Hearing the clone's words, Kakuzu's face darkened.
"Flying Thunder God Technique..."
"Just now..."
Yes, the very moment Kakuzu was struck by the Sage Art Rasengan, the clone had already placed the technique upon him. That was how the previous scene unfolded—no flashy techniques, just an ordinary slash. Yet that single slash had taken Kakuzu's life.
"You're the fish, I'm the knife. Kakuzu, I'll personally see you off!"
"Crystal Release, Crystallization!"
The clone held the blade in his right hand while slamming his left palm onto the ground. The power of Crystal Release erupted, instantly transforming everything around them into crystal.
Seeing this, Kakuzu hesitated not a moment, leaping backward while enveloping himself in the tentacles of the Earth Grudge Fear. He was guarding against another Flying Thunder God Technique ambush.
"Think you can escape?"
"Chōmei!"
Whether it was a clone or not, he was still Kazuyama Gekkō. Seeing Kakuzu flee, he called out to his brother without a second thought. Just as Chōmei's massive form knocked Kabuto away, he heard his clone's call and charged toward Kakuzu without hesitation. The colossal insect horn delivered a lesson to Kakuzu: Bigness always has its advantages!
"Spear Attack Shining Horn!"
"BOOM!"
Under such immense force, did Kakuzu even think of retreating? He was slammed back to his original position. Worse, Chōmei's attack shattered all the Earth Grudge Fear Tentacles Kakuzu had deployed for protection.
"Damn bug!"
This remark truly infuriated Chōmei. He was a Tailed Beast, not some mere insect! In Chōmei's eyes, this black-furred creature looked more like an insect—a giant caterpillar!
"You bastard, die!"
Chōmei unleashed a brutal charge. A tailed beast's physique was beyond comparison to ordinary humans, let alone non-humans like Kakuzu. The collision slammed Kakuzu straight into the crystal layer.
The clone grinned, accelerating the release of Crystal Release. This time, even the tentacles of the Earth Grudge Fear couldn't escape crystallization.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
To prevent himself from being crystallized, Kakuzu could only use Earth Release to harden his body, simultaneously coating his skin with chakra to endure the impact. But the clone wouldn't give him a chance.
"Earth Release? Too bad. I don't know Lightning Release, but—"
"That doesn't mean you're safe, Kakuzu."
"Fire Release, Rasengan, Flame Cloud!"
The Rasengan formed rapidly, and the next second, Flying Thunder God Technique was activated again. Kakuzu was struck directly in the mask once more—this time, both masks were targeted.
"No!"
A furious roar erupted as both masks shattered simultaneously.
Yet Kakuzu's Earth Release remained active, for his sole remaining heart was earth-attributed—the one within his own body. Thus, within mere minutes, Kakuzu had lost four lives in rapid succession.
"Tsk tsk tsk, the near-dead are about to become Shibito."
"As for the last remaining earth attribute, I really have no good solution."
It must be said that with a heart powered by a single attribute, Kakuzu could push that element's techniques to their absolute limit. This brings us to Kakuzu's Earth Release: Earth Spear. Though merely a B-rank ninjutsu, it's an extremely practical technique. This technique hardens Kakuzu's flesh to diamond-like toughness, activating instantly upon attack.
"I'm going to rip out your heart!"
"Earth Resentment!"
Without his clones' support, Kakuzu could only attack using Earth Grudge Fear. Countless pitch-black tentacles spread out like a Kujaku unfurling.
"Heh, seeing you like this makes it crystal clear how to deal with you."
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
The clone smiled faintly, a smile strangely unsettling. The Flying Thunder God Technique activated again, this time transporting the clone directly before Kakuzu, one hand pressing against him.
"Hmph! Running out of tricks?"
"Take you down!"
Seeing his opponent dare appear before him, Kakuzu's rage surged to its peak. Countless tentacles lunged toward the clone. But the next second, Kakuzu sensed something was wrong.
"Crack!"
The thunderous crack and the shock of electricity coursing through his body made Kakuzu's eyes widen in shock. Even though he maintained the form of Earth Release: Earth Spear, the weakness of Earth Release was Lightning Release. Against a Lightning Release attack, Earth Release had absolutely no ability to defend. This was elemental countering.
"Bye-bye, Shibito."
The clone gave one last laugh before dissolving into Haku smoke amidst the lightning. Only then did Kakuzu realize where he'd been transported. Before him stood a colossal Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, coiled around a titanic blue serpent. The lightning erupted from the statue, each bolt striking the Titan Python until its entire body was engulfed in electrical currents. Unfortunately, Kakuzu was caught within that storm.
"Heh heh heh heh..."
"Kakuzu, sayonara!"
The clone had sent Kakuzu to Kazuyama Gekkō via Flying Thunder God Technique, intending to use the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's lightning power to eliminate him.
"No!"
"Too late, Kakuzu!"
Kakuzu tried to flee, but Kazuyama Gekkō wouldn't let him escape. The Titan Python's massive body bound both it and Kakuzu, while Senjutsu Chakra channeled all the lightning directly into Kakuzu's body.
"Aaah!!!"
"Crack!"
As the lightning surged through him, Kakuzu's Earth Release could no longer hold, dissipating instantly.
"No! Stop!"
Nagato also sensed something amiss, primarily because Kakuzu's screams were too distinct. He immediately halted the lightning's release.
"You think you can stop now? You've got to be kidding."
"Crystal Release: Wing Blade!"
With Kakuzu's Earth Release protection gone, Kazuyama Gekkō swung his right hand, the crystal longsword reappearing in his grasp. The next instant, the blade pierced Kakuzu's chest. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Kazuyama Gekkō.
"No need to look at me. Soon I'll send the others down to keep you company."
A wicked smile spread across Kazuyama Gekkō's face as he yanked the blade free. With his heart pierced, Kakuzu had no chance of survival. But before his life force faded, he uttered his final words, successfully granting Kazuyama Gekkō the attribute he desired.
"Damn bastard..."
"So powerful... yet resorting to dirty tricks..."
"You bastard!"
With his final howl, Kakuzu died.
[Ding! Detected host using Outer Path: Thunder God's Lightning to deliver Kakuzu's final blow. This clever use of borrowed blades is exceptionally skillful. Special Reward: Six Paths Resistance +10%!]
Hmm, truly worthy of Akatsuki's ranks. Taking out Kakuzu like that earned quite the reward. This significantly boosted Kazuyama Gekkō's motivation.
"Number two."
"Nagato, care to guess if you'll be number three?"