Hundred Blossoms in Disarray!

—Fire Release: Searing Migraine!

The Earth Grudge Fear Fire Release-mask monster spewed a tidal wave of flames. They exploded upon hitting the ground, instantly turning the earth into a dazzling sea of red-lotus fire.

Sasuke's expression remained still as water.

He had fought far too many battles to be surprised by a Fire Release technique of this scale.

He excelled at spotting the blind spots others missed beneath the surface.

Kakuzu claimed to have fought the First Hokage, which meant he must have been born around the Warring States era. A ninja's physical abilities declined sharply with age after years of constant warfare, yet Kakuzu could unleash such powerful Fire Release at nearly a hundred years old. That was the real issue!

"It seems that technique called 'Earth Grudge Fear' is one of those rare techniques that can directly modify the body..."

Boom!

As the sea of fire from Searing Migraine advanced before him, Sasuke faced the heat wave and formed the horse seal with both hands!

—Fire Release: Archer Drake!

Boom! Vermilion flames erupted from Sasuke's mouth and took the shape of a drake, tearing through the sea of fire and surging toward Kakuzu!

Watching from the Forest, Kabuto Yakushi exclaimed, "What kind of Fire Release is that?! It's clearly smaller than Searing Migraine, but it has an overwhelming advantage!"

Orochimaru watched with delight. "Sasuke-kun moved beyond pursuing sheer scale long ago. He values 'technique efficiency' more than range. He released the same amount of fire chakra as Searing Migraine in a highly condensed form. The difference in quality is plain to see!"

"A Fire Release that can overpower Searing Migraine—is this the boost from Hashirama Senju's Chakra?!!!"

Crack!

The Earth Grudge Fear wind-mask monster on Kakuzu's left shoulder unleashed a raging gale, instantly fanning Searing Migraine's sea of fire to new heights of heat. Archer Drake's advance was noticeably impeded!

Sasuke did not rush to counterattack. Instead, he analyzed the situation carefully.

The mask on his left shoulder uses Fire Release, and the one on his right uses Wind Release. There are two more masks on his back. Including the chest mask destroyed by the Tree-Binding Stake Technique earlier, his Earth Grudge Fear Mode has five masks in total. Each mask can use one nature transformation. Also, those masked monsters seem to be able to die in his place. How does that work?

Right, when he caught my Lightning Release: Shadow Clone with those black threads, he tried to extract my heart. Does that mean each masked monster contains a heart?!

Five hearts, meaning five lives...

I see. So that's the truth behind the immortality of Kakuzu, the Akatsuki's North Star!

Whoosh! Sasuke abruptly changed his hand seals!

The flaming drake, suppressed by the crushing gale and Searing Migraine, suddenly opened its jaws!

—Archer Drake: Devour!

Whoosh!

The flames of Searing Migraine surged violently into the drake's mouth, and its size swelled rapidly!

Kakuzu recoiled in shock. "You've got to be kidding!!! That technique is absorbing my flames!!!!"

Boom...!!!

The enlarged Archer Drake broke through with overwhelming force!

—Water Release: Water Curtain Account!

Clack! Clack!

Left with no choice, Kakuzu used the water mask on his back to fire a powerful water cannon forward, colliding with Archer Drake!!

Despite its elemental advantage, its power still fell short!

—Lightning Release: False Darkness!

Clack! The final lightning mask opened as well. A sharp spear of lightning combined with the water cannon, finally stopping Archer Drake's attack!!

Kakuzu's dark green eyes widened in fury.

"What kind of joke is this? A single Fire Release technique forced me to use four masks?!"

Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses. "I never saw Sasuke-kun use such an impressive Fire Release during his battle with Sasori. Did he only just learn it?"

Orochimaru shook his head gently. "No. Sasuke-kun created that technique a very, very long time ago. It's a genuine beyond-S-rank Fire Release technique. During his fight with Sasori, he didn't have enough Chakra to bring out its full effectiveness. Only in this battle did it become available, along with the unlocking of the White Cursed Seal. Sasuke-kun's repertoire extends far beyond this one technique. As his power grows further, you'll see more..."

