6. Facing Kakuzu

"Kakuzu, stop. Akatsuki does not permit infighting."

"Furthermore, this is not the time for you to indulge your bloodlust."

Pain spoke from the side, his voice firm as he intervened.

Upon hearing this, Kakuzu let out a cold laugh.

"Bloodlust? That's a boring thing I have no interest in."

"However, I simply feel that this guy is far too weak... Who knows, he might even hinder our future missions."

"Besides, it's quite obvious... you also hold doubts about his strength, don't you?"

"So, how about I help you test him?"

Kakuzu tilted his head slightly to look at Pain, his voice indifferent.

"..."

As the words fell, Pain fell silent.

He certainly trusted Konan's words.

However, he did indeed want to see for himself what kind of strength this guy, who appeared to have so little chakra, truly possessed.

Consequently, he turned his gaze toward Konan.

Yet, he saw that Konan's expression remained calm. After merely glancing at Kakuzu, she said indifferently:

"Chen Xiaoxi, mind your limits."

"Kakuzu is also an indispensable member of Akatsuki; do not kill him."

Having said that, she didn't even look at the expressions of the others nearby, but stepped forward to stand beside Pain, clearing the space between them.

As these words were spoken, Kakuzu gritted his teeth, a trace of impatience appearing on his face.

That purple-haired woman actually thought he would be killed by this brat?

It was simply laughable.

"Hey, brat..."

"You'd better make the most of your final moments of survival!"

Kakuzu stared at Chen Xiaoxi, a fierce glint in his eyes, and suddenly raised his right hand.

Unexpectedly, countless black threads erupted from his right arm, surging directly toward Chen Xiaoxi!

He had launched his attack without warning!

On the other side, Chen Xiaoxi remained calm. After glancing at Pain and the others in the distance, he simply raised his hands and clapped them together, saying indifferently:

"Hado #33: Sokatsui!"

BOOM!!

The moment the words left his lips, a blinding white light suddenly manifested before his palms.

Immediately following, that light transformed into a violent, pale-blue flame that surged forward to engulf Kakuzu!

The massive flare of fire illuminated the entire dim cavern, seemingly evaporating even the heavy raindrops!

Both in scale and oppressive force, it completely eclipsed Kakuzu's attack!

"?"

So fast!

Everyone present felt a jolt of shock!

However, at this moment, Konan's expression shifted involuntarily.

Hmm...

Another one of those strange technique names?

What kind of secret art system is this, exactly?

Why does it feel like as long as he claps his hands and shouts something, it just happens...

There was, of course, a reason for Konan's confusion.

In fact, on the journey back to Amegakure from the Land of Wind, Konan and Chen Xiaoxi had been ambushed by some inexplicable enemies.

At that time, Chen Xiaoxi had also clapped his hands together and instantly unleashed a technique that seemed to be called "Hado #4: Byakurai."

With a flash of swift lightning, he had subdued all of their opponents.

Now, facing Kakuzu's secret technique, Chen Xiaoxi pressed his palms together, unleashing a Fire Style jutsu with power far exceeding his previous efforts.

Both in speed and destructive force, it was vastly superior to what had come before.

Come to think of it...

Could this pale blue flame even be considered Fire Style?

Konan felt deeply puzzled.

Nearby, Pain and Zetsu, though merely observing, also sensed the bizarre nature of this technique.

It was as pale blue as seawater, yet possessed the form and temperature of fire...

On the other side, Kakuzu's expression naturally shifted.

Feeling the intense heat wave, he dared not be careless; he quickly used the Body Replacement Technique, darting to the other side of the cave.

The Pale Blue Fire Crash struck a stone pillar beside the cave wall, shattering it instantly!

Amidst the swirling dust, Kakuzu steadied himself and looked over, a trace of shock appearing in his heart.

Tch... I never expected,

that such a meager amount of chakra could unleash an attack like this...

Just as he was pondering this, Chen Xiaoxi, having just finished his attack, suddenly wore a look of utter confusion. He stared at Kakuzu with an ignorant expression and said in an exaggerated tone:

"Eh?

Strange... Mr. Kakuzu, aren't you known as the [Immortal Ninja]?"

"Why would you dodge such a weak attack?"

"..."

As the words fell, the entire scene went silent.

Everyone's gaze shifted simultaneously to Kakuzu's face.

The atmosphere became incredibly awkward.

Kakuzu's mouth twitched, and his expression stiffened.

I just happen to have a few extra hearts, alright!

Do you really take me for someone who is absolutely immortal?

Besides, if I didn't dodge an attack, wouldn't that make me an idiot?

Growing angrier by the second, Kakuzu glared at Chen Xiaoxi. Without another word, he quickly formed hand seals, placed his hands before his mouth, and barked:

"I'll kill you!"

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine!"

As the words left his lips, Kakuzu's back suddenly began to bulge and swell, and then, a black, thread-like masked creature emerged!

This was the secret technique of Takigakure—Earth Grudge Fear!

The creature suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a scorching fireball!

The moment the fireball touched the ground, it instantly expanded, igniting a raging inferno that raised the temperature of the entire cave by over a dozen degrees!

The blazing fire seemed to possess a life of its own, rapidly spreading toward Chen Xiaoxi!

Pain, Konan, and the others nearby were also caught in the wake of the flames!

Everyone's expression changed at once.

Zetsu let out an exaggerated cry: "Ah! Not good, not good! Dodge!"

He immediately leaped backward and used the Mayfly Technique, merging into the wall.

Konan instantly unfurled her paper wings, carrying Pain with her as they soared high into the air.

They all knew that getting caught in these flames was no laughing matter.

This bizarre heat wave could be said to completely surpass the Pale Blue Fire Crash that Chen Xiaoxi had just unleashed!

Furthermore, its range was surprisingly vast!

"This guy... to actually unleash such a large-scale Fire Style jutsu in such a confined space..."

A look of displeasure appeared on Pain's face.

Meanwhile, Kakuzu, still on the ground, looked on with excitement; he didn't care about any of that.

Having claimed the hearts of many Fire Style users, this was the Fire Style technique Kakuzu was currently most proud of!

A tsunami of fire, burning everything in its path!