Even among shinobi who knew countless forbidden secrets, few could accept the idea that someone could possess five lives. It was truly monstrous.
"In that case," Kakuzu said coldly, "I'll stop holding back. I'll take your heart myself."
He pulled off his black cloak, revealing a body threaded with thick black tendrils. On his back were four grotesque masks, each representing a different nature transformation. One of them was already shattered.
Chen Xing stood calmly before him, eyes steady, a faint smile forming.
"You want my heart?" he said. "Then come and take it."
"I intend to."
The black tendrils writhed violently as Kakuzu's chakra surged.
With a sharp roar, the tendrils expanded outward, and three figures tore free from his body. They landed around him—monstrous beings formed entirely of black threads, each wearing a different mask.
Fire. Wind. Lightning.
The air grew heavy.
"So that's it…" Chen Xing murmured, his gaze sharp. "Separate chakra entities."
Kakuzu's voice was low and hoarse. "I haven't used this form in years. Don't disappoint me."
Two of the masks opened their mouths at the same time.
"Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
A massive firestorm erupted, instantly followed by compressed wind chakra that fed into the flames. The inferno expanded violently, transforming into a rolling sea of fire that swallowed Chen Xing whole.
BOOM!
The explosion sent scorching air rippling outward. Even shinobi dozens of meters away felt the heat burn against their skin.
Smoke and fire lingered in the air.
Slowly, a figure emerged.
Chen Xing stood unharmed, his body wrapped in a dense purple chakra shroud, the flames unable to breach it.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.
"You survived that?"
"Your power is impressive," Chen Xing replied evenly. "But it's still not enough to take my heart."
Kakuzu laughed, greed flashing in his eyes. "That chakra… a rare technique. I'll enjoy adding you to my collection."
Chen Xing shook his head and formed seals.
"Peacock Form."
The purple chakra condensed, then erupted outward. A massive peacock-shaped chakra construct formed, lifting Chen Xing into the air. Its wings spread wide—nearly twenty meters across—with razor-sharp edges and a long, lethal tail of condensed chakra.
Even Kakuzu paused.
"So that's the technique mentioned in the intel…"
From afar, the watching shinobi were stunned. The chakra density alone rivaled that of a giant summoned beast.
Kakuzu didn't hesitate.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
A spear of black lightning tore through the air and struck the peacock construct head-on.
BOOM!
The attack forced the chakra beast back several steps—but failed to break through its defense.
"Tch… it tanked that?" Kakuzu muttered.
He followed immediately.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A massive water dragon surged upward, crashing toward the peacock from below.
With a shrill cry, the chakra peacock beat its wings and shot higher into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack. In the same motion, it dove straight toward Kakuzu.
Too fast.
Kakuzu barely managed to pull back as the peacock's claws slammed down, shattering the ground where he had stood moments before.
He retreated rapidly, recalling the masks to his sides.
All three opened their mouths again.
"Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
The attacks converged from multiple angles, detonating in a blinding explosion of flame, wind, lightning, and water vapor.
The battlefield vanished into smoke.
"This technique burns chakra at an insane rate," Kakuzu thought grimly. "No matter how powerful it is, he can't maintain it forever."
A sharp cry pierced the smoke.
The peacock construct burst out once more, eyes glowing crimson as it surged forward again—faster than before.
Kakuzu's expression hardened.
This time, the peacock did not strike with claws.
It lunged straight ahead.
---