In the arena, even with Earth Release reinforcing his body, Kakuzu was beginning to buckle. His opponent attacked like a rabid dog, leaving no openings and utterly overwhelming him in pure Taijutsu—
Without restoring his body, Kakuzu was slower and weaker than Rock Lee with the third gate open. The boy struck with precision and dodged as though he had a sixth sense...
Kakuzu cursed furiously to himself. Who the hell wouldn't be overwhelmed by this?
Whoosh!
As Rock Lee unleashed Two Dragons Take the Pearl, Kakuzu hurriedly shut his eyes.
Thud!
The Earth Spear Technique reinforced his entire body, including his eyelids.
With his eyes shut, Kakuzu had what amounted to two heavy stone doors in front of them, blocking the two fingers stabbing toward him.
But his opponent changed moves in the next instant. Kakuzu felt his nostrils being plugged again—the tightly wrapped mask over his face had been poked straight through, leaving two holes!
Kakuzu was so furious he wanted to curse aloud. This bowl-cut brat fought dirty!
Worse, his blows were powerful. These moves might have looked like horseplay, but without the Earth Spear Technique, every single one would have been lethal!
And the Earth Spear Technique wasn't invincible, either. With the power boost from Eight Gates, the places that had been struck repeatedly were already beginning to hurt.
It's too hard to fend him off without using Ninjutsu of other elements... I can't actually lose to this brat! Apart from Kakashi, none of the Konoha people here have seen me fight. If I can lure Kakashi away from the Hokage, we can move the plan forward...
While Kakuzu was thinking, a sudden chill ran down his back. At some point, the brat had begun changing direction as he attacked, trying to circle behind him in