read my new story : American Fast & Furious NSFW
Just as Night's long sword was about to descend for a second strike, Kakuzu—who was about to be "desecrated" post-mortem—could no longer maintain his act!
The "corpse" exploded violently, transforming into countless black tentacles that shot out in all directions.
Simultaneously, two bizarre figures burst out from his back. They were black monsters wearing masks.
The two masked monsters were similar in shape and style, with only the colors of the markings on their mouths differentiating them: one red, one blue.
"Oh? Entering Phase Two?" Night raised an eyebrow and chuckled, his tone playful.
Kakuzu's true body rose slowly from the mass of tentacles. He had completely unleashed his Earth Grudge Fear form.
Aside from the Water Release heart that had just been destroyed, the Wind and Fire masks writhed hideously on his shoulders. Countless black threads radiated from his body, making him look like a demon crawling out of hell.
Even the left arm that had been severed earlier had been seamlessly reattached without anyone noticing.
"Who... exactly are you?"
Kakuzu's voice was raspy with rage. He had used this feign-death-and-counterattack tactic to kill countless strong opponents who didn't know his secrets. He never expected it to be seen through today by an unknown "wandering swordsman."
Night flourished his sword, the bone blade silently retracting back into the steel. "Didn't I say it already? Wandering swordsman, Minato Namikaze."
Kakuzu laughed out of sheer fury. In all his years, he had met tough opponents, but this was the first time he had encountered someone so utterly lacking in the dignity of a powerhouse, spewing lies with every breath.
Since his cards were revealed, he would go full throttle and end this quickly. He would make this brat feel the wrath of a ninja from the Warring States Period!
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Fire Release: Searing Migraine!"
"Compound Ninjutsu: Scorching Wind Wave!"
The two mask monsters on his shoulders unleashed their jutsu simultaneously. The violent gale and monstrous flames merged, forming a devastating firestorm that shrouded the entire area in the shadow of death.
"You think you're the only one who can use compound ninjutsu?"
Night retorted with a hint of mockery. He surged his chakra, spewing a massive amount of white ice crystals from his mouth.
"Compound Ninjutsu: The Wheel of Fortune Turns!"
The two jutsu clashed and exploded instantly. Surprisingly, neither side gained the upper hand.
At this point, Kakuzu's composure cracked. He roared furiously, "Do you think this old man has never seen Ice Release?!"
"None of your business! If I say it's a Wind-Water Compound Ninjutsu, then it is! Just like an old geezer, always nitpicking other people's business."
Night replied nonchalantly, sounding rather proud of his quick wit.
Kakuzu nearly vomited blood. He had lived for nearly a century and had never met someone so brazenly shameless!
"Die!"
He shouted, and the Wind and Fire masks on his shoulders glowed blindingly. Countless black threads surged toward Night like a tide, each one imbued with lethal chakra.
A trace of seriousness flashed in Night's eyes. Facing the fully unleashed Earth Grudge Fear mode, while not afraid, he dared not be overly arrogant.
"Ice... Compound Ninjutsu: Hailstorm."
Countless ice senbon poured out like a torrential rain, precisely intercepting the incoming black threads. The ice and black threads collided violently in the air, creating a teeth-gritting shattering sound.
Facing Night's trolling, the enraged Kakuzu didn't even want to retort anymore, even though Night had clearly slipped up just now.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Kakuzu snorted coldly. The Lightning attribute mask suddenly fired several bolts of lightning. Unlike the single lightning spear attack from before, this False Darkness was swifter and covered a vast area.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique!"
Facing Kakuzu's swift Lightning Release, Night didn't want to tank it. He gathered enough chakra to unleash a large-scale Fire Release to counter.
Lightning and fire clashed, creating a stalemate of equal power.
Night observed the surroundings, calculating if revealing his trump cards would allow him to prevent Kakuzu's escape and kill him completely.
But soon, he sensed someone approaching rapidly. The situation changed instantly.
"Iaigiri: Sever!"
A cold shout rang out. A gleam of sword light forcibly cut through the raging ninjutsu of the two combatants, leaving a deep fissure on the ground.
Night and Kakuzu stopped their attacks simultaneously, looking toward the source of the voice.
Mifune, holding a katana, walked slowly out of the woods. The leader of the samurai of the Land of Iron had a grim expression, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield like a blade.
"Private duels are prohibited within the borders of the Land of Iron."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried undeniable authority. "If you two wish to fight to the death, please take it elsewhere."
"Tch!"
Kakuzu voiced his dissatisfaction, but Mifune merely glanced at him coolly, raising his katana slightly. "If you insist on fighting, this old man doesn't mind joining in."
Night was the first to sheathe his long sword, that lazy smile returning to his face. "Since Lord Mifune has personally intervened to mediate, I naturally have to give you face."
Kakuzu snorted coldly, a trace of wariness flashing in his emerald pupils.
As a bounty hunter, he naturally knew that Mifune's strength was not simple. Just that Iaigiri (Iai Slash) earlier had demonstrated the man's extraordinary swordsmanship.
"I will remember today's events."
Kakuzu stared darkly at Night and said viciously, "Minato Namikaze, we will meet again."
With that, the masks on his shoulders slowly retracted into his body, and the black threads surrounding him faded. Turning to leave, he cast one last glance at Mifune, his gaze filled with scrutiny and displeasure.
Once Kakuzu's figure disappeared completely, Mifune turned his attention to Night.
"You are no ordinary ronin."
Mifune's gaze lingered on the long sword at Night's waist for a moment before continuing, "That Ice Release just now is not an ability an ordinary samurai possesses."
Night smiled noncommittally. "Just some petty tricks, nothing worth mentioning."
Mifune didn't probe further. As the leader of the samurai, he had seen too many powerful individuals hiding their identities.
As long as they didn't cause trouble within the Land of Iron, he wouldn't interfere too much.
"I hope that during your stay in the Land of Iron, you abide by our laws. The Land of Iron always welcomes guests who follow the rules." Mifune sheathed his katana, his tone softening slightly.
Night nodded in acknowledgment. "Naturally."
Watching Mifune walk away, Night wiped the dust off his sword, admiring the still-sharp blade and its cool touch.
Although this battle with Kakuzu wasn't fully satisfying, it gave him a clearer understanding of his own strength.
As for what the inexplicably tormented Kakuzu was thinking... who knew? It probably wasn't anything pleasant.
"Time to keep moving."
Night took one last look in the direction Kakuzu had left, then turned and walked down the path opposite to Mifune.
The mission in Hell Valley was still waiting for him. As for this unfinished battle with Kakuzu, it would be put on hold for another day.