Chapter 187 : Why Did You Provoke Him for No Reason?

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"I've heard of him," Kazekaze replied, not expecting to encounter Kakuzu in such a place. From his appearance, it seemed he had successfully acquired Takigakure's secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear.

"Kakuzu?" Hiruzen was taken aback. The name rang a bell in his mind. After some thought, he remembered where he had heard it. "The ninja who attempted to assassinate Lord Hashirama?" Although Kakuzu hadn't succeeded in the assassination, he had indeed attempted a remarkable feat. To assassinate the First Hokage, revered as the God of Shinobi. Just the courage to attempt such a thing was worthy of admiration.

"Since he failed to assassinate Lord Hashirama, is he now here to assassinate Hashirama's grandson?" Hiruzen speculated on Kakuzu's motives. Otherwise, why would they encounter Kakuzu in such a place? It couldn't just be a coincidence, right? How could there be such a coincidence?

"You say he's Hashirama's grandson?" However, this time, Kakuzu wasn't here to assassinate Kazekaze; he merely wanted to claim Kazekaze's strong heart for himself. But the fact that Kazekaze was Hashirama's grandson didn't surprise Kakuzu much. Since Wood Release is a Kekkei Genkai, it indicated some connection between Kazekaze and Hashirama. Hearing Hiruzen's words only confirmed Kakuzu's suspicions.

Hiruzen instinctively stepped forward, shielding Kazekaze and the others behind him. In the next second, Kazekaze stepped forward, placing Hiruzen behind him.

"Hiruzen, step back. You're not a match for Kakuzu right now," Kazekaze said nonchalantly. Though Sarutobi Hiruzen was proficient in the Five Releases and quite powerful, that was in his adulthood, not now. Facing Kakuzu now, he stood little chance of victory.

Watching Kazekaze's back, Hiruzen hesitated slightly, then obediently stepped back two steps. It wasn't that he feared Kakuzu. It was simply... He suddenly realized a serious problem. Kazekaze, though only seven years old, was far stronger than him. If even Kazekaze couldn't handle the ninja, how could he possibly be a match?

'Kazekaze, this monster, doesn't need my protection...' Hiruzen couldn't help but mock himself, realizing it was more likely Kazekaze protecting him.

"I'll help you," Koharu suddenly blushed, wanting to assist, but Kazekaze opposed.

"No need," Kazekaze said, immediately using Wood Release: Clone Technique. From Kazekaze's back, a piece of wood slowly protruded, growing larger and taking on a human shape. At a visible speed, it became identical to Kazekaze, finally detaching and landing on the ground.

"Kakuzu, you still have time to escape," Kazekaze said without hesitation. Kazekaze understood some of Kakuzu's history. In a way, Kakuzu was also a pitiful person. He worked tirelessly for his village, even risking his life to assassinate Hashirama. What a joke. That was Hashirama. The renowned God of Shinobi. The one who ended the era of chaos. The strongest Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages, right? What courage and boldness that took. And yet? Takigakure not only failed to see Kakuzu as a hero but condemned him.

'If that happened to me, I'd probably scatter their ashes,' Kazekaze thought. Kazekaze felt that Kakuzu's later distrust of others, valuing only money, was largely due to this. In a way, Kakuzu was also a pitiable person. Moreover, their encounter here was likely a coincidence. If Kakuzu turned and ran, Kazekaze wouldn't pursue.

But Kazekaze's kind advice only made Kakuzu sneer. "You think you can defeat me?" Kakuzu felt Kazekaze was boasting. Having acquired Earth Grudge Fear, his strength had increased several times since his attempt on Hashirama.

'Though the hearts of those old guys weren't strong, they allowed me to master five types of Release techniques. A mere six or seven-year-old brat. How could he be my match? He's just bluffing.' With this thought, Kakuzu decisively attacked, "Earth Release: Earth Spear!" This was Kakuzu's innate ability, using Earth Release to harden his skin, enhancing attack and defense. During his attempt on Hashirama, he used this technique to confront Hashirama's super strength.

After activating the jutsu, Kakuzu's arm hardened to black, and he lunged at Kazekaze. Kakuzu now wielded numerous powerful jutsu. But to claim Kazekaze and the others' hearts, he didn't intend to destroy them. Thus, he chose taijutsu.

'I remember now.' As Kakuzu's body turned into a black shadow charging at Kazekaze, he suddenly recalled. When he fought Hashirama, that person also used a similar ability. Super strength. "No wonder I felt this brat's kicks were powerful; he inherited Hashirama's super strength."

Kazekaze had already mastered Wood Release. Adding super strength wasn't surprising. However, Kakuzu's Earth Release: Earth Spear was also a super strength technique. Seeing Kakuzu charge, Kazekaze shook his head, "Kakuzu, I really don't want to kill you." With a sigh, Kazekaze focused chakra into his fist, aiming directly at Kakuzu's hand.

Boom! With a loud crash, the Earth Release covering Kakuzu's arm began to crack. In less than two breaths, cracks covered his arm. Kakuzu was dumbfounded. "This guy's super strength rivals Hashirama's..." Then Kazekaze kicked at Kakuzu's abdomen. Surprised by Kazekaze's super strength, Kakuzu's mind wandered, unable to defend against Kazekaze's whip kick.

Boom! Another crash, and Kakuzu's body flew uncontrollably like a kite with a broken string. Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura all gasped. No matter how many times they saw it, Kazekaze's super strength was astonishing. They couldn't help but pity Kakuzu. Why did you provoke him for no reason?

"Kakuzu, you should run," Hiruzen gulped, foreseeing Kakuzu's future. "To attack Kazekaze, this guy... is really foolish." Even Kakuzu, lying on the ground after being knocked back, couldn't help but doubt his life. Was that really... The taijutsu of a six or seven-year-old kid? That was too absurd.

"What just happened..."