Kakuzu: You're a Senju?

In the dim forest, Diejian kicked off a thick tree trunk, leaping and weaving through the canopy.

From a blind spot while Diejian was mid-air, a wooden kunai came whistling toward him.

Diejian twisted in the air and deflected the kunai with his gripped wooden blade, but the impact threw him off balance, sending him plummeting toward the ground.

However—recovering his posture just before hitting the forest floor, Diejian landed safely and quickly dove into the shadows of some exposed tree roots.

"As expected, Sakumo still has the edge when it comes to weapon arts and sensory perception."

Exhaling a breath, Diejian began to run once more.

Diejian and the others were currently engaged in a mock battle that spanned the entire forest.

The rules were simple: each participant would disperse to prepare, the match would begin after a set time, and defeat would be declared upon capture, surrender, or incapacitation.

Hardly had the battle begun when Diejian was ambushed by Sakumo.

Although Diejian had thought he was well-hidden, the suddenness of the attack left him flustered and robbed him of any chance to counter, forcing him into a desperate retreat.

Yet no matter how he hid or how he ran, Sakumo pursued him with relentless precision.

Senju Diejian inherited the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan, known for their immense chakra reserves.

At the same time, he was a direct descendant of the Senju, the strongest clan in the ninja world, and his latent chakra levels were unfathomable.

Among his peers, there was no ninja who could surpass Diejian's chakra capacity, and even within Konohagakure—reputed to be the strongest of the Five Great Ninja Villages—few could claim to possess more.

Precisely because of this, to Hatake Sakumo, who was a "sensor-type" ninja skilled in detecting and tracking chakra, Diejian's location was as clear as day.

Ina, meanwhile, remained quietly lurking in the shade, sensing the other two in hopes of swooping in to claim the victory.

Neither Diejian nor even Sakumo could detect or discover Ina, who had mastered the art of concealment.

The Yamanaka clan were naturally gifted in "sensing" and "concealment," and while their techniques would reach maturity in the future, even the young and talented Sakumo could not track Ina's trail.

Furthermore, "sensing" and "concealment" were indispensable elements when learning and applying the secret ninjutsu passed down through the Yamanaka bloodline.

These were the very first things children of the Yamanaka clan were thoroughly drilled in.

Relying not just on the talent provided by her bloodline, but also on techniques honed through diligent practice—Ina's skills in "sensing" and "concealment" were far ahead of the other two.

Precisely because of this—Sakumo had chosen to deal with Diejian first.

Ina was indeed far superior to the other two in concealment, but conversely, due to the focus of her training, her other attributes—especially her taijutsu—were several grades below Sakumo's, and even lagged behind Diejian, who prioritized ninjutsu.

If Ina were to engage Sakumo in hand-to-hand combat, the outcome would surely favor Sakumo, and the same held true for a clash of ninjutsu.

The only thing Sakumo had to be wary of was the Yamanaka secret technique: the Mind Body Switch Technique.

He knew that this art, which could control another's mind and seize their body, was far more malicious and dangerous than the "genjutsu" or "transformation techniques" that sensor-type ninjas could easily see through.

At the very least, it was a technique he did not want to face.

However, perhaps due to its practical nature, the Yamanaka secret technique required a moment of preparation before it could take effect.

Moreover, it carried a significant weakness: the vulnerability left behind if the technique failed was immense.

No matter how masterful Ina's concealment was, she could not maintain it while performing the technique.

The moment she attempted to activate it, Sakumo would surely sense her.

And if he could detect it beforehand, it was easy for Sakumo to evade the wide-reaching Mind Body Switch Technique.

In other words, to a sensor-type like Sakumo, Ina was merely a girl who was good at hiding.

As long as he didn't leave himself wide open, Sakumo would not lose in a battle against Ina.

Historically, the Yamanaka clan had flourished through cooperation with the Nara clan, whose secret techniques could bind an enemy's movements; it was undeniable that their own arts were not suited for individual combat.

On the other hand—to put it bluntly, for Diejian, the one he had to be most wary of was Ina.

If his opponent were Sakumo, he could use his chakra volume and resilience as weapons to launch an attack like a raging tide.

A clash between Diejian and Sakumo would inevitably devolve into a brawl, with the outcome depending on how quickly Diejian could bring Sakumo into the range of his ninjutsu, and how much stamina Sakumo could drain from him before that happened.

