69novels Chapter 76 Konoha Rumors: Kakuzu Takes the Bait
Chapter 76 Konoha Rumors: Kakuzu Takes the Bait
Many of the ninjas and clans that had initially supported Sakumo Hatake began to waver. After all, 100 million ryo was no small sum; it would be a devastating loss for anyone.
Sakumo Hatake remained silent. He simply stayed at home, polishing the short sword that had been with him for many years.
The Third Hokage did publicly state that there were reasons for the incident and that Sakumo couldn't be entirely blamed. However, his statement seemed weak and powerless in the face of the overwhelming rumors.
Somewhere in the wilderness.
Naoto walked alone on the desolate path.
It's been half a month since he left the village. He took on three missions, two B-level and one A-level, and completed them all successfully. He received the bounty and the commission, but the reputation that Aburame Shicheng mentioned still hadn't improved much.
After all, A-rank missions are rare in Takigakure, but they're just so-so in other parts of the ninja world.
"We still need to take on a few more big ones."
As he was pondering this, he suddenly stopped. On a huge rock in front of him sat a man.
The man wore a black cloak and a mask, revealing only a pair of cold eyes. He exuded an unsettling aura.
Naoto's pupils contracted slightly. He recognized the man, or rather, he recognized the headband he was wearing.
"Kakuzu".
The man jumped off the boulder and stretched his neck.
Do you know me?
"Your bounty is the highest on Takigakure's wanted list." Naoto slowly assumed a fighting stance. "What are you doing here?"
Kakuzu didn't answer, he just stared at Naoto.
"Di Yuan Yu... are you the junior who successfully cultivated?"
Zhi Ren was startled; it seemed he had come looking for him on purpose.
Kakuzu smiled faintly, "The Earth Grudge Technique is mine. I killed that good-for-nothing and stole it. I never expected that after so many years, someone would still be able to master it."
He seemed to be deep in thought, finding the matter unbelievable, because the Earthly Grudge Yu seemed to be unique, and seeing it today confirmed it.
He didn't sense the same aura from the other person, but strangely, he did sense the aura of someone of the same kind. They must have been using the same technique, just with different elements fused together.
"Let me see how well you've practiced."
Before he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared from the spot.
Naoto's pupils contracted sharply, and white tentacles instantly surged from all over his body, weaving into a barrier in front of him. The next instant, Kakuzu's fist slammed heavily into the barrier.
boom!
The immense impact sent Naoto flying backward, sliding for over ten meters before regaining his balance.
"The response is okay, but too slow."
Kakuzu reappeared, this time from the side. His arm twisted strangely, his five fingers transforming into five black tentacles that pierced towards Naoto like arrows.
Earth Grudge Fist - Tentacle Fist!
Naoto gritted his teeth and hardened his tentacles as well. The black and white tentacles of the two men collided and rubbed against each other in the air, producing a piercing screeching sound.
"Oh? So you'll use my techniques against me?"
A flicker of interest flashed in Kakuzu's eyes, but he was even more interested in the bounty on his head. However, its price was still too low, and he needed to raise it.
"Let's see whose tentacles are harder!"
The battle between the two erupted in this wilderness.
Naoto is quite strong, but he is suppressed at every turn when facing Kakuzu, the original owner of the Earth Grudge.
Kakuzu had used the same technique for decades and knew it by heart. Naoto, on the other hand, had only practiced it for less than two years, making the difference obvious.
But Naoto also has his advantages—he's young, has plenty of energy, and his chakra reserves are not bad either.
Although his tentacles are lacking in both toughness and quantity, they have produced toxins due to previous anti-toxicity experiments. Each collision injects a trace amount of toxins into Kakuzu's body.
Kakuzu gradually realized something was wrong. His movements became sluggish, and the flow of chakra was no longer smooth.
"Poisoning?"
He narrowed his eyes, staring at Naoto: "Interesting. Where did you learn all these crooked tricks?"
The straight man didn't answer, but continued his attack.
Kakuzu snorted coldly, suddenly withdrew his hand, and leaped back several feet: "That's enough for today."
He turned and left without looking back, leaving behind only one sentence: "Next time we meet, I'll fight seriously. Then, let me see if your Earth Grudge Yu is truly qualified to inherit my technique."
Naoto stood there, watching his figure disappear into the horizon, and let out a long breath.
He had several wounds on his body, and his chakra was mostly depleted. But for some reason, a strange feeling welled up inside him.
That person... didn't seem to really want to kill him.
Deep within the underground palace.
After listening to Naoto's report, Aburame Shisei seemed to be deep in thought.
"Kakuzu, it seems he finally heard the news and came looking for you."
Aburame Shisei remained silent for a moment, then Kakuzu came to his door, but did not kill him.
What does this mean?
This means that the man still cares a little about Takigakure, Jigengo, and the juniors who have mastered this technique.
Of course, it's also possible that he wants to earn more money, but Takigaku can satisfy that need.
"Next time he comes, you fight him."
Naoto was stunned: "Fight? I can't beat him."
"I'm having you fight him so you can learn. He's used the Earthly Grudge Technique for decades; every move and every stance has been honed in real combat. Fighting him once will be more effective than practicing on your own for a year."
Naoto nodded thoughtfully.
"Also, if we can win him over, we should do so. He's someone we need."
After a long silence, Naoto asked, "Will he... come back?"
Aburame Shisei did not answer.
He turned around and looked at the petri dish.
The aquatic worm that survived within the Seven-Tails' chakra had grown considerably. Its body had become more transparent, and the purple light spots within it were brighter.
And next to it, several more insect eggs appeared.
They were all swimming slowly, as if they were breathing.
"He'll come back," Aburame Shicheng said with a smile. "He's only sparing your life because he's being hypocritical."
Naoto looked at him and suddenly felt that this person was even more unfathomable than before.
He turned and left. Behind him, the fluorescent light in the petri dish flickered gently, like eyes quietly opening in the darkness.
-
The rumors about Konoha continue.
Sakumo Hatake remained secluded, the Third Hokage remained silent, and Danzo sneered and lay dormant in the shadows.
The remnants of the Daodao Clan licked their wounds in their new stronghold, while Nan Shi sat by the campfire, staring blankly at the flickering flames.
On the icy plains of the Snow Country, three figures trudged forward with difficulty, leaving behind a long trail of footprints.
In the wilderness, Kakuzu sat alone on a boulder, gazing at the distant sky, lost in thought.
Deep within the underground palace, Aburame Shicheng quietly watched the glowing insects.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner, yet everything was also subtly changing.