"Is that... Tobirama Senju's technique?"
Kakuzu had lived for a very long time. He was familiar with many people and events in the shinobi world.
He had once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage, so he had naturally come into contact with the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Tobirama was hailed as the fastest ninja of his era. Although that title was on the verge of being taken by a new-generation brat, Kakuzu could never forget it.
Aside from the mysterious Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama was most renowned for his mastery of Water Release and forbidden techniques.
Especially his Water Release—it had left an indelible mark on the world.
There was nothing special about basic Water Release.
But the Water techniques Tobirama personally developed were outrageously powerful.
His Water Release emphasized one key trait—extreme compression, creating unparalleled penetration and cutting ability, achieving devastating power.
After Tobirama's death, such Water techniques were rarely seen.
But because they were so distinctive, Kakuzu recognized it instantly the moment this brat used it.
Since it was the Second Hokage's ninjutsu, Kakuzu couldn't afford to be careless.
He immediately mobilized his chakra, and his entire body darkened in tone.
Powerful Earth Release chakra gathered around him. Just as he completed the technique, Natsuhiko's Water Blade Slash struck him.
Clang!
A metallic collision echoed through the forest.
Kakuzu merely raised his right arm slightly—and blocked Natsuhiko's technique, preventing the blade from pressing down any further.
The violently spinning Water Release chakra flowed along the sword, sparks flickering where steel met Kakuzu's arm.
"This guy… his use of Earth Release is absurd!"
Natsuhiko felt his arm go numb, and his eyelid twitched.
In his thirteen years since transmigrating, he had spent at least half that time cultivating "Basic Attribute Fruits." It had been a grind, but the results were remarkable.
He had focused most on body coordination, speed, and reaction time.
But he had also cultivated quite a few in the strength category.
Fast speed, quick reactions, excellent coordination—these were the foundations of strong taijutsu.
Besides, when he was younger, Natsuhiko had fantasized about mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique. Naturally, he had made preparations accordingly.
Though the Senju clan had declined, they had left behind many valuable legacies. Even if some were handed over to Konoha, backups remained.
While strength hadn't been his highest priority, he was certainly no weaker than most eighteen- or nineteen-year-olds.
Otherwise, at thirteen—with mediocre bloodline development and unimpressive chakra reserves—he wouldn't have reached jōnin-level strength.
But now—
Even after using ninjutsu at full force, he couldn't break through this guy's Earth Release defense.
That was outrageous.
However, Natsuhiko had no time to dwell on it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the detached fist—the one whose threads he had severed—twitch slightly.
Without hesitation, he activated the Body Flicker Technique.
The instant he vanished, that fist burst upward from the ground and smashed into the spot where he had just stood.
"So it really is Earth Grudge Fear… I sensed some chakra underground earlier. This guy's really insidious."
Natsuhiko cursed inwardly.
As he landed steadily on the ground, his hands were already completing seals.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
Natsuhiko exhaled a thin, high-pressure jet of water. Like his previous strike, the water was compressed to its limit, transforming into a razor-sharp liquid blade.
Seeing this, Kakuzu could now fully confirm—
This white-haired brat definitely had some connection to Tobirama Senju.
The techniques he was using were exactly the ones Tobirama had become famous for!
A descendant? Or just a prized tool of Konoha? Kakuzu pondered briefly.
But he didn't think much of it.
Though troublesome, this technique wasn't enough to break his defense.
Not the white-haired brat in front of him—
And not the brat behind him, who was likely Kakashi either.
Neither of them should be able to penetrate his Earth Release defense.
"Since this is rare and interesting, I'll play with them for a bit. Then I'll deal with that Kakashi—another hefty bounty."
Kakuzu didn't move at all, and what happened next unfolded almost exactly as he had expected.
Natsuhiko's Water Release was indeed powerful.
But he wasn't in Sage Mode, and his overall strength was only at the jōnin level. It was unlikely he could break through Kakuzu's defense.
And reality proved much the same.
The Severing Wave once again sliced apart the black threads connecting to Kakuzu's hand, then slammed hard into his body.
This time, Kakuzu was forced slightly backward, and faint cracks appeared across his chest—
But that was all.
A ninja's natural defense wasn't impressive.
However, Earth Release users often developed defensive techniques—especially ones applied directly to their own bodies.
Someone like Kakuzu, who had lived for who knew how many years, would naturally have perfected his own protection.
In the original story, after losing his Earth Release heart, he had little resistance left. Once struck, he could be killed.
"And in the original, it was Kakashi's Lightning Release that destroyed your strongest defensive heart."
Looking at Kakuzu, who clearly carried a playful attitude, Natsuhiko suddenly smiled.
Because Kakashi was in position.
Suddenly, Kakuzu frowned. He sensed something was off.
But at that moment, Natsuhiko abruptly cut off his technique and, without hesitation, used the Body Flicker again to close in, preventing Kakuzu from shifting his attention toward Kakashi.
"Mm—!"
In an instant, Kakuzu's eyes widened.
Along with the piercing chirping sound came an intense stabbing pain in his chest—followed by spreading numbness.
He lowered his head in disbelief and saw the hand that had pierced straight through his chest.
"You—"
Kakuzu knew he had been careless.
These two brats, as Anbu, actually had some skill.
Though he wouldn't truly die from this, losing an Earth Release heart still filled him with anger.
But the paralysis coursing through his body left him unable to act.
The moment Natsuhiko saw this, he immediately changed direction.
Instead of continuing toward Kakuzu, he dashed almost instantly to the corpse lying on the ground.
With a single slash, he severed its head.
The movement was smooth and practiced.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time he had faced such trouble—or used such a method.
No hesitation. No wasted motion.
He flashed a tactical hand signal to Kakashi.
Then Natsuhiko grabbed the head in one hand, turned, and ran—leaving behind nothing but a black silhouette.
Kakashi and Kakuzu both froze at the sight.
Kakashi recovered quickly. He pulled his hand free from Kakuzu's chest and hurried after Natsuhiko.
As for Kakuzu—
He was completely stunned.
The paralysis still lingering in his body meant that even after switching hearts, he couldn't give chase immediately.
By the time he fully recovered, the two had already vanished from sight.
"What… what kind of bastard did I just run into?"