Chapter 79: The Price of a Brother
In Konoha, sunlight poured over rooftops and streets, painting a scene of peace. The distant battles of the world seemed to have nothing to do with this tranquil village.
Naruto, his face glowing with excitement, raced toward the Hokage Building like an arrow loosed from a bow, his grin full of anticipation.
'What kind of reaction will Renji have when he sees my new jutsu?'
He could already picture it.
"Wow! Naruto, you're amazing! You're the strongest ninja in Konoha! I admire you so much!"
Renji would clasp his hands together, his face filled with admiration.
"Naruto, you're so cool! You've mastered such a powerful jutsu—you must be a genius! Way better than Sasuke!"
Her gem-like, heterochromatic eyes would sparkle with pure admiration.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
The more Naruto imagined it, the wider his grin grew.
Behind him, Jiraiya strolled leisurely with his hands behind his back. He shot Naruto's ridiculous expression a look of pure disdain.
"Stop fantasizing, Naruto," he muttered.
Naruto pouted, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes. "I'm not fantasizing!"
"Ero-sennin! Hurry up!" Naruto stopped, turning to glare at the unhurried Sannin.
"I know, I know. Kids these days have no patience," Jiraiya grumbled, though he quickened his pace. He didn't want to listen to Naruto's whining all the way there.
Satisfied, Naruto nodded and dashed ahead. He had been training a brand-new jutsu under Ero-sennin and finally perfected it. Now he couldn't wait to show Renji.
Jiraiya rubbed his nose, teasing. "You know, even if Renji learned a new jutsu, he wouldn't run around showing it off like you."
Naruto snorted, speeding up. "That's not the same! Renji's already super strong!"
...
The atmosphere in the Hokage's Office was heavy.
When Naruto heard Tsunade announce that Renji had been sent on a mission, he froze as if struck by lightning.
His bright blue eyes dimmed instantly. Disappointment washed over him, and his head drooped.
Then Tsunade, calm but solemn, spoke again.
"Asuma has unfortunately been killed in action."
Naruto's pupils dilated, unable to process the words.
Beside him, Jiraiya's casual demeanor vanished. He sighed softly, the weight of loss pressing down on him. Though he understood the harsh reality of a ninja's life, Asuma's death still stirred a deep sense of regret.
Naruto snapped back to reality, his voice trembling with rage. "Who was it?! Who killed Asuma-sensei?!"
His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms until they nearly drew blood. He didn't even feel the pain. Asuma-sensei had helped him train his new jutsu.
Tsunade drew a deep breath. "The culprits are from the Akatsuki—Kakuzu, Hidan… and Hasumi."
She paused, and somewhere else in the world, an invisible notification sounded.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000!]
[Chakra (123,311,002 / 200,000,000)]
Jiraiya's expression hardened, his brows furrowing. "Kakuzu, Hidan… never heard of them. New members, it seems."
Tsunade rubbed her brow. "Our intel on Akatsuki is far too limited," she said gravely. "When our shinobi encounter unknown members, they're at a severe disadvantage."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000!]
[Chakra (123,321,002 / 200,000,000)]
"Those bastards again!" Naruto gritted his teeth.
Just then, Sakura and Sai entered the office.
"Lady Hokage," Sakura said urgently, worry etched across her face. "Now that Naruto's back, please send us to reinforce Renji and the others!"
Ever since learning that Renji and Kakashi had joined Shikamaru and Ino's mission, a heavy sense of unease had lingered in her chest.
Naruto looked straight at Tsunade, his eyes burning with determination.
Tsunade sighed. The Akatsuki's main target was Naruto. Sending him after them would be suicide. But faced with those eager, desperate eyes, she finally gave in.
Rubbing her temples, she relented. "Alright, you can go—but be careful!"
"Yes!" Naruto and Sakura shouted together, their grief momentarily eclipsed by determination.
...
On the battlefield, Shikamaru's face was taut with focus.
He moved swiftly, launching a kunai straight at Kakuzu. To his shock, the blade hit its mark but met only the sound of metal.
"It's a ninjutsu that hardens the body!" Shikamaru shouted, sharing the intel with his team.
Kakuzu stepped out from the smoke, sneering. "Sharp observation. You're right. Physical attacks won't work on me."
Shikamaru's mind raced. 'I expected this to be tough, but not this tough.'
"Behold, unbelievers!" Hidan laughed manically. "Time for the real fight!"
He tried to move—only to find himself immobilized. Looking down, he saw a shadow linking his feet to Shikamaru's. "Kakuzu! Hurry up and break this stupid jutsu!"
Suddenly, Kakuzu stiffened.
A flash of silver-blue lightning burst from behind him—piercing straight through his chest.
"How is that possible…?" Kakuzu's eyes widened. "He appeared behind me without a sound…"
Hidan turned, glaring at their third teammate. "Hey! Hasumi! Ever thought about giving a warning?!"
He couldn't believe Hasumi hadn't sensed the attack.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000!]
[Chakra (123,322,002 / 200,000,000)]
"Hidan!" Hasumi barked, furious. "Can't you use that pathetic brain of yours for once?!"
He was no longer calm—rage had consumed him.
Hidan looked stunned. "Why so angry?! I just asked a question!"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000!]
[Chakra (123,323,002 / 200,000,000)]
After grumbling, Hidan turned to Kakuzu. "Didn't you say physical attacks don't work on you? Look at you now—skewered!"
Kakuzu ignored him.
The attacker was Kakashi. Hasumi knew Kakuzu's secret: the "immunity" was a lie. It was an Earth Release jutsu forming a hard shell of stone—now exposed.
