Chapter 7

"Is this... Tobirama Senju's technique?"

Kakuzu, after all, was someone who had lived for a very long time, and he was familiar with many people and events in the ninja world.

Back in the day, he had ambushed the First Hokage and naturally had interactions with the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Tobirama Senju was known as the fastest ninja in the ninja world, although this title was about to be taken by a new generation of brats. However, Kakuzu could not forget any of this.

Apart from his mysterious and unpredictable Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama was most skilled in the use of Water Release and secret techniques.

Especially his Water Release left an indelible impression on the world!

There was not much to say about basic Water Release, but the Water Release techniques he developed himself were incredibly powerful.

His Water Release also had a distinctive characteristic: extreme compression, which gave it high penetration and cutting power, thus achieving ultimate strength!

Such Water Release techniques were rarely seen after Tobirama's death, but this technique was so unique that Kakuzu immediately recognized it when the brat used it.

Since it was a technique of the Second Hokage, Kakuzu naturally could not be careless. He immediately channeled his chakra, and at the same time, his entire body turned a deeper color.

Powerful Earth Release chakra gathered in his body, and as he completed the technique, Xia Yan's Water Blade Slash landed on Kakuzu.

"Clang!"

A sound like metal clashing echoed through the forest. Kakuzu merely raised his right arm slightly to block Xia Yan's technique, even preventing his ninjato from pressing down any further!

The rapidly spinning Water Release continued to flow on his blade, and sparks flew from the ninjato and Kakuzu's arm.

"This guy, his use of Earth Release is also ridiculous!"

Xia Yan felt his arm go numb, causing his eyelids to twitch.

In his thirteen years of穿越生活, he had spent at least half of his time cultivating the basic elemental fruits, which, although somewhat risky, had very good results.

He had cultivated the most in body coordination, body speed, and reaction speed, but he had also cultivated a lot in strength.

Speed and quick reactions, combined with good body coordination, were indicators of a ninja's excellent taijutsu ability.

Moreover, Xia Yan had also fantasized about the Flying Thunder God Technique when he was young, so he naturally made similar preparations.

The Senju clan had declined but still left behind many good things, even if they were given to Konoha, he had backups.

Although his focus on strength was slightly lower, it was certainly not inferior to that of an 18-19 year old.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to have the strength of a jōnin at the age of thirteen, with mediocre bloodline development and subpar chakra.

But now, he was actually stopped directly while using a technique, and even with his full effort, he could not break through this guy's Earth Release defense. This was too ridiculous!

However, Xia Yan did not have time to think much, as he noticed the fist he had cut off earlier moving slightly out of the corner of his eye.

Without hesitation, he activated the Body Flicker Technique. Just as he disappeared, the fist suddenly rose from the ground and smashed into his previous position!

"Sure enough, it's the Earth Grudge Fear. I sensed some chakra underground earlier. This guy is really devious."

Xia Yan cursed inwardly. When he landed steadily on the ground, his hands had already completed the hand seals.

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"

Xia Yan forcefully spewed out a high-pressure water column, which, like before, was completely compressed and transformed into a sharp water blade.

Seeing this, Kakuzu could definitively conclude that the white-haired brat in front of him definitely had some connection to Tobirama Senju. The techniques this brat used were exactly the same as those that made Tobirama famous back then!

"Descendant? Or a talented one that Konoha is focusing on cultivating?"

Kakuzu thought to himself, but he did not take it too seriously. Although the technique was troublesome, it was not enough to break through his defense!

Not just the white-haired brat's technique, but even the brat behind him, who was likely Kakashi, would not be able to penetrate his defense.

"Since it's so interesting, I'll play with you for a while, then I'll deal with Kakashi and earn a substantial bounty."

Kakuzu did not move at all, and what happened next was as he had expected.

Xia Yan's Water Release was indeed powerful, but he had not activated Sage Mode, and his strength was only at the jōnin level, so it was unlikely to break through Kakuzu's defense.

In fact, it was as he had expected. His Water Severing Wave once again cut the black thread connecting Kakuzu's hand and then struck Kakuzu's body.

This time, Kakuzu's body retreated slightly, and some cracks appeared on his chest, but that was all.

A ninja's defense might not be strong, but earth-type ninjas always developed some defensive techniques, especially those that protected their own bodies.

Kakuzu, who had lived for an unknown number of years, was definitely well-prepared for his own defense and protection.

In the original story, after losing his earth heart, he had almost no resistance and would die if hit.

"Moreover, in the original story, you were hit by Kakashi's Lightning Release, which destroyed your strongest defensive heart."

Seeing Kakuzu, who was clearly just playing around, Xia Yan suddenly smiled, as Kakashi had already arrived!

Suddenly, Kakuzu frowned, sensing something was wrong.

Just as Xia Yan suddenly cut off his technique and then used the Body Flicker Technique to close in again, Kakuzu could not find Kakashi for a moment.

"Huh!"

Suddenly, Kakuzu's eyes widened.

With the piercing sound and the intense pain in his chest, followed by a numbing sensation, he looked down in disbelief at the hand that had pierced through his chest.

"You..."

Kakuzu knew he had been careless. These two brats, as ANBU ninjas, indeed had some skill.

Although he would be fine, losing an earth heart still made him angry, but with his body paralyzed, he could do nothing.

Seeing this, Xia Yan, who was originally heading towards Kakuzu, immediately changed direction.

He almost instantly rushed to the corpse on the ground and beheaded it.

This was done smoothly, clearly not the first time he had encountered such trouble or taken such measures.

Without any hesitation, he made a tactical gesture to Kakashi, grabbed the head, and turned to run, leaving only a black silhouette behind.

Kakashi and Kakuzu were both stunned by this scene.

Kakashi quickly recovered, pulled his hand out of Kakuzu's chest, and quickly followed Xia Yan.

Kakuzu, on the other hand, was thoroughly dazed. The paralysis in his body prevented him from chasing them even after switching hearts.

It was not until the two of them had completely disappeared that he recovered.

"Who... who the hell are these guys?"

...