Gold and Silver Horn were stunned, wondering if they'd fallen into a genjutsu.
How could Kazuku know the Six Paths Tools so well?
Even in Kumogakure, few knew their secrets.
Yet Kazuku not only knew but was intimately familiar!
He named each tool and its function perfectly.
It was like…
Lifting their biggest trump card!
"This kid's only seven. Where'd he get that intel?"
Gold Horn frowned, baffled.
When handing the intel scroll to "Hashirama," he'd glanced at it.
It had no info about them.
The spy couldn't have leaked the Six Paths Tools' secrets.
Kagami, meanwhile, strategized.
He didn't know Kazuku's source, but now wasn't the time to dwell.
"So, as long as we avoid Gold Horn's Amber Rope, the other tools' attacks are just normal strikes, right?" Kagami confirmed.
"Exactly." Kazuku nodded.
The Seven Star Sword and Red Gourd relied on the Amber Rope.
In the Fourth Ninja War, Darui, with Ino-Shika-Cho, sealed tailed beast Gold Horn using the Amber Purifying Bottle.
But the Amber Rope, wrapped on Gold Horn's arm, was sealed too.
Darui remarked that without the Amber Rope, the Seven Star Sword and Red Gourd were useless.
Thus, Kazuku was certain.
Avoid the Amber Rope, and there's no issue.
No…
Just touching it was fine.
As long as the Seven Star Sword didn't cut the spirit word.
Hmm…
Even if it was cut, it was okay.
Just don't say your catchphrase.
"But, to be safe, dodging the Amber Rope from the start is best."
Kazuku told Kagami, forming a cross seal.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Over a dozen physical clones appeared, outnumbering Gold Horn's group.
"Sakumo, Kosuke."
As captain, Kazuku gave them orders.
This fight was beyond their level.
Staying would distract him.
Sakumo and Kosuke exchanged glances, promising to bring reinforcements.
Until then, Kazuku and Kagami had to hold out.
They turned and ran.
But Kumogakure ninja wouldn't let them escape.
As they moved, Gold Horn's men pursued.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Kazuku's clones acted swiftly, deflecting shuriken aimed at Sakumo and Kosuke with kunai, blocking the Cloud ninja's pursuit.
Though only seven, Kazuku's strength rivaled a jonin's.
Kunai clashed, sparking.
His clones forcibly halted the pursuers.
Gold and Silver Horn chose that moment to strike.
To them, killing Kazuku made Sakumo and Kosuke irrelevant.
Yes.
Kazuku was their target!
They flanked him.
Silver Horn swung the Seven Star Sword at Kazuku.
Gold Horn swept his Amber Rope-wrapped arm.
Their brotherly synergy was seamless, needing no words.
Poof!
But Kazuku reacted faster.
Seeing the Amber Rope, he used Substitution Jutsu, leaving a log, retreating eight meters.
The log, hit by Gold Horn, veered into the Seven Star Sword, cleaved in two.
The pieces flew outward.
Kagami seized the moment, grabbing eight shuriken, hurling them at the brothers.
There was nothing left to say.
"Damn it."
Silver Horn cursed, deflecting Kagami's shuriken with the Seven Star Sword.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
As the shuriken were repelled, Kagami formed seals, abdomen contracting, chest puffing, chakra gathering in his throat.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
With the final syllable, a massive fireball erupted, nearly four or five meters wide.
"Uchiha Clan's Fire Release, huh."
Gold Horn's eyes narrowed. He'd heard of the Uchiha's prowess.
Especially Uchiha Madara.
A near-contemporary.
Pity they never fought.
"Hmph."
Gold Horn grabbed the Banana Fan, sneering, swinging it.
A powerful Water Release surged past Silver Horn, meeting the fireball.
Whoosh!
Opposing chakra clashed, producing white steam, obscuring Kagami's view.
"Everyone focuses on Senju and Uchiha ninja."
"But ignores me, Gold Horn!"
"Senju, Uchiha—nothing special!"
Gold Horn shouted, using the steam's cover, rushing Kagami, raising his arm overhead, smashing toward Kagami's shoulder!
"So fast…"
Kagami was shocked. Gold Horn's speed exceeded his expectations.
Without his Sharingan catching subtle movements, spotting Gold Horn…
That strike would've forced his spirit word.
Boom!
Gold Horn's fist hit the ground, sending debris flying.
Kagami's spot was cratered.
"Yo, think you're tough now?"
Kazuku's voice rang in Gold Horn's ears. He instinctively searched, finding Kazukus everywhere.
"That night, facing Hashirama, you weren't so bold."
Kazuku taunted.
His goal was to disrupt the brothers' mindset.
A broken mindset meant flawed attacks.
To prevent Gold Horn from drawing his spirit word, cut by Silver Horn…
Kazuku decided to break their tool synergy first.
So…
He used an even more arrogant tone, revealing the truth.
"You know, Gold Horn, the guy you saw wasn't the First Hokage—just my shadow clone with Transformation Jutsu."
To convince them, Kazuku transformed into Hashirama.
"Can't even see through my Transformation Jutsu. You guys are nothing."
(End of Chapter)