The Value of Life Mustn't Be Squandered / Kannabi Bridge

That's a great Ninjutsu, I'll take it!

Chapter Forty-Four: The Value of Life Should Not Be Wasted

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

This is probably the most fitting description of Fire Release: Searing Migraine.

Among the Fire Release known to Uchiha Shingen, Searing Migraine is the second most powerful large-scale Fire Release after Majestic Destroyer Flame Technique, ranking among the B-rank Fire Release.

The difference is that the Majestic Destroyer Flame requires the caster to constantly consume Chakra, while the Searing Migraine is a process of flame compression and explosion.

It is first compressed into a fireball, and after being launched, the flames explode due to the loss of Chakra to maintain the compression force, Majestic Destroyer Flame.

But this Ninjutsu has another use.

In mid-air, the flames, continuously compressed to their limit, were ejected to form a near-solid flame blade, which sliced through the ice giant with a flick of its head by the Earth Grudge Fear!

As the ice giant's head fell, Uchiha Shingen leaped out, propelled by the raging wind, and rushed to the front of the Earth Grudge Fear clone.

Earth Grudge Fear the fire-type Resentment Clone was about to turn around, Uchiha Shingen had already kicked it away.

It really flew a long way.

The Kakuzu of his face twitched as he looked at the ground.

If that were a person, their head would have been kicked off, right?

[This Uchiha Clan doesn't seem like Uchiha Clan...]

This thought inexplicably popped into his head.

The opponent's movements were wide and sweeping, and most of their techniques consumed a lot of Chakra.

The Uchiha Clan's fighting style is more refined.

With a thought, the water-type Earth Grudge Fear clone moved closer.

Water Release: Water Curtain!

One water cannon after another formed a continuous curtain, like a rainstorm, pelting down on Uchiha Shingen.

It seems that Kakuzu wants Uchiha Shingen to return to the surface.

Uchiha Shingen decided to follow Kakuzu's wishes.

The big spender has special privileges.

He opened his mouth.

A larger arrow of fire appeared in mid-air.

The sky seemed to be on fire.

The water cannons at the front were instantly engulfed by the raging sea of fire, completely evaporated, and the flames continued their relentless advance, sweeping towards the Earth Grudge Fear's clone with unstoppable force.

Uchiha Shingen landed on the ground, facing Kakuzu.

The two Earth Grudge Fear clones appeared beside Kakuzu almost simultaneously.

Despite having some suspicions, seeing Kakuzu staring directly at Kakuzu without any hesitation, Uchiha Shingen immediately cast a Genjutsu.

Almost simultaneously, one of the Earth Grudge Fear clones extended its "tentacles" and pierced into Kakuzu's body.

"No wonder." Uchiha Shingen nodded. "I knew you were different from the others."

"I've seen many Uchiha Clan," Kakuzu said. "The Uchiha Clan's Genjutsu isn't as effective as you think."

He not only made no attempt to conceal his Sharingan Genjutsu, but also made no attempt to conceal his use of the Five Elements Escape Technique, which he was most proficient in, in front of Uchiha Shingen.

The Earth Grudge Fear clones do not need to Hand Seals to perform Ninjutsu, nor do they have Chakra channels.

Since mastering the Earth Grudge Fear technique, the Uchiha Clan has been unable to copy any escape techniques from him.

If Uchiha Shingen could copy his Ninjutsu under these circumstances, he would accept it.

"You're quite confident, aren't you? You even assassinated Uchiha Madara?" Uchiha Shingen teased.

"Hmph, if you had Uchiha Madara's abilities, I wouldn't say a word."

A series of muffled thuds echoed in the sky, followed by a white mist of water vapor—the result of a large amount of water evaporating—but the powerful arrows were also extinguished.

"Very few Uchiha Clan have your level of Chakra," Kakuzu said. "What's your name? I think you'll be very valuable."

"Uchiha Shingen"

After giving his name, Uchiha Shingen asked, "Is my order on the Bounty Exchange?"

"I see, that explains it." Kakuzu nodded. "Unfortunately, not yet, but I believe you'll develop that strength and personality soon. Fighting you now would be pointless."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Shingen shook his head. A flash of electricity appeared in the air, and his fist was already in front of Kakuzu, just a hair's breadth away from his face.

The black lines of the Earth Grudge Fear formed a barrier, blocking the punch.

These black lines were very resilient, flowing with wind-type Chakra, which neutralized Uchiha Shingen's Lightning Release attack, while more black lines rushed towards Uchiha Shingen.

But they missed their target; Uchiha Shingen's figure had already appeared in the distance.

[It's somewhat similar to the Lightning Body Flicker of the Cloud Ninja...]

Kakuzu, then swapped positions with his wind-type Earth Grudge Fear.

Of all the ninjutsu that Uchiha Shingen has used so far, none are Earth Release techniques, which Kakuzu considers a weakness.

The black line barrier ahead dispersed, clearing the path for the Earth Grudge Fear clone to unleash its Ninjutsu.

The Earth Grudge Fear clone leaped forward, and the black lines that formed its body spread out like a hedgehog.

At the same time, Uchiha Shingen bit his finger and pressed it to the ground.

The two simultaneously unleashed their Ninjutsu.

Wind Release: Pressure Damage!

Summoning Technique: Triple Rashomon!

As the white light appeared in the mouth of the Earth Grudge Fear, three enormous gates rose up one after another on the earth.

The gate is carved with hideous monsters, representing hell and symbolizing an insurmountable boundary, earning it the title of "strongest defense".

