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"Ah, I knew you wouldn't agree. But please, for the sake of the small favor I did earlier by saving your comrade, could you lend a hand just this once—"
Jiraiya immediately followed up the moment Kagaya finished speaking. His words flowed extremely smoothly, as if he had rehearsed them multiple times in advance. But halfway through, Jiraiya froze. He quickly looked at Kagaya's face.
"Wait... did you just... agree directly?"
Kagaya looked at Jiraiya before him and couldn't help but feel a bit speechless. It was clear that before Jiraiya had come to find him, he had already mentally prepared himself for the outcome that Kagaya would "definitely refuse." He had even prepared a script of entreaties. After Kagaya finished speaking, Jiraiya had subconsciously launched into the speech he had prepared. It was only halfway through that he finally realized—Kagaya had already agreed.
"I may not be much of a good person... but at the very least, if someone has helped me, and they bear no ill will... I'm still willing to help them in return. Suppressing the Nine-Tails might be an incredibly difficult matter for you, but for me... it's something so simple it couldn't possibly be any simpler. For a matter of this degree... since you've come all this way to ask me personally, I'll lend a hand."
"Thank you! Golden Divine Bones!"
Jiraiya hurriedly thanked him, as if afraid Kagaya would change his mind.
But Kagaya caught a new term from Jiraiya's mouth and asked with curiosity.
"Golden Divine Bones... what's that?"
Jiraiya looked at Kagaya with surprise, as if to say, "You don't know?"
"Isn't that your title? You don't know?"
Kagaya paused for a moment, then slowly uttered a single sentence. This time, he spoke very slowly, as if making sure Jiraiya understood every single word. "Are you sure about that?"
Kagaya's slow and deliberate tone reached Jiraiya's ears, making him involuntarily feel a flicker of doubt. Could it be... this title really wasn't his? But immediately after, his accumulated knowledge quickly reconfirmed the facts.
"No... as far as I know, this title is indeed describing you. Golden Divine Bones."
Without any warning whatsoever, Kagaya suddenly shouted out loud.
"WHO WOULD COME UP WITH SUCH AN EMBARRASSING TITLE?! Who came up with it?!"
"Eh? Um... I think it originated from the Hidden Cloud Village."
Jiraiya realized he seemed to have said something he shouldn't have and spoke cautiously.
In Jiraiya's view—no, in the view of everyone who knew this title—this title wasn't something "embarrassing" at all. It was a title of "excessive praise."
In fact, quite a few people felt this title was far too weighty, and that Uchiha Kagaya wasn't worthy of it.
Although Kagaya's very first feeling upon hearing this title was "embarrassment," due to historical reasons, in this world, this title actually represented a form of supreme recognition.
The reason was very simple. This title contained the character for "Divine." Setting aside the other words for the moment, this single character "Divine" alone was enough to make people feel Kagaya was unworthy.
Throughout history, on this land, in this world, within all the history constructed by the humans here—those who had received titles containing the character "Divine"—excluding self-proclaimed and unknown ones—those with great renown and broad public recognition... there had only been two. One was the legendary First Hokage of the Leaf Village. The other... was Hanzō of the Hidden Rain. (T/N: Golden God Bones doesn't really fit imo, so it got change into "Divine")
Just look at the stature of these two figures.
The First Hokage—legend had it that in his era, he alone was enough to suppress all enemies of the shinobi world. It was this power, capable of shaking heaven and earth, that had earned him the title of "God of Shinobi."
And Hanzō of the Hidden Rain—during the Second Great Ninja War, the Hidden Rain Village went to war with the Leaf Village. In truth, what right did a mere minor nation have to claim it was "going to war" against a great nation? No—normally speaking, a conflict between a minor nation and a great nation couldn't even be called a war. It should be called an annihilation.
The disparity in power between a great nation and a minor nation was far, far too immense.
But it was under precisely these circumstances that a single man emerged from the Hidden Rain—Hanzō of the Salamander.
He led the Hidden Rain against the Leaf Village, causing the Leaf shinobi to suffer casualties exceeding half their forces. Was this truly the capability of the Hidden Rain Village? No! This was Hanzō's capability alone. The capabilities of a minor nation's hidden village were practically negligible before a great nation. It could be said that Hanzo had single-handedly contended against an entire great nation, ultimately inflicting casualties on more than half of that great nation's shinobi.
Even though the Hidden Rain ultimately lost that war... it was the Hidden Rain that lost. Hanzo did not lose.
And even such a man had only received the title of "Demigod."
So the question arose: what gave a mere rogue ninja of the Leaf Village the right to bear the name of "Divine"?
