Konoha.
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade sat reading the message delivered by the ANBU.
After scanning the words written on the secret scroll, Tsunade's expression grew complicated.
"Sending Shinju and Naruto on that kind of mission… That Raikage bastard was clearly planning to use them as tools to do his dirty work."
"As expected, you can never let your guard down. Even though we've signed an alliance, Kumogakure still hasn't given up its hostility toward Konoha."
At that thought, Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
However, the Raikage definitely couldn't have guessed that Shinju and Naruto had already set their sights on the Akatsuki members…
"I just hope they'll be alright."
At her side, Shizune said worriedly, "The Akatsuki are all seasoned in battle. Kakuzu, for instance, has survived since the First Hokage's era…"
"Don't worry. If anything, it'll be Shinju who makes them run into trouble."
Tsunade's trust in Shinju was absolute.
"By the way, is there any news from Jiraiya?"
Shizune nodded. "This morning, Jiraiya-sama sent a message saying he's already reached Amegakure…"
Hearing this, Tsunade gave a helpless smile.
"Just as he always says—investigating while sightseeing. It took him this long just to get to Amegakure…"
Knowing that Jiraiya was half-playing while gathering intel actually made Tsunade feel more at ease.
After all, the Shinobi World knew nothing about Pain's true abilities.
If Jiraiya wasn't taking the mission too seriously, at least that way he'd have a better chance of coming back alive…
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Lightning.
Inside a cave.
Kakuzu and Hidan looked suspiciously at Shinju and Naruto.
Because both Shinju and Naruto's hair was black at the moment, neither Kakuzu nor Hidan recognized them right away…
"These kids are wearing Konoha forehead protectors. They don't look more than fifteen or sixteen."
"Since when are Konoha's shinobi this bold?"
Hidan hefted his scythe with a scornful grin.
Kakuzu chuckled as he studied the two teenagers.
"They say Konoha and Kumogakure have signed an alliance. But sending just these two after the Two-Tails' jinchūriki? Isn't that a bit careless…"
Halfway through his laugh, Kakuzu's expression froze.
Because now he realized—these two looked familiar!
Like he'd seen them somewhere before!
Shinju didn't waste words. In one hand, he drew the Kusanagi Sword from his back; in the other, he hurled a Flying Thunder God kunai!
Swish!
The blade of the Kusanagi extended like a viper striking at the two Akatsuki members!
Hidan bared his teeth in a grin and swung his scythe.
Clang!
Claaang!!
The scythe first deflected the kunai, then clashed with Shinju's sword!
Shock flickered in Hidan's eyes.
The collision rattled his grip so hard he nearly lost hold of his weapon!
"What the hell, how's this kid so strong?!"
Hidan shouted in disbelief.
Beside him, Kakuzu hadn't moved, his narrowed eyes still fixed on Shinju's face…
Where had he seen him before…?
The next instant—!
He smacked his forehead as it came back to him!
"Shinju!"
As he spoke the name, Kakuzu's eyes lit up: (´◊ω◊｀)
For a man who practically lived at the bounty exchange, the name Shinju was the same as money itself!
Two hundred and fifty million ryo!!!
If he could capture this brat, the Akatsuki's entire financial crisis would be solved!
"Kid, usually I don't interfere when Hidan makes a move."
"But you're different. Not only are you strong, you're worth a fortune. I can't risk Hidan screwing this up."
Kakuzu spoke slowly.
Across from him, Shinju wasn't surprised that his identity had been exposed.
He remembered these two as well. Back when he rescued Gaara, they'd tried to block his way.
But they were obliterated by his Multi-Element Rasenshuriken.
Next to Kakuzu, Hidan's pupils shrank sharply when he heard that name.
He carefully studied Shinju again…
The red hair might be gone, but that sharply defined, striking face—there was no doubt! It really was that kid!!
Once he was sure, Hidan instinctively stepped back half a pace, leaning toward Kakuzu.
"What do we do? This kid's tough… Maybe we should back off?"
The memory of Shinju's devastating jutsu on the riverbank in the Land of Rivers was burned into him.
Sure, he could survive even with his head chopped off.
But if he got blown into dust, there'd be nothing left to come back from…
Hearing his partner's suggestion, Kakuzu shot him an exasperated glare.
"Aren't you supposed to be the devout servant of Jashin, killing everyone you see? Why are you chickening out now?"
"That brat is worth two hundred and fifty million ryo. I'm not letting this slip away! (o´Д`o)ノ"
"But…"
Hidan still hesitated.
Before he could finish, Kakuzu gestured sharply with his eyes.
"They're here for the Two-Tails' jinchūriki. Guard her. I'll take care of this brat."
With that, Kakuzu raised his hand.
Shinju was strong, no doubt. But he had a fatal weakness: lack of battle experience.
Kakuzu, after all, had lived nearly a century.
Dealing with this kid might take effort, but it wasn't impossible…
Across from him, Shinju noticed the countless stitched seams covering the man's body, as if his entire form had been sewn together!
The next moment, the seams on Kakuzu's forearm suddenly split apart!
An eruption of black threads burst from the wounds, driving his fist straight toward Shinju and Naruto!
Just as the punch was about to connect, Shinju vanished with Flying Thunder God!
Beside him, Naruto slammed a Rasengan head-on into the incoming fist!
BOOM!!
The clash sent up a gale of dust and rubble!
Meanwhile, right behind Kakuzu, next to Hidan—!
Shinju reappeared at the spot where his earlier kunai had been deflected by Hidan's scythe.
The moment he arrived, he swung the Kusanagi Sword in a flash!
At its normal length, the blade couldn't have reached Hidan's body.
But this legendary weapon of Orochimaru's had a special property—it could extend.
As it slashed, the sword suddenly lengthened!
In an instant—
Shhhhk!!
Unable to dodge in time, Hidan was cleanly decapitated!
But to Shinju's shock, even with his head severed, Hidan was still talking?!
The fallen head screamed, "Hey! Kakuzu! The Two-Tails' jinchūriki's being taken by Shinju!!"
Kakuzu whipped around at the shout!
In that split second, Shinju struck with his prepared Piercing Hand!
Whoosh!!
Splurt!!
His lightning-clad right hand drove straight through Kakuzu's back!
Kakuzu collapsed to the ground.
"Not much of a challenge, really. ┐(´-｀)┌"
Shinju spread his hands with an easy smile.
No difficulty at all.
Then Shinju turned toward the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
After quickly checking the unfamiliar woman's wounds, green medical chakra bloomed in his hands as he began treating her…
Muttering as he worked, Shinju said, "Strange. Naruto's self-healing as a jinchūriki seems stronger than hers."
"Good thing we got here in time. Any later and she would've bled out. Looks like I'll have to gamble one life to save another again…"
Shinju's medical ninjutsu was even more refined than Tsunade's. As long as there was still a breath left, he had confidence he could pull someone back.
Sure enough, under his skilled treatment, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki's breathing gradually steadied…