Although he had lost to Sakumo more often lately, Diejian's near-infinite pool of chakra rarely ran dry, giving him a slight advantage.

That is to say—precisely because he possessed such vast chakra, Ina's concealment was terrifying to Diejian, who was not skilled at the delicate work of sensing others.

He could not dodge the secret ninjutsu she launched from a distance using those techniques.

He had been caught off guard by Ina more than once while trying to defeat Sakumo, and if he stayed alert for Ina, he would be defeated by Sakumo—a vicious cycle.

If the techniques involved elemental changes, he might have been able to detect them through air currents, scents, or sounds, but that was not the case—every time he lost to Ina, Diejian gnashed his teeth in frustration.

Diejian wanted to use his superior compatibility to put Ina to sleep, Sakumo wanted to eliminate Diejian, who posed the greatest threat of defeat, and Ina wanted to let Diejian and Sakumo collide and exhaust each other.

"No choice. If things keep going like this, it'll only get worse. It seems I have to reveal my trump card."

This brilliant three-way stalemate had only lasted until yesterday.

Having endured many defeats, Diejian had finally acquired the decisive weapon needed to end this deadlock.

That was precisely why he had gone to the trouble of preparing thoroughly before inviting the two of them to this forest.

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

Diejian ran while weaving hand signs, then leaped and spun in mid-air to unleash a Water Release ninjutsu.

The concentrated stream of water spat from Diejian's pursed lips struck the ground, then defied gravity, surging violently into the air with immense momentum.

Diejian immediately whipped his head around, creating a wall of water in the surrounding area.

The resulting water wall deflected the kunai Sakumo had launched from behind him, causing Diejian's figure to vanish instantly from the sight of Ina and Sakumo, who were hiding and watching.

Diejian seized this opening to rapidly weave hand signs.

Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey———.

As his consciousness began to fade, Sakumo was filled with astonishment.

He did not understand what had happened.

He found it hard to believe that the roles of hunter and prey had been reversed.

When had Diejian awakened the ability to act as a sensory type? Sakumo, who had left his original position to hide and wait for an opportunity to use ninjutsu after throwing his kunai, had been found by Diejian with ease.

No, Sakumo wasn't even sure if he had truly been discovered by Diejian.

He had assumed Diejian was just growing impatient with their game of hide-and-seek as usual, and had started recklessly spamming Water Release jutsu based on his sheer chakra reserves.

After all, once caught in such a stalemate, Diejian, who was not skilled at sensing, could only adopt the tactic that best utilized his existing talents.

That was the human-wave tactic executed through Shadow Clones.

There were times when he successfully suppressed Sakumo, and times when he failed after Sakumo caught a lapse in his defense.

But having mastered how to counter the human-wave tactic through repeated battles, Sakumo had the highest win rate among the three.

This time, Sakumo had also participated with the determination to win, and he had believed he would.

He had been careless.

While Diejian was seemingly firing ninjutsu randomly in completely different directions, multiple tangible clones—Shadow Clones—suddenly appeared and unleashed a massive water dragon at Sakumo.

Before he knew it, Earth Release barriers had been erected along Sakumo's escape route, and where there were no barriers, multiple Diejians were lying in wait.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed, but Sakumo could not hide his excitement for his friend who had developed such a new tactic.

How did he know my location... He'll tell me later, right...

Yearning for their next battle, Sakumo's consciousness sank into darkness.

Seeing Sakumo swallowed by the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, Ina thought things were looking bad.

If it were like before, this point would basically guarantee a win for Ina.

She only needed to use genjutsu and clones to lure him, then take over his body with the Secret Technique: Mind Body Switch Technique.

Indeed, even if she used that method now, Ina could probably defeat Diejian, but she had to be more cautious.

"As I thought, I knew it would be like this. Someone as competitive as you couldn't possibly stay the same forever."

Initially, Diejian had indeed used his overwhelming human-wave tactics to firmly suppress the other two, but after Ina mastered concealment techniques and Sakumo learned strategy, Diejian had lost frequently.

Ina knew that Diejian had officially become a student of Senju Tobirama, his great-uncle and advisor to the Hokage, and had become a junior disciple to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who belonged to the Hokage's direct guard unit, but she hadn't expected Diejian to be able to endure and hide such a "sharp" technique until he was completely certain of victory.

