Just as Kakuzu was about to finish off Baki...
A figure flashed past, already lunging toward Kakuzu.
"Hmm?!"
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.
He stared at the Kakko appearing in the air.
The orange-red pillar of light represented Hyuga Sho's signature Ninjutsu, Flame Finger.
The light, condensed from Chakra into something as thin as a blade, became the sharpest of weapons.
Yet the Flame Finger, which could usually melt and slice through steel,
had no effect at all when it struck Kakuzu's neck this time.
The next moment.
Hyuga Sho dashed up to Kakuzu.
He threw a punch at Kakuzu's face.
Kakuzu let out a cold snort.
He swung a punch back.
At the same time, the black tendrils served as weapons as well, wrapping toward Hyuga Sho like venomous snakes.
The two exchanged blows, each retreating several steps.
"Water Release...!"
Kakuzu formed hand seals.
The next moment, thick mist spread across the scene, obscuring everything.
"Hidden Mist Technique??"
Shin was somewhat puzzled.
"The Byakugan can see through things..."
"..."
But Hatake Sakumo and Sasori, who had witnessed Hyuga Sho's techniques, knew.
Kakuzu was defending against Hyuga Sho's killing moves.
"So that's how it is..."
Recalling the wounds Baki had inflicted on Kakuzu at the end,
it was obvious.
"This guy... is weak against Lightning Release."
Although Earth Release: Earth Spear was indestructible,
it was still subject to elemental disadvantages.
One of Hyuga Sho's deadliest weapons—Storm Release: Energy Wave Cannon—was made of laser light.
Whether it was heavy fog
or smog,
both could effectively defend against laser techniques.
Smog, in particular, was extremely effective.
That was because smog particles had a maximum diameter of eighty micrometers,
with most ranging from one to ten micrometers.
Meanwhile, the wavelength of most lasers was below one thousand nanometers, or one micrometer.
So... lasers had difficulty