Negotiations Break Down, Kakuzu's Fury

"Terada Yusuke?"

The man held a portrait and looked toward the Land of Birds minister standing in the middle of the group.

The three members of Team 8 immediately turned wary, but "Mo" recognized the man at once.

His expression grew grave as he stepped to the front of the group and held everyone back with one hand.

"What do you want?"

Kakuzu glanced down at Mo without answering, then looked back at Terada Yusuke.

"So it seems this old man found the right person. Terada Yusuke... you're the last one..."

As he spoke, Kakuzu put away the portrait and raised a foot, about to head toward Team 8.

At those words, Terada Yusuke seemed to realize something. He hurriedly waved his hands in terror.

"Sir, I truly have nothing to do with that matter! I've been away this whole time—I only know a little about it! Even my father... Father... That's right! Someone must be framing me! I've been framed!"

Kakuzu ignored his hysterical excuses and simply approached in silence, one step at a time. Panicking, Terada Yusuke immediately turned to Uchiha Mo and shouted through gritted teeth, "Blood Ninja! I paid you! I order you to stop this guy!"

Uchiha Mo frowned slightly. Looking at Kakuzu, he said in a low voice, "Let me escort this man to Bird Capital before you make your move. Trust me, that will be better for both sides."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kakuzu paused and turned his gaze toward Mo. Terada Yusuke, meanwhile, stopped breathing. The color drained from his face, leaving him deathly pale. He raised an arm to point at Mo, but it trembled uncontrollably.

"You can't do this to me! I'm the employer! You have to obey my orders... Right... I can pay more, I can give you more money! As long as you kill him, I'll pay any price!"

The three members of Team 8 could not bear to watch Terada Yusuke's hysterics, but they could not interfere with Uchiha Mo's judgment either. From his grave expression alone, they could tell that the man before them was extremely powerful.

Neither Kakuzu nor Mo paid any attention to the crazed Terada Yusuke. They simply stared at each other in silence.

After a short while, Kakuzu slowly spoke.

"Blood Ninja, is it? A genius who has recently risen to fame... This old man can show a little concern for the younger generation. As long as you stay out of this matter, this old man will let you leave."

"Then I suppose we can't come to an agreement."

With that, Kakuzu continued walking toward them.

But the instant his foot landed, a sudden change occurred!

"Screech—!"

A piercing bird cry exploded behind him, and a familiar figure appeared. Then...

"Squelch!"

"Argh..."

Kakuzu cried out in pain, his body shuddering. Looking down, he saw half of a pale hand protruding from his chest.

Uchiha Mo made a gesture toward his shadow clone.

"Poof!"

The "Mo" before Team 8 instantly burst into smoke and vanished. Everyone looked toward the figure behind Kakuzu, their faces lighting up with delight.

"Teacher Mo!"

"What kind of ninjutsu was that? So fast! Was that Flying Thunder God?"

Terada Yusuke's face immediately flushed red. He raised a fist and shouted excitedly, "Well done, Blood Ninja! I'll definitely pay you more!"

Uchiha Mo ignored their cheers and looked at Kakuzu, whose aura had weakened before him.

Kakuzu had done something major in the daimyo's palace last night. Mo had not intended to get involved, but while waiting near Bird Capital for Team 8 today, he suddenly discovered that Terada Yusuke appeared to be one of Kakuzu's targets as well.

Although the intelligence obtained through the Sharingan showed that Terada Yusuke truly had nothing to do with the matter, Mo had no interest in proving anyone's innocence. As long as he completed his mission, whether Terada Yusuke lived or died had nothing to do with him.

He braced one hand on Kakuzu's shoulder and pulled out his right arm. Kakuzu's body immediately collapsed limply to the ground.

Mo looked down at Kakuzu. His clean black eyes were like deep wells, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

After a moment, he raised his head and began walking toward Team 8.

"Yes... sly little brat, that's it... Let this old man teach you about the dangers of the ninja worl—"

"Whoosh—!"

Before he could finish his thought, violent blood flames suddenly ignited beneath Uchiha Mo's feet. Then Mo stomped down like lightning toward Kakuzu's rear left heart!

Kakuzu's heart lurched, and his scalp went numb, but it was already too late!

"Boom—!"

"Argh!"

With his enhanced fire-control ability, Mo's command over his Fire Release aura was exceptionally precise, on a completely different level from when he had fought Maki. Caught by this sudden attack, even Kakuzu had no time to react properly.

The blood flames surged back, and blazing firelight exploded as a tall figure was hurled away!

Kakuzu landed and swiftly twisted himself around. Two neat holes were visible in his chest. After steadying himself, his entire body became covered in a dense earthy brown. He clenched his fists, his brows tightly furrowed, his face so dark it seemed ready to drip water.

"Brat, how did you see through this old man's feigned death?"

Had Kakuzu not immediately used Earth Release: Earth Spear to rapidly harden himself just now, losing a single heart would have been the least of his problems.

As an old veteran who had survived since the Warring States Period, Kakuzu had always taken pride in his vast experience and combat knowledge. Yet now, he had been outmaneuvered by a brat barely ten years old. That infuriated him just as much as losing two hearts.

When Team 8 and Terada Yusuke saw that Kakuzu had not died, they immediately cried out in shock. Uchiha Mo, however, wore a mocking smile.

"Heh~ Are you senile? Trying to play dead in front of the Sharingan?"

As he spoke, his eyes turned crimson.

Glancing at the panel showing the explosive increase in his Water Release and Lightning Release proficiency, Mo drew the long sword at his waist and pointed it at Kakuzu, his expression cold. "I'll give you one last chance. Leave, or die."

Kakuzu dispelled Earth Release: Earth Spear, his pale bluish face looking utterly grim.

"Hmph! Arrogant Uchiha brat, even in this state, this old man has more than enough to deal with you!"

Enraged, Kakuzu practically forced the words through clenched teeth. Then he suddenly flung away his shirt, revealing four masks of different colors on his back.

The four masks writhed as they detached from Kakuzu's back, transforming into four black monsters!

Yet in only an instant, the creatures formed from the damaged blue and white masks collapsed limply, leaving only the red and green monsters standing behind Kakuzu...

"Brat, be grateful. The opponent before you is a shinobi who once fought the First Hokage!"

Uchiha Mo sneered disdainfully and paid him no attention. Instead, he turned to Team 8 and barked, "What are you still waiting for? Take Terada Yusuke to Bird Capital and complete the handover! I have no interest in babysitting you!"

The three froze for a moment before belatedly nodding. They hurriedly supported Terada Yusuke and sprinted toward Bird Capital!