"What do you mean by that?"
Hyouzou, gripping his leopard-patterned sword sheath tightly in the dueling arena, frowned as he watched Kakuzu walk past him.
"Although we're cooperating so you can charge ahead."
"This time, just stay back and watch."
Kakuzu swept his cold gaze over Arlong, Hody, and the other Fish-Men, speaking in a hoarse voice.
"Don't underestimate them, especially Arlong."
Hyouzou immediately warned him, "Though he has indeed failed to enter the Top 100 three times in a row, his actual strength surpasses ours, including Hody Jones."
"It doesn't matter."
"The first Konoha ninja I fought back then was Hashirama Senju, now the 'Sea Shadow' of Sea Ninja Village."
Kakuzu stated this astonishing fact expressionlessly.
"He's on the same level as a military admiral of the World Government."
"What?!" Hyouzou's expression changed drastically.
He was unfamiliar with Hashirama Senju.
But the words "admiral" carried nearly overwhelming intimidation for anyone, especially a Sea Star Person like him.
He had actually found a partner capable of rivaling an admiral?
Was that real?
Didn't that mean the other man would definitely make it into the top ten of this year's Top 100 Tournament?
Kakuzu, however, ignored Hyouzou.
He continued forward for another dozen meters, then sneered at Arlong and the others in the distance.
"You should be glad you didn't meet the old me."
"Otherwise, I'd really like to see what a Fish-Man's heart looks like~"
The thought made Kakuzu feel rather miserable.
Though the Biochemical Institute had given him a healthy body with all five Chakra natures.
Losing Earth Grudge Fear had still come at no small cost.
Many techniques based on it could no longer be used.
And since he had not joined Sea Ninja Village, he could not easily acquire new ninjutsu.
If he did not find a