He and Kazama had only met once before.
Yet Kazama had traveled far to save a ninja from his village.
Even he, the Raikage, hadn't known about Yugito's attack.
But Kazama, all the way from Konoha, not only knew but arrived in time to rescue her.
The Raikage secretly suspected Kazama had a thing for Yugito. Why else would he go to such lengths?
Watching Kazama leave, the Raikage chuckled again. "Even heroes fall for beauties. If Kazama's got feelings for Yugito, the Hidden Cloud will rise above all others!"
At this point, the Raikage was practically playing matchmaker, constantly scheming to pair Kazama with Yugito.
"Kakuzu and Hidan are dead!"
"What?!"
Black Zetsu, having escaped Kazama, reported the news to Pain.
Pain and the other Akatsuki members were utterly shocked.
They all knew how formidable Kakuzu and Hidan were.
For two immortals to be killed?
Everyone was suddenly very curious about the one responsible.