The moment Kazuku used Shadow Clone, his main body hid in a tree.
Silver Horn wasn't an ordinary ninja.
Without the Seven Star Sword or Red Gourd, he was at least elite jonin level.
Kazuku used a clone as bait.
As expected…
Silver Horn, though strong, was simple-minded.
He didn't think twice or distinguish main body from clone.
When he "killed" Kazuku's clone, the real Kazuku leaped from the tree, condensing chakra in his palm, spinning it into a bright, round ball.
It was…
Rasengan!
Thud!
Kazuku drove the Rasengan into Silver Horn's back, detonating.
Blinding light drew all eyes. Silver Horn crashed face-first, back searing with pain, the ground shattering!
No one expected seven-year-old Kazuku to suppress Silver Horn!
"Kazuku…" Kagami was speechless, at a loss for words.
Especially that new jutsu.
He'd never seen it.
And…
Its power was immense!
What was that technique?
Did Lord Tobirama teach it to Kazuku?
Kagami swallowed hard.
The Rasengan, upon contact, spun and exploded, shredding Silver Horn's clothes, twisting his muscles.
A normal ninja…
Would've been killed instantly.
Cloud ninja were terrified.
To them, Gold and Silver Horn rivaled the Raikage.
Elite jonin of Kumogakure.
Even the Nine-Tails couldn't stop them!
Yet now…
Silver Horn was suppressed by a seven-or-eight-year-old Konohagakure kid!
Did Kazuku, at his age, have elite jonin strength?
Impossible!
"What has Kazuku been through?" Sakumo mused.
They were similar in age.
Before meeting Kazuku, Sakumo was called a genius.
At ninja academy…
He aced every test.
First to learn Clone Jutsu.
First to learn Transformation Jutsu.
First to learn Substitution Jutsu.
No one matched him in sparring.
Often, Sakumo felt out of place among peers due to his talent.
Until Kazuku.
While Sakumo prided himself on Body Flicker…
Kazuku unveiled Eight Gates, surpassing it with raw speed.
While Sakumo mastered clones…
Kazuku used Shadow and Water Clones, all physical, in droves.
Now, Kazuku's Rasengan suppressed an elite jonin like Silver Horn!
Compared to Kazuku, Sakumo felt unworthy of "genius."
He was ordinary!
"Who is that kid…"
The spy stood stunned. As an espionage ninja, he knew much about Cloud and Konohagakure ninja and jutsu.
But…
He'd never seen Kazuku's technique!
Especially the Rasengan's power.
It awed him!
Cloud ninja were beyond shocked.
A seven-year-old Konohagakure ninja floored their Silver Horn!
Who'd believe it?
"Did I get him?"
After the Rasengan, Kazuku leaped back, observing Silver Horn.
Normally, such a direct hit would kill or cripple.
Forcing Silver Horn to retreat or creating an escape window…
Was enough.
But…
Though battered, Silver Horn didn't fall.
Instead…
Kazuku's Rasengan enraged him.
He pressed his hands to the ground, standing.
His breathing quickened, chakra darkening.
It healed much of his wounds.
The tailed beast chakra surging from him turned from pale to deep red!
It was…
Half-tailed beast form!
"Here it is, Lord Silver Horn's tailed beast form…"
Cloud ninja paled, retreating instinctively, abandoning fights with Kazuku's team.
Clearly, they feared Silver Horn now!
Indeed, though Gold and Silver Horn were Cloud's mightiest…
They cared little for comrades, treating ninja like tools.
In tailed beast form, they often attacked indiscriminately.
To kill enemies, they'd harm allies.
Silver Horn's men knew…
Once he transformed, keep a safe distance.
Or get caught!
"They're trembling…" Kagami's Sharingan caught this, his heart sinking.
What kind of ninja terrified their own allies?
"Kazuku…"
Kagami turned to Kazuku, body-flickering to his side.
He didn't know how strong tailed beast Silver Horn was.
But Kazuku was Lord Hashirama's grandson.
No matter what, he couldn't let him get hurt.
"Here he comes."
Kagami exclaimed. Silver Horn vanished from sight.
His spot cracked like a spiderweb.
No exaggeration…
Silver Horn's speed and strength now rivaled Kazuku's Eight Gates.
"Crap…"
Kazuku cursed, opening the Gate of View, kicking Kagami away.
As predicted, Silver Horn clawed at him.
Power vs. power.
Speed vs. speed.
Kazuku didn't hesitate, clenching his fist, unleashing full Gate of View power, meeting Silver Horn's attack.
Their forces collided, sending a shockwave outward.
Kagami rolled across the ground—not from the shockwave, but Kazuku's kick.
Cloud ninja didn't dare intervene.
Their faces showed only fear and shock.
Partly from Silver Horn's power.
Partly from disbelief…
A seven-year-old Konohagakure ninja…
Blocked tailed beast Silver Horn's attack!
Too unreal!
But they didn't know Kazuku wasn't unscathed.
His right arm's muscles, unable to withstand the clash, tore instantly.
(End of Chapter)