Kakuzu's green eyes stared fixedly at Hidan, who was bound by golden chains yet still yelling.
The last remaining heart in his chest pounded violently.
Then, from the corner of his eye, he glanced at the blond youth who had remained where he was from beginning to end, his arms folded across his chest.
The Fifth Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki.
Run?
The thought flashed through Kakuzu's mind, only to be immediately rejected.
Against an opponent who could instantly destroy four of his hearts and whose speed rivaled the Yellow Flash of old, turning and running would be no different from exposing his weakness. He would only die faster.
Rather than entrust his life and death to the slim chance of escape...
He might as well go all out!
Earth Release: Earth Spear!
Kakuzu let out a low shout and refined all his Chakra. His exposed arms turned black as iron, seeming indestructible.
This was his body's secret technique, capable of hardening his flesh to the utmost limit, combining powerful defense with terrifying destructive force.
"Whoosh!"
Kakuzu pushed off the ground, making it dip slightly beneath his feet. Like an arrow loosed from its bow, he flashed before Naruto, his hardened black right fist howling through the air as it smashed toward Naruto's face!
The force of that punch was enough to easily blast down a stone wall!
Yet in the face of this imposing ambush, Naruto's gaze remained calm. He did not even lower his folded arms.
With a mere thought, an even thicker golden Chakra arm shot out from behind him. Its five fingers spread wide and, without missing by a fraction, seized Kakuzu's black fist—the fist that could shatter boulders—with one grip!
"What?!"
Kakuzu's green pupils suddenly contracted. His fist, powerful enough to pulverize rock, felt as though it