Until now, the ninjutsu Diejian used were basic ones like Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, Water Release: Water Formation Wall, and Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, but thanks to his chakra reserves, their range of attack had reached astonishing levels.

Yet now, he was skillfully utilizing precise, clean, and directed techniques.

How could he have learned so many techniques and become stronger in such a short time? Ina concluded that he must have listened to his master Tobirama's advice and kept them hidden until now.

But this was———Ina turned her gaze toward Sakumo, who was still lying there like a corpse.

Diejian was a gentle boy.

Although he was the Hokage's grandson, he didn't put on airs, and he even treated Ina's own annoying, crybaby nature as a personality trait and was understanding of it.

Unlike the gentleness of Sakumo, who would kindly point out flaws and occasionally speak sharply, Ina liked Diejian's magnanimous kind of gentleness.

However———

"D-don't tell me he actually holds a deep grudge..."

To be honest, by the time he used the Earth-Style Wall to complete the barrier and the encirclement of Shadow Clones, Sakumo had already lost any chance of winning.

He hadn't urged his opponent to surrender—which was how the original Diejian would have handled it—but had instead beaten him thoroughly; the degree of frustration accumulated from his daily losses was evident.

"Will I end up 'like that' too?"

Watching Sakumo, who was soaked and lying on the ground with his eyes rolled back in a puddle, Ina's mouth twitched, and she thought it would be better to avoid that.

Then, watching Diejian, who was preparing to create a large number of Shadow Clones to flood the forest, Ina decided to raise her hands in surrender.

"Is he really okay? He's even rolling his eyes."

"Hmm... hard to say."

After welcoming Ina, who had appeared while drawling out a "surrender," Diejian went to retrieve the eye-rolling Sakumo.

Cold sweat trickled down Diejian's back as he looked at Ina, who was gazing down at Sakumo with pity as he lay on the ground, still covered in mud.

He realized he had gotten carried away on a whim.

To keep the soaked Sakumo from catching a cold, the two had placed him by a campfire ignited with Fire Release, carefully observing his pitiful, mud-caked appearance.

"Well, whatever."

After gulping down the water in her canteen, Ina let out a "Puh-ha" breath, then disinterestedly shifted her gaze away from Sakumo.

As he bit into an apple, Diejian wondered, what exactly was "whatever"?

"Hey, Diejian. When did you learn so many ninjutsu?"

"Ah, recently."

"Recently? You're lying. We've practiced together so many times, and you never used that many techniques before, did you?"

"It's a secret, a secret. Ninjas have plenty of secrets, you know."

"Is that so? But there's no point in keeping secrets from me, right? Hmm? I promise not to tell anyone, just tell me. Otherwise~!"

"I said stop it! Fine, I get it!"

The Yamanaka Clan excelled in techniques that acted upon the mind.

Diejian knew they also possessed techniques for prying into the human heart.

Ina wasn't the type of child to do such things to her companions, but when it came to Diejian, it was different.

Doted on by his grandfather, filled with love and composure, and influenced by the mental maturity of a reincarnator, Diejian had a penchant for doting on children.

It was a form of adult tolerance, but in the eyes of his peers, he appeared unfathomable.

Consequently, Diejian would dote on Ina, and Ina tended to act spoiled within permissible limits; once she went too far, Sakumo would reprimand her, and thus this pattern was formed.

In the end, Diejian still had to spill his secret.

"And another thing, that trick you used to detect Sakumo's location—it was a summoning animal, right?"

Diejian's heart skipped a beat.

He had intended to keep it hidden for a while to increase his tactical versatility.

He hadn't expected to be exposed so easily, and he couldn't help but marvel at the terrifying nature of Yamanaka sensory techniques.

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret from Sakumo."

Looking at the smiling Ina, Diejian breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did you—"

"Is it called natural energy? It feels a bit animalistic, or rather, the type of chakra has increased. Besides, I know about Summoning Jutsu too."

Diejian was just about to ask "How did you know?", but Ina beat him to it.

Caught off guard and checkmated, Diejian awkwardly moved his mouth.

Ina laughed as she pointed at Diejian, who was squirming in embarrassment.

His face turning bright red, Diejian stood up abruptly.

"I'm telling you!"

"Eh—?"

"Hmm!?"

Facing the flustered Diejian, Ina's expression suddenly changed drastically.

