Chapter 72

The three figures beside Tian Yu were Anbu—each of them bearing the strength of elite jōnin.

Yet even they hesitated to enter this battle. What kind of terrifying confrontation was about to unfold, where even jōnin-level shinobi couldn't intervene?

A gleam of silver light flashed across Tian Yu's palm—

A long, silver-white bow materialized from thin air, chakra threads binding its limbs.

The Tracking Bow—a ninja tool imbued with advanced chakra detection. It locked onto targets instinctively, requiring no visual confirmation. With chakra as ammunition, its arrows could pierce through steel-reinforced defenses.

"Time's short, Tsunade. I don't have time to explain the specifics," Tian Yu said tersely.

He grabbed Tsunade's hand, pricked her fingertip with a kunai, and smeared the fresh blood across the bow's surface.

A sharp chime rang out—

"Ding! You have successfully signed a contract with the Tracking Bow and become its master!"

The sudden voice inside Tsunade's mind startled her for a moment.

"This—this is…"

But Tsunade, having seen countless strange jutsu in her life, calmed herself swiftly.

This resembled summoning contracts—except instead of a beast, she had bonded with a weapon. In her mind's eye, she felt a spiritual connection form with the bow. Its structure, balance, and purpose all unfolded within her awareness as if it had been hers since birth.

Before she could ask further, a chill ran through the clearing.

From the distant woods, two figures stepped into view—clad in long black cloaks adorned with crimson clouds.

One wore a half-mask, hiding his face below the eyes. The other slung a massive triple-bladed scythe over his back. His ash-gray hair was slicked backward, styled like a matured delinquent.

They strode across the battlefield without care, their boots stepping over the corpses of the casino mercenaries. Not a trace of sorrow or vengeance marked their expressions—only derision.

"Heh. What a bunch of useless trash," the scythe-wielder sneered. "They couldn't even kill a few targets. I guess their only value was to tire out the enemy's chakra reserves."

Tian Yu narrowed his eyes.

He had been right.

These two—Kakuzu and Hidan.

Kakuzu, an elite rogue-nin from Takigakure, once entrusted with assassinating the First Hokage himself, had survived Hashirama's wrath and returned to his village—only to be punished for failure. Fueled by betrayal, he stole Takigakure's forbidden technique—Earth Grudge Fear, enabling him to manipulate black tendrils, steal hearts, and prolong his life. With five hearts stored in his body, he could wield multiple elemental natures at once. His current combat level—secondary film-tier.

Hidan, his partner from Yugakure, was loud, fanatical, and obsessed with his cult-like faith in Jashin. Though he lacked traditional ninjutsu, his immortality made him even more terrifying. By drawing a blood curse symbol, he linked his body to the enemy—every injury he inflicted upon himself would be mirrored on his victim. With this technique, he had even slain Konoha's elite jōnin, Asuma Sarutobi, in the original timeline.

Their cloaks marked them as agents of Akatsuki—the organization pursuing tailed beasts and accumulating wealth for unknown goals.

The casino operation had just been a front.

Tian Yu's hunch had proven accurate—this was Kakuzu's money-laundering network.

"You're quite well known these days," Kakuzu said gruffly, staring at Tian Yu. "You were seen traveling with the Blue Beast of Konoha. They call you… the Black Death God, right?"

The others present turned toward Tian Yu, puzzled.

Black Death God? Was that some kind of Anbu codename?

Tian Yu gave a small, embarrassed smile. "Huh? So even scum like you heard that name? Where from?"

Kakuzu continued, ignoring the tone. "I heard it on the black market. A warning circulated through bounty networks—Beware the one who travels beside the Blue Beast, a shadow whose face none have seen. None survive an encounter with him. He is known only as… the Black Death God."

Tian Yu resisted the urge to cover his face in shame.

That title had emerged years ago, when he and Might Guy had trained across the Land of Rivers. Upon opening his enhanced Sixth Gate, Tian Yu's chakra would morph into a dense black aura—turning him into a phantom blur of death. The trail of defeated enemies had spawned exaggerated tales.

But the name still made him cringe.

"Seriously… that ridiculous nickname again," Tian Yu sighed. "How'd you even identify me?"

Kakuzu retrieved a bounty pamphlet from his cloak.

It showed an illustration of the Sun Blade, Tian Yu's unique forged weapon. Kakuzu's gravelly voice emerged from beneath his hood:

"Bounty: 100 million ryo—code name: Black Death God."

"You use a forged weapon called the Sun Blade. White feathered cloak. High-speed boots. All trademarks of your battle profile. After my men confirmed your presence, I verified your identity."

"I just didn't expect the legendary Black Death God to be a… child. Konoha's Anbu captain, no less."

A glint of greed sparked in Kakuzu's eyes—like a vulture spotting an untouched corpse.

A legacy of violence followed this man. Once, during the founding of the Five Great Nations, he had been Takigakure's champion, sent to assassinate Senju Hashirama himself. He failed—barely survived—then turned on his village, stealing their greatest secret technique and slaying his leaders to harvest their hearts.

Since then, Kakuzu trusted only money. Loyalty and friendship meant nothing.

He lived for bounties.

And Tian Yu was a jackpot.

"Hurry up and kill them already!" Hidan snapped. "I want to spill blood in the name of Lord Jashin!"

Tian Yu kept calm. He turned to Tsunade and whispered, "The guy with the scythe—Hidan—has a cursed technique. He scratches you, draws your blood, then forms a ritual circle. After that, any injury he inflicts on himself is inflicted on you."

Tsunade clenched her teeth. "That damn blood technique…"

"You're still struggling with hemophobia, right? That's why you'll fight him at range. Use the Tracking Bow. Keep your distance. I'll deal with Kakuzu and come support you."

"Don't underestimate me, brat," Tsunade scoffed.

Though she was blindfolded, she sensed the danger in the air. Tightening her grip around the bow, she infused chakra into the weapon, and a jade-green arrow formed and launched in a flash of light—aimed directly at Hidan.

Without waiting, she bit her finger and slammed her palm to the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

A massive slug, a clone of Katsuyu, materialized on the battlefield. Tsunade leapt onto its back, bow in hand, ready for ranged combat.

Across from her, Hidan's grin widened. "Oh? A summoner, eh? This'll be fun!"

He rushed forward, swinging his scythe like a mad butcher. His bloodlust was palpable.

As their weapons clashed, the ground trembled under the weight of their power. In moments, they exchanged over a hundred fierce blows.

Meanwhile, Tian Yu rocketed toward Kakuzu.

He had to end this quickly. Tsunade's fear of blood still lingered—he couldn't afford to let the fight drag on.