As the third Rashōmon was completed, the high-pressure wind ball from the mouth of the Earth Grudge Fear was also launched.

It crashed into the first door.

The high-pressure cyclone, which had swept away everything, exploded, creating Uzumaki Clan storm.

The raging wind swept away the trees and dug open the ground, unleashing a cataclysmic destructive force capable of shattering mountains upon the massive doorway in front of them.

The air trembled and howled.

When everything calmed down, the place had completely changed.

The forest vanished, the earth was ripped open, and almost everything within the storm's reach disappeared—only the spot where the three gates once stood became the only Pure Land, where Uchiha Shingen stood unharmed.

It felt like standing on a deserted island in the ocean.

"That's a really good Ninjutsu," he exclaimed. "Thanks, Kakuzu."

"If you can take it, then take it."

Kakuzu remained calm, unaffected by these words, and continued to observe the Uchiha Clan before him.

The result of the test is already quite clear.

This is not an opponent that can be easily killed; the most crucial point is...

Even if we could kill them, we wouldn't get a single penny.

From the moment we are born, our lives have value, and no Kakuzu can tolerate life being squandered in a meaningless way.

He resolutely opposes senseless killing!

Moreover, he genuinely believed that once Uchiha Shingen's list was put up, it would be incredibly valuable.

Anyone who dares to list a cheap price will be met with his advice first.

You think you can go toe-to-toe with my Kakuzu using escape techniques? You dare try to win me a bid with a low price? I'll report you and demand rectification—the whole package!

"That's it," he said. "I won't disturb your mission. Farewell."

All of the Earth Grudge Fear's clones returned to his side.

"Are we not going to fight anymore?" Uchiha Shingen seemed somewhat unsatisfied.

All three Ninjutsu were incredibly powerful.

"It's not too late to fight when you're more valuable," Kakuzu said coldly. "Don't be too greedy. You can take my Ninjutsu from earlier; I'm not short of Ninjutsu."

In another sense, Kakuzu is also a big spender when it comes to getting things for free, and having lived for so many years, he's really not lacking in Ninjutsu.

"Aren't you really considering going to Leaf Village? Missions Leaf Village can be quite lucrative."

"Ninja villages are garbage." Kakuzu refused without hesitation. "But you, if you're planning to go solo, I could accept you as my teammate."

"Are you sure you have teammates? Didn't you take them all down?"

"Are you insulting my judgment? I only made my purchases when their prices were at their highest."

"You're a real genius." Uchiha Shingen looked at Kakuzu's self-righteous demeanor and couldn't refute him.

As missing-nin, with my teammates' heads already at rock bottom, not taking them would be against my conscience.

If it were him, he would also sell at the highest point and make a small profit.

The two stared at each other for a long time, and the more they looked at each other, the more they felt that the other was one of their own.

How annoying! I'm not playing anymore!

Finally, almost simultaneously, the two of them used the Body Flicker Technique to disappear.

Chapter 45 Kannabi Bridge

During his Zero playthrough Uchiha Shingen often heard the saying that if two people who are highly similar in every aspect get together, it will be difficult to deal with them.

He hadn't really believed it before, but after meeting Kakuzu this time, he realized it might be true.

This guy exudes an aura of "I'm worth a lot of money."

It really makes my hands itch just looking at it.

Uchiha Shingen was quite confident in defeating Kakuzu.

To be fair, Kakuzu is indeed very strong, a solid veteran- Kage Level.

While Kakuzu meant to be a stepping stone for Naruto Uzumaki's growth and development,... can just anyone become Naruto Uzumaki's stepping stone?

An upgrade package for the reincarnation of Ashura or Indra, when placed in someone else's body, becomes Yama, the King of Hell.

The only one who got an upgrade and hasn't died yet is Orochimaru.

Kakuzu is a top-tier fighter on par with Orochimaru.

The secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear, grants Kakuzu Infinite lifespan, regenerative abilities equivalent to Hashirama Cells, exceptional healing power, and the ability for his five heart systems to independently disrupt each other, thus resisting Genjutsu. He also gains abilities similar to "Soft Body Modification," and his physical defense reaches an astonishing level.

Earth Grudge Fear is itself a Yang Release secret technique, whose length and shape can be changed at will. It can be "multiplied" and, when combined with the Earth Spear, it becomes a low-end version of "True Several Thousand Hands". It can also be transformed into a wing shape to gain the ability to fly. Its physical binding ability can precisely bind the opponent's hands to prevent them from Hand Seals or summoning spirits, making it far more effective than Jiraiya's Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

In other words, it was only because Uchiha Shingen gathered the power of three cycles and reached a level similar to a cheat code that he was able to handle Kakuzu with ease. At least 90% of the Ninja World would have been taken down in one move by Kakuzu.

Let's wait and see. We'll use the Transformation Technique to Bounty Exchange another day.

The practice of Jonin from ninja villages impersonating others to smuggle goods at Bounty Exchange is actually quite common.

The various ninja villages also turned a blind eye to this kind of thing.

The premise is that private jobs are allowed, but they cannot take up time that is reserved for ninja village missions, and they also cannot take on jobs that are at odds with their own ninja village.

After leaving the armory, Uchiha Shingen did not immediately accelerate, but maintained a relatively normal speed, wanting to see if Kakuzu catch up.

Once they catch up, there's not much more to say. We'll use every trick in the book and then Bounty Exchange to make money.

Unfortunately, after dawdling for a long time, he couldn't even sense Chakra's chakra, let alone his Kakuzu.

They've really left.

For the first time in his life, Uchiha Shingen caused his opponent to give up the fight because his head wasn't worth enough.