Hozuki Gengetsu: "???"
Gengetsu was utterly baffled, hearing Kazuku dissect the mechanics of his Steaming Danger Blast with perfect accuracy.
To an outsider, it'd seem Kazuku invented the technique.
"This kid's only seven, right?"
Gengetsu tapped his ears, seriously wondering if he was hallucinating.
Otherwise…
How could a seven-year-old…
Analyze Steaming Danger Blast?
Even Mu, the man he most respected, didn't grasp his technique this quickly.
Compared to Kazuku…
Gengetsu felt Mu…
Was a total failure!
And he'd seen Mu as gold!
He was a failure too!
Yes.
Witnessing Kazuku's talent, Gengetsu suddenly felt like a complete failure.
Kazuku not only inherited the First Hokage's immense chakra reserves…
But also his Wood Release.
And the Uzumaki Clan's unique sensing ability.
These alone made Kazuku a monster.
Yet his mind was even more astonishing!
Such analytical prowess surpassed any ninja Gengetsu had met.
This was a chosen one, a child of prophecy.
How else to explain Kazuku's feats?
Gengetsu's heart was profoundly shaken.
He never dreamed this assassination mission…
Would pit him against such a terrifying, absurd, incomprehensible monster!
The craziest part…
No matter how you looked at it, Kazuku was only six or seven!
This might even be his first real combat mission.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen and the others stared at Kazuku, unable to fathom how his brain worked.
Compared to him, they felt like idiots.
"But…"
Uchiha Kagami took a deep breath, suppressing his shock.
Though Kazuku analyzed Steaming Danger Blast's mechanics, how to stop it…
They still couldn't figure out.
As long as the clone moved, its oil heated, boiling the internal water.
And its speed was so fast…
Restricting its movement was nearly impossible.
"Yeah, Kazuku's analysis is great, but the problem's still unsolved…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his head.
He'd thought of using Enma's Adamantine Staff to form a Diamond Cage to trap the clone.
But per Kazuku's analysis, even trapped, it could explode.
As steam, escaping the cage would be effortless.
Another option was sealing techniques.
But sadly, their team…
Had no one skilled in sealing.
"Kagami, can't your genjutsu work?" Danzo suggested.
Kagami shook his head instantly.
It's just a clone.
No eyes.
How could genjutsu affect it?
However…
As everyone struggled, clueless on countering the clone…
Kazuku's lips curled into a faint smile.
As if Steaming Danger Blast wasn't an unsolvable puzzle.
"In fact, I've already cracked this technique."
Kazuku said lightly.
During the Fourth Ninja War, Gaara fought Gengetsu.
That battle was one of Gaara's rare highlights.
He used his father's gold dust to encase the clone, leveraging gold's heat conductivity…
To stop Steaming Danger Blast.
Sealing the reanimated Gengetsu.
The Second Mizukage saw him as gold!
Though Kazuku couldn't use Magnet Release or control gold dust…
Gaara's battle gave him a critical idea.
Cooling!
If the clone's surface temperature was lowered…
The internal water couldn't heat, producing no steam.
Without steam, it couldn't explode.
In the recent fight, Kazuku seemed to only use Wood Release to counter the clone, protecting the daimyo.
But in truth, when he saw Steaming Danger Blast activate…
He began planning.
Now!
It was time to end this!
Boom!
As Kazuku spoke, the ground beneath the clone shattered, a shadow bursting from the crack.
Seizing the moment when Steaming Danger Blast cooled, standing still, an uppercut aimed at the clone's chin.
In a flash, the clone countered, slashing the shadow's shoulder.
It was another Kazuku!
But…
This was his Wood Clone!
When Kazuku used Wood Human Technique, he created a Wood Clone, hiding it underground.
The clone stood directly above it during cooling.
Of course…
This was part of Kazuku's plan.
Zip!
The clone destroyed Kazuku's Wood Clone, but triggered its trait.
It rapidly grew into wood, binding the clone's arm.
"Useless," Gengetsu, hidden, muttered. "Even if you trap the clone, you can't stop its explosion."
"As long as Steaming Danger Blast keeps exploding, your restraints are meaningless."
But as Gengetsu assumed Kazuku was stalling…
A puddle near the clone surged, forming another Kazuku.
It was…
Water Clone Technique!
The clone swiftly formed seals, casting a water jutsu.
Water Release: Water Prison Technique!
Water surged from the clone's feet, enveloping the clone, trapping it.
The Water Clone plunged its arm inside, completing the technique.
Captured!
"This neutralizes Steaming Danger Blast."
Kazuku stared at the trapped clone, closing his eyes, activating Kagura Mind's Eye.
Everything within a 5km radius was clear.
"After using Steaming Danger Blast, Gengetsu's body weakens. In that state…"
"He can't escape 5km in such a short time."
Soon, Kagura Mind's Eye locked onto Gengetsu.
"Found you!"
Kazuku's eyes snapped open, confirming Gengetsu hid behind a wall.
(End of Chapter)