Beside them, Karin muttered inwardly, A long time ago... isn't Sasuke only thirteen? Why does he make Sasuke sound like some old geezer? Though honestly, I'd still like him even if he were an old geezer. Heeheeheeheehee ❤.

Above the mountain hollow.

Black Zetsu asked in a low voice, "Obito, what do you think of that brat Sasuke's performance?"

White Zetsu replied playfully, "What else would he think with? His eyes~!"

Black Zetsu snapped, "Keep quiet. This is a serious question!"

Rebuffed, White Zetsu said, "Fine. We share a mouth anyway..."

After a long silence, Obito said gravely, "If he manages to stay alive, one day he'll become someone who surpasses Nagato..."

Black Zetsu sneered inwardly. Heh, surpass Nagato? Your ignorance limits your imagination. As Indra's reincarnation, he's bound to surpass Nagato. I've secretly watched his movements ever since his clan was massacred. How did that brat suddenly become so strong? Could Hagoromo have done something to him?

The spectators' exchanges did not affect the battle.

Four hearts left, meaning four lives. With four masked monsters protecting him, a feint is essential...

As Sasuke charged, he pulled back his right sleeve and swept his left palm over the summoning formula inscribed on his right arm!

Poof! White smoke rose, and a Fūma Shuriken appeared in his hand. He hurled it straight at Kakuzu!

Kakuzu dodged effortlessly. "Just when I started thinking you might be troublesome, you use a laughable trick like this as a feint..."

The corners of Sasuke's mouth lifted slightly, and he raised two fingers!

—Secret Technique: Shuriken Replication Summoning Formula!

Poof, poof, poof, poof, poof, poof...!

From the summoning formula inscribed on the Fūma Shuriken, a sky-filling swarm of Fūma Shuriken appeared. Sasuke held all the barely visible steel wires attached to their ends!

Crackle...!!

Lightning chakra traveled along the steel wires and over the shuriken as Sasuke yanked his hand down!!

—Uchiha Style Shuriken Formation: Lightning Blade Rain!

In an instant... a curtain of shuriken wreathed in lightning filled the sky, sealing off Kakuzu's escape routes in every direction!

"You...!!!"

Kakuzu's eyes nearly burst from their sockets. He desperately released the black threads of Earth Grudge Fear, forming a black shroud around his entire body!!!

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack...!!!

The shuriken shredded the black shroud!!!

Using the shuriken as cover, Sasuke had already charged right up to him...!

The wooden stake erupted from his hand once again...!

"Damn it...!!!"

Sensing the danger, Kakuzu's main body formed hand seals.

—Earth Release: Earth Spear!

Crack! Crack!

His skin hardened as a dark current flowed through it. The Tree-Binding Stake Technique, which could only inflict its greatest damage after piercing its target, failed to penetrate his skin!

Kakuzu shouted, "Hey, don't expect the same trick to work on me!!!"

Sasuke paused in surprise. Changing the hardness of his skin—that should fall under Earth Release... but his earth heart should have been destroyed, shouldn't it?

Whoosh...!

With his killing strike thwarted, Sasuke quickly retreated, evading the approaching black threads...

Right, he just formed those seals with his main body. Does that mean the Earth Release hardening technique isn't part of Earth Grudge Fear, but his own ability...?

Kakuzu looked at the Fūma Shuriken scattered across the ground, arcs of lightning still dancing over them, and felt a chill.

That shuriken feint alone would be enough to kill most ninja. Just who the hell is this brat?!

"The same move won't work on you? All right, then..."

Sasuke brought his hands together before his chest.

—Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!!

Rumble, rumble, rumble...!!!

The earth shook and the ground split open. Trees intertwined with trailing vines, surging forward in a crushing tide. Deep Forest Emergence erupted with even greater power than it had against Red Sand Scorpion!

Kakuzu shouted, "Hidan, help me!!!"