Anya lit up with green chakra and placed her hand over Haku's heart. As the Medical Ninjutsu took effect, Haku coughed twice, his eyes regaining a faint glimmer of life. His life was finally stabilized.
After using this medical jutsu, however, she had drained every last bit of chakra left in her body. Her body suffered severe exhaustion. Though appearing uninjured externally, she had actually reached the brink of death.
Anya looked at the seven approaching figures, already resolved to die. Sighing inwardly, she thought, I wonder how long my soul can last after physical death. But judging by my spiritual strength, taking these seven down with me shouldn't be a problem. As for Haku, I can only pray that girl will protect her out of respect for me.
Terumi Mei, who had rushed over quickly, immediately saw Anya's predicament. Her eyes reddened as her hands began forming hand seals.
Master Gen raised his wooden staff and interrupted her seals, speaking angrily, "Enough! Young lady, how many more times will you act recklessly? Is it worth it—to do all this for a man who doesn't love you and even deceived you? Don't forget, you are a ninja too. Think carefully—how could someone you've only known for a few days compare to the village that has raised you for over a decade?"
These words pressed heavily on Terumi like a mountain weighing her down, making it hard for her to breathe. So this is what ninjas must bear?
Tears slid from the corners of her eyes as her heart broke. Was she really going to watch him die helplessly?
Anya gently laid Haku down and struggled to stand up, a smile actually appearing on her face.
At the sight of this smile, the Seven Pursuers unconsciously hesitated. Truthfully, they had been terrified by Anya's endless variety of tactics, causing each of them to harbor an unnamed, unwillingly admitted caution—or even fear—toward her.
Especially those two who had been locked onto by her killing intent: Biwa Juzo and Fuguki Suikazan. They stayed at the back of the group, standing together with Raiga Kurosuki, always ready to launch a sneak attack. Gone was their earlier attitude of looking down upon everything.
Anya's laughter grew fiercer as she boasted fiercely, "Since joining battle, this is the first time I've been driven into such a desperate situation. I won't beg for mercy though—then let's die together—right here, right now!"
Past memories of her previous death flashed rapidly through Anya's mind. Back then, she'd felt terror and confusion, not even knowing why she died. That feeling of powerlessness was unbearable.
In this life, she'd already given it her all, doing everything she could. Accepting this fate now, Anya instead felt calm. So, sometimes you don't really know yourself until your final moments.
Witnessing this scene from afar, Master Gen couldn't help but feel admiration. Such a composed, rare man was facing death so calmly and still holding a secret trump card. What a pity—he wasn't one of Mist's own.
As Anya formed hand seals, just about to use the [Spirit Transformation Technique] while preparing to abandon her physical form, a familiar voice suddenly reached her ears.
"Hmph, brat. This is the first time I've seen you in such a pathetic state. Thinking about dying alongside others? Well then, die—it'll rid the world of a menace."
As soon as Anya heard that voice, she froze completely. The immense confidence she'd just displayed crumbled in an instant, her eyes slightly moistened, and genuine emotion poured onto her face. In a rather pitiful tone, she said, "Uncle, they're bullying me."
The person arriving was indeed Kakuzu. Upon receiving the message from the Kinto Exchange, he had rushed over without hesitation despite the distance. Truthfully, even he didn't know why he wanted to see that kid again—maybe it was because she had been amusing, or perhaps it had something to do with money? But right now, hearing Anya's words stirred something deep inside his long-dried heart. What was this feeling? It had been many years since he last felt something like this—it felt like being needed.
Without thinking, Kakuzu leapt forward, shielding Anya behind him. In a steady tone filled with reassurance, he said, "Stay behind me. No one can kill you."
After saying that, Kakuzu suddenly realized something wasn't quite right. Without turning fully, he added sternly, "But it's not free."
Anya burst into laughter, coughing lightly from the effort. Without hesitation, having just escaped death once more, she responded immediately, "Then consider me your adopted nephew from today on. It's only natural for the younger generation to support their elders financially."
As the two finished their conversation, the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist could no longer stand idly by. Hozuki Kisaragi took the lead, asking, "Who exactly are you, sir? You clearly aren't a Konoha ninja. Are you sure you want to make enemies of us—the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist—for his sake?"
"What Seven Pursuers? Never heard of them." Kakuzu remained expressionless as he activated his secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear. Numerous black threads surged from behind his body, even spilling from his mouth.
These dark strands danced around both sides of his head like fans, and at the same time, two masks appeared on either side of the threads.
[Wind Release: Pressure Damage.]
[Fire Release: Headache.]
[Lightning Release: False Darkness.]
[Water Release: Water Screen Curtain.]
Fire combined with wind; water combined with lightning. Two composite ninjutsu were unleashed simultaneously, surging powerfully toward the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist.
All seven acted at once, casting [Water Release: Water Encampment Wall.]
Huge walls of water rose from the ground, but they shattered instantly, pierced through. Not even the Water Encampment Walls could stop them. Kakuzu's chakra made those attacks unstoppable.
"Retreat."
The Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist withdrew while maintaining their defenses, needing to pull back a significant distance to finally dodge those deadly attacks.
At the same time, realization struck them—they now understood the amount of chakra involved, paired with four different chakra nature transformations. This opponent's strength unquestionably reached the level of a Kage.
Kakuzu cast a cold glance at them before turning to Anya and asking, "Kid, seeing me like this... are you scared?"
Anya stretched out her hand and said, "Uncle, I'm too weak right now. Carry me."
"Kid, I only carry corpses."
"I'll pay extra."
Without another word, Kakuzu reached out and hoisted Anya onto his back. Then he glanced toward Haku, who was still panting.
Anya caught his meaning: "She's with me. Bring her along too. Of course, that counts as extra payment."
So, one-handed, Kakuzu grabbed Haku while carrying Anya on his back. Shooting the distant Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist a warning look, he then turned and departed.
One of them asked, "Should we pursue?"
"The person we just encountered wasn't weak. With our current strength, we might not be able to defeat him."
"But the spy took the intelligence with him."
Hozuki Kisaragi smirked coldly. "Don't worry. I destroyed the original intel the moment I obtained it. What was left behind was merely a perfect replica—bait for fishing. Never thought we'd end up catching such a terrifying fish, though."
In the distance, Anya leaned against Kakuzu's back, growing increasingly uncomfortable. She finally spoke up: "Uncle, can you summon those masks? Leaning against your back is annoying—it's poking me."
Kakuzu immediately snapped, "Kid, you're pushing your luck."
After he shouted, Anya didn't say anything for a while. Suspicious, Kakuzu turned his head only to find that she had already fainted.
He stood quietly for a moment, then activated [Earth Grudge Fear], summoning four dark, mask-like creatures from within his body—two on each side—and carelessly tossed Haku onto the back of one of the monsters.
Kakuzu carried Anya in the center, flanked by two masked dark beings on either side like loyal subordinates trailing behind.
If any member of the Kinto Exchange who knew Kakuzu saw this sight, they would likely stand there stunned, mouths agape, muttering afterward: "Just keep spoiling her..."
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