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Enduring the brunt of the formidable attack, Naruto's countenance shifted into a visage of anger, his face contorting into a ferocious expression. Despite Kakuzu's prior assault failing to inflict substantial harm on Naruto, the seasoned antagonist discerned an opportune moment to initiate a renewed offensive. With strategic finesse, Kakuzu redirected his fire mask and wind mask—previously engaged with Kakashi and Sakura—towards his side, consolidating his active masks to three.
As the fire mask seamlessly combined with wind mask, they coalesced their energies, conjuring a synchronized release of fire and wind jutsu from their combined mouths. This collaborative effort materialized into a formidable wave of fire hurtling inexorably toward Naruto.
Fully cognizant of the imminent fire wave, Naruto chose to defy instinct, giving up evasion in favor of a bold charge directly into its path. This seemingly perplexing decision cast a veil of confusion over Kakashi and Sakura, who watched in suspense as Naruto sprinted fearlessly toward the oncoming blaze. Speculation and concern filled the air, with the gathering acknowledging the gravity of Naruto's actions. While Kakashi and Sakura couldn't shake off their lingering worries about Naruto's well-being, the seasoned duo couldn't discount the possibility that Naruto's seemingly reckless charge was part of a meticulously calculated strategy.
As Naruto found himself submerged in the all-encompassing fire wave, a scenario that, under different circumstances, might have been a cause for celebration for Kakuzu, the latter's countenance revealed no semblance of joy. Instead, a solemn expression adorned Kakuzu's face, as if he sensed the emergence of something even more ominous from the engulfing flames.
Kakuzu's disconcerting premonition manifested as a red, four-tailed beast emerged from the dissipating fire wave. This formidable entity signified Naruto's version two of the tailed beast mode. Naruto's movements were a blur of speed, leaving Kakuzu struggling to keep pace. Before Kakuzu could formulate a coherent response, Naruto took control of Kakuzu's fire and wind masks.
With remarkable speed and precision, Naruto tightly clenched the two masks—one exhaling fire, the other releasing wind—in his hands. Simultaneously, Naruto crushed the masks, a display of his relentless assault. However, Naruto's onslaught didn't conclude there. With a swift and forceful movement of his leg, he planted his foot on Kakuzu's head, embedding the antagonist's face firmly into the ground.
This exhibition of Naruto's strength and agility left Kakuzu reeling, a resounding testament to the formidable power wielded by Naruto in his version two of the tailed beast mode. The battleground now bore witness to Naruto's unyielding determination and the unleashed might of the tailed beast within him.
Fortunately, at the last moment, Kakuzu deftly employed the 'Substitution technique.' Had he failed to do so, his fate would have been sealed, with death looming as a certainty. At the very least, he would have been incapacitated, given the colossal impact that Naruto's leg wrought upon the terrain. The ground beneath bore witness to the aftermath, transformed into an expansive crater. Notably, the wooden log substituting for Kakuzu proved no match for the force of Naruto's blow, resembling more a fragile cotton log than sturdy wood.
Having suffered the loss of two hearts, Kakuzu's visage contorted into a distinctly unsightly expression. He now found himself with just a solitary lightning backup heart, in addition to the heart residing within his body.
In response to Kakuzu's released killing intent, Naruto swiftly honed in on the antagonist's current location. Without a second to spare, a substantial tailed beast bomb materialized in front of Naruto. The four-tailed manifestation of Naruto adeptly consumed the tailed beast bomb, and from his being emanated a thick red energy beam—the tangible embodiment of the formidable tailed beast beam. The battlefield crackled with the intensified energy.
As a seasoned veteran, Kakuzu maintained a composed demeanor, skillfully evading Naruto's formidable 'Tailed Beast Beam.' However, this tactical maneuver came at a significant cost—his left hand didn't suffer a mere severing but was utterly obliterated, the most apt term being vaporized by Naruto's overwhelming attack.
Surviving this intense assault, Kakuzu's countenance became solemn as he contemplated the daunting task of devising a strategic retreat from Naruto's unmatched strength. Now left with only two hearts—one within his body and the other functioning as a backup within his lightning release mask—Kakuzu faced the reality of Naruto's overwhelming prowess.
Decisive by nature, Kakuzu acknowledged the gaping power disparity between himself and Naruto. Opting to avoid certain defeat at the hands of the formidable shinobi, he chose the path of strategic retreat. With this decision, the remaining heart within the lightning mask began to reposition itself, standing alongside Kakuzu in preparation for their departure.
"You undeniably wield great power. I concede that I am no match for you. Perhaps fate will bring us together again on another day," Kakuzu admitted, his words carrying a rare acknowledgment of defeat. Just as he was initiating the 'Body Flicker Technique' to vanish from the scene, an unexpected turn of events unraveled. Kakuzu was suddenly seized by a piercing pain in his chest, and after coughing up blood, he knelt on the ground in disbelief.
"How is this possible!?" Kakuzu exclaimed incredulously. "My heart was intact just a moment ago..." His words trailed off as Kakuzu paused, recollecting a crucial detail. Turning his gaze towards Kakashi and the others, his expression morphed into one of disbelief, realizing the unexpected twist in the unfolding events.
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