The Immortal Duo

Since the Third Shinobi World War, the Ninja World has been in a state of turmoil. Even several years after the Third Shinobi World War ended, the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth still sees frequent skirmishes.

A series of events have led to instability in both countries.

As a result, Kumogakure, the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails from Yugito, is still being held in Iwagakure in the Land of Earth.

The iron chains jingled crisply as they moved. At the foot of a cliff in the Land of Earth, a dark figure was trapped by a thick, cold iron chain.

In the blur, it seemed to be a figure, the shadow of a woman.

The woman's hands, collarbones, waist, thighs, and heels were each bound by a thick chain, and she was half-kneeling on the ground.

With his head down and his disheveled appearance, it was impossible to discern his true feelings.

Suddenly, a rustling sound of footsteps came from the shadows deep in the cliff.

"This mission was really easy." A young man's voice came, his tone carrying a hint of chuckle and a touch of sarcasm.

"Don't let your guard down, Hidan." The deep, resonant voice was all too familiar; who Kakuzu?

This person is none other than Hidan, a newly recruited official member of the Yugakure Akatsuki Organization and the last of the ten members to be Rogue Ninja to the Hidan quota!

Hidan has a slicked-back gray hairstyle, pale purple eyes, Forehead Protector around his neck, and a Jashinism necklace hanging on his chest.

The two approached the trapped Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito, shoulder to shoulder, the air thick with the pungent smell of blood.

As they walked, blood flowed down Hidan's scythe, forming a long, straight line from afar.

The Yugito figure had its head bowed, its hair spread out casually to cover its face, giving it a seemingly lifeless appearance, but in reality, it possessed a very strong vitality.

Otherwise, the Stone Ninja wouldn't have used such thick iron chains to restrain her, and at the same time dispatched two Elite Squad to guard her.

"Who are you people?" Yugito asked in a low, hoarse voice, his throat feeling dry.

"Heh... who is it?" Kakuzu chuckled sinisterly, his deep voice sending chills down one's spine.

"Why waste so much breath on her? Just take her away!" Hidan impatiently brandished his scythe and strode toward Yugito.

Just then, a bright light shot straight into the sky, accompanied by a whoosh that jolted the sleeping Valley awake.

Kakuzu and Hidan tensed up, quickly dodging and leaping backward three times, putting more than twenty steps between themselves and Yugito.

Rumble!

The mountains shook, and rocks flew everywhere, as if the heavens and earth were about to collapse. The Valley, which had been lifeless just moments before, roared like a ferocious beast that had just awakened.

Earth Release: Earth Release: Earth Flow River!

With a low shout, the ground beneath Kakuzu and Hidan's feet visibly softened, forming a vast mudslide.

The surging mud was as violent as a torrent, Kakuzu immediately leaped out, landing vertically on the cliff.

Hidan reacted a beat too slow and was immediately caught in the raging mudslide.

"Hmph!" Although Hidan's reaction was a bit slow, his hands were quick, before his body was completely submerged by the mudslide.

He flung his hand and threw out the Blood Scythe, a scythe with a telescopic function, its base connected by a rope that extended to the rope loop around Hidan's waist.

With a snap, the sharp Triple-Bladed Scythe pierced the nearby mountain wall, its barbs hooking onto the solid Rock.

Hidan pulled the rope in his hand with all his might, then used the force to leap into the air, and in the blink of an eye, he was free from the churning Earth Release: Earth Flow River beneath his feet.

Swish swish swish!!

Nine figures descended from the sky and landed on a nearby rocky hill.

"Rogue Ninja? These two marks are from Takigakure and Yugakure?" The Fourth Tsuchikage, Kitsuchi, squinted at the Immortal Duo on the cliff face.

"Lord Tsuchikage, this person is Kakuzu, an S-rank Rogue Ninja from Takigakure, skilled in all five elemental ninjutsu." A member of the Shadow Guard paused for a moment before continuing.

"The other person seems to have only recently left Yugakure; their exact strength is unknown."

"S-rank Rogue Ninja?" Kitsuchi's honest face tightened slightly. S-rank Rogue Ninja not only committed heinous crimes, but also represented extreme danger.

A somber atmosphere oppressed the entire space, making even the Rock and ground beneath our feet feel more solid.

Earth Release: Earth Flow River disappeared, Kakuzu and Hidan released the chakra beneath their feet, and the two landed as nimbly as monkeys, casually surveying Kitsuchi and the others.

Seemingly nonchalant, the two were actually communicating in code, discussing how to eliminate the nine men as quickly as possible.

That's right, kill them!

Even when facing the Tsuchikage and two elite Shadow Guard, Kakuzu and Hidan had no intention of retreating. They would at least have to fight before making a decision on whether to fight or make peace.

Let's get started!

