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Sasame wore a mask, using the identity of Kishi. This was mainly for Konan. If he revealed his identity as the Hokage, some things would be impossible to carry out. For example, the idea he had before: lending money to the Akatsuki to drive them, and in doing so, earn more Destiny Value.
As for Konan. He had once thought of using Kotoamatsukami to control her. But that would lessen the fun. Moreover, with Nagato's Rinnegan, Kotoamatsukami would be too easily detected. Unless there was a way to keep Konan away from him for a long time. But that was difficult.
Sasame's appearance elicited different reactions from the four people. Ao had seen him wearing a mask before, so he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Sasame's strength was definitely capable of turning the tide. After all, the previous Yagura Karatachi's Three-Tails crisis was resolved by him.
Zabuza Momochi hadn't seen him before, but seeing him transport the injured from the Hidden Mist Village, it was clear he was one of their own. Hidan and Kakuzu noticed his actions and realized he was enemy reinforcement. Their expressions simultaneously showed a hint of vigilance. But Hidan had no time for excessive thought, as he was in a fierce clash with Zabuza Momochi, even at a disadvantage.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist all had a common characteristic: exquisite swordsmanship. Hidan was far inferior. But that wasn't a major problem. He just needed to obtain blood. However, the problem lay precisely there. Zabuza Momochi was an experienced ninja. He had witnessed Hidan's sacrifice ritual before, so he was very cautious. Facing Hidan's suicidal fighting style, he fully utilized the advantages of his Kubikiribōchō to suppress him from a distance. So far, he hadn't even been injured.
On the other side, Kakuzu dealt with Ao quite easily. His experience and strength completely overwhelmed Ao, making the fight naturally advantageous. Although Kakuzu was jokingly said to have thrown a shuriken at the First Hokage from 800 li away, his true strength was extremely formidable. In the original story, he could perfectly suppress Kakashi Hatake, who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. If not for Naruto Uzumaki's intervention, he might have been completely finished. Even so, many people believed Kakuzu died due to a "plot kill." So fighting Ao was truly no pressure. However, he couldn't help Konan stop Mei Terumi. After all, the new Mizukage was not weak. But he believed in Konan's strength; she wouldn't be unable to defeat Mei Terumi.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed slightly; he even temporarily ignored Ao. Sasame's appearance reminded him of Konan's earlier warning that there was a Wood Release ninja in the Hidden Mist Village. Could it be him? Kakuzu wasn't interested in other ninjas, but he couldn't miss Wood Release. This was because he had fought the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and survived. Wood Release had left a deep impression on him. At the same time, it was his inner demon, constantly bothering him. Obito Uchiha had Wood Release, but he was currently behind the scenes, so Kakuzu didn't know about it. When Sasame became Hokage, he also revealed Wood Release, but that was Konoha Village. Kakuzu didn't dare to break in, so he had been waiting. Now, with another opportunity, he immediately became eager.
"You must be that Wood Release ninja, right?" Kakuzu unzipped his cloak, revealing his stitched upper body. Ao's strength wasn't enough to make him use his secret technique, Jiongu. But Wood Release, he would respect.
"I am," Sasame nodded in acknowledgment.
"Very good!" Kakuzu's lips curved into a smile, and his tone rose considerably. Firstly, it was due to his obsession. Secondly, he could get a new heart.
"Let me see how your Wood Release compares to the First Hokage's," Kakuzu said calmly. "I hope you don't disappoint me."
"Oh? You mean you've fought the First Hokage?" Sasame asked, suppressing a chuckle.
"Indeed," Kakuzu said with some pride. "And I got out alive." This matter was a disgrace to him. But to outsiders, it was a rare honor.
"Amazing, truly amazing," Sasame clapped his hands. Kakuzu immediately frowned. He naturally heard the mockery in Sasame's tone. In other words, he probably didn't believe him. Kakuzu's face darkened, and he formed hand seals.
Jiongu Mode!
Countless black threads emerged from his back, forming a humanoid monster.
"Watch out!" Ao's face showed horror. He hadn't expected that Kakuzu still had reservations during their previous fight. Hidan, seeing this, became even more excited. With Jiongu active, Kakuzu could help him stitch up his wounds.
