"Boss, how'd you do that?" Hidan gasped, breathlessly demanding an explanation. Every eye turned to Kai, a palpable urgency in the air. They'd witnessed a jutsu that not only perfectly replicated an opponent's appearance but also copied their fighting style and techniques—a complete paradigm shift in their understanding of ninjutsu.
"Remember the jutsu I bought from Konan for fifty million ryō?" Kai smirked, a playful glint in his eyes.
The Mirror Self-Assault Technique was the advanced sealing jutsu from the Uzumaki clan, as Konan had mentioned. Ordinary shinobi would spend years studying it; even Nagato, an Uzumaki himself, couldn't fully grasp it before awakening the Rinnegan. But for Kai, with his instant max-level system, mastering it was a mere thought away.
The only regret Kai felt was the Uchiha clan's inherent weakness compared to the Uzumaki. Without the Sharingan's chakra reserves, Sasuke in the original story would have likely been exhausted before his fight with Naruto. This limitation meant Kai could only perfectly replicate one of the Third Raikage's attacks.
"Looks like the Boss anticipated everything," Kakuzu said flatly, though the shock in his eyes was undeniable. He knew he wouldn't stand a chance against that technique. Fighting yourself? The concept was absurd.
"We're not far from the battlefield. Let's rest and then continue," Kai said calmly. "Sasori's injured, and the others are worn out. Let's regroup near Konoha."
Kakuzu and Hidan had no objections. Sasori's eyes burned with anticipation. Having secured the Third Raikage's body, he'd sealed the heart before the life force completely dissipated. With enough time, he was confident he could create a new puppet, surpassing even his Third Kazekage puppet.
"Boss, what about this brat?" Hidan's gaze fell on Deidara, a hint of amusement in his cruel expression. "Couldn't curse the lightning geezer, so let's show this kid the Jashin curse and let him taste fear."
Deidara, still processing the Mirror Self-Assault Technique, snapped back to reality.
"This Iwagakure Explosion Release brat is worth five thousand ryō on the black market—enough for this month's food," Kakuzu added coldly.
A chill ran down Deidara's spine. For a month's worth of food, they'd kill a genius? It was brutally efficient. A sacrifice to their cause?
Deidara felt a wave of despair as he checked his empty clay pouches and his nearly depleted chakra. He took a step back from their menacing gazes. "Don't come closer! I called for—"
"Called?"
Kai rolled his eyes. "Want to join us?" He slapped Deidara on the back of the head.
Sasori and the others were taken aback. Was it appropriate to treat a seven or eight-year-old so casually?
"Boss, inviting a kid who still wets the bed will lower our team's standards," Hidan complained. "And I still want to use my curse!"
Kakuzu remained silent. As the first to join Kai, he'd witnessed every recruitment. Initially, he'd questioned Kai's choices, but witnessing their diverse skills and power had earned his trust.
"I agree. His future achievements will be significant," Sasori said unexpectedly.
Even Deidara looked surprised, his gaze lingering on Sasori before falling into contemplation.
Kai smiled. "It's late. Let's go."
"Leaving already?" Deidara was startled. "Aren't you recruiting me?" He considered himself a genius, a star in his village. Being ignored was a significant blow to his ego.
"I am recruiting you, but I didn't say I'd wait for you," Kai said, rolling his eyes. "Do I need to carry you in a palanquin?"
"I don't have that kind of time."
Kai turned and left, Hidan and Kakuzu following swiftly. Deidara, furious, stamped his foot and chased after them.
"Couldn't you have invited me again? Even half an invitation would have been nice! What about a welcome ceremony? Any joining gifts?!"
His questions echoed through the forest. If Iwagakure knew their prized Explosion Release ninja had been so easily recruited, they would be furious.
Meanwhile, Ōnoki was still shaken in the battle ruins, searching for clues.
"Any leads?" Ōnoki asked, overlooking the devastated landscape. The Third Raikage, intending to attack the jinchuriki, had been discovered by Ōnoki. After a fierce battle, the Raikage had held the rearguard, killing hundreds of Iwagakure ninjas and injuring thousands. They'd planned to ambush him at the border with the Land of Hot Water, but he'd disappeared. Then, they'd witnessed the Raikage fighting himself and killing himself.
The Third Shinobi World War had begun because of the Third Kazekage's disappearance. Iwagakure, already weakened by Kai at the Kannabi Bridge, was now facing another crisis. They couldn't tell Kumogakure that the Raikage had killed himself.
"We found something, sir. Besides the Third Raikage, someone else was present," a sensor ninja reported.
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