"Hmm? Disappeared? Is it some kind of Kekkei Genkai?"
Seeing that hateful brat vanish before his eyes, Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
He was not skilled in sensory Ninjutsu.
Otherwise, he would not have been ambushed earlier and lost another heart.
A mere Konoha brat had crushed two of his hearts in succession. This was a great humiliation.
Kakuzu was extremely furious.
If he did not take them down today, his losses would be enormous. After suffering such a setback, he would not let it go.
"Composite Ninjutsu: Lightning Torrent Blast!"
In his rage, Kakuzu launched another attack.
The Lightning Release mask on his left shoulder and the Water Release mask above opened their mouths at the same time.
Boom boom boom.
A surging torrent erupted, infused with violent lightning. With Kakuzu at the center, it surged outward like a tidal wave.
It seemed intent on swallowing everything.
The attack covered a vast area.
"Be careful, kid. If there is danger, retreat immediately."
Tsunade warned the spot where Seiryū had disappeared, then leaped onto a large tree to avoid the lightning infused water.
"Do not worry."
Seiryū responded. He tapped the ground and leaped up to dodge.
Bakudō #26: Kyokkō was a sealing formation, but it could be inscribed on the body and was not limited to a fixed area.
How it was used depended on Seiryū.
Bang bang bang.
Chakra burst from the soles of his feet, allowing him to step on the air.
He could briefly walk through the sky and change direction midair.
This was a technique derived from Shunpo.
In simple terms, it resembled the Moonwalk of the Six Powers.
As long as one's leg strength was sufficient, a Shinobi could also change direction midair by stepping on the air.
In the original story, Rock Lee and Guy could do this after opening the Eight Gates.
"Although I do not know what technique you used to become invisible, the sound came from where you disappeared. Do not underestimate a Shinobi's observation skills, brat. You are still too inexperienced."
Kakuzu's ears twitched as he heard the explosions in the air. His gaze shifted upward.
He could not see him, but he was certain.
The brat who ambushed him was right there.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
The Lightning Release mask opened its mouth, launching several lightning spears toward the source of the sound.
Seiryū did not dare be careless. After forming hand seals, he pointed forward.
A bolt of lightning shot from his fingertip and collided with the incoming lightning spears.
However, lightning was clearly weaker than False Darkness. It was crushed and scattered into arcs of electricity.
Taking advantage of that moment, Seiryū stepped on the air and changed direction.
He formed seals again and pushed out an orange red fireball.
Hadō #31: Shakkahō.
Boom.
The fireball, trailing flames, crashed down and exploded. He used the explosion to conceal the sound of his Shunpo steps.
Seiryū moved and landed on the ground.
Looking at Kakuzu, who had avoided Shakkahō, Seiryū did not rush to attack. Like a venomous snake, he waited for the chance to strike.
"What kind of Ninjutsu is that?"
Kakuzu retreated, unable to sense Seiryū's position, and cursed angrily.
To have such a troublesome technique.
Now he had to remain alert for ambushes at all times.
This kid was too insidious and disgusting.
Whoosh.
Tsunade was not idle. She charged forward at high speed, quickly closing the distance.
Her fair fist carried immense power, enough to shatter boulders. It descended with a fierce wind.
"Hmph."
Sensing her approach, Kakuzu snorted coldly. He chose to dodge rather than clash directly.
He would not foolishly engage in close combat with a Taijutsu specialist.
He excelled at long range attacks.
But just as Kakuzu was about to move.
"Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen."
Sizzle sizzle sizzle.
Three streaks of golden light shot from a hidden position and pinned into Kakuzu, halting his movement.
"Oh no."
Kakuzu's expression changed slightly. That brat again.
His reaction was fast. Chakra surged through his body, forcibly shaking off the golden restraints.
But that single second was enough.
Tsunade's attack had already arrived. Kakuzu had nowhere to evade.
Boom.
Her punch landed squarely on his chest with a thunderous roar.
Shockwaves spread outward, and even the air rippled.
Kakuzu coughed up blood. His chest seemed to cave in as he was blasted away like a cannonball.
"Even though you did not target the masks, that was well done. I take back what I said before, bad woman."
Seiryū gave a thumbs up. Their coordination was seamless.
Facing such an opportunity, he would not let it slip.
Using Shunpo, he chased after the flying Kakuzu.
"Bakudō #63: Rikujōkōrō."
Six beams of light appeared and struck into Kakuzu's body, restricting his movement.
Even his backward flight slowed.
Having just taken Tsunade's punch, Kakuzu could not recover instantly.
"Rasengan."
Seiryū closed in, forming a glowing Rasengan in his hand.
"Eat this."
With a shout, he pressed the Rasengan toward Kakuzu. The target was the mask.
Boom. Crack.
The Water Release mask on Kakuzu's shoulder shattered under the Rasengan. The explosive force sent him flying again.
"Brat, are you done? Now it is my turn."
Kakuzu's voice was filled with vicious intent. Black tentacles writhed wildly from his body.
They stabbed into the ground, halting his backward momentum.
Rip.
Another tentacle grabbed the six beams of light and tore Rikujōkōrō apart.
Regaining mobility, Kakuzu stared at Seiryū with murderous eyes and lunged forward.
The tentacles on his back extended, attempting to strangle him.
Three masks, three hearts, all destroyed by this brat.
Rage and killing intent filled the air. His eyes seemed ready to tear Seiryū apart.
But killing him outright would be too easy.
He would torture him first, make him understand pain, then deliver him to the black market bounty station.
Only then would his anger subside.
Facing Kakuzu, who was charging with killing intent, Seiryū did not show fear.
Instead, he sneered. "In a hurry? It is useless. I am only a Shadow Clone."
Poof.
As he finished speaking, Seiryū turned into white smoke and vanished.
It was a clone.
Tsunade watched silently.
For some reason, she felt a trace of sympathy for Kakuzu.
Seiryū's series of actions was truly irritating. If it were her, she would also be furious.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)