Kakashi did not catch the scroll Kakuzu tossed toward him. Instead, he let it fall to the ground and said coldly:
"Since you've decided to abandon this mission, Mr. Kakuzu, you may leave. I will also report your goodwill to Lord Shin."
Kakuzu showed no surprise when Kakashi refused to take his scroll.
There were any number of traps that could be placed in a scroll like this: a Summoning Technique, an Explosive Tag, poisonous smoke, or poison were all possibilities.
And Kakashi was facing an experienced fighter at peak Kage level. He could never be too careful.
Since he had already demonstrated his intention to abandon the mission and even handed over the Mission Scroll, Kakuzu naturally had no reason to linger.
After nodding to Kakashi, he directed one of his clones to use a ninjutsu in the direction Hidan had gone.
Wind Release-Pressure Damage!
As Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear clone unleashed the ninjutsu, it blew a passage through the thick white mist.
Of course, this was only possible because Zabuza, hidden in the dense mist, did little to interfere and even took the initiative to disperse the chakra within it. That allowed Kakuzu to clear a passage so easily with Wind Release.
Seeing this, Kakuzu wasted no time and ran toward the passage with his clones.
Kakashi and Zabuza naturally still did not trust Kakuzu. Afraid he might harm Konoha's six youngsters and Haku along the way, they followed a short distance behind him.
But when Kakuzu swiftly reached Hidan's vicinity, he discovered that Hidan had been completely overwhelmed. Not only had his Grim Reaper Scythe been tossed aside, but one of his arms was frozen inside a massive block of ice.
Kakuzu had arrived with the lingering force of his Wind Release at his back, accompanied by