A voice came from a distance, and everyone turned to look.
A tall man was hurrying toward them. His hair was silver-white, and a huge ninja blade was strapped to his back.
"Lord Kakuzu!" the Takigakure ninja shouted excitedly.
Kakuzu was a legendary ninja of Takigakure. He had once been assigned to assassinate the First Hokage. Though he had failed, simply surviving an encounter with the First Hokage spoke volumes about his strength.
"Kakuzu, you're just in time," Shibuya said, as if he'd been saved. "Stop him!"
Kakuzu landed in front of them, his green eyes fixed on Sasuke. "Kid, let Fū go."
"Another fool come to die." Sasuke sheathed his Kusanagi Sword. "Since you're in such a hurry, I'll send you on your way first."
"You arrogant brat!" Kakuzu roared, and his body began to change.
Black tendrils burst out from all over his body, while four masked monsters emerged from behind him.
"Earth Grudge Fear!"
This was Kakuzu's secret technique. By taking other people's hearts, he could extend his own life and gain their chakra natures.
"Fire Style: Headhunter!"
"Wind Style: Vicious Winds!"
"Lightning Style: False Darkness!"
"Earth Style: Earth Spear!"
Four jutsu of different natures struck at Sasuke at once, their power astonishing.
But Sasuke merely said, "Preta Path."
All the jutsu were absorbed into his palm and vanished.
"Impossible!" Kakuzu's eyes widened in shock. "How can you absorb so many jutsu of different natures at once?"
"Because I wield the power of a god." Sasuke raised his other hand. "Chibaku Tensei."
A black gravitational core appeared above Kakuzu's head, and a tremendous force began tearing at his body.
"Damn it!" Kakuzu struggled desperately, but he couldn't escape the pull of gravity.
The four heart monsters were dragged into the air with him and shattered under the