An imperfect Wind Release: Rasenshuriken carved out a massive crater in an instant, flattening both the blockers and the pursuers at once.
When the violent storm finally subsided, Shawn's true body emerged calmly and strolled out of Takigakure.
By the time the Takigakure leader arrived with reinforcements, all they could do was stare in shock at the devastation near the village gates.
Under the cover of night, Shawn glanced back at Takigakure, then looked down at the scroll in his hand and chuckled.
"Not a wasted trip, after all."
This was the scroll he had grabbed right as he was discovered—taken along without a second thought.
Earth Release: Earth Spear (Domu).
A B-rank Earth Release technique, combining offense and defense.
Once activated, it hardened the user's skin, turning them into a living weapon. At full strength, even exploding tags could barely scratch it.
Shawn remembered clearly how Kakuzu had once displayed terrifying durability with this technique—until it was pierced by Chidori.
After storing the scroll, Shawn created another Wood Release clone to lure any potential pursuers, while his real body merged into a nearby tree to hide.
However, his caution proved unnecessary.
Takigakure didn't pursue at all.
After waiting half an hour, Shawn stepped out of the tree with a blank expression and set off toward the Daimyō's residence of the Land of Waterfall.
As dawn broke, Shawn arrived outside the Waterfall Daimyō's compound.
He left behind clones to continue training, then rested until noon before entering the lively capital district.
Although he already had intelligence on the assassination target, Shawn personally reconfirmed everything.
Compared to previous operations, this assassination was far simpler.
The target's defenses were weak, and Shawn's mastery of Wood Release had grown far more refined.
Under the cover of night, without alerting a single soul, Shawn slit the target's throat and left unhurriedly.
Returning to his temporary campsite outside the capital, he released more clones for training and pondered:
"Should I keep searching for Kakuzu… and try my luck?"
Even with an incomplete Rasenshuriken, Shawn still lacked confidence.
Five elemental releases, immense combat experience—
Kakuzu wasn't someone you killed with a single technique.
"Let fate decide."
Shawn sighed, relaxing completely.
Sleep.
He slept until noon.
Leaving six clones behind to continue training, Shawn departed the Land of Waterfall and reached a small town in the Land of Rivers by the next day's noon.
There was a bounty exchange here.
Of course, Shawn hadn't come specifically for Kakuzu—there was simply a convenient target.
A minor noble of the Land of Rivers.
Under the cover of darkness, Shawn eliminated the noble, then discovered a hidden passage inside the latrine that led directly into the exchange.
It was both a money exchange and a bounty hub.
Even Konoha regularly posted bounties here.
Including one for Kakuzu.
Shawn wasn't here to wait for prey.
He came to post a bounty.
100,000 ryō for information on Kakuzu's whereabouts.
The money came straight from the recently assassinated noble.
The attendant registered the request calmly and said,
"We'll spread this task to every exchange immediately and notify all bounty hunters."
Shawn nodded lightly. "I'll be waiting."
He turned and left.
After Shawn departed, the attendant glanced at the bounty form, then formed hand seals and summoned a hawk. A note was tied to its leg before it took flight.
Outside the exchange, Shawn paused and glanced back.
In his mind surfaced the fleeting microexpression the attendant had shown when registering the bounty.
It was subtle—almost imperceptible.
But with dual consciousness, Shawn noticed it.
Or rather… he sensed it.
Something felt off.
Not fully certain, Shawn chose a nearby location to continue training.
At the very least, he needed to make full use of the remaining days.
As for Kakuzu—
He'd leave it to luck.
In a valley outside the town, Shawn settled down temporarily.
This time, he assigned one clone to train Earth Release: Earth Spear.
Time passed quickly in monotony.
Two days vanished in the blink of an eye.
Only one day remained before the seven-day limit ended.
Shawn returned to the bounty exchange.
To his surprise, there was a response.
"Your luck is quite good," the attendant said with a smile.
"The information just arrived. If you move quickly, you should still make it."
Shawn showed no reaction, memorized the intel, paid the remainder, and left immediately.
The location pointed to another small town in the Land of Rivers—about half an hour away at ninja speed.
After reaching the town, Shawn hid his real body and sent in a Wood Release clone instead.
"Tianhe Inn… this is the place."
He looked at the signboard and stepped inside.
"…Hm?"
The moment he entered, a figure wearing a conical hat looked up.
That person—
Kakuzu.
The instant the thought formed, Shawn leapt backward.
"So it really was you who's been looking for me."
The man followed him out, removed his hat, and revealed his true face—
A masked Kakuzu.
Shawn said calmly, "So you provided your own information?"
"Confident."
Kakuzu replied flatly, "Likewise."
"You knew I'm S-rank, yet you still came alone."
Shawn was not wearing Root gear, appearing as a normal sixteen-year-old. To Kakuzu, he looked absurdly young.
"Since we've met," Kakuzu continued, staring at him,
"you might as well tell me who you are."
Shawn smiled.
"When you're dying, I'll tell you."
"Oh?"
Kakuzu raised an eyebrow. "Sharp tongue. Let's see if your skills match it."
He lunged.
Shawn met him head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Barehanded blows collided. Screams erupted around them as civilians scattered through the streets.
After only a few exchanges, Kakuzu found an opening and kicked Shawn squarely—
BOOM!
Shawn was sent flying, crashing into a building.
But the next instant, he tore through the smoke and dust, retreating at high speed toward the outskirts of town.
Kakuzu snorted and leapt onto the rooftops, giving chase.
The two left the town in moments, plunging into the forest.
Suddenly, Shawn spun and hurled three shuriken at Kakuzu.
Branches snapped, thick trunks were pierced. Kakuzu narrowly dodged, his expression turning serious.
"That level of Wind Release nature…"
"…Hm?"
He looked up.
A figure descended from above, blade in hand.
As Kakuzu moved to leap back, thick vines erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around his legs and surging upward.
"This is—Wood Release?!"
Shock rippled through Kakuzu's mind.
But before the vines could fully bind him, his hands completed a set of seals.
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