Art is an Explosion!

Kakuzu glowered and shot a resentful look at the Uchiha ninja who had cheered, as if committing his face to memory so he could settle the score later.

But Ye Ning found it rather amusing.

Sure enough, in the Uchiha Clan's worldview, strength was everything.

When these ninjas had first left Konoha with him, they'd been too proud to speak to him. But after witnessing his strength, they'd transformed in an instant, turning into his cheer squad.

Ye Ning tilted his head, his expression playful. "Kakuzu, you're not thinking of running away, are you?"

"You came to assassinate me, and now that things aren't going your way, you're thinking of escaping. What kind of person do you take me for?"

"Hmph!"

Kakuzu snorted and fell silent, his mind racing as he searched for a way to escape.

The situation had completely spiraled out of control.

Even against Ye Ning alone, he wasn't sure he could win, let alone with fifteen Uchiha ninjas standing nearby.

If Ye Ning didn't know the abilities of Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu might still have had a chance. But now, his hopes were slim.

Kakuzu gave a couple of cold laughs, removed the Wind Release mask creature from his left shoulder, and placed it on his right, where it joined the Fire Release mask creature. He began forming hand seals.

Fire Release: Searing Migraine, Wind Release: Pressure Damage.

Composite Ninjutsu: Strange Mask Explosive Flame!

A vast sea of fire surged forth.

Boosted by Wind Release, the flames grew even fiercer, spreading until they covered half the sky!

A cold smile tugged at Kakuzu's lips.

With a Fire Release this terrifying, how would you stop me this time?

But in the next instant, Kakuzu's expression froze.

The sea of flames before him vanished in the blink of an eye!

The air still shimmered with the heat left behind, but the flames themselves had disappeared completely!

Kakuzu was dumbfounded.

Where had his jutsu gone?

Where was that enormous sea of fire?

As Kakuzu stood there in shock and disbelief, Ye Ning let out a long breath.

This was his first time using another ability of Dark Release—absorbing ninjutsu.

The results were even better than he'd expected.

In the original story, Hiruko could absorb ninjutsu only by using talismans, and he was ultimately defeated because he couldn't withstand the massive chakra of the Rasenshuriken.

With Orochimaru's help and improvements, Ye Ning could now absorb ninjutsu without talismans.

But he hadn't tested the upper limit of what he could absorb.

Now it seemed the limit was higher than he'd thought.

Ye Ning shrugged at Kakuzu's confused expression, offering no explanation.

That air of mysterious expertise was precisely what finally broke Kakuzu's spirit.

Only one thought remained in Kakuzu's mind.

Run!

He had to get away!

Whether or not he could escape, he couldn't keep fighting Ye Ning!

The moment the thought crossed his mind, another wound pierced straight through Kakuzu's chest.

Kakuzu lowered his head in disbelief and watched the Lightning Release mask shatter. At once, he understood.

He'd already lost three lives in a row. If he hesitated any longer, he'd really die here!

Without another thought, Kakuzu turned with his battered body and charged straight toward the Uchiha ninjas' encirclement.

The Fire Release and Wind Release chakra mask creatures returned to Kakuzu's shoulders.

He had only two lives left, so before losing another, he had to force open a path wide enough to escape!

Fire Release: Searing Migraine!

Seeing Kakuzu charging at them with reckless abandon, Uchiha Ryu immediately stopped watching and sprang into action.

"Stay sharp! Don't let him get away!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Several Uchiha ninjas closed in at once.

They'd been watching the fight for so long that they were itching to get involved. Besides, Ye Ning was watching from the side. How could they back down now?

The Uchiha Clan had no cowards!

Uchiha Ryu gripped his sword and rushed forward, engaging Kakuzu in close combat.

To Ye Ning's surprise, Uchiha Ryu's sword wasn't just for show. He really did have impressive swordsmanship, and after several exchanges with Kakuzu, he even gained the upper hand.

Ninjas who had mastered swordsmanship like that were rare indeed.

As far as Ye Ning could remember, only the protagonist of Naruto Shippuden, Uzuki Yugao, and Shisui Uchiha had decent swordsmanship.

Uchiha Ryu's eyes narrowed. The Three-Tomoe in his eyes caught one of Kakuzu's openings, and his sword flashed into a flourish before thrusting straight toward it!

Uchiha Style Swordsmanship: Sword Leap Flame!

Brilliant flames suddenly surged up along the blade, bursting into a blaze.

Crack—

The crisp sound marked the shattering of the Wind Release mask creature.

But that opening was one Kakuzu had deliberately left!

His aim was to use the opening in Uchiha Ryu's attack to find the right moment to break through!

Fire Release: Searing Migraine!

Fierce flames suddenly erupted in the midst of the Uchiha ninjas. Caught off guard, they truly left Kakuzu a path to escape.

Kakuzu had no time to think. He sprinted into the distance.

With four hearts shattered, he would have to lie low for a long time again!

Kakuzu also remembered to glance back at Ye Ning.

A thought lingered in his mind.

He'd never bother Ye Ning again... As for replenishing his hearts and coming back to settle the score, the idea never even crossed his mind. Whoever wanted that eighty million could have it!

Even Kakuzu, who loved money more than most, had come to think this way. That showed just how deep a shadow Ye Ning had cast over him.

Kakuzu turned around and happened to meet Ye Ning's gaze.

He saw the corners of Ye Ning's mouth lift into a faint smile.

The smile suddenly filled Kakuzu with a sense of foreboding.

Watching Kakuzu flee into the distance, Uchiha Ryu was filled with regret.

If he hadn't let his guard down, Kakuzu wouldn't have had any chance to escape!

True, he'd pierced one of Kakuzu's hearts, but he'd also let an S-rank rogue ninja get away. He couldn't afford to take responsibility for such a failure!

Uchiha Ryu was just about to lead a few Uchiha ninjas in pursuit when Ye Ning waved to stop him.

Uchiha Ryu was taken aback.

"Lord Ye Ning... We're not going after him?"

"He can't get away."

Ye Ning smiled and silently thought:

"Art is an Explosion!"

A line this cringey was better kept in his head. That way, he could indulge his inner chūnibyō without being laughed at.

Bang—

Rumble!

With a terrifying explosion, Kakuzu, who was still running for his life...

Blew up!