Her eyes darted around uneasily.

Watching her as if she were enduring fear, Diejian felt anxious.

"I'm sorr—"

"No. This is... it's wrong..."

"What is it, Ina?"

Interrupting Diejian just as he was about to apologize, Ina's shoulders trembled.

Ina's unusual state made Diejian worry, and he reached out his arm as if to hold her shoulders.

Ina's trembling eyes stared straight into Diejian's.

"——I think it's an enemy. And, a very strong one."

"Sakumo, since when..."

The previously unconscious Sakumo sat up.

He shook his head and gently patted his own head with his palm.

"Just now. It feels like a bizarre chakra is heading this way at quite a high speed."

"We have to run! This feeling—they're far stronger than us!"

Ina shouted, but Sakumo shook his head.

"There's no time for all three of us to escape. You understand that, right? They seem to be quite close already—we have no choice but to fight."

"Ah..."

Looking at Sakumo, who wore an expression of resignation, and Ina, who could not fully mask her fear, Diejian vaguely understood that they were in a perilous situation, even without the ability to sense it.

"Are they truly enemies?"

"I believe so. Their movements are too disciplined; they don't seem like mere travelers. They are definitely ninja."

"And they are terrifying, bloodthirsty ones at that."

"I see. Understood. I'll handle this. You two need to get out of here."

Diejian stood up.

Unlike the other two, who could personally feel the monstrous chakra closing in, Diejian was not a sensory-type ninja and could hardly be said to fully grasp the current crisis.

Even if he understood and felt fear—even then, if his friends were afraid, Diejian knew exactly what he had to do.

"But..."

"Ina, use your concealment jutsu to retreat and call for reinforcements. Sakumo, protect Ina."

"Diejian, come with us!"

"If I'm with you, won't our position be exposed immediately?"

Diejian smiled and told Ina she was being silly, causing her to fall silent.

"Besides, maybe they aren't enemies? Perhaps they're just hunters or something."

"How could that be—"

"And I am... the grandson of Senju Hashirama."

"—Understood, we're leaving. There are six enemies, be careful."

"Ugh... I will definitely bring the adults back."

"Don't be late."

Seeing the look on Diejian's face, Sakumo stood up with a pained expression.

He suppressed Ina, who wanted to cry out, and hurriedly left the scene.

The three of them couldn't escape together—that was what Sakumo had said.

So, if one person acted as bait, could the other two get away?

Judging by the extent of Sakumo's fear, it seemed that some highly seasoned experts were heading their way.

Alone in the silent world, the leaves suddenly rustled.

"I thought it was the Hokage coming, but it's just a kid."

—They're here.

A distinct, low voice with a nasal quality—it was a tall man.

He wore attire dominated by black and gray, with half his face covered by a mask.

He looked suspicious enough.

But who was he—Diejian understood immediately.

"That headband, are you a ninja from Takigakure?"

"You, saying that... you must be a relative of the Hokage. Your chakra is quite similar, so it seems we made a mistake."

A man who appeared to be a subordinate apologized.

The tall man replied that he didn't mind.

"I am a direct descendant of Senju Hashirama."

"Oh. Then can you take us to see the Hokage? We wanted to do some sightseeing in Konoha."

"Forming a six-man squad to sneak through this forest to 'sightsee' in Konoha? Reinforcements are on their way now. Why don't you repeat that claim in front of the adults of Konoha?"

Upon hearing those final words, the man's aura shifted.

Diejian was forced back a step by the immense pressure of the chakra.

"Lord Kakuzu, we cannot cause a scene right now!"

Sensing the change in the man—Kakuzu's—aura, one of the ninja leaped down from a tree.

With a rustle, the presence of the four ninja still in hiding fluctuated.

Although Diejian could not sense them, the four hidden ninja were currently worried about the man who had tried to stop Kakuzu.

His misfortune lay in being too young.

Young and promising, he had been selected to participate in this mission.

Though young, if he had been at his best, he might have been able to hold off Sarutobi Hiruzen for a while.

Precisely because of that, he had misjudged Kakuzu, with whom he was working for the first time.

Even if one knew he was prone to anger, one would assume he wouldn't kill his own comrades.

That was perfectly sound logic; however, the youth's failure to heed the warnings of his seniors was his misfortune and his "end."

Flesh scattered, and a bright red firework signaled the start of the battle.