Kazuku went full taunt mode, mercilessly messing with Gold and Silver Horn's heads.
This was the Land of Fire's border; expecting reinforcements was unrealistic.
And…
Kazuku never pinned his hopes on others.
"Ninja battles are often battles of intel."
"As a transmigrator, I hold an absolute intel advantage."
Kazuku locked onto Gold Horn, keeping his distance.
To avoid accidents, he didn't let his clones near Gold Horn.
If Gold Horn charged a clone, it'd dispel itself.
Giving no chance for the Amber Rope to touch.
His taunts worked.
Especially when he transformed into Hashirama.
Gold Horn's face darkened.
"What did you say?"
If Kazuku spoke the truth, he'd missed the perfect chance that night.
The chance to kill Kazuku!
It also meant he, an elite jonin, couldn't see through a seven-year-old's Transformation Jutsu!
"No, impossible!"
Gold Horn shook his head, rejecting the reality.
"That chakra could only come from the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage."
Gold Horn thought he'd found a flaw, eagerly refuting Kazuku.
"You mean…"
Kazuku smirked. "This?"
He cloaked himself in Hashirama's chakra, unleashing it.
A powerful gust spread outward, shattering the ground into spiderweb cracks.
Purple chakra covered him.
Like a tailed beast's chakra cloak.
Identical to the "God of Shinobi" Gold Horn saw!
"Surprised? The First Hokage you saw was just my shadow clone."
"Shocked? Thrilled?"
Kazuku kept taunting.
As expected…
The revelation was too much.
Gold and Silver Horn froze, struggling to process.
"Now!"
Kazuku signaled Kagami, sprinting toward Silver Horn.
"Yes."
Kagami responded crisply, closing his left eye, jumping into Gold Horn's line of sight.
His right eye's tomoe spun, activating a Sharingan ability.
Genjutsu!
Normally, a ninja with tailed beast chakra like Gold Horn…
Would be hard for Kagami to trap in a genjutsu world.
Though an Uchiha, his genjutsu skill paled compared to Shisui or Itachi.
His success now was due to Kazuku's verbal assault.
Revealing that night's truth…
Made Gold Horn regret.
Why didn't he see through Kazuku's Transformation Jutsu?
Why…
Didn't he act?
He'd faced the Nine-Tails without fear.
Why, against Hashirama, did he lack the courage to test?
If he'd acted, he'd have known it wasn't Hashirama!
Though the regret lasted a moment, Kagami's genjutsu seized it.
Gold Horn's eyes widened, scanning around. The clear sky turned blood-red.
This was that night's grove!
"Gold Horn."
"Gold Horn."
"Gold Horn."
A familiar voice echoed, reaching Gold Horn. He looked calmly, finding the grove filled with Hashiramas.
As he moved…
Vines burst from the ground, wrapping his ankles, growing thick and sturdy.
The Banana Fan slipped from his hand.
In a blink, Gold Horn was bound to a tree.
"Give it up, Gold Horn."
"Give it up, Gold Horn."
"Give it up, Gold Horn."
Hashiramas surrounded him, chanting like a mantra.
Meanwhile…
To trap Gold Horn, Kagami used nearly all his chakra.
He crouched, gasping.
"Great job, Kagami." Kazuku praised, charging Silver Horn.
"Hey, Gold Horn!"
Silver Horn was startled. He hadn't expected their synergy to be countered!
Thud!
Kazuku clenched his fist, unleashing monstrous strength with a Sakura Rush.
Silver Horn raised the Seven Star Sword to block, unprepared for the punch's power.
Overwhelming force pushed him back.
Other Cloud ninja tried to help but were stopped by Kazuku's clones.
"Gate of Life, open!"
All clones activated Eight Gates, skin reddening, emitting green energy.
Their speed and strength surged, repelling Cloud ninja, preventing interference.
Silver Horn panicked.
Though not much weaker than Gold Horn, his resolve was far less.
Exaggeration aside…
When in danger, Silver Horn only waited for Gold Horn's rescue.
He lacked the ability to turn the tide.
Kazuku exploited this, attacking with monstrous strength, finally kicking away the Seven Star Sword.
"Don't come closer!"
With the sword airborne, Silver Horn, in panic, used tailed beast chakra.
But Kazuku's Hashirama chakra matched it.
"You love Gold Horn, right? I'll send you to him."
Kazuku's voice was low, punching Silver Horn's abdomen, then grabbing his neck.
As Hashirama, his reach and hand size were enhanced.
Then…
Kazuku aimed at the genjutsu-trapped Gold Horn, unleashing monstrous strength, hurling Silver Horn.
Thud!
With a muffled sound, Silver Horn's back hit Gold Horn's Amber Rope, both flying backward.
Silver Horn's tailed beast chakra resonated with Gold Horn's, disrupting his chakra.
Instantly, Kagami's genjutsu broke!
But Silver Horn, touching the Amber Rope, had his spirit word drawn.
Kazuku reached out, grabbing the falling Seven Star Sword.
Then…
He stomped, cracking the ground, launching forward in less than a breath, reaching Silver Horn.
Gripping the Seven Star Sword, he slashed.
Cutting a blue spirit word.
The curse and seal activated!
(End of Chapter)