Thus, there were certainly not a few who questioned this title. The reason no one openly voiced their doubts was that this title had most likely come from the mouth of the Hidden Cloud's Fourth Raikage.
The Fourth Raikage's strength and authority made many people reluctant to openly question it. That was all.
Behind closed doors, doubts still existed. Apart from his collaboration with Orochimaru in invading the Leaf Village once, Kagaya didn't possess any battle record worthy of being crowned with the name "Divine."
Incidentally, the battle in the Hidden Rain Village, although word of it had spread, hadn't spread very far. After all, the Hidden Rain was an extremely closed-off village. The surrounding hidden villages merely treated that incident as a newly emerged local legend of the Hidden Rain Village.
Of course, regardless of how others questioned it, the bearer of this title at this very moment felt nothing but sheer embarrassment deep in his heart.
"Is the Fourth Raikage an idiot?! Why couldn't he come up with a cooler title?! Damn it... if I ever get the chance, I'm definitely going to change this title."
Jiraiya shook his head. "No, no... I actually think this title is quite cool. A title crowned with the name of 'Divine'... I never would have imagined that the Fourth Raikage would hold you in such high regard. He's praised you far too highly!"
"But no matter what... a title that directly describes one's outer appearance is far too blunt, isn't it?"
"Outer appearance? Mm... actually, you don't need to be so self-conscious. You're quite handsome. You don't look like bones or skeletons or anything."
"Since when did I say I look like bones or a skeleton?"
"Didn't you say it directly describes your outer appearance? Your outer appearance... really doesn't look like bones."
"Haven't you seen my Susanoo before? The golden one? The bones?"
"Oh, you're talking about that. That's not your outer appearance, either."
"Are you trying to argue with me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Fine. Forget it. I won't argue with you. Let's set off."
******
The Five-Seal Barrier.
CLANG!
Kakashi used a kunai to block Hidan's massive scythe, then used the impact to leap far back.
Something's off... this Akatsuki member is far too weak.
Yes, in Kakashi's perception, Hidan was truly far too weak. He didn't use any ninjutsu, and his taijutsu couldn't even be considered exceptional. At most, he was at the level of a top-tier Jonin.
In truth, Jonin was already very formidable. But within a gathering of monsters like the Akatsuki... if this was all he had... then he was far too weak. So weak it made one question whether he was truly a member of the Akatsuki.
Yet, before the battle had begun, Kakashi had clearly overheard that the Akatsuki members seemed to place immense trust in this Hidan, believing his abilities should be more than sufficient to defeat their group.
But now... those earlier words seemed like a complete joke. This Hidan's abilities... Jonin level truly was his absolute peak.
What's going on?
Kakashi's mind was currently filled with questions and confusion.
What Kakashi didn't know was that he had misunderstood something. What Pain and the others had referred to as "ability" was his special ability, whereas Kakashi had interpreted that "ability" as Hidan's combat ability.
In truth, Hidan's special ability could also be counted as a form of combat ability. But before that special ability was used... there was no way for Kakashi to know the terror of that ability.
Thus, unable to perceive Hidan's special ability, in Kakashi's eyes, Hidan was simply a clumsy shinobi who couldn't use ninjutsu. Although his taijutsu was impressive, it wasn't top-tier either.
In summary, outside the Akatsuki, he would be a decent taijutsu-specialized Jonin. Inside the Akatsuki... he was a shockingly mediocre Jonin.
'Far too weak.' Kakashi sighed inwardly and began condensing chakra. After fighting for some time, Kakashi felt he had more or less figured out Hidan's abilities. Now, he was preparing to finish off this unbelievably weak Akatsuki member.
"Lightning Cutter!"
Dazzling arcs of lightning blazed in Kakashi's hand. In this very moment, Kakashi finally opened his left eye.
Because the Sharingan consumed far too much chakra, even though Kakashi had lifted his forehead protector earlier, his left eye had remained tightly shut throughout the battle. Only now, when he was prepared to kill this Akatsuki member, did Kakashi finally deign to open it.
"BWAHAHAHAHA! Arrogant bastard! You've finally opened that damn eye of yours, have you?! Come on, then! I'll slaughter you soon enough!" Hidan laughed madly, without the slightest hint of fear.
This was also what puzzled Kakashi. Although it had always been Kakashi toying with (testing) Hidan throughout the battle, Hidan had never once shown any fear, as if some immense, unshakable confidence was supporting him.
"Tch!"
Kakashi gave a cold snort. Although he couldn't figure out why this was, he could only press forward now. He couldn't just say, "The enemy doesn't seem afraid of death, so I don't dare kill him," could he?
