The sun's rays bathed the earth, invigorating the flowers, grass, and trees below. The scenery mirrored Kakuzu's mood—unusually pleasant.
"Whips, wax, shackles… I wonder what other services they offer here."
"Ah, forget it. When in Rome… might as well see what they have to offer."
For Kakuzu, a millionaire accustomed to life's luxuries, the simplest pleasures were often the most satisfying. He was prepared to indulge in a unique experience, and such services were only found in towns. Border regions, in contrast, were mostly desolate.
Luckily, there was a small town nearby—just a day's journey away. The town, under the jurisdiction of the Land of Fire, was a crucial crossroads connecting the Lands of Birds and Waterfalls. Merchants, samurai, and ronin flowed through daily, creating a bustling hub of mixed fortunes.
As Kakuzu approached the edge of the forest, the town was almost within view. But he stopped abruptly, his gaze shifting slightly behind him.
Sometimes, ignoring something didn't mean you hadn't noticed it—it simply meant you didn't want to deal with it. But the persistent killing intent trailing him was now so thick it felt tangible.
Kakuzu was certain the person following him wasn't planning to let him leave the forest.
"Do I need to invite you out?" Kakuzu called out, his voice calm but firm.
The moment he stopped, the stalker likely realized they had been caught. When Kakuzu turned, there was indeed someone standing there—a man he'd seen not long ago.
The man wore a silver fox mask, the same one Kakuzu had noticed at the bounty exchange office earlier.
"Well, well. Isn't this a surprise? It's not every day you see a highwayman," Kakuzu remarked, standing tall with his robes billowing slightly. His hands, hidden within his sleeves, were already moving.
Whether this stranger was here to kill or for some other reason, Kakuzu wasn't about to be caught off guard. Preparation was key to ensuring a swift and decisive victory.
"You knew I was following you the whole time," the masked man said, casually forming a hand seal. He didn't bother to hide his actions, exuding an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance.
This kind of self-assurance usually came from one of two places: delusion or experience.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed as he studied the seal. "That technique… it's been a while since I've seen it."
The seal was part of a long-forgotten jutsu known as the Pre-Activation Technique. It was common during the Warring States period, designed to circulate chakra throughout the user's entire body in advance. With chakra already flowing freely, ninjutsu could be cast instantly without the need for further seals.
For shinobi, eliminating the need for seals was a game-changer. Battles often came down to fractions of a second, and this technique gave an undeniable edge.
However, its drawbacks were significant. Allowing chakra to flood the body consumed an enormous amount of it, often leaving users drained after just two or three jutsu. A ninja without chakra was no better than a lamb led to slaughter.
Because of these limitations, most clans abandoned the technique in favor of honing their seal speed. Mastering the ability to perform four or five seals per second rendered the old method obsolete.
Yet, those who still used the Pre-Activation Technique were a rare breed—ninjas with an extraordinary chakra pool.
'So, conventional attacks won't do much against him,"'Kakuzu thought, his stance lowering slightly. The subtle crackling of his joints was the only sound as he adjusted his strategy. His Earth Grudge Fear would likely be ineffective here.
His voice remained calm. "You're ignoring easier prey to come after me. Do I look like someone you can easily take down?"
The intent behind his words was clear. Why not target the red-haired ninja from the exchange office instead? This man's actions suggested his motives went beyond mere robbery.
The masked man chuckled, unfazed by the question. He seemed to weigh his response before speaking again.
"You're right. He's weaker than you, so there's no point in targeting him. And…"
He paused briefly before continuing, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.
"…because I can sense it. Your life force is unusually strong, far beyond that of an ordinary person. That's why I'm here."
Kakuzu's eyes remained calm, but his mind was racing.
'He can sense my vitality? So, he's a sensory-type ninja—and a highly skilled one at that.'
The masked man's words carried a twisted enthusiasm, as if he had stumbled upon a rare treasure. For Kakuzu, whose five hearts granted him unparalleled vitality, such an observation wasn't unexpected.
But knowing the enemy's capabilities was only half the battle.
With a faint smirk, Kakuzu prepared himself. This fight would be far from ordinary.
The silver-haired man was testing Kakuzu's abilities, but Kakuzu was no less analyzing the opponent's techniques through their conversation. While the silver-haired man had indeed caught a glimpse of Kakuzu's power, he had no idea of the trump card Kakuzu was hiding.
Kakuzu was willing to bet that his most significant advantage—the five hearts granting him five lives—had remained completely undetected. No matter how strong the man's sensory abilities were, they wouldn't pick up the faint heartbeats buried deep within his body. Especially since Kakuzu's skin was heavily fortified by the black threads of his Earth Grudge Fear. Not even the legendary Sharingan of the Uchiha clan could see through his body. Perhaps only the Byakugan of the Hyūga might have a chance.
"You know why I waited until now to expose your tracking?" Kakuzu's voice broke the tense silence.
"Oh?" The silver-haired man's expression remained hidden beneath his mask, but there was a hint of surprise in his tone. He seemed puzzled by the abrupt shift in topic. Kakuzu's reaction—or rather, his indifference—was unexpected. After all, the man had just pointed out the unnatural aspects of Kakuzu's body, yet Kakuzu appeared completely unbothered. Instead, he posed a seemingly unrelated question.
This abrupt change of pace piqued the man's curiosity. He wanted to know why Kakuzu had chosen this moment to confront him.
"Because…"
Swish!
Before the silver-haired man could process Kakuzu's words, the latter's legs tensed like coiled springs. In an instant, Kakuzu's body launched forward like a cannonball, leaving only a blurred black streak in the air.
The next moment, Kakuzu was already above the silver-haired man. Their distance closed to less than half a meter.
"Die!"
Kakuzu's roar erupted like a thunderclap, shaking the air. His fist, wrapped in an intense gale, came crashing down with overwhelming force.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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