Trackers

Hyuuga Nen had been in the Land of Tea for over a year. During this time, he had completed the second stage of the Cell Activation Forbidden Technique and finished more than half of the third stage.

After carving the sealing formula into his stomach, Hyuuga Nen discovered a strange change in his body. His respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems were now capable of performing a preliminary, automatic circulation of chakra.

Through the synergy of these three systems, even without the aid of sealing techniques, his body's cells were constantly being nourished by chakra. Hyuuga Nen could now grow stronger even while lying down.

Compared to when he first left the Land of Iron, Hyuuga Nen's strength, speed, and stamina had all improved significantly, and his chakra reserves had also increased.

Hyuuga Nen spent most of his time operating in the Land of Tea, though he had also visited the Land of Moon for missions.

The Land of Moon was located on Crescent Moon Island, just south of the Land of Fire and the Land of Tea. It was a very wealthy nation, and in the Land of Moon, Hyuuga Nen enjoyed the peace that so many others yearned for.

While in the Land of Moon, Hyuuga Nen even considered staying there forever, far away from the conflicts of the ninja world, to enjoy his own life. However, in the end, Hyuuga Nen left the Land of Moon.

A peaceful life is a slow-acting poison to me. The more peaceful I live, the faster I will die in the future. This kind of peaceful life is not for me. Hyuuga Nen sighed in his heart, thinking to himself.

Upon arriving at the Bounty Exchange, Hyuuga Nen handed over Aoki's corpse. After receiving the bounty, he casually asked the person in charge if any powerful ninjas had come to the Land of Tea.

Ever since he encountered Kakuzu, Hyuuga Nen had remained cautious, inquiring about the intelligence of powerful ninjas entering the Land of Tea. If such a situation arose, Hyuuga Nen would leave the Land of Tea once again.

Receiving a negative answer, Hyuuga Nen felt relieved and walked toward the exit of the Bounty Exchange.

Just as Hyuuga Nen opened the door to the exit and was about to leave, the door at another entrance to the Bounty Exchange was opened, and a man wearing a black cloak with red clouds walked in.

Because Hyuuga Nen had his back to the man, he did not see him.

The moment the man walked in, he noticed Hyuuga Nen in the distance. He stood at the entrance, watching silently as Hyuuga Nen left. Even with a mask on, one could see a dangerous smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Hyuuga Nen frowned as he left the Bounty Exchange. Feeling a sense of unease, he looked back at the building, shook his head, and began to walk faster.

Someone is tracking me! Hyuuga Nen thought to himself, immediately picking up his pace in hopes of shaking off his pursuer.

After a while, realizing he couldn't lose the tracker, Hyuuga Nen arrived at a secluded area. He stopped, leaped onto a tree, and cautiously scanned his surroundings.

"Who is it? Show yourself!" Hyuuga Nen shouted.

At that moment, not far from Hyuuga Nen, a figure slowly rose from the ground, watching him with a dangerous gaze.

"Kakuzu? Why are you following me?"

Looking at the man in the black cloak with red clouds before him, Hyuuga Nen's pupils constricted, and he regarded Kakuzu with a cautious expression.

"Oh, you know me?"

Kakuzu looked at Hyuuga Nen with greedy eyes.

"The notorious bounty ninja of the black market, the rogue ninja from the Waterfall Hidden Village, Kakuzu—how could I not know you?" Hyuuga Nen replied, staring at Kakuzu.

Hearing Hyuuga Nen reveal his identity, Kakuzu's gaze turned dangerous, and he stared fixedly at him.

Pulling two portraits from his robes, Kakuzu held them up toward Hyuuga Nen and said slowly:

"These are two of the identities you use. Both people in these portraits are you, yet their appearances and builds are completely different. This shouldn't be something achievable with a Transformation Technique. Can you tell me what kind of secret technique this is?"

Kakuzu looked at Hyuuga Nen with an expression of great interest.

So Kakuzu had his eyes on me back in the Land of Sea. Is it because of the Earth Grudge Fear secret technique?

Though shocked, Hyuuga Nen maintained a calm tone and said:

"These are just ordinary makeup techniques. You still haven't answered my question: why are you following me?"

"Hearts. The scent of your heart is very attractive. I want your heart!"

Kakuzu smiled at Hyuuga Nen, but his tone was bone-chilling.

It really is because of that secret technique. The clothes Kakuzu is wearing—it seems he has joined the Akatsuki. I wonder if he has any teammates nearby. Hyuuga Nen thought, feeling a bit nervous as he looked at Kakuzu.

"So you're tracking me through my heart? What kind of secret technique is that? I've never heard of it." As he spoke, Hyuuga Nen began to slowly form hand seals.

Kakuzu initially wanted to interrupt the seals, but seeing that Hyuuga Nen's speed was very slow and the method was one he had never seen before, he paused, watching with a mocking gaze. He enjoyed this cat-and-mouse game.

Kakuzu watched as Hyuuga Nen formed dozens of seals, at a rate of almost one per second.

"You actually formed fifty seals. What kind of ninjutsu is this? Where is your technique? Why haven't you unleashed it yet?" Kakuzu looked at Hyuuga Nen. "You aren't just stalling for time, are you? Waiting for your companions?"

"That's the line I should be asking you." Hyuuga Nen stood on the tree, looking down at Kakuzu.

"Hahaha!" Hearing this, Kakuzu laughed in a fit of rage. "Don't worry, I'm the only one here, but that's more than enough to finish you off."

Hearing Kakuzu's words, Hyuuga Nen felt slightly relieved. Given Kakuzu's strength and pride, he likely wouldn't lie. However, Hyuuga Nen didn't fully trust him and remained on high alert.

The reason Hyuuga Nen had spoken so much was indeed to stall for time, specifically to undo the sealing formula carved into his body.

The cultivation of the Cell Activation Forbidden Technique drained a portion of his chakra, so the presence of the seal lowered his overall strength.

It was impossible to undo the seal during combat; besides lacking the time, a forced removal could potentially injure him.

Hyuuga Nen dared not be arrogant and needed to bring out his full strength, but the fact that Kakuzu had watched him perform the technique without reacting was unexpected.

It seems I've been underestimated. Hyuuga Nen judged internally. But this is an opportunity I can exploit.

"Enough, enough talk. It seems today I will not only obtain an excellent heart but also a decent secret technique."

"Go to hell! I'll be taking your heart."

Before he even finished speaking, Kakuzu extended one of his hands. His palm detached from his body, connected only by countless black threads.

Controlling his detached hand, Kakuzu balled it into a fist and lunged rapidly toward Hyuuga Nen.