The Land of Waves.
On the big bridge, Kakuzu watched the three great Jonin of Konoha, tempted by the bounty, yet he still managed to hold himself back.
But the old man they were protecting behind them made Kakuzu envious. Damn it, he had sneaked out to take on a mission, thinking it would be easy, only to encounter a tough opponent.
A B-rank mission's bounty for the risk of an S-rank task, damn it! More money! There must be more money!
Fire Release: Intelligent Head Work
Wind Release: Pressure Damage
Just when it seemed that the hired ninja was about to leave upon seeing the unfavorable situation, he suddenly launched a terrifying ninjutsu attack.
The sky-high flames attacked furiously, and most of the lower ninjas were terrified at this scene, as this was a ninjutsu beyond the level of a Jonin.
"Let me do it!"
At that moment, Kurenai shouted loudly, and with a series of hand signs, released a terrifying ninjutsu with her surging chakra.
Water Release: Water Wall
With a thunderous roar, the huge water wall neutralized the terrifying combination of ninjutsu, creating a massive mist of water.
Kurenai's Water Release wasn't very sophisticated; it was just effective due to its counteractive nature and the large amount of it! Chakra was like free money.
With another thunderous roar, "Be careful of enemy attacks!"
In the midst of the mist, several dark shadows suddenly appeared, with Kurenai still remembering the previous incident, she smirked and made hand signs.
Forbidden Jutsu: Bringer of Darkness Technique
"This! This is the Second Hokage of Konoha's ninjutsu!"
One of Kakuzu's mask clones originally intended to attack and distract the enemy, but was suddenly caught in darkness by the opponent's genjutsu.
As an antique, Kakuzu was shocked and recognized the existence of this ninjutsu.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet
Zabuza also lost his temper. In such favorable terrain, he released a terrifying Water Dragon Bullet with just three hand signs.
The Kakuzu clone with the earth attribute mask was shocked, "This! Your Mist ninjas' Water Dragon Bullet needs forty-four signs! No! This is also the Second Hokage of Konoha's Water Release."
Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall
With a thunderous roar, the dazzling bombardment of various ninjutsu stunned the group of new genin.
Even the previously trained Sasuke and Hinata were shocked. These were rare ninjutsu clashes even among Jonin.
"The rogue ninja Kakuzu from Waterfall Village stole the village's Forbidden Technique and then killed all the high-ranking officials and defected. He was a ninja active during the First Hokage's era."
Suddenly, Kakashi appeared behind Kakuzu. The two stood back to back, not looking back at each other, but clearly aware of each other's presence.
Kakashi spoke calmly as if narrating something ordinary, while Kakuzu's face showed a serious expression.
"Kakashi of Konoha, once called the most talented ninja, it seems that copying with the Sharingan is just an excuse, your swordsmanship is the strongest."
At this moment, Kakuzu lowered his head to see a wound on his chest, yet his face showed no panic, only calm.
"White Fang's swordsmanship! Very strong, I thought it had disappeared from the ninja world, but I didn't expect to see it today."
Kakuzu's body slowly turned into mud and water, and Kakashi showed no surprise, having sensed something was wrong when his blade touched flesh.
With the mist dispersing, four dark shadows terrifyingly merged into Kakuzu's body, and only then did everyone notice the gruesome black corpse in front of Kurenai.
At this moment, everyone's cold sweat slid down their temples, especially Zabuza who had always looked down on Kurenai, now fell silent. A one-hit kill, he was not sure.
Or rather, he did not have the ability.
Even Kakashi fell silent, as Kurenai had already mastered this ninjutsu, and even he needed to be cautious around her.
It's important to note that the second Hokage's dark art was almost specifically designed to counter the Sharingan.
"The old man underestimated you younger generations."
Watching the loss of a heart, Kakuzu couldn't help feeling the pain, but he still spoke coldly and arrogantly from a senior's perspective.
However, at that moment, the collar of his shirt suddenly ripped open, and a cold sweat dropped from Kakuzu's temple as a scratch appeared on the collar.
Looking again at Kakashi with his green eyes, he saw Kakashi calmly sheathing his White Light Chakra Sabre, and in that moment, they both understood each other perfectly.
