A battered, wrecked battlefield.
"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"...
As a series of deafening crashes rang out, countless thick branches suddenly burst from the ground, swinging like a giant's massive arms and crashing toward the front.
The earth shook violently as countless thick branches writhed wildly across the ground. It was a spectacular sight!
Amid the surging branches, a towering figure nimbly dodged from one spot to another.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"...
Just then, countless thin twigs suddenly shot out from the sides of the branches, speeding straight toward him.
If they hit him, his flesh-and-blood body would surely be pierced through!
The towering figure's oily green eyes glanced indifferently at the branches attacking from below. In a hoarse voice, he said,
"You can only truly appreciate how terrifying your Wood Release is once you fight it head-on, Nawaki."
"But I've long since changed, too."
As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He didn't retreat at all, calmly forming Hand Seals.
"Earth Release: Hardening!"
By the time he finished the Art Seal, countless thin branches had already spread to just in front of him!
"Clang!" "Scrape!" "Ting!"...
The branches struck his body, sending out tiny sparks and ringing with the sharp clamor of metal clashing against metal!
In the distance, Nawaki's clothes were torn, and a little blood ran down his right arm. Seeing this, his pupils shrank slightly, and he thought in astonishment,
Kakuzu... His body could actually become this tough!?
Behind him, the Konoha Ninja he was protecting stared at the scene, dumbstruck. They couldn't help exclaiming in shock,
"He... He blocked Lord Nawaki's Wood Release attack with nothing but his body! Is that guy a monster!?"
"So this is the strength of a Las Noches member... It's terrifying!"
Kakuzu slowly lowered the arm he'd held in front of