Chapter 205
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
Hidden Dragon Village, ANBU Division.
"Sakumo-sama, we have a situation," an ANBU operative handed a report to Sakumo. "Three days ago, a comrade in a border town was killed. This comrade had defected from Konoha three months ago."
"And the team we sent to investigate the situation was ambushed by an unknown ninja today. All members were killed, but they managed to send fragmented intel before they died."
Sakumo's face darkened as he quickly scanned the report. "Fetch me all the classified documents from the former Taki Village."
The ANBU operative soon returned with a stack of files. Sakumo sifted through them meticulously, finally finding a clue in an old, yellowed document that seemed about to fall apart. Cross-referencing it with the intel, Sakumo's eyes flashed with disbelief and a hint of ruthlessness.
Standing up, he took the confidential file from the former Taki Village and headed straight for the Ryukage Tower.
"Ryukage-sama."
"Teacher, please sit," Kyomu stood up immediately upon seeing Sakumo and personally pulled out a chair for him. "Is there something urgent?"
"It's about the comrade who was killed in the border town three days ago," Sakumo handed over two reports. "And today, the four-man ANBU team I sent to investigate was annihilated. The intel they managed to send before dying indicated that the assailant wore the headband of a former Taki Village ninja, a renegade."
"So I compared all the classified ninja intel from the former Taki Village and found a file that matches the description of the mysterious Taki renegade. However, this ninja file dates back more than fifty years, suggesting that this Taki renegade is from the same era as Hashirama."
"Additionally, I found something interesting in the file."
"Earth Grudge Fear?" Kyomu interjected, already knowing the identity of the assailant. "Teacher, are you planning to confront him personally?"
"I am," Sakumo nodded. "A ninja from the same era as Lord Hashirama, possessing the mysterious Earth Grudge Fear, is undoubtedly powerful. The battle experience accumulated over such a long life span is immense. I don't want to risk the lives of our comrades, so I must face him myself."
Kyomu nodded. He trusted Sakumo's strength but insisted on sending additional support for safety.
"Take an ANBU squad with you, Teacher. It's safer that way."
"Too many people might alert him," Sakumo shook his head. "I'll go alone. If I need backup, I can always call for it."
Seeing Sakumo's determination, Kyomu didn't press further but offered crucial intel on Kakuzu, which would be immensely helpful.
"Teacher, I know a bit about the Earth Grudge Fear."
Sakumo's eyes lit up. "Having concrete intel would greatly increase my chances."
"Earth Grudge Fear was the foundation of Taki Village's prowess, and as a former elite, Kakuzu had access to it. It grants near-immortality and the ability to self-stitch and repair. However, it comes with a price."
"Immortality requires sacrifices, and for Kakuzu, the price is the constant need to replace his heart to sustain his life and power. Thus, decapitation or destroying a heart won't kill him. He has four backup hearts."
"Five hearts?!" Sakumo's eyes widened. "Without this intel, many would fall into his trap."
"Indeed," Kyomu nodded. "Additionally, possessing five hearts allows Kakuzu to use all five chakra natures and perform composite jutsu. His attacks are formidable in both range and power."
"So, each heart corresponds to a chakra nature?" Sakumo grasped the key point. "Destroying one heart reduces his power by one-fifth. This makes him manageable."
Confident in Sakumo's abilities, Kyomu had no doubts about the outcome but reminded him to be cautious.
"Teacher, I'm not sure about the exact locations of the hearts. Please be careful."
"Don't worry," Sakumo was confident. "This seventy-year-old man will soon see the strength of this young man."
"Good luck, Teacher," Kyomu smiled. "If possible, bring back the Earth Grudge Fear. It could be useful for medical research."
"I understand." Sakumo nodded and left.
Watching Sakumo leave, Kyomu instructed Shisui to alert nearby Uchiha ninjas to be ready for support if needed.
---
Border town, Dragon Country.
This town, formerly part of Grass Country, had greatly improved under Dragon Country's rule. With the construction of hospitals, schools, and local administration offices led by ninjas, it maintained stability.
When a ninja in this town was killed, it was akin to killing a local administrative head in other countries—a direct challenge to Dragon Country's authority.
Traveling light and moving swiftly, Sakumo reached the town by afternoon. Using his experience, he quickly identified a suspect.
A man in a black cloak with pale green eyes and an unhidden Taki Village headband.
As Sakumo scrutinized Kakuzu, the latter, sitting at a roadside stall, looked up, meeting Sakumo's gaze with greed. This man was a walking treasure; killing him would fetch a hefty price.
"You're waiting for me?"
"Of course. Your name is well known, Sakumo. You're worth the wait."
"Is it just to meet me? What's your goal?"
"To trade your head for money on the black market," Kakuzu was straightforward. "Your head is almost as valuable as Kyomu's."
"Should I be proud?"
"Maybe. Your worth lies in the price your head fetches on the market," Kakuzu boasted. "After you, Kyomu will be next."
"You have quite the confidence."
"As a ninja from Hashirama's era who survived a fight with him, I have earned it."
Standing up, Kakuzu tossed some money on the table and stared at Sakumo. "Shall we?"
"Outside the town."
"Agreed. This place is too cramped."
Kakuzu wasn't concerned about civilian lives but preferred open spaces to fully utilize his abilities. Sakumo, valuing civilian safety, agreed to fight outside.
As they reached an open area away from the town, they simultaneously attacked.
Earth Grudge Fear: Tentacle Fist!
Kakuzu's wrists detached from his arms, connected by black threads, launching powerful, flexible punches.
But they missed.
Zzzz.
Electricity crackled as Sakumo appeared beside Kakuzu, his short White Fang blade slashing at Kakuzu's side.
Kakuzu twisted, retracting his arms while his body turned pitch black.
Earth Style: Earth Spear!
A defensive and offensive B-rank Earth jutsu, a specialty of Kakuzu's, but to Sakumo's White Fang, it was like paper.
Hatake Swordsmanship: Vertical Slash!
The White Fang blade, coated in concentrated Lightning chakra, extended, cutting through Kakuzu's Earth Spear defense and slicing him in half.
In terms of taijutsu, Kakuzu was instantly defeated.
But he didn't die. Reassembling his body, Kakuzu launched a counterattack.
Wind Style: Pressure Damage!
Fire Style: Head Mincing Pain!
Composite Jutsu: Fire-Wind Chaos!
A red-mouthed mask on Kakuzu's right shoulder unleashed a massive fire jutsu, while a mask on his right waist expelled a violent wind.
The wind enhanced the fire, creating a massive orange blaze, engulfing Sakumo.
Reassembling his body with black threads, Kakuzu watched the firestorm, knowing it was lethal enough to turn anyone to ash.
But he didn't relax, knowing Sakumo wasn't dead.
Where is he? Above, below, or behind?
As the thoughts crossed his mind, Kakuzu's body moved, retracting his arms.
Earth Grudge Fear: Heavy Fist!
A powerful punch enhanced by Earth Spear, aimed at Sakumo's presumed position.
Boom!
The ground shattered, but it was a clone.
The real Sakumo was above, poised to strike.
Water Style: Water Wall!
Lightning Style: False Darkness!
Composite Jutsu: Violent Water Curtain!
A water jet combined with high-penetration, high-speed lightning shot at Sakumo.
Unfazed, Sakumo tightened his grip on White Fang.
Hatake Swordsmanship: Moonlit Slash!
(End of Chapter)