Chapter 17: Secret Technique - Thunder Trail

Bang! Bang! Bang! A blackened arm slapped the dust off its surface, echoing like striking metal.

"As expected from someone trained in Iwagakure's explosive squad—your techniques could easily pulverize someone," Kakuzu remarked, his piercing gaze analyzing the situation. After their brief exchange, he had a clear understanding of Ganraku's abilities.

The constant Rat seal formed by Ganraku's hands wasn't for show—it channeled chakra through his body. However, it wasn't his hands releasing the chakra but his feet. By embedding Earth Release chakra deep underground, Ganraku lured his opponent to a specific spot before detonating the pre-planted chakra, creating an effect similar to landmines.

It was an ingenious but flawed jutsu. The technique required the user to maintain constant contact with the ground, channeling chakra continuously to keep the connection intact. This relentless output rapidly depleted chakra reserves, leaving the user physically drained. The heavy breathing and sweat pouring down Ganraku's face were proof enough.

This limitation likely explained why Iwagakure grouped explosive-type shinobi into specialized squads—they were most effective in coordinated efforts. Of course, if someone mastered explosive jutsu while conserving chakra efficiently, they would be nothing short of a prodigy.

"Huff… Huff…" Ganraku gasped for air, sweat dripping like rain.

'This guy… Not only does he use such advanced Earth Release techniques, but he's also seen through most of my jutsu,' Ganraku thought, gritting his teeth. The pressure was immense—he knew he wasn't a match for Kakuzu.

Kakuzu's deliberate approach was terrifying. Each step felt like Death inching closer, his scythe gleaming with menace. Then, without warning, Death stopped walking. Instead, Kakuzu leaped forward in a blur, closing the gap in an instant.

"Let me help you end your miserable, hunted life," Kakuzu growled, his voice devoid of sympathy.

"AAAAHHH! I won't let you take me down so easily!" Ganraku roared, his face twisted in desperation. A ninja's pride wouldn't allow him to surrender without a fight.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

With a loud rumble, a sturdy wall of earth rose between them. It was a classic Earth Release defense, but could it stop Kakuzu?

"Lightning Piercer!"

Electricity crackled violently as Kakuzu's arm became a spear of lightning. He thrust it forward, piercing the Earth-Style Wall with ease. The impact left a gaping hole at the center, the fractures spreading like a spiderweb. Kakuzu didn't waste time. Using the wall as a foothold, he propelled himself higher, launching toward Ganraku with unmatched speed.

From above, Kakuzu could tell that Ganraku had prepped a significant amount of chakra beneath his feet. But Kakuzu wasn't going to fall for a trap. He shifted his weight mid-air, raising a blackened iron fist over his head, ready to strike.

Ganraku's eyes burned with fury. "You'll die with me! Secret Technique!"

The ground erupted in a massive explosion. Kakuzu's mind raced. '

He's detonated the entire field? Is he trying to take me down with him?'

No. Ganraku lacked the resolve of a warrior ready to die. Kakuzu had seen true desperation before—Ganraku's aura didn't carry that weight. Still, the trap had been sprung, and Kakuzu needed to react.

Twisting mid-air, Kakuzu's outstretched hand clawed at Ganraku's collar. He intended to use the man's body to cushion the blast. But before Kakuzu could secure his grip, an earlier explosion nearby sent Ganraku flying like a ragdoll.

A series of deafening explosions followed.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The earth convulsed violently as the meticulously planted Earth Release mines went off in sequence. The ground split apart, sending shockwaves that shook the mountain. Birds scattered in terror, animals fled in droves, and even the trees swayed precariously. It was as if a localized earthquake had been unleashed.

Minutes passed before the chaos subsided. From a distance, the aftermath resembled a grim yet oddly artistic scene. The mountain's autumn foliage combined with the remnants of the explosions created a macabre masterpiece. At the center of it all, a small black mushroom cloud lingered in the air—a haunting mark of destruction.

The black smoke hung stubbornly in the sky, refusing to dissipate. The once-vibrant landscape was now eerily silent. No chirping birds, no buzzing insects. Only the crackle of lingering flames and the mournful whistle of the wind broke the stillness.

After a long silence—splurt! Finally, another sound broke the stillness. Ganraku, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes. A metallic tang filled his throat as he felt a sharp sweetness rise up. His eyes widened, and he quickly turned to his side, opening his mouth. A mouthful of blood spurted out.

"Urgh…ah…" Ganraku groaned as he struggled to sit up, leaning heavily against a large rock behind him. His hand clutched his chest, and the pained moans escaping his throat made it clear just how much agony he was in. The earlier blast from his own detonating bomb had hurled him away from the center of the explosion, sparing him from the worst of it. But the shockwave still left his body battered, and judging by the sharp pain in his chest, he was likely suffering from severe internal bleeding.

Even so, when his blurry gaze focused on the scene in the distance, Ganraku's pained grimace abruptly faded. His lips curled into a twisted grin, and a moment later, manic laughter spilled from his mouth. The transformation was almost absurd—agonized groans one second, triumphant laughter the next.

The reason for this miraculous shift was simple. Ganraku had spotted something that made him forget his own suffering. He saw someone in an even worse state than himself. He saw the light of victory. He saw a glimmer of hope to keep living.

"Ahahaha! Bounty hunter, you've finally fallen, haven't you?!"

Following Ganraku's ecstatic gaze, the scene came into view—a massive tree stood about fifteen meters away, and slumped against its trunk was Kakuzu. His expression was hidden behind his mask, but Ganraku didn't need to see it. What he did see was enough: Kakuzu's hardened body, which had been comparable to an impenetrable fortress, was now shattered by Ganraku's Earth Release explosive, a bomb with the destructive power of dozens of explosive tags.

Kakuzu's right arm and right leg were detached from his body, discarded like broken toys beside him. A person without legs couldn't escape. A shinobi without hands couldn't form seals. Kakuzu was finished.

And compared to Kakuzu, Ganraku's injuries were almost laughable—mere internal bleeding. The stark contrast filled Ganraku with glee. This was a hard-won victory.

"Now you understand the power of my secret technique!" Ganraku sneered. "You must have guessed that I used my legs to channel chakra and create Earth Release explosives underground. But there's something you didn't anticipate—I didn't just rely on chakra sensing to detonate the bombs. I created chakra threads, linking each bomb together. This allowed me to control the direction of the explosions! I bet you didn't see that coming, did you?!"

The mindset of a victor was always indulgent, and Ganraku didn't mind letting Kakuzu die knowing the truth of his defeat. Leaning against the rock for support, he slowly pushed himself to his feet. His body swayed, but he steadied himself, gripping a kunai in his hand. With uneven steps, he began to approach Kakuzu.

Meanwhile, Kakuzu, still slumped against the tree, paid no attention to Ganraku's approach. Instead, he was lost in his thoughts, replaying the battle in his mind.

'Linking chakra threads to Earth Release explosives to control the blast direction… That's not something just anyone can do.'

'But for a demolition-focused shinobi, it might not be that difficult.'

'Heh, the ninja world is full of secret techniques. It seems I can't afford to underestimate anyone until I truly achieve invincibility.'

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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