Kakuzu and Hidan exchanged a glance; as partners, they worked together very well.

Swish!

Hidan, leading the Blood Scythe, Body Flicker Technique flashed into the four Shadow Guards on the right, the Blood Scythe gleaming coldly as it swung in a circle in the air.

Three red lights flashed across the cliff, and then a blinding spray of blood gushed out.

Although the four members of the Shadow Guard dodged backward immediately, they misjudged the attack range of Hidan's Blood Scythe.

Almost every Stone Ninja had a cut on their body, either on their cheek or arm, except for one short and agile female ninja.

The wound wasn't deep, and there wasn't much blood loss.

However...

Hidan grinned eerily, his arrogant, manic, and ferocious smile sending a strong sense of foreboding through everyone's hearts.

"Curse Art: Death Controlling Possessed Blood!"

Sharp black iron spikes pierced his palm, and blood gushed out and dripped to the ground.

Tick-tock...

Tick-tock...

Hidan stretched out one foot and stepped on the bloodstains on the ground, while his other foot remained stationary like a Budong, his blood-stained sole drawing a circle along the ground.

Inside the blood-red circle, there was also an inverted triangle.

To everyone's astonishment, Hidan licked the blood off his scythe, and as if some terrible curse had been cast, his body turned Black and White.

The stark black and white reflections of the bones on the body's surface resembled a demon without flesh and blood.

"Don't let him use his Ninjutsu, attack him quickly!"

The Shadow Guard, still in shock, immediately snapped out of their daze at Kitsuchi's shout and scattered in all directions.

The eight members of the Shadow Guard formed two encirclements, four to a group, trapping Kakuzu and Hidan in the middle.

On the Battlefield where Hidan, a Stone Ninja was the first to make a move, clasping his hands together in a hand Hand Seals with a snap.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

Sharp Rock erupted from the ground, heading straight for Hidan's chest. The sharp rock spikes were no less powerful than a sword, and even had the effect of a heavy hammer's shield strike.

Puff!

Unsurprisingly, a sharp Rock pierced through Hidan's chest.

Upon seeing this, everyone was taken aback; they hadn't expected to defeat one so easily.

The Earth Spear is not a particularly advanced Earth Release Ninjutsu, and its power varies depending on the amount of chakra the user injects.

The Stone Ninja simply wanted to force Hidan to stop his evil ritual.

What I didn't expect was...

A series of muffled thuds rang out, exactly like the sound of a rock shard piercing Hidan's chest, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

The three Stone Ninja who surrounded Hidan fell to the ground with a thud, each with a bloody hole the size of a bowl in their chest.

The only Stone Ninja who remained standing and did not die, just like Hidan, was the female Stone Ninja who had dodged the Blood Scythe.

"Hmph, you've moved quite quickly this time." Kakuzu sneered, raising his right arm and clenching his fist.

Hardening!

Buzz!

With a single punch, Gravity unleashed a powerful surge of energy, which transformed into a gale that caused the air to buzz and hum.

Wei-noon-chen!

Kitsuchi's two thick, large hands moved rapidly, seemingly clumsy but actually Hand Seals at an extremely fast speed.

The three prints were completed in less than a second.

Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!

With a whoosh, chakra condensed and surged forth, causing the soil in front of Kitsuchi to churn and bulge, eventually transforming into an earth dragon.

The earth dragon opened its huge mouth, and round mud pellets shot out from its mouth.

Whoosh whoosh...

Several mud pellets flew in a triangular formation straight toward Kakuzu.

Kakuzu's gaze sharpened slightly as he took in all of Kitsuchi's movements. As a master of Earth Release, he naturally recognized Kitsuchi's Hand Seals.

"In a situation like this, instead of defending, you choose to attack? As expected of the Fourth Tsuchikage!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Kakuzu's cold eyes, but his movement did not slow down. He suddenly stomped his foot and shattered the ground.

His body sank slightly, using the powerful rebound force from the ground to propel himself into the air.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

Several mud pellets grazed past Kakuzu's feet. He bent his legs into a fist and then poured all his strength, along with the momentum of his fall, into his right fist.

Boom!!

Kakuzu's figure landed directly between the Kitsuchi and the four Shadow Guard surrounding him, delivering a merciless punch.

The earth trembled violently, as if it could not withstand such terrifying power, and cracking sounds rang out incessantly.

But then I saw...

Thick, dark cracks, Kakuzu the thickness of a wrist, spread rapidly in a spiderweb pattern from the spot where Kakuzu's fist had landed.

Kitsuchi Tu's honest face changed slightly; dodging Kakuzu's heavy punch was just a subconscious reaction.

He had no idea of the power of Kakuzu's Kakuzu... it actually shattered the solid Rock!

The sky shook, and the ground collapsed.