Suddenly, Zabuza Momochi felt increased pressure.
"Zabuza, don't let him get your blood," Sasame warned. "Otherwise, he'll draw a circle and curse you."
"How do you know?!" Hidan's ferocious face suddenly froze, then erupted in rage. "Bastard! I'll definitely sacrifice you to Lord Jashin!"
Sasame's words made Zabuza Momochi even more cautious.
"Hmph, you still have time to care about others?" Kakuzu's face showed chilling murderous intent. "You underestimate me too much!"
Lightning Release: False Darkness!
His lightning mask floated up, opening its mouth towards Sasame. In an instant, lightning flashed brilliantly, illuminating the surrounding space. A colossal spear of lightning shot out at extreme speed.
Sage Art: Wood Release: Wood Golem Barrier!
Sasame casually slammed his palm down, and a row of wooden pillars rose, curving into a wooden wall that blocked his path. The lightning spear struck the wooden wall, and then nothing happened. Kakuzu raised an eyebrow. Each of his hearts possessed a corresponding ninjutsu. This ninjutsu's power was comparable to a forbidden jutsu. Lightning Release: False Darkness possessed extremely powerful piercing and destructive capabilities. Being easily blocked like this showed that Sasame's Wood Release was not bad. But instead of being afraid, he was excited.
"Interesting," Kakuzu revealed a cruel smile. "But your Wood Release is still quite inferior to the First Hokage's." After speaking, he formed hand seals. Two masks immediately emerged from his left and right shoulders, representing Fire Release and Wind Release.
Compound Release: Fierce Wind Violent Waves!
Both masks opened their mouths simultaneously. Fire, boosted by the wind, gained even greater power. In front of Kakuzu, flames several meters high rose. Then, a highly compressed wind sphere exploded at the center, causing the flames to rise even higher, forming a tornado. Amidst various strange sounds, the buildings on both sides were the first to give way. Under the high temperature, they turned into dust and scattered in all directions. Even Zabuza Momochi and Hidan were affected and had to retreat. In a blink of an eye, a sea of fire lay directly in front of Sasame. Like waves, it rolled in layers, exuding a terrifying momentum.
Sasame calmly raised his arm.
Sage Art: Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!
Chakra rapidly converged, transforming into countless vines from his arm, soaring directly over the sea of fire.
"What?!" Kakuzu was truly shocked this time. His compound ninjutsu's power far surpassed his Five Elemental Release. He was confident that even the Five Kage couldn't have handled it so easily. What's more, such a high-temperature flame had no effect on Wood Release? He had no time to think and formed hand seals again. The Wind Release, Fire Release, and Lightning Release masks all opened their mouths. This was his ultimate killing move: a composite ninjutsu of three elements. After a brief charge, a chakra cannon formed from the three chakra natures roared out. Wherever it passed, the sea of fire parted. Soon, it collided with the surging vines.
Boom!
A violent explosion occurred between the two. Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. The power is actually this great? The Wood Release Sasame used was clearly not a major technique, only a minor ninjutsu. Yet he had already exposed his ultimate ninjutsu. The explosion created a wave. Lightning, wind, fire, and wood—various chakras mixed together. It made it difficult for Kakuzu to see the situation clearly.
The next moment. A giant vine emerged from behind him, quickly entangling him.
Sage Art: Wood Release: Silent Assassination Bind!
Kakuzu reacted quickly.
Earth Release: Earth Spear!
His arms turned black, and his entire skin entered a hardened state. In the original work, this was his own ninjutsu, capable of resisting explosive tags and easily knocking down a wall. Both in defense and offense, it was quite formidable. As the vine wrapped around him, he exerted all his strength, and Jiongu extended countless black threads. But his expected escape did not occur; instead, he sank deeper, completely unable to move. He couldn't even speak. This was because the Wood Release: Silent Assassination Bind possessed a silencing effect. Kakuzu's eyes widened. He had never imagined this situation. Three ordinary Wood Release ninjutsu had caused his crushing defeat. And it wasn't even an ambush. Sasame had squarely broken his killing move. If Sasame used stronger Wood Release ninjutsu, would it mean he couldn't even withstand one attack? This made him think of the First Hokage. He would say he had fought him, but in reality, he was constantly taking hits. It was only because Hashirama Senju had no killing intent that he managed to escape. Now, he felt that sensation again. Damn it! Where did this guy come from?
