Kakuzu.
That name seemed to carry a certain weight.
The moment the Waterfall ninja heard their captain's command, they froze, stepping aside to make way for their towering comrade.
"We're Konoha shinobi," Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, trying to leverage Konoha's reputation to negotiate. "Konoha holds no hostility toward the Hidden Waterfall Village…"
"Kill them!"
But the Waterfall ninja didn't care about such formalities.
Having lived secluded in the mountains, they weren't intimidated by the concept of "great nations" or their villages. Their sole duty was to carry out the orders of their leader—even if that meant assassinating the Hokage himself. Taking down two Konoha kids? Nothing to fret over.
The group of Waterfall ninja charged toward Hiruzen and Danzō. At the same time, the one called Kakuzu broke off and sprinted directly at Emiya Shigen.
Why Kakuzu?
Because he was the strongest shinobi in the Hidden Waterfall Village.
For this reason, he was often tasked with handling the most dangerous assignments.
"Die," Kakuzu growled.
With incredible speed, he closed the gap, appearing behind Emiya Shigen in an instant. His kunai shot forward, aiming straight for Shigen's heart.
"Lord Emiya!"
Hiruzen felt a surge of fear.
Even Danzō, usually composed, was overcome with dread.
This had to be a joke.
Their mission had barely begun, and now it seemed like the sky was falling. Neither of them could imagine the consequences they'd face in Konoha if Emiya Shigen were killed under their protection.
Both boys fought desperately to push through the Waterfall ninja blocking their path, trying to reach Shigen.
However…
In this moment of chaos, Shigen remained unshaken.
In fact, he seemed entirely focused on something else, using the fleeting seconds of Kakuzu's attack to accept a sudden mission that had appeared on his system interface.
There wasn't much time.
The mission was unexpected, and Shigen wasn't sure if such an opportunity would arise again. Fortunately, his Edo Tensei state made him perfectly suited to complete it—especially since the mission reward promised the possibility of true immortality.
[Unfinished Request (3/3)]
[S-Rank Request: Demonstrate your immortality in front of Kakuzu.]
The moment Shigen accepted the mission, Kakuzu's kunai plunged into his heart.
This sight shocked everyone.
"Shigen…"
Hidden underground, Black Zetsu could hardly believe what it was witnessing.
"Is this a joke?"
From the forest, Uchiha Madara was equally stunned. He couldn't imagine Shigen being so powerless in the face of these Waterfall shinobi.
"Lord Emiya…"
For Hiruzen and Danzō, it felt like the world was collapsing.
"What's going on…"
Kakuzu himself hesitated, sensing something unusual. From Shigen's chest, where the kunai had struck, fine particles of gray dust began to swirl.
The next moment, a loud crack echoed through the air.
A figure clad in red armor descended from above.
"Get lost!"
Madara, realizing there was no point in staying hidden, kicked Kakuzu away and approached Shigen. His eyes scanned Shigen's body, observing the gray particles coalescing around the wound in his chest. Only when the particles fully restored Shigen's form did Madara finally relax.
It seemed Shigen wouldn't die after all.
Madara felt a small wave of relief, though it was accompanied by disdain for Tobirama Senju.
That scheming snake…
The Edo Tensei jutsu was truly vile. It condemned its victims to an existence where they could neither live nor die—a despicable and cruel state.
"That's…"
"Uchiha Madara!"
Danzō's exclamation echoed through the battlefield.
The sight of Madara left both Hiruzen and Danzō feeling as if the sky had truly fallen. Seeing him now was even worse than the fear they'd felt for Shigen.
"Is that really Madara?"
Even the Hidden Waterfall ninja, far removed from the shinobi world's great powers, recognized the infamous figure from the Warring States era. Fear and uncertainty flickered across their faces.
Since Madara's reappearance in Konoha, rumors of him being a rogue shinobi had spread throughout the ninja world. Though Konoha hadn't officially issued a bounty on him, his name alone was enough to strike fear into anyone's heart.
Aside from the First Hokage, who else could possibly defeat Uchiha Madara?
The Hidden Waterfall ninja's will to fight faltered.
"Fall back!"
Their leader shouted, signaling retreat while issuing Kakuzu his final orders: "Kakuzu, kill him! We'll leave this to you—don't forget to take care of those two brats as well!"
"Leaving their comrade behind to die? How shameless," Hiruzen muttered, appalled by their actions.
Even Danzō was shocked by the Hidden Waterfall ninja's blatant abandonment of their own. He had never seen anything like it. Since when did shinobi toss their teammates to the wolves to cover their own retreat?
Though, as he glanced toward Madara, Danzō realized that perhaps retreat wasn't such a bad idea.
"Danzō, we should go too…"
Danzō whispered to Hiruzen, pulling him closer. He suspected that the Anbu guarding the perimeter had been killed by Madara—leaving them without reinforcements.
Against someone like Madara, even the First Hokage had struggled. What could two Konoha genin possibly do? Surely, they had done all they could to protect Shigen.
"Hiruzen, let's retreat while we still can…"
Hiruzen hesitated.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu, left behind by his comrades, silently picked up his kunai.
The burly man stared at Madara with unwavering determination and charged forward, fully prepared to give his life for his mission.
"You…"
Madara was momentarily taken aback by Kakuzu's resolve.
Was this man a fool?
Couldn't he see that his comrades had abandoned him?
Did he not realize he was being sent to die?
Kakuzu's expression didn't falter. Gritting his teeth, he lunged at Madara with his kunai. In a flash, Madara caught his wrist with one hand.
CRACK!
Madara twisted Kakuzu's wrist, snapping it with ease. The kunai fell from his grip.
Yet Kakuzu didn't relent. Ignoring the pain, he swung his leg toward Madara in a desperate kick.
CRACK!
Madara broke his leg just as easily.
The gap between them was insurmountable. Whether in strength or combat experience, Kakuzu was no match for Madara. Gripping Kakuzu by the throat, Madara prepared to end his life.
But before he could, Emiya Shigen's calm voice interrupted him.
"Killing someone in front of a medical ninja dishonors our path as shinobi. Is there anything I can do to convince you to spare his life?"
"…"
Madara turned, confusion flickering in his eyes as he looked at Shigen.
"…"
Even Kakuzu seemed more baffled than before. His gaze questioned not only why Shigen was still alive but also why he would plead for him.
"Lord Emiya!"
Hiruzen's voice broke with relief.
"Danzō!"
Danzō quickly grabbed his friend's arm, urging him to stay calm. He knew Madara could kill them both in an instant.
"Hmph…"
Madara released Kakuzu's throat with a sneer.
To him, both Kakuzu and the Waterfall ninja were mere pawns in his plan to gauge Shigen's temperament. Their lives were inconsequential.
Besides, sparing Kakuzu now might even earn him something useful from Shigen.
"…"
Kakuzu struggled to his feet, his body battered and broken. Without a word, he began to limp away. His pride had been crushed—not just by the fight but also by the betrayal of his comrades.
Perhaps…
For a shinobi, survival was only as meaningful as the mission they served.
"Wait," Shigen called out suddenly.
"…"
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Your injuries," Shigen said, his expression calm and emotionless. The pale, lifeless quality of his Edo Tensei body only made his words seem more profound.
Standing in the fading sunlight, Shigen's figure appeared almost saintly.
"Leaving an injured man untreated in the presence of a medical ninja would be shameful, wouldn't it?"