Wood Release, the Power to Pacify the Warring Era!

"It's impossible. This is absolutely impossible... How could there still be a ninja in this era who can wield such majestic power?!" Kakuzu muttered as if possessed.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

The surging Wood World crushed hundreds of dumbfounded Waterfall Village ninja in an instant, then continued advancing across the land...

"Wood Release! It's Wood Release! Run, run!!!"

The terrified Waterfall Village ninja scattered in every direction.

Yet every towering tree within the Wood World, every branch upon those trees, seemed to possess a will of its own as they tangled around the fleeing ninja.

Some were caught by the trunks and twisted to death, while others were pierced through by branches and hung in midair...

Blood spread beneath the trees in great sheets, resembling Blood Pool Hell...

No one, no force, could withstand this power of growth!

Looking at the horrific scene before him, Shibuki's hands trembled. He was actually... this strong? Did my decision... truly bring harm upon everyone?!

No matter what, Shibuki knew... he had to step forward and steady the army's morale.

A resolve to face death rose on his face. He threw aside his cane, moved against the fleeing crowd, and rushed to the front.

When the fleeing Waterfall Village ninja saw even their village chief charging forward without regard for his life, they gradually stopped.

"Warriors, behind you lies Waterfall Village, the homeland where we have lived for generations! Even if we must build a wall with our flesh and blood, we must stop this evil forest!!"

Shibuki shouted and unleashed a ninjutsu, though it was insignificant before the Wood Release Power!

"To hell with it, we're going all out! At worst, we'll die!!!"

His actions reignited the fighting spirit of the Waterfall Village ninja. Though their numbers had already been reduced by more than half, they unleashed an even fiercer torrent of ninjutsu, powerful enough to halt the rampaging Wood World...

"Pant... pant... pant!!" Even so, this was already their limit. Many collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

Riu stood atop a giant tree, one arm folded across his chest as he watched Shibuki. Behind his mask, his Sharingan showed a trace of emotion.

That old man reminded him of the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Onoki.

During the battle where the Five Kage confronted Madara, even when the Kage were repeatedly forced into desperate straits by Madara's overwhelming strength, Ōnoki had never abandoned his faith. He became the backbone of the Five Kage and even caused Madara considerable trouble.

"As expected, in this Shinobi World, veteran soldiers are all banners..." Riu sincerely admired the old man, but... he would not stop advancing!

Just as he raised his hands to form seals—

Boom!!

A fist shot toward him. Riu abandoned his hand seals, and the fist passed through his body.

Kakuzu stood atop the "ground" formed by piled-up trees, using black tendrils to pull the fist back to the joint on his arm.

"Kakuzu, you..." Shibuki looked up at Kakuzu above him, his expression somewhat complicated.

"Don't misunderstand. I have no interest whatsoever in protecting this village. I took someone's money, so I'll handle their troubles. That's my principle..." Kakuzu replied coldly.

There was another reason Kakuzu did not say aloud.

That man was the shadow of his entire life!

Decades ago, after that hopeless defeat and disgraceful escape, Kakuzu had always feared the man named Hashirama Senju! Yet he had also always dreamed that one day, he would challenge that man again.

Unfortunately, until that man died... Kakuzu never found the courage.

It was a regret Kakuzu had never been willing to mention to anyone.

When he saw Riu recreate the First Hokage's ultimate technique, what stirred within Kakuzu was not merely fear and lingering trauma, but also fighting spirit and obsession!

Since fighting the departed First Hokage was no longer possible, then... battling the man before him, who had inherited his power, might ease that regret somewhat!

"Uchiha Riu, I've long heard of your reputation. Could you give me a little time?" Kakuzu, who was usually arrogant toward others, was unexpectedly polite to Riu.

Riu turned to Kakuzu. "What is it?"

"Fight me!" Kakuzu said.

"I don't mind, but will it just be you?" Riu asked.