Kakuzu's defeat stunned Hidan. He knew his teammate's strength quite well. In the entire ninja world, there were almost no ninjas who could defeat him. Yet he was captured in less than a minute. It was simply unbelievable. Absurd! Hidan's heart sank. This situation was quite troublesome now. He wanted to leave, but it was difficult. Fortunately, he had an immortal body, so even if he was thoroughly defeated, it wasn't a big problem.
As he pondered, he suddenly noticed something amiss and quickly turned his head. In the air, a black rod was flying towards him. A sense of crisis abruptly arose in Hidan's heart. Just because of this ordinary black rod? Although he didn't understand, he followed his instincts and blocked it with his Triple-Bladed Scythe.
"How is that possible?!" Hidan's eyes widened in horror as he watched his weapon being pierced instantly. The black rod then spun, emitting an aura that seemed to obliterate everything. Centered on the wound, cracks spread outwards. In a blink of an eye, the Triple-Bladed Scythe shattered like glass, scattering into countless fragments. But the black rod, or rather, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, continued its momentum, easily plunging into Hidan's body. A sharp pain emerged.
"Ahhh!" Hidan screamed. The Ruyi Jingu Bang rapidly expanded, transforming into a Truth-Seeking Orb, engulfing him. This weapon was forged by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. It was not a simple Truth-Seeking Orb, but a greatly expanded Truth-Seeking Orb. The official Book of Formations described it thus: One, it seals the power of all creation, summoning a chaotic black sphere. Two, it can annihilate all natures, reducing the world to nothingness, and is also the starting point of new space. It was a power belonging to a Bloodline Limit. Hidan had merely received a curse from Jashin, a local deity of the ninja world. And such a deity was a defeated subordinate of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. Sasame, now in a period of intense favor, received a weapon that was naturally not ordinary, but top-tier. Therefore, Hidan was thoroughly devastated. Under the attack of the expanded Truth-Seeking Orb, he, along with his Triple-Bladed Scythe, directly vanished into thin air.
Zabuza Momochi and Ao, seeing this, were both surprised by the Ruyi's power. But they didn't know about Hidan's immortality, so they weren't as shocked. Kakuzu, however, was completely dumbfounded. He knew Hidan's abilities quite well. Even with his head detached, he would be bouncing around. At his most exaggerated, even if he were torn into four pieces, he would still be alive. Kakuzu himself had no good way to deal with him. But Sasame had so easily eliminated him.
Oh no!
This might be trouble. Kakuzu could only pray that Konan's side would have a good outcome. Given her personality, she would probably try to save him, right? There wasn't much affection between the Akatsuki members. They only got together for various strange reasons. Although Konan was somewhat better than the other members, Kakuzu wasn't sure she would save him. However, he was the Akatsuki's best money-maker. And he had given Konan quite a lot. For the sake of money, perhaps there was hope. Besides, he had Jiongu. Sasame probably didn't know the secret technique's effect. He would only die if all five of his hearts were crushed. Therefore, although Kakuzu was worried, he could still barely maintain his composure. Furthermore, with his personality, he wouldn't beg for mercy.
"You two go save the Fourth Mizukage," Sasame casually ordered. "I'll go help the Fifth Mizukage." Zabuza Momochi and Ao both nodded upon hearing this. Sasame's power had already impressed them. Although he was an outsider, they still obeyed his command.
Sasame gestured, and the vines, as if sentient, bound Kakuzu and followed behind him. Konan had already reached Yagura Karatachi's room, but Mei Terumi's appearance foiled her plans. And what surprised her most was that this new Mizukage was no weaker than her. For a moment, they were at a stalemate. Konan could only temporarily give up on Yagura Karatachi and focus on fighting Mei Terumi. However, she didn't leave. Because she believed that with Kakuzu's and Hidan's strength, dealing with Zabuza Momochi and Ao wouldn't be a problem. When the two of them arrived, Yagura Karatachi would still not escape his fate.