The earth beneath the Kitsuchi churned like boiling water, erratic and impossible to stand on.

Bang!

With no other choice, Kitsuchi suddenly squatted down and slammed his palms hard into the collapsed ground, shouting, "Earth Release: Earth Tremor Core!"

A massive surge of Earth Element chakra was injected into the ground, causing the surface to bulge dramatically and instantly dispersing the shattered mud and rocks.

With their feet firmly planted on the ground, everyone regained their footing.

"As expected of the Tsuchikage, his mastery of Earth Release Ninjutsu is truly remarkable." Kakuzu stood there expressionlessly, offering a genuine compliment.

Kakuzu is proficient in the Chakra Nature Transformation natures, making him a true master of escaping techniques and an old monster who has survived since the chaotic Warring States period.

To receive a single word of praise from him is enough to prove the strength of Kitsuchi.

Upon hearing this, Kitsuchi's heart sank, and he stared intently at Kakuzu.

He thought to himself that one of these two people possessed some kind of strange Ninjutsu that allowed him to survive having his chest and abdomen ripped open; while the other was perfect in terms of speed, strength, and mental fortitude.

Where did these two monsters come from...?

"Lord Tsuchikage." The remaining five Iwa ninja from the Stone Ninja Shadow Guard gathered around. This was a formidable enemy they couldn't defeat one-on-one.

At this moment, Hidan's appearance returned to normal, and he casually walked to Kakuzu's side, carrying the Blood Scythe.

Six People on one side and two on the other, staring at each other with chilling eyes.

Kitsuchi glanced at the three Stone Ninja lying on the ground, his eyes surging with killing intent, but he forcibly suppressed it.

Although he has a simple and honest appearance, he looks rather naive and simple-minded.

However, as the son of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, he had been influenced by his surroundings since childhood and had already inherited seven or eight parts of Ōnoki's cunning.

His mind is not as rough as his appearance suggests; on the contrary, it is exceptionally delicate.

Especially after witnessing the strength of Kakuzu and Hidan, Kitsuchi decided to first probe with words to at least obtain some basic information.

At that moment, Kitsuchi calmed his heaving chest and coldly said, "Your target is the Two-Tails? You were sent by the Cloud Ninja?"

"Tsk, who knows?" Kakuzu is an old monster old enough to be a Kitsuchi, how could he be fooled by simple words?

Hidan was even more direct, yelling without any politeness, "Enough with the nonsense! Either get out of here right now, or stay and die!"

These words instantly broke the already tense atmosphere!

The Shadow Guard' eyes instantly turned bloodshot, their faces contorted into a ferocious, demonic grimace. How dare they insult their Shadow? They wanted nothing more than to devour Hidan alive!

The murderous aura spread out without any attempt to conceal it.

At the crucial moment, Kitsuchi suddenly stretched out a hand, blocking the way in front of everyone. "Looks like they really are after the Two-Tails."

"So what if it is?" This time, Hidan frankly admitted it, but his words were exceptionally arrogant and overbearing.

Kitsuchi's eyes darted around, a sharp glint in them.

The Two-Tails is from the Land of Lightning, so it's good that it can trap Yugito.

If we really kill her and then find someone else to seal the Two-Tails, who knows what those martial arts faction guys in Kumogakure might do.

Since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure and Kumogakure have continued to fight. The Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure was killed, and most of Kumogakure's territory was destroyed, leading to a continuous decline in the national strength of both countries.

In contrast, Konoha, the leading nation among the Five Great Nations, has been developing steadily in recent years. Sunagakure Shinobi has not dared to cause trouble, and Kirigakure Ninja has retreated to the sea.

The cold war Iwagakure and Kumogakure continues, and small-scale skirmishes are even on the horizon...

Kitsuchi Tu had long harbored a plan to use Two-Tails to obtain a substantial amount of compensation, but the village elders disagreed.

Now that they've been sent by the Cloud Ninja, perhaps...

Iwagakure needs time to recover; it can no longer afford to waste time with Kumogakure.

My thoughts raced through my mind, but only a few seconds had passed in reality.

Finally, Kitsuchi suppressed his murderous aura, exuding an aura of powerful authority, and slowly said, "The Two-Tails can be given to you..."

"Lord Tsuchikage, you mustn't!" A member of the Shadow Guard immediately interjected to stop him.

Kitsuchi didn't even glance at them, but simply raised his arm to signal them to shut up, his gaze remaining fixed on the Immortal Duo.

You must agree to one condition of mine!

Upon hearing this, Hidan burst into maniacal laughter, tears streaming uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.

Hidan flicked a tear from the corner of his eye, then flashed a mocking smile and shouted, "I'll just take the Two-Tails if I want it! You think I'd agree to your conditions? Are you out of your mind?!"