Kakuzu let out a bitter laugh. "Did I hear that right?"
Anya sighed and explained to Kakuzu the full background of the mission scroll he had received in Konoha.
After listening, Kakuzu realized Anya wasn't joking. Still, he caught a whiff of profit from the story. "The two people who came with you—are both from prestigious clans in Konoha?"
"Oh no," Anya immediately picked up on Kakuzu's plan. "Uncle, don't tell me you're thinking about having me help you capture both of them."
Kakuzu replied firmly, "Why refuse free money when it walks right to your door?"
Annoyed, Anya exclaimed, "Come on! Have you even been listening? Because of your kidnapping attempt, Konoha and Kumo are furious enough to halt an ongoing war. Not only Konoha is after you now but also Kumo, even Iwagakure! And yet you're still thinking about making money? I—"
"Hunting me down? That's nothing new. I'm used to it," Kakuzu replied casually before asking, "Anyway, how soon will they arrive? If you won't do it, I'll handle it myself."
Hopeless. If not for the fact Kakuzu had saved his life back in Kiri, Anya would've seriously considered abandoning him.
Fine, who else could look after him if not me—his *real* uncle?
Anya spoke solemnly, "Uncle, this time is different. You know well enough how massive the Third War was. All nations have strong experts emerging now. Once they team up and really go after you, [Earth Grudge Fear] alone won't be enough—not even if we reveal the Zero Organization. I know you love money, but compared to your life, money's practically worthless."
Hearing this, Kakuzu fell silent for a while, hesitating.
Seizing the moment, Anya added, "Besides, isn't it just money we're talking about? Just wait until Sasori and I finish our plans in Sunagakure Village. We'll have a puppet capable of producing gold anytime by preserving the Magnet Release — Gold Dust ability from Rasa, the rising expert there."
Kakuzu's eyes lit up. "You're serious?"
"Of course," Anya patiently continued, eager to convince Kakuzu. "Once we preserve his technique through Sasori, then..."
Before Anya could finish, Kakuzu's eyes widened. "I want that puppet."
"Sure thing. So, will you listen to me now?"
Seeing Kakuzu finally nod, Anya exhaled in relief and began explaining the prearranged plan. After double-checking everything, his soul left Kakuzu's spiritual space and returned to his original body.
Right then, Shibi stiffened slightly. His eyes behind sunglasses locked onto a specific direction.
Understanding his intent, Hizashi [...] performed hand seals[...] and activated, "Byakugan."
As one of the three great Dojutsu (Eye Techniques), Byakugan offered unique advantages in scouting, including long-range vision, penetrating sight, and sharp perception. With the Byakugan active, Hizashi quickly located their target and said to the others, "He's in a cave not far ahead—he seems to be resting. This is a good chance. Wait...he's above us!"
Caught off guard by the full 360-degree vision range, Hizashi hurriedly signaled the newly identified direction to the other two.
[Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!]
[Wind Release – Great Breakthrough!]
The combined Fire and Wind jutsu roared toward them like a living storm, engulfing the air with searing heat. Behind the scorching wave came a hurricane-force gale, tearing through everything in its path, while flames spread wildly, cutting off every escape route.
[Rotation!] Hizashi Hyuga activated his ultimate defensive technique without hesitation.
At the same time, Shibi Aburame unleashed a swarm of black insects from his body, forming a protective shield in front of the trio.
But the flames erupted instantly, incinerating the insects to ash before slamming into the Rotation.
Though momentarily blocked, the intense heat forced Hizashi inside the Rotation to let out a stifled groan. His hair curled from the searing temperature, and his skin began to blister.
[Sword Art: Draw Technique.]
Anya, who had remained motionless until now, finally unsheathed her Unintentional Blade (Blade of Indifference). This long-prepared strike swept away the surrounding air, its aura of death and stillness piercing straight through the inferno.
In midair, Anya's figure flashed like lightning as her blade moved, creating multiple overlapping sword shadows. That astonishing slash left no smoke or flame behind — as if it weighed nothing at all in Anya's hand. At incredible speed, it pierced directly through Kakuzu's body as disbelief flashed across his face.
"Break."
With a soft cry, the Blade of Indifference accurately struck a vital point. Both figures fell simultaneously from the sky.
Blood trickled from Kakuzu's lips as he said, "I never imagined an old man like me would be defeated by someone so young."
After uttering these words, Kakuzu collapsed onto the ground, his body going limp. Yet his eyes remained open, glaring at the trio with a fierce intensity.
Anya pulled her blade free before sliding it back into its sheath.
What terrifying swordsmanship! Hizashi and Shibi stood stunned — this powerful rogue ninja had fallen in a single strike. Yet, upon reflection, it seemed only natural. Even if they had tried to fight him, they surely would have met the same fate.
At this point, Hizashi spoke respectfully, "Night-sama, since his heart has been destroyed, we will take his body with us."
"No way in hell." Kakuzu, not yet dead, pulled out a stack of Explosive Tags and screamed with his last breath, "I'll take you all with me!"
"Look out!" Startled, Hizashi instinctively activated Rotation again. A thunderous explosion rang out as the area where Kakuzu once stood turned to ashes, leaving nothing behind.
The three emerged from the dust cloud left by the explosion, covered in soot and disheveled. Hizashi turned to look at Shibi Aburame.
A tiny black insect landed on Shibi's finger, silently transmitting information. Then, he shook his head.
Sighing, Hizashi remarked, "Wow, such a determined rogue ninja — he'd rather self-destruct than let us have his corpse. What a ruthless guy. Good thing we've dealt with him."
The masked Anya replied, "Since my assassination mission is complete, I'll head for the Iwagakure battlefield."
"Understood."
After bidding farewell, Anya followed the prearranged location and found Kakuzu's presence beside a river.
Kakuzu stood bare-chested, black threads weaving through his body like grotesque seams, as if he were stitched together from mismatched pieces, radiating an eerie aura.
He clutched a shattered mask in one hand. Seeing Anya approach, Kakuzu spoke with a meaningful look, "Brat, you've grown faster than I expected. It seems you won't need me to save your life anymore."
Anya gave a cold chuckle and shrugged. "Uncle, let's go. I'll get you a new heart."
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