In the spectators' stands, the Third Kazekage and Ōnoki's pupils constricted again----
Earth Grudge Fear!?!
That was Kakuzu's arm!!???
"Earth Grudge Fear----" The Third Kazekage's voice was cold and restrained. He stared fixedly at the arm hanging from Hiroki's waist. "That's Kakuzu's technique!"
"Sarutobi!" Ōnoki shot up from his seat, floating in midair, his face full of horror. "Kakuzu----you----your Konoha killed him?!"
That question was even more shocking than the bizarre instant defeat from earlier.
Who was Kakuzu?
He was a legend from their era, a monster even the First had failed to kill, a living taboo renowned in the underworld for his immortal body and Five Basic Nature Transformations!
Ōnoki had personally witnessed the immense power possessed by Madara Uchiha and Senju Hashirama, those two godlike beings!
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly picked up his pipe. Beneath the murderous stares of the other two Kage, he calmly lit it, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke that shrouded his face in a haze.
"Kill him?" He let out a soft chuckle. His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable weight. "No, we didn't kill him. He foolishly attacked my disciple Orochimaru while we were on a mission in the Land of Rain."
He pointed his pipe toward Hiroki below, his tone as casual as if he were discussing some trivial matter.
"So we sealed him away." He paused. "This arm is a trophy."
"Boom--!"
Ōnoki and the Kazekage's minds went blank.
They sealed away----Kakuzu?!
And they hadn't even killed him!?
"He took part in it?" Ōnoki narrowed his eyes and pressed.
"Of course." The Third raised an eyebrow, a trace of just the right amount of puzzlement on his face, as if asking Ōnoki in return: if Hiroki hadn't taken part, why would he have a trophy?
Ōnoki