Kakuzu looked down at the Waterfall Village ninja again and said coldly, "None of you are allowed to interfere. This is my battle!"

"What kind of joke is that?! So many of our comrades died by his hand. At a time like this, who are you, a rogue ninja, to order us around..." the Waterfall Village ninja cried indignantly.

"Enough! Listen to him!" Shibuki stopped them, then said, "Everyone, fall back! Medical Ninja, treat the wounded immediately!"

With the village chief's order, the Waterfall Village ninja obeyed.

Kakuzu withdrew his gaze and said solemnly to Riu, "I have one more condition. No, it should be called a request..."

"Let's hear it," Riu said.

Kakuzu made a shocking request. "Please use only Wood Release ninjutsu to fight me!"

Riu was slightly taken aback. It was the first time he had heard such an unusual request. "Kakuzu, are you seeking death?"

"Perhaps. But even after reaching Hell, money is still a pass!" Kakuzu said.

Riu stared deeply at Kakuzu. "Well, I don't dislike that part of you."

He lowered the arm folded across his chest and raised two fingers, forming the Clash of the Opposite Seals, a gesture symbolizing ninja etiquette.

Kakuzu also solemnly put on his Waterfall Village rogue ninja forehead protector, then returned the Clash of the Opposite Seals.

The ritual was complete.

Whoosh!

Kakuzu tore off his robe and tossed it into the wind before forming hand seals.

Earth Grudge Fear Mode!

Gurgle! Pop! Gurgle! Pop!

His back swelled like a camel's humps, and two black monsters wearing different masks emerged and attached themselves to his shoulders...

Kakuzu possessed five hearts, all seized through Earth Grudge Fear. Each heart carried the original owner's chakra pathway system, allowing him to take their chakra nature as well.

Thus, he could use chakra of all five natures.

The two black monsters on Kakuzu's shoulders were two of those hearts.

Swish, swish, swish! Kakuzu rapidly formed hand seals.

Lightning Release: False Darkness!

Wind Release: Pressure Damage!

Fire Release: Intense Pain!!

Boom! Boom! Boom! He unleashed three extremely powerful ninjutsu at once.

Riu formed hand seals as well.

Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!

Boom! Boom! Heavy wooden shields rose from eight directions and swiftly closed together, blocking the bombardment of the three great ninjutsu!!

Whoosh! Kakuzu charged forward. During his sprint, his entire arm turned pitch-black! This was Earth Release: Earth Spear, Kakuzu's body-hardening technique, with tremendously destructive power!!

Boom!

His hardened fist slammed into the Wood Locking Wall, whose strength had already been weakened by the three ninjutsu, and successfully punched through it!!

Boom!! Another monster wearing an Earth Grudge Fear mask emerged. Together with the two on his shoulders, they writhed and gathered around Kakuzu's right arm.

Earth Grudge Fear: Final Shooting!!!

Boom!!! After a brief charge, an immensely terrifying chakra cannon fired from his right arm, exploding within the cramped space of the Wood Locking Wall!!

Rumble, rumble, rumble!!

The Wood Locking Wall... shattered into pieces.

Looking at Riu lying not far away with his chest pierced through, Kakuzu smiled between ragged breaths. "I won..."

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

Suddenly, Kakuzu's eyes widened.

Because... four enormous wooden stakes had pierced through four of his hearts at the same time!!

Riu's true body appeared behind Kakuzu.

The Riu who had been lying on the ground had somehow turned into a piece of wood.

Kakuzu said in a trembling voice, "So this is... the First Hokage's Wood Release Clone?"

"Kakuzu, you lost..."

Riu placed an arm on his shoulder.

Whoosh! Accompanied by a Kamui vortex, Kakuzu was sucked into the Space-Time Dimension...

Riu had other plans for him.

He turned around, folded his arms across his chest, and looked down at Shibuki. "Where is the Tailed Beast? Release it!"