"You seem to know a lot about us."
Silver Horn eyed Kazuku, surprised a Konohagakure kid knew about him and Gold Horn.
"But to deal with you lot, I don't need Gold Horn."
Silver Horn charged at Kazuku.
Without the Amber Rope, he couldn't draw Kazuku's spirit word, but the Seven Star Sword was a potent ninja tool.
That earlier swing would've floored most.
"Gate of Life, open."
Seeing Silver Horn attack, Kazuku activated Eight Gates.
Knowing Silver Horn couldn't seal him with the Seven Star Sword or Red Gourd, Kazuku shed his earlier caution.
He advanced, swinging his fist with monstrous strength.
"Sakura Rush!"
With a shout, Kazuku's fist struck the Seven Star Sword, unleashing a sonic boom.
Silver Horn never dreamed this Konohagakure kid had such power, flying backward.
Kumogakure ninja were stunned.
They knew Silver Horn's strength.
He was a monster even the Nine-Tails couldn't handle!
Yet a kid sent him flying?
How?
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Kazuku formed seals, creating over twenty physical clones, outnumbering the enemy.
"Lord Tobirama's Shadow Clone?" The spy ninja froze, incredulous.
Unlike regular clones…
Each was a conscious entity.
Perfect for combat or espionage.
Its only drawback was its high chakra cost!
As a Konohagakure spy, he'd learned it from Tobirama.
But two clones were his limit.
Yet Kazuku's small frame produced over twenty!
What was his chakra pool?!
"Who is he?"
Shocked, the spy asked Kagami.
Escape was impossible, so he'd join Kazuku's fight.
He couldn't face Cloud's torture unit.
"He's our captain," Kagami replied, omitting Kazuku's status as Hashirama's grandson.
If Silver Horn learned Kazuku was the First Hokage's grandson, he'd attack maniacally.
"But twenty-plus clones at once? Kazuku's chakra is terrifying every time."
Kagami marveled.
With Kazuku's chakra…
No, even half or a third of it…
He could amplify his Sharingan's power severalfold.
But Kagami knew now wasn't the time for envy.
As Kazuku's clones charged Cloud ninja, he acted, forming seals for an Uchiha specialty.
Great Fireball Jutsu!
Kagami gathered chakra in his throat, chest puffing, then spewed a massive fireball.
At least five or six meters wide!
Sakumo and the spy targeted weaker ninja.
In that moment, they shared a tacit understanding…
Create a chance for Kazuku's main body to face Silver Horn alone.
"Gate of Limit, open!"
Ensuring no interruptions, Kazuku entered the Gate of Limit, bending his knees, launching forward.
The high-speed movement shattered air and ground.
Before Silver Horn could react, Kazuku was before him, sweeping a whip-like kick.
Thud!
Silver Horn's Seven Star Sword flew high, the Red Gourd rolling aside.
Kazuku unleashed a flurry of punches, Ora-Ora-Ora style, hammering Silver Horn's chest.
Cloud ninja felt their scalps tingle.
Silver Horn, their monstrous leader, was suppressed by a Konohagakure kid!
What was with that speed and strength?
The spy was dumbfounded. What happened in the village while he was gone?
He'd never heard of such a figure.
Wait…
Kagami said he was their captain?
"He looks seven or eight."
"A captain needs to be at least chunin…"
Realizing this, the spy was shocked again.
A seven-year-old chunin?
What kind of monster was he?
"Kazuku." Sakumo muttered. Though shocked by Kazuku's strength, one thought reassured him…
Kazuku was on their side.
He didn't know Silver Horn's strength, but Sakumo felt he wasn't Kazuku's match.
But…
Silver Horn, battered by Kazuku, didn't fall.
His physical durability was immense.
Enhanced by Nine-Tails flesh, his strength soared.
"Die!"
In desperation, Silver Horn unleashed Nine-Tails chakra.
Pale red chakra erupted, cloaking him like armor.
A chakra tail sprouted.
Nine-Tails chakra had some autonomy.
Without Silver Horn's control, it swept at Kazuku.
Smack!
It struck Kazuku's abdomen, briefly halting him.
Silver Horn seized the opening, clawing at Kazuku's neck.
No matter Kazuku's speed, if grabbed, he couldn't escape.
A Warring States veteran like Silver Horn wouldn't spare a seven-year-old.
He'd killed countless kids Kazuku's age.
Silver Horn leaped, gripping Kazuku's neck, slamming him into the ground.
Boom!
A deafening crash sent smoke spreading, the ground cracking like a spiderweb.
To Silver Horn, no one could survive that.
Indeed, Kazuku lost consciousness in his grip.
Kagami.
Sakumo.
Both shouted, "Kazuku!"
They never imagined the monstrously talented Kazuku…
Was one-shotted by Silver Horn!
"Rasengan!"
But as all thought Kazuku was done, his voice rang from above, holding a pale blue chakra ball, swinging at Silver Horn's back.
The Kazuku in Silver Horn's hand poofed into smoke.
It was…
A shadow clone!
(End of Chapter)