Zeo's timing for the sneak attack was practically perfect.
It could even be called vicious to the extreme.
At that moment, Kakuzu was in the middle of forming hand seals and spewing forth towering flames.
It was also the moment when a caster's own defenses were at their weakest.
Relying on his race's natural invisibility, Zeo silently crept to Kakuzu's right like a venomous snake that had lain in wait in the deep sea for a long time.
"Got him!"
A thick, long chain of refined steel tore through the air with a piercing whistle.
It sliced through the rolling, scorching steam with perfect precision.
Like black lightning, it wrapped tightly around Kakuzu's neck.
The instant the chain tightened, the immense force brought Kakuzu's Fire Release: Searing Migraine to an abrupt halt.
The blazing flames, cut off from their source, swiftly dissipated in midair.
"Nicely done, Zeo!"
Hody Jones, watching from afar, wore a cruel smile.
But just as Zeo thought he had subdued this arrogant man from the Shinobi World—
And was about to yank him over with all his strength—
A horrifying change suddenly occurred.
The "Kakuzu" whose neck was tightly bound by the chain did not struggle from suffocation as expected.
Instead, there was a dull bang.
Before everyone's eyes, he exploded into thick white smoke.
In his place appeared a short, withered tree stump.
"Body Replacement Technique?!"
Zeo and Hyouzou, standing in the distance, cried out inwardly at the same time.
Their pupils contracted sharply.
It had been more than six years since the Shinobi World joined the World Government.
Much common knowledge about ninjas and their basic combat systems—
Had long since become known to many people across Sea Star through various channels.
Especially competitors like them who had entered the Top 100 Tournament.
They