"Silver Horn?!"
Seeing the gray-haired man descend, Kazuku and Kagami exclaimed in unison!
Though Kazuku's mental age exceeded seven, knowing the ninja world's cruelty and preparing for the worst…
He never dreamed he'd encounter the legendary Silver Horn here!
Even without the Six Paths Tools, Silver Horn was a formidable ninja!
With them, he was near invincible!
"Running into Silver Horn here… this is bad…"
Kagami gasped. Silver Horn's reputation was thunderous.
In the Warring States era, he and Gold Horn were renowned.
Kazuku knew even more.
They once captured the Nine-Tails, only to be swallowed during the battle.
But…
When all thought them dead, they survived two weeks inside the Nine-Tails, eating its flesh, absorbing its chakra.
Finally…
Unable to endure, the Nine-Tails spat them out!
This gave Gold and Silver Horn a portion of Nine-Tails chakra!
Kazuku scanned the surroundings, assessing the encircling ninja.
A sliver of luck…
Gold Horn wasn't among them.
It seemed Silver Horn led this alone.
But…
"We can't rule out Gold Horn en route. If they team up, our team has no chance of escape."
Kazuku judged swiftly. The priority wasn't retrieving the intel scroll.
It was retreat!
Otherwise, Kagami and Sakumo risked death!
As Kazuku opened his mouth, Kagami spoke. "Kazuku, leave this to me. Take Sakumo and go."
Kazuku wasn't just Tobirama's grandson but a rare prodigy.
His death would be a massive loss to the village.
"My Sharingan can buy some time."
Kagami reiterated, using his Sharingan to pinpoint all enemies.
Besides Silver Horn, six Cloud ninja surrounded them.
Silver Horn, one hand on the red gourd, the other on his hip, smirked. "Didn't expect an Uchiha here. Your Sharingan's a prize."
He aimed to eliminate the handoff ninja to pressure Konohagakure.
Finding an Uchiha was a bonus.
If captured, they might unlock Sharingan secrets.
Silver Horn signaled his team to attack.
The six Cloud ninja, silent, threw kunai in sync, avoiding vitals.
Simultaneously, Kagami acted, his Sharingan tracking kunai paths, throwing eight shuriken instantly.
Two targeted Silver Horn to slow him.
The rest clashed with the kunai, knocking them away.
In that second…
Kagami shouted to Kazuku and Sakumo, "Now, run!"
Though Kazuku was exceptional, Kagami doubted he could face Silver Horn.
Staying meant annihilation!
Sakumo's gaze darted between Kagami and Kazuku, unsure.
"Go, Sakumo."
Kazuku hesitated, then gritted his teeth, ordering.
He wasn't Naruto, recklessly charging.
Nor Sasuke, challenging stronger foes on a whim.
He was pragmatic.
He faced Chikusho knowing he wasn't that strong, confident in his ability.
The Third Kazekage?
In the chunin exam, Tobirama and Sarutobi would intervene if his life was at risk.
But this was different.
The opponent was Silver Horn!
With Nine-Tails chakra, he could tail-beast transform in rage.
His attack and defense were insane.
Crucially…
Gold and Silver Horn always acted together, their bond deep.
If Silver Horn stalled until Gold Horn arrived…
Even Kazuku couldn't win.
His bond with Kagami was shallow.
Just a week together.
Not even friends.
Risking his life for Kagami? He'd be mad.
Plus, Kagami volunteered to stay.
As leader, Kazuku should honor that resolve.
Gazing toward the outpost, Kazuku ran.
Facing Cloud ninja blocking him, he formed seals, using Water Dragon Bullet to repel them.
Sakumo, conflicted, followed.
But…
As Kazuku tore a gap in the encirclement…
Silver Horn body-flickered, blocking their path.
Even if Kazuku and Sakumo were kids, their Konohagakure headbands marked them as ninja!
Silver Horn wouldn't spare any Konohagakure ninja!
Even kids!
In a flash, Silver Horn grabbed the Seven Star Sword's hilt, sweeping it with thunderous speed.
Too fast for Kazuku to react fully. He blocked with his arms but was struck, sent flying.
"You think I'd let you escape, small fry?!" Silver Horn roared.
Next…
He flashed before Sakumo, kicking his abdomen.
Thud!
Sakumo crashed, rolling several times before stopping.
Silver Horn brandished the Seven Star Sword, pointing at Kagami. "None of you are escaping today!"
"Hm?"
Kazuku, on the ground, paused.
The Seven Star Sword hit him, but no spirit word emerged.
Could it be…
The sword only severs spirit words.
It doesn't draw them out?
Kazuku frowned, recalling the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Thinking back…
Gold Horn's Amber Rope touched someone to draw their spirit word.
Then the Seven Star Sword severed it…
In other words…
The Six Paths Tools needed both Gold and Silver Horn to shine.
Panicked by Silver Horn's presence, Kazuku calmed after the sword's strike.
Standing, he faced Silver Horn. "I'm curious. I heard you and Gold Horn are inseparable. He didn't come?"
(End of Chapter)