But when Sasame and Kakuzu appeared, Konan's expression suddenly changed. A mask and vines. It was the Wood Release ninja that Madara Uchiha spoke of. She hadn't expected him to actually appear. And in just a few minutes, he had captured Kakuzu alive? She couldn't even do that. More accurately, she might not even be able to defeat Kakuzu.
In contrast, Mei Terumi. A smile involuntarily appeared on her exquisite face. Her previously worried mood immediately turned joyful. Because she knew the battle was decided. Konan created some distance between them. Fighting further was meaningless. She felt a little regretful at this moment; she should have brought two more people. But who could have predicted that this Wood Release ninja would be so troublesome? At the same time, Mei Terumi's strength also exceeded her expectations. If she could capture this Mizukage, the situation would be different.
However, it wasn't entirely bad. She still had contingency plans. Firstly, her numerous explosive tags. Secondly, White Zetsu was nearby. Unless this Wood Release ninja was a reborn Hashirama Senju, he probably couldn't stop her. The only pity was that Kakuzu couldn't escape.
"Wood Release is truly as formidable as its reputation," Konan said calmly, recovering.
"Saying that now is useless," Mei Terumi snorted softly. "I advise you to surrender, lest you become too disheveled." Konan was one of the few strong female ninja. After their fight, Mei Terumi actually found herself admiring her a little. Her strength was indeed not bad. Konan glanced at her, said nothing, then turned to Sasame and asked, "Are you interested in joining our organization?" He could defeat Kakuzu, so his strength was certainly sufficient. Most importantly, Madara Uchiha disliked him. Perhaps that could cause infighting between the two. Then, she wouldn't have to waste explosive tags on him. As for this Wood Release ninja having impure motives, that didn't matter. Which member of Akatsuki was loyal anyway? None. Anyway, in the eyes of their god, everything was fleeting. The god was a god because he possessed power unmatched by ordinary ninjas.
"???" Mei Terumi's face was full of question marks. You've fought to this extent, and you still have the audacity to invite Sasame? She couldn't understand. This behavior, to use an analogy. It was like her inviting Konan to join the Hidden Mist Village right now. Would she dare? No. Because Konan's background was unknown, and her motives were unclear. Letting her join the Hidden Mist Village would only backfire. Was this organization always so bold? Did they not inquire about Sasame's background?He's the Hokage, after all.
Sasame was a little surprised, but not by much. This indeed matched Nagato's personality. As long as someone was strong, he would accept them without hesitation.
"I killed Hidan," Sasame said softly.
Hidan's dead? Konan was even more surprised. Although she didn't like Hidan, his immortality was indeed very difficult to deal with. It had remarkable effects in many situations. Sasame actually had a way to deal with him?
"That's fine," Konan said indifferently. "In our organization, strength is respected. It doesn't matter if the weak die."
"Sounds pretty good," Sasame said with a smile.
"You..." Mei Terumi wanted to speak but held back.
"Aren't you afraid I have other motives?" Sasame glanced at Mei Terumi and asked.
"I believe everyone will be won over by our organization's ultimate goal," Konan's tone was flat. This was clearly a lie. She herself didn't believe in the so-called Infinite Tsukuyomi. Her and Nagato's goal was not to cast a genjutsu; they wanted to cultivate peace through pain, using the Tailed Beasts as weapons to deter everyone, so they wouldn't dare to start wars again. This method was actually quite good. Unfortunately, he encountered Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu. He was destined to be a pawn for others. Nagato believed he awakened the Rinnegan himself, that he was the second Sage of Six Paths, capable of bringing peace to the ninja world. But his god was fake.
"In that case, I'll join your organization as an undercover agent," Sasame said unceremoniously.
"Welcome," Konan showed no reaction even after hearing the words "undercover agent." In her eyes, all members were merely tools. Besides, the Akatsuki probably had many undercover agents already.
Mei Terumi frowned. What's going on? Your organization is so casual? But she also understood Sasame's purpose: to infiltrate this mysterious organization and gather more intelligence.
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