Art is an Explosion!

Kakuzu wore a grim expression, casting a hateful glare at the Uchiha Ryu as if to etch his face into memory for a future reckoning.

Ye Ning, however, found it somewhat amusing.

As expected, in the worldview of the Uchiha clan, the strong are revered.

When these ninjas first left Konoha with him, they were too proud to even speak to him, but after witnessing his strength, they immediately transformed, turning into his personal cheering squad.

Ye Ning tilted his head, his expression playful: "Kakuzu, you aren't thinking of running away, are you?"

"You come to assassinate when you feel like it, and when you realize the situation has turned, you think of fleeing? What kind of person do you take me, Ye Ning, for?"

"Hmph!"

Kakuzu let out a cold snort and fell silent, his brain racing as he calculated a way to escape.

The situation had spiraled completely out of control.

He wasn't even certain he could defeat Ye Ning alone, let alone with fifteen Uchiha ninjas standing by.

If Ye Ning were unaware of the capabilities of the Earth Grudge Fear, he might have had a glimmer of hope, but now, that hope was slim.

Kakuzu sneered, removed the Wind Release mask monster from his left shoulder and placed it onto his right, combining it with the Fire Release mask monster, and began weaving hand signs.

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

Combined Ninjutsu: Strange Mask Explosive Flame!

A massive sea of fire surged forth.

Bolstered by the Wind Release, the flames became even more ferocious, directly covering half the sky!

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Kakuzu's mouth.

With a Fire Release this terrifying, how will you block it this time?

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

The sea of fire before him vanished into thin air in an instant!

The heat waves from the combustion still lingered in the air, but the sea of fire itself had completely disappeared!

Kakuzu was stunned.

Where did my ninjutsu go?

Where did that massive sea of fire go?

Kakuzu fell into a state of shock and self-doubt, but Ye Ning let out a long sigh of relief.

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

The effect was even better than he had anticipated.

In the original story, Hiruko could only absorb ninjutsu through the use of talismans, and ultimately failed because he could not withstand the immense chakra of the Rasenshuriken.

With the help and modifications provided by Orochimaru, Ye Ning could now absorb ninjutsu without the need for talismans.

However, Ye Ning had never tested the upper limit of this absorption.

It seemed now that the limit was even higher than he had thought.

Facing Kakuzu's bewildered expression, Ye Ning shrugged, offering no explanation.

It was precisely this mysterious, expert demeanor that completely crushed Kakuzu's resolve.

Only one thought remained in Kakuzu's mind.

Run!

I must run!

Regardless of whether he could escape successfully, he could no longer afford to tangle with Ye Ning!

The moment this thought surfaced, a piercing wound appeared once again in Kakuzu's chest.

Kakuzu looked down in disbelief, witnessing the destruction of his lightning-attribute mask, and realized what had happened in an instant.

Three lives were already gone; if he hesitated any longer, he would truly die here!

Without a shred of hesitation, Kakuzu dragged his battered body, turned sharply, and lunged straight toward the encirclement of Uchiha ninjas.

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

He had only two lives left, so he had to carve out a path for escape before losing another!

Fire Release: Searing Migraine!

Seeing Kakuzu charging toward them with reckless abandon, Uchiha Ryu instantly abandoned his spectator mindset and entered combat mode.

"Stay sharp, don't let him get away!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

In an instant, several Uchiha ninjas swarmed forward.

They had been watching the show for so long that their hands were already itching for a fight. Besides, with Ye Ning watching from the sidelines, how could they possibly back down now?

The Uchiha clan has no cowards!

Uchiha Ryu gripped his blade tightly, closing the distance to engage Kakuzu in close-quarters combat.

To Ye Ning's surprise, Uchiha Ryu's sword was no mere decoration; he possessed truly exceptional swordsmanship, and after several exchanges with Kakuzu, he had actually gained the upper hand.

Ninjas capable of mastering such sword techniques were truly rare.

In Ye Ning's memory, it seemed only the protagonists of the Shippuden era, Uzuki Yugao, and Shisui possessed noteworthy swordsmanship.

Uchiha Ryu's eyes narrowed as the three tomoe in his pupils keenly captured a flaw in Kakuzu's defense, his blade spinning into a flourish as he struck directly at the opening!

Uchiha Ryu Sword Technique: Sword Leap Flame!

Dazzling flames suddenly surged along the blade, igniting instantly.

Crack—

A crisp sound signaled that the wind-attribute mask monster had quietly shattered.

However, this opening was precisely one that Kakuzu had intentionally revealed!

His goal was to exploit the momentary lapse in Uchiha Ryu's attack to find the perfect opportunity to break through!

Fire Release: Searing Migraine!

Violent flames erupted abruptly where the Uchiha ninjas were gathered, and caught off guard, they actually allowed Kakuzu to carve out a path for escape.

Kakuzu had no time to think, his body sprinting rapidly toward the distance.

Having four hearts shattered in succession meant he would have to lie low for a very long time!

At the same time, Kakuzu did not forget to glance back at Ye Ning.

A single thought lingered in Kakuzu's mind.

In the future, he must never trouble Ye Ning again... As for the idea of replenishing his hearts and returning to settle the score, he didn't even consider it. Whoever wanted that eighty million could have it!

That even Kakuzu, who loved money above all else, would harbor such a thought showed just how deep a shadow Ye Ning had cast upon him.

Kakuzu turned his head back, his gaze meeting Ye Ning's.

Kakuzu saw the corners of Ye Ning's mouth lift slightly into a faint arc.

This smile suddenly filled Kakuzu with an ominous premonition.

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

If not for his momentary lapse in judgment, Kakuzu would never have had any chance to escape!

It was true that he had pierced one of Kakuzu's hearts, but in doing so, he had let an S-rank missing-nin get away; he could not bear the weight of such a failure!

Just as Uchiha Ryu prepared to lead the other Uchiha ninjas in pursuit, Ye Ning waved his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

Uchiha Ryu was stunned:

"Lord Ye Ning... are we not pursuing him?"

"He cannot escape."

Ye Ning smiled, silently chanting in his heart:

"Art is an Explosion!"

Such embarrassing lines were best kept to one's own mind; it satisfied his inner chuunibyou cravings without the risk of being mocked by others.

Bang—

BOOM!

Accompanied by a terrifying, thunderous roar, Kakuzu, who was still fleeing for his life...

Exploded!