Tsuruga Port, on the northeastern coast of the Land of Iron.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty dampness, swept through this busy port city.
As one of the few countries in the current Ninja World without a Ninja Village, famous for its samurai and exquisite forging techniques, the Land of Iron had always maintained a unique neutrality and isolation.
However, in recent years, with the rise of the Land of Stars in the western part of the continent, everything had been quietly changing.
Tsuruga Port was more prosperous than ever before. Massive cargo ships docked at the deep-water piers. Cranes roared, hoisting containers ashore or loading tons of iron ore with a metallic gleam onto ships. Most of this high-quality iron ore from the Land of Iron's various mines had one destination: the Land of Stars.
Although the major nations officially denounced the Land of Stars' 'unorthodox' system, fraught with contradictions, the various goods produced by the Land of Stars… from affordable daily necessities to highly effective medical equipment, to exquisite luxury items coveted by nobles of all countries, had rapidly captured the market with their unparalleled advantages.
Thus, a bizarre phenomenon emerged: the Daimyos and nobles of various countries loudly 'boycotted' the Land of Stars while privately engaging in massive trade with it.
Tsuruga Port was one of the key nodes on this important trade route.
At the port's largest berth, several large cargo ships flying the Gato Company's flag were busily loading goods.
The short, stout Gato, wearing round glasses, was holding an account book and calculator, his brow furrowed as he calculated the cost of the iron ore purchased this time, transportation fees, and expected profit.
Standing beside him was a tall figure in dark casual clothes, his face masked, revealing only a pair of emotionless, well-like green eyes.
This was Kakuzu.
"Costs are rising again! These mine owners in the Land of Iron are insatiable! And these shipping fees... Tch!"
"And the iron ore output from the Land of Iron is still too limited." Gato sighed, put away his calculator, and complained to Kakuzu beside him. "Just these few shiploads of ore probably won't even last a few days for one large steel plant back in the Star City. Market demand is huge, the supply here simply can't keep up."
Kakuzu had no interest in business operations. He leaned boredly against a stack of cargo crates, even yawning. Hearing Gato's complaints, he just lazily responded with an 'Mmm'.
He slowly pulled out a bulging wallet from his chest, took out a stack of brand new, large-denomination bills bearing the Land of Stars's emblem, brought them to his nose, and took a deep breath, a look of near intoxication on his face.
Then, he began counting those bills over and over again with his stitched fingers, as if it were the most delightful pastime in the world.
Ever since he left the Star Anbu two years ago to continue partnering with the merchant Gato, traveling around the Ninja World for business, such guard duties had become routine, even boring.
Most of the time, he only needed to provide protection during Gato's business negotiations or transport of important goods. Occasionally, when in a bad mood, he would go find a few Rogue Ninjas on the black market bounty list to 'stretch his legs', exchanging their heads for some pocket money at the bounty station.
Just as Kakuzu was immersed in the joy of counting money, his honed instinct for sensing killing intent, tempered through countless battles, was suddenly triggered!
His counting motion stopped abruptly. His green eyes instantly turned sharp as he looked up towards the roof of a nearby abandoned dock warehouse.
At some point, two figures had silently appeared there. They both wore uniform black cloaks with red clouds and bamboo hats with hanging wind chimes, their faces obscured.
One of them was exceptionally tall and burly, carrying a large steel sword on his back that looked very heavy. Even from a distance, one could feel the fierce aura emanating from him.
"Akatsuki..." Gato also noticed the uninvited guests, gasping as his face instantly turned pale.
Over the years, as he expanded the Gato Company throughout the Ninja World, his company naturally had its own Intelligence Ninjas from the Land of Stars.
Regarding the mysterious and dangerous Akatsuki from Amegakure, while he didn't know the details, he at least knew it was a group of powerful S-Rank Missing-Nin that even 'that lord' paid attention to! Their appearance was definitely not a good thing.
Kakuzu slowly stuffed the bills back into his wallet and stored it properly. He stood up, cracked his neck with a slight sound, and his green pupils locked onto the two on the warehouse roof, especially the large one with the sword. He could feel they were here for him.
