Retreat

A powerful gust swept across the area, including where Hatake Sakumo and his comrades were positioned. The sharp currents of air sliced through everything in their path, leaving no chance of survival for shrine attendant, whose body was shredded. Even one corner of the shrine was directly penetrated by the fierce wind.

Kana's eyes widened as she tried to speak, but her throat was tightly gripped by Kakuzu, rendering her unable to utter a single word. Despite her struggles, she couldn't break free.

"Stop wasting your energy. Those brats are finished, along with those two," Jiao said, tightening his grip until Kana nearly lost consciousness. Noticing this, Kakuzu looked at her with a hint of admiration. "As expected of Senju Hashirama's daughter. You really have remarkable endurance."

After this, Kakuzu turned, preparing to leave. Suddenly, the sound of something cutting through the air caught his attention. He tilted his head, just as a lightning-infused short sword whizzed past him. Recognizing the sword, he turned back to see a crater in the ground where the lightning brat had been.

Hatake Sakumo stood there, panting and covered in small bloodstains. Despite their injuries, he and his two companions remained on their feet. Even one of the followers of the evil god was still alive, though barely clinging to life.

Kakuzu, with his years of experience, quickly deduced what had happened. With no space to dodge the attack, the three had devised a way to create a temporary shelter by digging a hole deep enough to avoid the worst of the wind's force. Though still affected by the remaining gusts, their quick thinking had saved them.

Unbelievable, Kakuzu thought. These kids, barely ten years old, have the composure and cleverness to think of a solution in such a critical moment.

Kakuzu had encountered many talented young ninjas, but they often lacked experience. Yet, these three displayed a depth of training and skill beyond their years. Given time, these three could become renowned masters, he mused, but they won't live to reach that potential.

A dense mass of "black threads" surged from Kakuzu's body, writhing like living creatures. This disturbing sight instilled fear among everyone present, even among seasoned ninjas.

"Goodbye, brats," Jiao sneered, sending the "black threads" hurtling toward Sakumo and his comrades, surrounding them from all directions.

Knowing they couldn't evade the attack, the three felt no fear; they had already caught sight of their savior's arrival.

As the "black threads" closed in, a bright sword slash tore through them, creating an opening just big enough to escape through. Blood spattered from the cut threads as a figure swiftly passed through, appearing beside Kakuzu in an instant.

Kakuzu's pupils contracted as he pulled Kana closer, but the newcomer had already positioned himself perfectly, making it difficult for him to react. A sharp blade grazed his forehead, leaving a fresh cut.

That one strike shook Kakuzu's confidence. His secret technique hardened his entire body, making him nearly invulnerable to ordinary attacks. Yet this simple slash had bypassed his defenses, causing him to reconsider his approach.

No sooner had he begun to regroup than his opponent struck again. Holding Kana with one arm, the newcomer launched a rapid series of phantom-like kicks that struck Kakuzu's body repeatedly, disrupting his attempts to counterattack with his "black threads."

As they retreated from Kakuzu, the man made a quick gesture, releasing a transparent, slightly reflective jutsu from his hand. Kakuzu tensed, activating his Earth Release to harden his skin to its limit, which turned a darker color.

Even with his defenses maxed out, the jutsu managed to slice through his hardened skin, though no blood spilled. Instead, "black threads" emerged from the wound, reattaching the severed portion of his body, giving him an inhuman appearance.

"Heh. Looks like a simple cut won't kill you," remarked Fumori Masaki, the one who had rescued Kana.

Though this was their first encounter, Kakuzu instantly knew that this man was indeed  Masaki, the second Hokage's disciple, renowned for his swift and deadly techniques.

"It won't be that easy," Kakuzu replied coldly. His technique granted him multiple lives; as long as even one of his five hearts remained, he would survive. And even if he lost them all, he could simply steal another heart to continue living.

"Many have underestimated me and died because of it," Kakuzu warned, but Masaki remained undaunted.

"You may think it's difficult, but I'm certain I can kill you," Masaki said with calm determination.

Kakuzu gave a mirthless smile. "You're welcome to try. I would kill you here and now, but the circumstances are… inconvenient. We'll settle this another time."

With that, Kakuzu activated his Body Flicker Technique, vanishing instantly. Masaki sensed that Kakuzu had retreated a safe distance, far enough that even Masaki's keen perception couldn't detect him.

Turning to Kana, Masaki asked, "Are you alright, Kana?"

Kana finally snapped back to reality. The pace of the battle had been overwhelming. She had gone from fearing for Tsunade's life, to finding brief relief, to again being gripped by terror and then saved by Masaki. The emotional rollercoaster left her breathless.

"Masaki-Nii, I…" she murmured, clutching his clothes as though seeking reassurance. Her strength gave out, and she fainted, collapsing into Masaki's arms.

"Kana Ba-chan!" Tsunade crawled out of the pit she'd been hiding in and, seeing her aunt unconscious, ran over in panic. "Is she hurt?"

"No, she's only fainted," Masaki assured her after checking Kana's pulse. "Today's events have simply been too overwhelming for her. She just needs rest."

Tsunade let out a sigh of relief and quickly added, "Sensei, let's get inside the shrine. If that ninja comes back with reinforcements, we'll be in big trouble."

Though Masaki doubted Kakuzu would return, he agreed it was unwise to linger. Carrying Kana, he led the group inside the shrine, taking advantage of its protective barriers to shield them from further danger.