The recent strike was a close call; if Kakuzu's earth clone was even a step slower, he would have been finished.
Remember, Kakuzu is a veteran Kage-level fighter, skilled in both Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, and it's evident from the anime that he almost dominated Kakashi in their battles.
Keep in mind this is Kakashi from the Shippuden era, definitely Kage-level in strength.
The fact that he was completely overpowered throughout the fight speaks volumes about Kakuzu's strength.
His defeat was due to tactics, not a lack of strength.
"Night God is really generous!"
At this time, Kakuzu couldn't help but feel envious, looking at the three people in front of him.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan falling into the hands of an outsider, yet not trying to reclaim it but trusting so much. Even teaching the second Hokage's Water Release Ninjutsu to a Mist village Jōnin, it's no wonder the Night God could become the leader of the two great ninja villages."
"No wonder Mist and Konoha villages became so closely integrated in just a few years."
Kakuzu felt a mix of envy and jealousy; if only his village had such a leader, he wouldn't have had to flee the ninja world.
Yet, Kakuzu was unaware that he had not mentioned Kurenai, who, despite having achieved the greatest feat in their encounter, went unacknowledged.
Kurenai's face turned sour, staring coldly at him.
But she couldn't help it, as enemies who saw her would first think of her as Uchiha Yoru's woman, even if she demonstrated her strength, they would still be astonished.
Indeed, she couldn't escape being known as Yoru's woman, which frustrated the usually strong-willed Kurenai.
"Kakuzu, is it worth it for a few hundred thousand ryō?"
Kakashi clearly didn't want to be involved in a task where the reward didn't match the effort, and having spent years with Uchiha Yoru, he had developed a sharp tongue.
Kakashi, with his lazy eye, shook his head and sighed at Kakuzu, "A B-rank mission is worth at most two hundred thousand ryō, what are you risking your life for?"
Kakuzu, hearing this, also felt it made sense and nodded hoarsely, "You're right, Kakashi, it's not worth it for these two hundred thousand ryō."
Kakuzu thought the task from Gato was just a quick way to make some money, as assassination paid more than protection. Killing could earn money.
But now, the loss of a Jōnin's heart was a significant loss for him.
Just then, the mist cleared to reveal Gato's figure, along with a group of Wave and Samurai ninjas.
"Kakuzu, you trash, why haven't you killed this old man yet, pah! Black market task finisher, with such skills?"
Gato, unaware of the danger, arrogantly continued, causing Kakuzu's eyes to fill with murderous intent.
At the same time, Gato, proudly looking at his distant target, shouted to the group behind him, "Whoever kills this Tazuna old man gets two hundred thousand ryō!"
Excited shouts filled the air on the bridge, and Kakuzu, with a cold huff, called them idiots before vanishing.
Faced with the madly attacking rogue ninjas and samurais, their murderous aura would have already terrified an ordinary person.
However, at this moment, Uchiha Sasuke sneered and stepped forward, "Hey, bottom of the class, I heard you learned a few years with Jiraiya, let me see your strength."
Naruto was once considered the bottom of his class, and although his performance in the graduation exam with the Shadow Clone Technique had already proven his worth, Uchiha Sasuke still disdainfully mentioned it.
And Naruto, ostracized by everyone, heard these words and roared excitedly.
"Arrogant Sasuke, watch my power."
Shadow Clone Technique
In an instant, hundreds of Naruto's clones appeared densely on the bridge, and the rogue ninjas attacking madly roared crazily.
"Attack, these are just ordinary clone techniques, intimidating but useless, kill them!"
Because they hadn't witnessed the brutal killings and hadn't seen the strength of Kakashi's team, these frogs in the well thought it was just a bluff with ordinary clone techniques.
The result was that they rushed forward screaming madly, and at this moment, hundreds of Naruto's clones also roared excitedly, rushing forward to prepare for a physical confrontation.
However, just as the others were about to join the fight, and their leading Jounin was about to enjoy the show, Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward.
He raised his hand to stop everyone and looked at Naruto with a rebellious and evil gaze.
"Hey, bottom of the class, this is your real body, right?"