Lightning Release pierces Earth Release.
"So strong!" Ino whispered, eyes wide. "As expected of Kakashi-sensei!"
Shikamaru let out a sigh of relief—but his body wobbled, drenched in sweat. He had maintained his jutsu too long.
Kakashi, sensing Shikamaru's strain, tore his hand free from Kakuzu and turned toward Hidan. Lightning flared in his palm. "You're next."
"Hey! Hasumi!" Hidan shouted. "Quit worrying about your brother! Help me out!"
No response. Hasumi ignored him.
Hidan scowled. Hasumi was ruthless—he'd even killed Sasori. Still, Hidan had thought their shared immortality made them allies.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +3,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +3,000!]
[Chakra (123,326,002 / 200,000,000)]
"Damn Hasumi!" Hidan snarled as Kakashi rushed in.
Just before the lightning struck, Kakuzu kicked Kakashi away with a powerful blow.
Ino and Shikamaru froze.
"What's going on?" Shikamaru gasped. "We hit his heart!"
"Let's end this," Hidan snapped.
"I was thinking the same thing," Kakuzu said, stripping off his blood-soaked robe. His upper body revealed a grotesque sight—stitched skin, crawling like centipedes, and four eerie masks fused to his back.
The stitches writhed as if something inside wanted to break free.
Shikamaru and Ino felt chills race down their spines.
With a snap, the shadow beneath Hidan broke—Shikamaru's jutsu had reached its limit.
At the same time, Kakuzu's stitches split open. Four black, ghostlike forms burst out, each wearing one of the masks.
"What the hell…?" Shikamaru breathed. "Why isn't he dead? What are those things?"
He had never seen anything like it.
"Lord Jashin!" Hidan roared. "Watch as I rip out their guts!"
The stitches on Kakuzu's back healed—but one mask fell to the ground, melting into black liquid.
"Hey, Kakuzu!" Hidan frowned. "Why'd one die right away? Embarrassing!"
A realization hit Shikamaru. "Kakashi! The masks—they're his hearts!"
Kakashi nodded grimly.
"Hidan, back off," Kakuzu said coldly.
"I'm not running away now," Hidan sneered. "I'm finishing this!"
His scythe flashed, forcing Kakashi back—only for a black shadow to loom before him.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
A violent gale struck, sending Kakashi flying.
"He even hurts his own partner," Shikamaru muttered, exasperated. "That blast hit Hidan too… but he's immortal. This is insane."
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Another mask spat a spear of lightning straight at Shikamaru.
"Ino, move!"
Ino burst from cover. "Shikamaru! Watch out!"
Too late. His chakra was nearly gone.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (123,328,002 / 200,000,000)]
"Chidori!"
Purple lightning surged, forming a barrier in a young man's hand.
"Renji…" Shikamaru and Ino breathed in relief.
Before they could rest, Kakuzu's mocking voice rang out. "Your chakra must be running low…"
"Next," Hidan sneered, "let's see how you handle this!"
Kakuzu's hands flew through seals. A monster opened its mouth.
"Fire Release: Searing Migraine!"
Flames roared, consuming everything.
"He can use Fire Release too?!" Ino cried.
Renji formed a seal. "Water Release: Water Wall!"
A massive wave surged up, blocking the inferno.
"Hmph," Kakuzu scowled. "Your little brother's really annoying, Hasumi."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000!]
[Chakra (123,329,002 / 200,000,000)]
Nearby, Hasumi replied coldly, "So what?"
Bang!
Kakashi blocked Hidan's scythe, the impact cracking his kunai.
Shikamaru, now clear-headed, shouted, "The monsters are part of Kakuzu! He has four hearts in those masks plus his own! We need to destroy all of them!"
"You're correct," Kakuzu sneered. "These hearts were taken from ninja I've slain. Looks like I'll be collecting more today."
The battle turned brutal.
Lightning, fire, and wind clashed violently. In the chaos, Ino suddenly felt a cold force grip her throat. Kakuzu's black-threaded arm had stretched out like a phantom. Another hand seized Shikamaru.
On the other side, Renji fought desperately against Hidan—and his own brother.
Kakashi, surrounded by the remaining monsters, was barely holding on.
Kakuzu roared, lifting Shikamaru and Ino into the air.
They gasped for breath, their vision blurring—
A sharp flash of light cut through the chaos. An ice blade slashed across Kakuzu's arms, forcing him to release them.
"Cough! Cough!" Ino collapsed, clutching her throat. Shikamaru gasped beside her.
Before they could recover, a wet sound split the air.
Shikamaru froze as blood splattered across his face.
"Distracted, little brother?" Hasumi's cold voice cut through the air. "Looking away to save them? You're just asking to die."
A kunai was buried deep in Renji's neck.
Shikamaru and Ino's eyes widened in horror.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000,000!]
[Chakra (124,329,002 / 200,000,000)]
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000,000!]
[Chakra (125,329,002 / 200,000,000)]
Blood gushed from the wound, but with a muffled grunt, Renji tore free from Hasumi's grasp. Enduring the agony, he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around his brother in a desperate embrace.
In response, sharp spikes erupted from Hasumi's body, impaling Renji through his torso.
Renji endured the pain, tightening his grip and shouting hoarsely, "Shikamaru! The plan! Use the Sealing Jutsu—now!"
Shikamaru's face went pale, his hands trembling.
The Sealing Jutsu.
Yes—against two immortals, it was their only chance.
But their plan had never included this. It had never included Renji sacrificing himself.