"Do you want to start a war?"
Uchiha Kagami loudly questioned Gold Horn and his group.
Though ninja often killed for missions, invading a neighboring country's border…
Hadn't happened since the Five Kage Summit.
From Gold Horn's group's demeanor, they were clearly prepared.
Kagami glanced at Kazuku instinctively.
No doubt, Gold Horn and his men were here for Kazuku!
"Gold Horn, Silver Horn."
Kazuku assessed the intruders.
Amber Rope, Seven Star Sword, Red Gourd, Banana Fan.
These famed Six Paths Tools were all with them.
"Start a war?" Gold Horn's lips curled, shaking his head, denying Kagami's claim. "This is just a border skirmish."
"In the conflict, Konohagakure ninja tragically perish, and Kumogakure suffers heavy losses."
Before coming for Kazuku, Gold Horn had prepared his excuse.
"Gold Horn, why waste words with these guys?"
"Let's get to it."
Silver Horn said impatiently.
The shame of losing to Kazuku made him eager to settle the score.
The situation was indeed unfavorable for Kazuku's group.
"Gold Horn, Silver Horn."
Kazuku eyed them, deliberately lowering his voice.
Meanwhile, Sakumo and Kosuke, sensing trouble, rushed from the outpost, landing beside Kazuku.
Seeing Gold and Silver Horn, their faces paled.
They still remembered that night.
Without Kazuku's Transformation Jutsu fooling the brothers…
They might've died.
But…
They thought it was over, yet the brothers came knocking!
Didn't they fear sparking a war between Konohagakure and Kumogakure?
This was a border invasion!
To Gold and Silver Horn, the risk was worth it.
Kazuku wasn't an ordinary ninja.
He was the First Hokage's grandson.
At seven, he defeated Silver Horn.
His chakra and physical strength hadn't peaked.
"Though the five great ninja villages signed a peace treaty, it has an expiration."
"That's the First Hokage's lifespan."
"Once he dies, the treaty's just paper."
"And Kumogakure is destined to be the ninja world's strongest!"
Gold Horn revealed the truth without hesitation, seeing Kazuku's group as already dead.
Especially Kazuku.
His existence threatened Kumogakure's future.
He had to eliminate him here!
"You…"
Kagami hadn't expected such ruthlessness.
The outpost was over thirty miles from Masagawa's group.
A round trip was seventy miles.
"Kosuke."
Kagami spoke, activating his Sharingan.
"I'll create an opening for you to report this to Masagawa."
Kosuke froze, then nodded, vowing to reach Masagawa and bring reinforcements.
Until then, Kagami had to hold off Gold Horn's group.
"No one's escaping."
Silver Horn stepped forward, gripping the Seven Star Sword, exuding confidence.
With Gold Horn here…
They could coordinate, unleashing the Six Paths Tools' power.
For Konohagakure ninja, unaware of the tools' secrets, their fate was sealed.
To be sucked into Silver Horn's Red Gourd.
But Gold and Silver Horn didn't expect Kazuku to remain calm in this situation.
"Gold Horn, Silver Horn."
Kazuku called their names. "This is the Land of Fire's border."
"Your actions are an invasion of our territory."
"Even if I deal with you here, neither the Land of Lightning's daimyo nor the Raikage can hold me accountable."
"This is justified self-defense!"
"Even so, you still challenge me?"
Kazuku's voice was resolute, as if he didn't take the brothers seriously.
In truth, if they'd come yesterday…
Kazuku might've worried.
That night, Silver Horn's injuries forced Gold Horn to weigh his options, avoiding a reckless charge.
Now, Silver Horn was fully recovered.
If Kazuku tried the same trick, disguising a clone as Hashirama…
These hotheads might, with their Six Paths Tools, try to seal "Hashirama."
The real Hashirama could crush them.
But Kazuku's fake Hashirama, with only a chakra burst, would be exposed instantly.
However!
Kazuku was different now!
In his sixth check-in, he got the Wood Release Gift Pack.
He learned Wood Human and Wood Dragon Jutsu, exclusive to Hashirama!
Exaggeration aside, Kazuku's strength had transformed!
"Gold and Silver Horn, perfect timing."
"I'll test my new strength on them!"
"And since they invaded the Land of Fire…"
"Even if I deal with them, the Raikage can only swallow his complaints."
Smirking, Kazuku readied for battle.
To Gold and Silver Horn, Kazuku's words were mere bravado.
Kazuku was a talented kid.
At seven, he rivaled Silver Horn.
But his teammates were too weak to be tools.
With the Six Paths Tools…
The brothers saw no way to lose.
Gold Horn stepped forward, stretching, signaling Silver Horn to coordinate.
If his Amber Rope touched Kazuku, it'd draw his spirit word.
But Gold Horn never dreamed Kazuku knew the Six Paths Tools inside out!
"Kagami, Sakumo, Kosuke."
"I'll explain Gold and Silver Horn's tools."
"They're said to be inherited from the Sage of the Six Paths."
"Each use consumes massive chakra."
"The rope on Gold Horn's arm, the Amber Rope, can draw out something called a spirit word."
Kazuku paused, glancing at Silver Horn's Seven Star Sword.
"That sword can cut the spirit word, triggering a curse and seal."
"Saying your catchphrase, or similar sounds, gets you sucked into Silver Horn's Red Gourd."
"Most importantly…"
"If you stay silent too long, the curse triggers, and you're sucked in!"
Gold Horn: "???"
Silver Horn: "???"
(End of Chapter)