No matter what trump card Hidan was hiding... when faced with a fatal blow, it would inevitably reveal itself.
No matter how great his hidden ace was... when death was imminent, he would surely have to play it, right? After all, once a person was dead... there was nothing left.
This was Kakashi's line of thinking. Kakashi had also prepared contingency plans for any unexpected developments.
Aiming directly at Hidan's heart, Kakashi instantly began his charge!
The crimson Sharingan, carrying blinding arcs of lightning, mixed with intense, seething killing intent—like a lethal arrow, shot straight toward Hidan's heart.
"Let me see... the source of your fearlessness!" Kakashi roared and raised the Lightning Cutter in his hand, thrusting forward!
In just a brief moment, Kakashi had charged right up to Hidan's side. Then, the Lightning Cutter stabbed toward Hidan's heart!
In that very instant, a kunai also appeared in Kakashi's other hand, ready to respond to whatever trump card Hidan might reveal at any moment.
Effortlessly easy.
Squelch!
Without the slightest obstruction, Kakashi's Lightning Cutter pierced straight through Hidan's heart!
Hidan didn't even bother using his massive scythe to block. He simply watched as Kakashi impaled his heart.
"Th-this..."
Kakashi froze.
Akatsuki members... were they really this easy to kill? Taken down with a single, casual Lightning Cutter?
The heart had been completely pulverized. This man was already doomed beyond any doubt. This was common sense.
Thus, Kakashi instinctively relaxed his guard.
"Mm—!"
It was at that very moment that a sharp, stinging pain shot through the hand that had pierced Hidan's heart. Kakashi immediately withdrew his hand and leaped far back!
He raised his hand and examined it. There was a small cut there. Nothing serious. Kakashi paid it no mind and continued looking at Hidan.
"It's over."
In Kakashi's view, it was all over now. With his heart pierced through... how could he possibly survive?
Hidan placed the short spear in his hand to his mouth.
"Ah... yes! YES! It's over!"
Just moments ago, Hidan had used this very short spear to cut Kakashi's hand and obtain his blood!
"You were so agile before, not giving me any chances. I was agonizing over how to kill you, hahaha! But sure enough, you couldn't resist the urge to kill me, could you? I used my own heart as bait... and you fell for it!" Hidan laughed ceaselessly.
A chill surged up within Kakashi's heart.
What was going on? That man's heart had been utterly destroyed... how... how was he still standing? How could he still speak so smoothly? Why wasn't he dead?!
And more importantly... what was this inexplicable, nameless dread?
"An immortal monster?"
Kakashi instinctively took a step back. The inexplicable fear deep within his heart made him decide to put a bit more distance between himself and Hidan.
But...
"It's useless! Do you know how much it hurts to have your heart destroyed?! I endured this much pain... how could I possibly let you escape?! Just be a good boy... and wait to die! BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Using the blood on his chest, Hidan spun around rapidly, drawing a circle on the ground. Then, with practiced skill, he drew a triangle within the circle.
The moment the pattern was complete, Hidan's originally pale skin rapidly turned black.
In the distance, Kakuzu, who was locked in combat with Granny Chiyo, witnessed this scene and let out a cold laugh.
"It's over."
"Rasengan!"
It was at that very moment that Naruto charged in from the side, slamming a Rasengan into Hidan's stomach.
The immense concussive force sent Hidan flying far away.
But in that very same instant, an invisible, intangible pattern manifested on Kakashi's body.
BOOM!
Without having suffered any attack whatsoever, Kakashi was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the stone wall.
COUGH!
A mouthful of fresh blood spilled from his lips. On his stomach, there was a horrifying twisted mark, as if he had been struck directly by a Rasengan.
In an instant, everyone froze.
Faced with this bizarre, inexplicable scene, no one knew what had just happened.
One second, everything was fine. But the very next second... Kakashi had suddenly suffered a devastating, critical wound!
Hidan struggled to his feet.
"BWAHAHAHAHA! Well struck! Well struck! What a pity the force wasn't quite enough, or you could've killed him right there! BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Although Hidan spoke these words, in truth, if not for Naruto's Rasengan, Kakashi wouldn't have merely suffered severe injuries. He would absolutely, without a doubt, have been killed by Hidan.
But now, because of Naruto's intervention, Hidan had been sent flying away from his ritual circle. If he wanted to kill Kakashi again, Hidan would need to return to his death pattern.
Of course, Naruto and the others didn't know any of this. Whether Kakashi could be saved or not... all depended on whether Naruto's group could react in time and stop Hidan before he returned to his ritual circle.
Step!
Hidan rose to his feet and took his first step toward the ritual circle.
The death countdown... had begun.