"Uh? Yes, what about it?"
At this moment, Naruto scratched his head, looking confused. However, the next moment he witnessed something that enraged him.
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu
Sasuke revealed a cold smile, as if taunting Naruto, and performed hand signs. A dense and violent flame burst from his mouth.
A straight line of fire, the fierce and hot dragon of flame devoured all living beings in front of it. Under Naruto's stunned gaze, all his shadow clones, unprepared, turned into white smoke amidst the fiery sea.
Ah~
The screams were but a moment, and under the intense heat of the powerful flames, everyone was suffocated and lost their breath of life.
"Sasuke!"
Under Naruto's angry and disbelieving gaze, Uchiha Sasuke calmly stopped releasing his jutsu.
At this moment, hundreds of charred corpses on the bridge gave off the smell of cooked meat, and Uchiha Sasuke, as if nothing had happened, looked indifferently and even snorted disdainfully.
"A bunch of scum."
However, the next moment a fist swung directly towards Sasuke's chin, and with a bang, Sasuke caught it reflexively, but his face was filled with anger.
"Naruto! What are you doing!"
In anger, Naruto looked at his caught fist, roaring furiously.
"How could you be so cruel! You just slaughtered hundreds of people, they were all lives!"
"You've gone mad, bottom of the class, they were enemies!"
"Damn Sasuke, if only people could understand each other…"
Facing Naruto's lengthy speech, Sasuke's anger is evident, but his eyes reveal a single tomoe Sharingan, staring intently at Naruto.
"Screw-up! You're acting like a mindless beast. These rogue ninjas and samurais only cause harm. When not employed, they're bandits and thieves, resorting to robbery, murder, and arson. You're out of your mind!"
"I can't forgive you!"
Naruto, in anger, grabs Sasuke's collar. The atmosphere is tense, and even Sakura, usually unafraid of Naruto's anger, feels scared.
"Naruto, let go of Sasuke."
However, the other Genin looked on disdainfully. Even the kind-hearted Hinata mutters, "If we let them go today, they'll kill more innocents tomorrow. Killing one to save a hundred, that's what Lord Yoru taught us…"
Seeing this, Naruto's team member Karin snorts in contempt and quickly forms hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique"
A terrifying water dragon appears, forcing Sasuke and Naruto to quickly dodge. The water dragon, though fierce, moves slowly, seemingly by design.
Boom! The water dragon cleanses the bridge, restoring its cleanliness. Karin then complains to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, don't you know how hard Lord Yoru works for the village? They might have had valuable things on them, and you just burned it all."
Sasuke, humbled and without his usual pride, just nods in agreement.
"Karin, I understand now."
Over the years, Sasuke has endured many beatings. Karin, never lacking in chakra, has been a terror since gaining monstrous strength.
Naruto, feeling ignored, is shocked at how everyone casually discusses the matter, overturning his understanding.
"Hey, Naruto, how have you survived out there all these years?"
Inuzuka Kiba, always straightforward, shakes his head looking at Naruto.
"With so many bandits and murderers in the ninja world, don't you know how many people they harm every year?"
Naruto tries to respond, but Kiba shakes his head, "Seeing a problem isn't enough; you must find its root. It's written in Lord Yoru's book. Have you not read it?"
"Employed, they are rogue ninjas, samurais, and mercenaries. Unemployed, they're destructive bandits."
Naruto is stunned, realizing that solving a problem is not enough; one must find its root cause. Kiba slowly takes out a red-covered book from his ninja tool bag, waving it in front of Naruto.
"Naruto, almost all of Lord Yoru's philosophies are in this book. Haven't you read it at all?"
Naruto, looking at Kiba's skeptical gaze, awkwardly remembers that his teacher, Iruka, once suggested he should read more.
But Naruto, never keen on academics, especially literature, is unlikely to read such material.
An embarrassed Naruto scratches his head and laughs, "Kiba, I've only read the Will of Fire from the Third Hokage during ninja school."
Kiba, speechless and disappointed, shakes his head. That thin content, full of fluff, had no practical implementation.
It was less informative than a flyer, offering no substance, only misleading promises.
~~~
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