Kakuzu.
The name alone seemed to carry immense weight.
At the sound of their captain's command, the Takigakure ninja froze, watching as a tall, burly figure stepped forward.
"We are Konoha ninjas," young Sarutobi Hiruzen said, stepping forward with courage, hoping the reputation of Konoha would give them some leverage. "Konoha has no hostility towards Takigakure…"
"Kill them!"
The Takigakure ninjas didn't hesitate.
Living deep in the mountains, they cared little for the prestige of great ninja villages. Their only duty was to follow their leader's orders—even if it meant assassinating the Hokage or two young Konoha ninjas.
As a group of Takigakure ninja charged at Hiruzen and Danzo, Kakuzu, singled out by the captain, rushed straight toward Emiya Shihara.
It was well-known—Kakuzu was the strongest of Takigakure.
He was always sent to handle the most dangerous assignments.
"Die…"
Kakuzu gripped his kunai tightly. In an instant, he appeared behind Emiya Shihara, thrusting the weapon toward his heart.
"Emiya-sama!"
Fear surged through Hiruzen's chest. Young Danzo's eyes widened in horror. Their mission had only just begun! The thought of facing questioning—or punishment—if Shihara Emiya died was unbearable.
Desperately, the two tried to rush forward, but Takigakure ninja blocked their path.
Still…
Emiya Shihara remained calm. He moved with precise timing, even accepting a new mission request on his ninja system dashboard.
Time was critical. This request had come unexpectedly, and opportunities like this were rare. His Impure World Reincarnation state made him perfect for completing such a mission—potentially gaining something truly immortal.
[Uncompleted Requests (3/3)]
[S-Rank Request: Demonstrate Immortality in Front of Kakuzu]
Even as Kakuzu's kunai pierced him, the scene stunned everyone.
"Emiya…"
Black Zetsu, hidden underground, could hardly believe it.
Uchiha Madara, watching from the forest, was equally astonished. How could Emiya Shihara appear so defenseless against these Takigakure ninja?
Kakuzu, realizing something was off, saw the dust and debris beginning to swirl around Shihara Emiya.
Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed!
A figure in red plate armor descended from the sky.
"Get out of here!"
Uchiha Madara had enough of hiding. He kicked Kakuzu away and carefully observed Emiya Shihara.
When he saw the debris gathering around Shihara Emiya's heart, he finally relaxed. It seemed Shihara would not die.
Internally, Madara scorned Senju Tobirama. The techniques he had invented left those resurrected in a liminal state—neither fully alive nor dead.
"That's…"
"Uchiha Madara!"
Danzo's voice exploded. Seeing Madara appear was worse than Shihara Emiya dying! Hiruzen and Danzo felt as if the sky itself had fallen.
"Is that really Uchiha Madara?"
Even the Takigakure ninjas, deep in the mountains, recognized the legendary figure from the Warring States era. Fear overtook them. Since Madara's supposed death, rumors had spread across the ninja world. He was labeled a traitor—but Konoha never issued a wanted order.
Except for the First Hokage, no one could kill Uchiha Madara.
The Takigakure ninja's morale dropped instantly upon seeing him. What if Madara killed someone without a second thought?
"Kakuzu!"
"Kill him!"
The captain commanded Kakuzu to attack Madara, then quickly led the rest of the team in retreat. "We'll withdraw! The leader's mission is yours. Don't forget to eliminate the two Konoha teams!"
"Abandoning your companions? How shameless!"
Hiruzen was stunned. Even Danzo had never witnessed such recklessness—leaving comrades behind in danger.
But perhaps they were right to retreat.
Danzo realized why the ANBU on the perimeter hadn't stopped the Takigakure ninjas. Perhaps Madara had already eliminated them. Without help, neither Hiruzen nor Danzo could face Madara. Even the First Hokage could not kill him. Their duty was merely to protect Shihara Emiya.
"Hiruzen, it's time to retreat…" Danzo whispered.
Hiruzen hesitated.
Yet, Kakuzu ignored everything. He gripped his kunai and charged at Madara, as if he had no regard for his life or the betrayal of his companions.
"You fool…"
Madara was surprised by Kakuzu's audacity. "Are you insane?"
Could he not see his allies had abandoned him? Did he not know his captain was sending him to die?
Kakuzu's resolve did not waver. He swung his kunai, but Madara grabbed his wrist in a single motion.
Snap!
Madara twisted it, breaking Kakuzu's wrist. The kunai fell to the ground.
Kakuzu kicked in defiance—Snap! One leg was broken.
The gap between them was insurmountable. Strength and experience favored Madara overwhelmingly. He raised a hand to crush Kakuzu's neck.
Then, Emiya Shihara's calm voice cut through the tension:
"Killing someone in front of a medical ninja is a blasphemy against our way. Is there anything I can do for you? Can I spare his life?"
Madara glanced at Shihara Emiya, puzzled. Kakuzu's eyes widened in disbelief—why was he still alive?
"Emiya-sama!" Hiruzen's heart leaped.
Danzo grabbed Hiruzen's sleeve, urging caution. Madara could kill them all in an instant.
Madara released Kakuzu with a smirk. To him, the Takigakure ninja were mere tools—a test of Shihara Emiya's character. Their lives meant nothing.
Kakuzu limped away, humiliated and abandoned. Perhaps the meaning of being a ninja was simply to fulfill the leader's mission.
"Wait…" Shihara Emiya called softly.
Everyone froze.
"Your injury," Emiya Shihara said, expressionless, his face dirtied and weathered. Yet in the setting sun, his presence seemed almost sacred. "It would be inappropriate to let a wounded person leave without treatment in front of a medical ninja."
Even Takigakure felt a twinge of regret for Kakuzu.
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