Consequences Brought by Explosive Tags

Kakuzu stared at Sora Uchiha with great interest. This brat had gotten a lot more arrogant after pulling off some strange summoning technique. He even dared to say he would kill him.

So what was his basis for saying that? The faint white steam rising from his body?

Though he did not believe this brat could kill him, Kakuzu would not underestimate his opponent. Even a lion used its full strength to hunt a rabbit, let alone a brat who seemed to have something to rely on. Decades of combat experience had taught him never to look down on any opponent, even if that opponent was a child. His immediate use of Earth Grudge Fear earlier was proof enough of that.

"Kehehehe, brat, I'll carve out your heart perfectly. I'll start with your arms, then your legs. But don't worry, I won't snap your neck. Before I dig out your heart, you won't die. After all... a beating heart is the most wonderful thing."

Sora Uchiha remained expressionless, inwardly cursing the guy as a psychopathic killer. No wonder he would later team up with Hidan—they really were birds of a feather.

Swish, swish, swish.

Three kunai slid out from his sleeves and shot decisively toward Kakuzu.

"Heh, that kind of attack is useless against me." Kakuzu raised a hand. The next moment, several earth spears thrust up from the ground, forming a defensive wall. Metal projectiles had virtually zero destructive power against a wall created by Earth Release.

However, Sora Uchiha had never expected the kunai to wound Kakuzu. The real killing move had never been the kunai, but the Explosive Tags attached to them!

Boom!

The foremost kunai exploded, blasting apart the earth spears. The remaining two kunai continued hurtling toward Kakuzu!

Damn it! Don't underestimate the power of 2,000 ryo!

The instant the kunai entered within a meter of Kakuzu, two explosions rang out in quick succession! Flames soared into the sky, and smoke filled the air...

Damn it! That's 6,000 ryo worth of power!

A bounty hunter like you definitely can't bear to use expensive Ninja Tools like Explosive Tags!

At the same time, Sora Uchiha moved. The moment the explosions went off, he charged forward with the Kusanagi Sword in hand.

For a moment, secret scrolls and summons flew everywhere...

Deep within the cave, Tsunade, who had been sitting with her eyes closed while recovering from her injuries, slowly opened them. The explosions occasionally echoing in the distance seemed to pierce through the rock layers, shaking loose billowing clouds of dust.

"How is he?" she asked, turning toward Katsuyu. The latter leaned close to Tsunade's ear and said, "Lady Tsunade, his situation is not optimistic. The opponent is far stronger than him. If this continues, he may very well..."

Tsunade did not press further. Lowering her gaze, she felt the strength in her body had recovered by thirty to forty percent. She let out a heavy breath, interrupted the treatment, and rose to walk toward the exit.

The tearing pain throughout her body did not reveal even the slightest expression of suffering on her face.

"Lady Tsunade, your severe injuries have not healed yet. If you go over there now, something may happen to you," the little slug warned anxiously.

Tsunade tucked the slug on her shoulder into her chest and spoke calmly. "I can't let someone die because of me. Katsuyu, I'm counting on you."

The slug inside her chest sighed. It knew its master's temperament and no longer tried to persuade her, instead silently continuing to heal Tsunade.

In the dense forest behind the mountain, "Jonin Fūen!" A Chunin rushed up to Fūen and reported, "There were several explosions in the back mountain just now."

Fūen nodded lightly. He was not deaf; naturally, he had heard them as well.

Several Takigakure ninja grew excited and said impatiently, "Could it be that woman?"

As they spoke, they stared straight at Fūen, waiting for him to give the order. After searching for a full day and night, they were exhausted in both body and mind and wanted to end this mission as soon as possible.

"It could be a ploy to lure us away," Fūen said indifferently, glancing at them.

"Then... then we're just not going to do anything?" one Chunin asked unwillingly.

"Of course... not." Fūen took a cigarette from his pocket, his gaze deep. "It may only be a ploy to lure us away. It may also be that something really happened."

They had searched for so long without finding a single clue. The fruitless search had become tiresome, and now that there was finally some movement, it would be a lie to say he was not curious.

"Then what do we do?"

Fūen pondered for a moment. "This way. A few of you will come with me to take a look. Everyone else stays here and waits."

"Yes!"

On the outskirts of Takigakure, Kazuki Utsuki had reunited with the captain not long ago. In fact, everyone except Sora Uchiha had regrouped.

"Any leads?" Shinnosuke asked in a low voice.

Everyone shook their heads. Kazuki Utsuki pondered briefly before saying, "Captain, we've searched nearly all of Takigakure, but we still haven't found Jonin Tsunade."

It was worth mentioning that Kazuki Utsuki had told Shinnosuke that Sora Uchiha had infiltrated the back mountain alone. However, Shinnosuke felt that the other areas had not yet been fully searched, while security at the back mountain was the tightest. Thus, he had first sent two Anbu members to observe the back mountain while the others continued searching elsewhere.

"Captain, only the back mountain remains," Kazuki Utsuki spoke again, his expression somewhat anxious.

Shinnosuke glanced at him, his eyes meaningful. "Monkey, you are an Anbu member."

Anbu existed to obey orders. They must never allow emotions to rule them.

Kazuki Utsuki fell silent, his gaze shifting uncertainly. After a long while, he sighed. "Understood."

At that moment, a figure appeared before them. This person wore an eagle mask and bore the codename Eagle. He served as the team's information specialist and was also one of the two observing the back mountain.

"Boss, there was an explosion in the back mountain just now," Eagle said. He then sensed that the atmosphere between the two was somewhat strange and asked in confusion, "What's going on?"

Shinnosuke glanced at Kazuki Utsuki and shook his head. "Nothing. Let's talk business."

Eagle paused, then nodded. "Yeah. Ten minutes ago, three explosions went off in rapid succession deep in the back mountain. They sounded a lot like Explosive Tags. Then we spotted three Takigakure ninja heading toward where the explosions came from. One of them was a Jonin from Takigakure." He then added, "Tiger followed them too." Tiger had stayed in the back mountain to keep watch over the other person. He was formidable, possessing the strength of a Special Jonin.

"Mm..." Shinnosuke thought for a moment. "Where is everyone else?"

"They're all ready, waiting for your orders, boss."

"Good. Notify everyone. We're heading into the back mountain."

"Yes!" Eagle vanished.

Shinnosuke rubbed the bridge of his nose. Explosions were not good news. Hopefully Tsunade hadn't been discovered. "Monkey, let's go."

"Yes..." Kazuki Utsuki replied. He silently took out his contact phone. There was signal around Takigakure, so he could contact the others—except Sora Uchiha. He dialed Sora Uchiha's number again.

No answer.

It was as expected. Somewhat disappointed, he put the phone back into his pocket, shook his head, and followed Shinnosuke.

Everyone was rushing toward Sora Uchiha. If he had known a few Explosive Tags would cause such a huge commotion, he definitely would not have used them.

Of course, he had no time to think about such things now, because he was being tortured by Kakuzu.

"Puh..."

A mouthful of blood sprayed out as Sora Uchiha staggered back several steps.