Five or six hearts inside one body, feeding on others' blood—turning into a cold-blooded, heartless killer. Shigeo had no intention of becoming such a monster.
"Whoa, what is that thing? So fast, so dark!" Shigeo shouted as he ran, dodging the black Jiongu tendrils pursuing him, aimed for his vital points.
He leapt and twisted, nimble and agile, occasionally unleashing a Fire Release attack that even made Kakuzu's expression change. This kid was truly remarkable.
In no time, they had covered dozens of miles. Shigeo's speed kept increasing, while Kakuzu grew more strained. Looking up, the forest had swallowed the boy—he was nowhere in sight.
Kakuzu stopped, scanning the area warily. "Shigeo Hyuga… I hear you abandoned Konoha. You must have suffered much there. Perhaps you have nowhere to go. Come with me. Today's events—consider it a chance encounter. I'll take you to meet our leader. With your abilities, I'm certain he'll like you."
The boy had clearly evaded him, despite Kakuzu being an elite with five hearts. He could sense the child's potential and cleverness. This was no ordinary chase.
"You despise this world, don't you?" Kakuzu's voice was cold, low, as if narrating events unrelated to himself. "A bloody, ruthless world… even a child like you would be turned into a weapon. Do you hate it?"
"Do you wish to change it? Join us. If you agree, not only will we leave your treasure, but we'll also reward you handsomely."
No reply. Kakuzu scanned the area, sensing the boy nearby. He almost doubted the boy had escaped.
A crow suddenly took flight from the forest. Kakuzu's black tendrils shot out, impaling the bird instantly, before he turned back toward the child.
"Not bad hearing!" Shigeo laughed, thrilled at encountering Kakuzu—the infamous member of the Immortal Duo. His mood brightened despite the previous threats.
He darted through the forest with unprecedented speed, his joy making his movements unpredictable. Kakuzu, usually calculating, was momentarily disoriented. Shigeo even slapped him across the face, leaving Kakuzu stunned—at eighty-some years old, this was his first time being slapped by a child.
"Damn you! Jiongu Fist!"
Kakuzu's black tendrils erupted, forming multiple fists aimed directly at Shigeo's chest. His years of combat experience told him he must secure the boy's heart at all costs.
The fight escalated; Kakuzu twisted, tentacles striking and blocking. At the critical moment, a tendril lunged for the chest—but… the attack hit nothing.
The boy had used a Wood Clone!
"Wood Release?" Kakuzu furrowed his brows, memories flooding back. Once, as an elite Konoha shinobi, he had been defeated by Wood Release, an event that had changed his life forever.
Years later, he acquired the Jiongu technique and harvested hearts for his own use. Yet the sight of Wood Release now reignited his ambition: obtaining a shinobi with Wood Release's power could rival Hashirama Senju himself.
"Shigeo Hyuga, you won't hide anymore. I see you!" Kakuzu's deep voice carried a lethal promise—this boy's heart would be his ultimate prize.
Shigeo descended, lightning crackling in his hand. "Lightning Release: Heavenly Thunder!"
Kakuzu countered. "Lightning Release: Dark Subterfuge!"
A massive bolt shot toward Shigeo's airborne form, meant to intercept him at all costs.
But Shigeo was prepared. "Crystal Release…!" A red crystal barrier blocked the incoming lightning. Simultaneously, Wood Release activated. "Silent Binding Technique!"
Huge wooden branches erupted from the ground. Kakuzu turned to escape, but the sudden emergence of Earth Release trapped his ankles in mud…
(End of Chapter)
[50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[10 Reviews = 5 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]