"Compared to your grandfather, you are still too weak. Have you not even mastered Wood Release?"
Eight black tentacles bared their fangs and swung wildly like giant pythons.
A playful look appeared in Kakuzu's strange pupils. "How could someone like you be my opponent? I already said it, none of you will escape today."
With those words, Kakuzu attacked.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, he rushed toward Tsunade.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
The eight black tentacles on his body lashed out like long whips, strangling and striking at Tsunade, producing sharp whistling sounds.
Boom, boom, boom.
Tsunade's figure flickered as she dodged the incoming tentacles. The ground was pierced repeatedly, leaving behind deep pits.
"Combined Technique: Lightning Explosion!"
Among the masks arranged in order, the Fire Release and Lightning Release masks opened their mouths.
Lightning Release and Fire Release fused together. Thunder and flames erupted as a blazing fireball flickering with arcs of electricity shot forward.
The surrounding temperature rose sharply, carrying powerful destructive force.
"Stop mentioning my grandfather's name. It only makes you look insecure."
Tsunade spoke coldly.
He kept boasting.
Did he really fight her grandfather?
Although he was not weak, he was far from her grandfather's level.
Boom.
Facing the incoming fireball filled with lightning, Tsunade simply raised her right arm and punched.
With a thunderous roar, the attack was crushed directly.
Lightning scattered and flames burst apart.
As the lightning and fire spread, she ignored them and snorted. "With this level of power, you fought my grandfather? Do not make me laugh."
She stomped on the ground and her speed surged as she rushed straight at Kakuzu.
Her figure moved like a butterfly, weaving past the black tentacles attempting to bind her.
When she could not avoid them, she threw a punch, her immense strength threatening to shatter the black threads.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
A mask above his head opened its mouth and unleashed violent lightning that shot toward Tsunade like spears.
Kakuzu retreated, unwilling to clash head on with her.
Her strength was too terrifying. Even taking one hit would not be pleasant.
Boom, boom, boom.
Various Ninjutsu were unleashed continuously. Kakuzu gave Tsunade no chance to close the distance, a sinister smile on his lips. "Do not try to provoke me. I got tired of such tricks decades ago."
As a Shinobi who had lived for many years, his experience was extensive. He would not be affected by her words.
At the same time, he knew that against a Taijutsu specialist, he needed to maintain distance.
He excelled at long range Ninjutsu.
As long as he continued to wear her down with Ninjutsu, her stamina and Chakra would gradually deplete, and victory would tilt in his favor.
Tsunade kept dodging the incoming attacks, her expression growing more serious.
This man was too cautious and refused to let her get close.
Her Taijutsu could not be fully utilized.
Although she knew other Ninjutsu, she was not proficient in them.
Her combat style was already fixed around Taijutsu.
She understood that if this continued, the situation would become more troublesome.
She had to find an opportunity to close in.
Dodging another Lightning Release attack, she charged forward again, even faster than before.
"Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work!"
Seeing this, Kakuzu sneered and formed hand seals. A mask spat out a massive curtain of flames, blocking her path.
Boom.
Flames soared into the sky, swirling like a vortex and engulfing Tsunade.
"Got you."
A cold voice rang out as Tsunade burst through the flames. Black smoke rose from her body, and several areas of her fair skin were scorched.
When the fire curtain approached, she had not dodged.
She condensed the surging Chakra in her body into a brief defensive layer, using her body to endure the flames.
It was risky. A single mistake could result in serious injury.
But to get close, it was worth it.
She could recover anyway. The Creation Rebirth: Hundred Healings Technique could be activated with a thought.
Now only a few meters away, her eyes burned fiercely as she threw a prepared punch at Kakuzu. The force was so great that even the air seemed to explode.
"I underestimated you. I did not expect you to be this reckless."
Kakuzu was startled. This woman actually endured his Fire Release with her body just to land a punch.
But she was also underestimating him.
Though surprised, Kakuzu reacted quickly.
Just as the punch was about to land, he controlled the eight black tentacles to extend forward, intertwining into a shield.
Earth Release: Hardening.
Boom.
Tsunade's punch struck the shield with a deafening roar. Violent force surged outward from the impact point, and the ground beneath them cracked instantly.
"Cough."
Kakuzu had still underestimated her strength. The power penetrated the defense formed by the black tentacles and struck directly into his body.
He coughed up a large mouthful of blood, staining the black threads dark red.
He was blasted backward by the punch.
His feet dragged across the ground, leaving a long trail. After stabilizing himself, he narrowed his strange eyes coldly. "You managed to penetrate my defense and injure me directly."
"Heh, she learned that Chakra Enhanced Strength from a genius like me."
Seiryū had appeared at some point, staring at Kakuzu with a playful expression.
He had finally found an opportunity.
Opportunities were rare. He would not just watch.
So he acted immediately.
"Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"
As the seal was completed, six beams of light appeared out of thin air and struck directly into Kakuzu's body.
Rikujōkōrō, which contained sealing power, could restrain even a Kage-level expert for a brief moment.
Seiryū formed a seal with his left hand and pointed his right hand at Kakuzu, a smile on his lips. "Hadō #63: Raikōhō!"
Crackle.
Like thunder exploding in a clear sky, lightning flashed and thunder roared as a thick pillar of lightning shot from his hand.
In the blink of an eye, it struck Kakuzu's body.
(To be continued.)