Outside Konoha.
"Lightning Cutter!"
With a shrill crack of massive lightning, Kakashi pierced straight through Kakuzu's fire-element Earth Grudge Fear.
Squelch!
Kakuzu did not dare linger and kept fleeing outward.
That had been the third heart of his that was destroyed. He only had his earth and water hearts left.
He muttered to himself, Is Kakashi seriously trying to kill me?
But then he noticed that Kakashi's pursuit suddenly slowed. Aside from occasionally throwing a few projectiles, he did not speed up again.
"Storm Release: Lightning Cloud Ripple!"
Forked bolts of lightning struck directly at Kakashi.
Lightning flashed over Kakashi's body. His speed surged as he left the attack's range.
Countless small craters were blasted into the ground.
Kakashi raised the short blade in his hand and watched Hiruko warily. "Hiruko, were you controlling me?"
Hiruko rotated his wrist. "I never expected you to break free of the Puppet Curse's control. I underestimated you."
Kakuzu immediately began cursing Hiruko out.
"What kind of worthless technique was that?! Why did Kakashi suddenly wake up? What did you promise me? I nearly died here!"
Three of Kakuzu's hearts had been destroyed, and his body was scorched black. He cut a thoroughly miserable figure.
Hiruko felt somewhat guilty. He did not know why the Puppet Curse had suddenly failed.
Otherwise, he would never have come to meet Kakuzu. "Sorry, something unexpected happened. Did you get it?"
Kakuzu snorted, apparently unwilling to acknowledge Hiruko.
"Don't even think about taking anything from me unless you replace my hearts."
Hiruko was inwardly delighted. After all, the item in Kakuzu's hands was equivalent to a Sharingan.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of your hearts."
"Now let's work together and keep Kakashi here."
Hiruko spoke with a confident expression.
Kakuzu had barely caught his breath before immediately running