"Gato," Kakuzu's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of impatience, "Notify 'that lord'. We have a couple of annoying flies here."
The 'that lord' he referred to was naturally their true boss behind the scenes… Shura.
Hearing this, Gato seemed pardoned, quickly nodding and nimbly darting into the ship's cabin with his short, stout body.
Kakuzu, meanwhile, leaped lightly. His figure seemed weightless as he landed steadily on the roof of the abandoned warehouse after a few bounds, facing the two Akatsuki's members from a distance.
He looked them over, his tone carrying the arrogance of a veteran powerhouse and a hint of annoyance at being disturbed. "Hmph, Akatsuki, is it? ...Just as well, I haven't been in a great mood lately and was thinking of visiting the bounty station. Seems someone's delivering money right to my door."
"Arrogant!" Zabuza tore off his hat, revealing his face wrapped in bandages, with only his murderous eyes visible.
He grinned ferociously, drawing the heavy steel sword from his back. The blade reflected a cold gleam in the sunlight. "Let's see whose head is worth more today!"
Before the words faded, Zabuza forcefully pushed off with his feet. The sturdy warehouse roof instantly cracked under the impact!
He shot towards Kakuzu like an arrow from a bow, the massive sword whistling through the air as he delivered a powerful vertical slash aimed straight at Kakuzu's head!
This strike had no fancy tricks… it was the ultimate display of pure power and speed, proving his title of [Demon] was well-deserved.
Facing this ferocious strike, Kakuzu didn't dodge or evade. He even let out a disdainful snort. Just as the blade was about to hit, his right arm, covered in stitch marks, suddenly swelled and changed color. The skin instantly turned dark as iron, with strange hardening patterns appearing!
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
Clang-!!!
A deafening metallic clang erupted!
Zabuza's slash, capable of cleaving rock, was actually blocked head-on by Kakuzu using just his arm! Sparks flew where the blade struck the dark arm, leaving only a shallow white mark!
"What?!" Zabuza's pupils contracted, his heart filled with shock. This sword of his, though not as famous as Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swords, was still made of fine steel and incredibly sharp.
Combined with his strength, it actually couldn't break through the defense?
Kakuzu's blocking arm shook following the momentum, sending a powerful recoil force that pushed Zabuza back several steps, man and sword together.
Kakuzu shook his arm mockingly. "Good strength. Pity the blade's too dull."
"Bastard!" Enraged, Zabuza roared and charged again, swinging his sword!
This time, his swordplay became even more savage and swift. The blade's light wove a net of death enveloping all of Kakuzu's vital points.
Chop, slash, slice, hack… every move contained lethal intent.
Kakuzu remained composed. His body, enhanced by the Earth Grudge Fear, combined hardness and flexibility. Paired with his rich combat experience, he either blocked with his arms, sidestepped, or occasionally countered from extremely tricky angles.
His punches and kicks seemed plain but contained terrifying force capable of smashing stone. Every collision with the sword made Zabuza's arms go numb.
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"
Zabuza quickly retreated, forming hand seals. Utilizing the abundant moisture in the port, he instantly condensed a water pillar to assault Kakuzu!
Kakuzu's eyes flickered. He also quickly formed hand seals, his chest swelling suddenly:
"Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work!"
A wide-ranging, extremely high-temperature flame burst from his mouth like a wildfire, instantly colliding with the water pillar!
Sizzle-!!!
Massive steam billowed up, white mist spreading and obscuring vision.
Water and fire, opposing elements, created a violent explosion and shockwave, sending large patches of tiles flying off the warehouse roof!
Taking advantage of the obscured vision, Zabuza's figure merged into the steam like a ghost, silently sneaking to Kakuzu's side and rear. His sword struck like a venomous snake, aiming straight for Kakuzu's back!
This was the essence of Kirigakure's Silent Killing!
However, Kakuzu seemed to have eyes on his back. Without even turning his head, his left arm twisted at an impossible angle, accurately grabbing the back of Zabuza's thrusting blade!
A yellowish light appeared on that arm, its strength immense!
"Got you," Kakuzu said coldly, his right hand spreading open, lightning flashing!
