However, just as Shiyu Uchiha was busy preparing for war, an unexpected event occurred. Due to certain transaction issues, the latest intelligence revealed by Hiruzen Sarutobi not only exposed Shiyu Uchiha's general whereabouts to that man Kakuzu, but even worse—he had also let slip that Shiyu was carrying an enormous sum of money.
Hiruzen's intention was to place Shiyu Uchiha in extreme danger through this information, because Kakuzu was a greedy and ruthless ninja who would certainly not miss such an opportunity to seize Shiyu's wealth.
For Kakuzu, a man who had always valued money above all else, this situation was undoubtedly irresistible. He immediately lost all self-control, rushing headlong toward Shiyu's location without hesitation.
The moment he laid eyes on Shiyu Uchiha, he launched an attack without hesitation. In truth, as Kakuzu approached, Shiyu had already sensed his presence and inwardly felt delighted, secretly thinking, "Didn't think I'd actually reel in such a big one!"
Full of confidence, he firmly believed that his own strength was more than sufficient to handle Kakuzu's challenge. Therefore, when Shiyu noticed that Kakuzu was about to strike, he quickly told the few men around him to fall back, then personally stepped forward to meet the enemy.
He activated his Mystic · Fire Release · Chakra Mode first, then his hands began forming hand seal in a unique rhythm. Soon after, he spat forth a roaring dragon of flames, which raced forward and collided violently—later launched but arriving first—with the streak of lightning Kakuzu had sent.
[Boom!] the two jutsu struck each other, producing a deafening sound and triggering a massive explosion that kicked up a storm of dust across the sky.
Both Shiyu Uchiha and Kakuzu were confident in their own Sensor Abilities, assuming that the rising dust would obscure their opponent's vision. Thus, both saw it as a perfect opportunity for an offensive move. Almost simultaneously, they launched forward toward each other.
Yet, they were not reckless men. Before moving, they both concealed their true selves first. Kakuzu chose to investigate using Earth Grudge Fear · Nature Masks—similar to clones—while Shiyu employed the Phantom Clone Technique, sending out a Phantom Clone ahead to scout.
At this moment, the Phantom Clone, further improved by Shiyu, had already achieved visual sharing. However, its visual capabilities were far inferior to the perception granted by Shiyu's Sharingan.
When the two clones collided, Shiyu's Phantom Clone displayed an extremely high level of realism, causing Kakuzu to misjudge its identity. His Earth Grudge Fear · Nature Mask immediately unleashed the Fire Release · "Headache" jutsu.
Shiyu's Phantom Clone moved like a ghost, silently weaving through the explosive aftermath of the jutsu without being affected in the slightest. This detail instantly made the experienced Kakuzu even more alert. However, despite his usual caution, Kakuzu didn't completely write off the clone. Instead, he became even more focused in tracking down Shiyu's real body.
After a short silence, Shiyu Uchiha quickly pinpointed Kakuzu's location by combining Phantom Clones with his Sensor Ninjutsu. One of the clones swiftly moved toward the target, without hesitation dashed through a Suiton: Suimakuzan (Water Release: Water Screen Pillar) and pressed tightly against Kakuzu.
As soon as Kakuzu assumed it was just another clone and started letting his guard down slightly, Shiyu Uchiha skillfully used [Phantom Substitution] to switch places with the clone. He then slashed with no mercy and accurately struck one of Kakuzu's masks, instantly shattering it.
Kakuzu was momentarily startled, but years of experience immediately kicked in and he calmed himself. He decided to use his signature tactic—pretending to be dead in order to launch a surprise attack.
However, to his astonishment, Shiyu Uchiha showed no hesitation in preparing to strike again, as if he had already seen through Kakuzu's trick completely. Facing such a sharp opponent, Kakuzu had no option but to ditch the plan.
Thanks to his exceptional reaction speed and acute sense of danger, Kakuzu rapidly extended tendrils from his Earth Grudge Fear at the last possible moment, barely blocking Shiyu Uchiha's attack before retreating at an astonishing speed.
As his assault was briefly stopped by Kakuzu's tendrils, Shiyu Uchiha swiftly formed hand seals. With quick movements, countless fireballs rained down like a meteor shower, chasing after the rapidly retreating Kakuzu. These blazing fireballs of Phoenix Sage Fire Technique carved scorching arcs through the air, carrying immense destructive power.
Meanwhile, Shiyu Uchiha also used an advanced technique he had long mastered—infusing Yin Release energy into his Fire Release—to create several unique fireballs. While these fireballs looked identical to regular ones on the surface, they actually contained far greater power. In Shiyu Uchiha's view, Kakuzu lacked his Insight and likely wouldn't detect them at all.
Seeing no chance to change direction and evade Shiyu Uchiha's jutsu, Kakuzu decisively chose to activate his most proficient Earth Release technique—[Earth Release: Earth Spear]. Instantly, his body became rock-solid and turned pitch black, like forged steel.
This defense might have been sufficient against ordinary Phoenix Sage Fire Technique attacks, even when enhanced by Shiyu Uchiha. However, facing a [Secret Jutsu] that combined both Fire Release and Yin Release, Kakuzu's Earth Spear proved inadequate.
Especially under Shiyu Uchiha's precise control, when those three special fireballs converged together, whirling like rotating Sharingan eyes, their power greatly amplified. Kakuzu felt a wave of searing heat strike his face, followed by intense pain.
Seriously wounded by Shiyu Uchiha's assault, he let out a stifled groan. Under this tremendous impact, one of Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear masks shattered completely, scattering across the ground in fragments.
Yet while defending, Kakuzu did not remain idle either. He promptly reacted and sent forth one of his Fire Release masks to counterattack from behind Shiyu Uchiha. Though it failed to injure the extremely quick and alert Shiyu Uchiha, it successfully interrupted his following fierce offensive.
Kakuzu's Fire Release Mask launched a fierce assault, aiming to overwhelm Shiyu Uchiha and create an opening for its main body.
However, Shiyu Uchiha would never let such a petty maneuver from his opponent succeed. He immediately employed the Shifting Body Technique, pushing his speed to the limit. In an instant, he closed the distance with Kakuzu's Fire Release Mask clone. Then, with his Seven Killings Blade Intent unleashed, he rained down a flurry of slashes. The Flaming Blade Variation shot forth, sweeping through all escape routes of the mask clone before obliterating it completely.
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