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
A sharp spear of lightning burst forth instantly, shooting straight at Zabuza's face at close range!
Zabuza, greatly alarmed, had no time to pull back his sword. He could only desperately dodge by tilting his head!
Zap!
The lightning grazed his cheek, burning away part of the bandage on his face, revealing the ferocious skin beneath. He could even smell something burning.
Although he avoided a fatal blow, he was scared into a cold sweat.
"Damn it!" Zabuza was both shocked and furious. His opponent's combat experience, Ninjutsu repertoire, and reaction speed far exceeded his expectations, 'This old guy was indeed tough to deal with!'
He swung his sword and attacked fiercely again, tangling with Kakuzu. Blade lights, fist shadows, and Ninjutsu lights constantly flashed on the warehouse roof, the roar of collisions unceasing.
The two fought from the roof to mid-air, then back to the ground. Wherever they passed, warehouse walls shattered, the ground cracked… the battle was exceptionally intense.
From beginning to end, Itachi stood quietly at the edge of the original roof, arms crossed, indifferently observing the fight. Beneath his hat, his Sharingan slowly rotated, recording every ability and combat habit Kakuzu displayed.
His mission was primarily intelligence gathering. Since Zabuza was willing to take the lead, he was happy to take it easy. Simultaneously, he was also vigilant for any other possible changes.
"Is that all you've got, old man?!" Zabuza grew more frantic as his prolonged attacks failed.
He suddenly jumped back a step and began forming hand signs again rapidly. This time, there were over forty hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Above the roof, a ferocious water dragon quickly took shape, roaring as it charged fiercely at Kakuzu! Using a Water Release Ninjutsu of this scale at this distance and environment showed Zabuza's considerable Chakra Reserves and Control.
Facing the onrushing water dragon, Kakuzu finally made his first major movement. He also formed hand seals, even faster than Zabuza!
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A thick earthen wall erupted from the roof, blocking the water dragon.
Boom!
The water dragon collided violently with the earthen wall, sending splashes of water and dust everywhere. The entire warehouse roof shook violently.
Taking advantage of this obscured vision, the corner of Kakuzu's mouth beneath his mask seemed to twist into a cruel grin.
He didn't stay behind the earth wall but used the cover of dust and steam to silently infiltrate underground.
The next moment, the roof beneath Zabuza's feet, who was preparing to launch an assassination technique, suddenly burst open.
Countless black tentacles, like ghostly hands reaching out from hell, suddenly entangled his legs, their powerful force trying to drag him underground!
Simultaneously, Kakuzu's main body burst from the breach, his fist covered with the hard Earth Spear Technique striking straight at Zabuza's chest!
This sneak attack was insidious and fatal!
However, at this critical moment, the ever-stationary Itachi finally moved.
His Sharingan had long seen through Kakuzu's actions.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
An intensely hot, massive fireball shot not at Kakuzu, but precisely at the area beneath Zabuza's feet!
The exploding flames instantly engulfed the tentacles. The scorching shockwave also momentarily halted Kakuzu's sneak attack momentum.
Zabuza seized the chance to violently break free from the scorched, retracting tentacles, leaping back disgracefully.
He glanced at Itachi with shock and suspicion, then stared fixedly at Kakuzu, who slowly stood up from within the flames.
Kakuzu patted out the sparks on his sleeve. For the first time, his green eyes held a serious expression as he looked at the silent young man with the Sharingan.
"Sharingan... Uchiha?" Kakuzu's voice lowered. "It seems you came specifically for me today."
Itachi's hat lifted slightly, revealing the pair of crimson, slowly spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan beneath. His voice was calm and even. "Kakuzu-san, we mean no harm. We are merely here on behalf of Akatsuki to invite you to join."
Kakuzu was momentarily stunned, then let out a low, mocking laugh. "Invite? With sword and Ninjutsu? What a novel approach."
"Merely a necessary assessment of strength," Itachi's tone remained flat. "It seems you are more qualified than the rumors suggest."
Kakuzu's laughter cut off abruptly. Killing intent reappeared in his green eyes. "Assessment? By you two juniors? Fine. Killing you will just make up for my missed trip to the bounty station today!"