Without the slightest hesitation, chakra burst from the soles of Kakuzu's feet, and he fled madly toward the distant mountain woods without looking back.
At that moment, he had no intention of fighting again. His two remaining hearts pounded wildly, and every nerve in his body screamed a warning of danger.
He had lived for nearly a hundred years, fought countless brutal battles, and faced innumerable powerful foes throughout the Shinobi World, yet he had never felt as shaken as he did now.
The pitch-black figure before him had no surging chakra, no terrifying fluctuations of ninjutsu.
But this was the second time in his life he had felt that still, utterly disdainful presence.
The first had been when he faced the First Hokage's absolute might, which overwhelmed the entire Shinobi World.
That presence did not belong to an ordinary ninja, or even to any rogue ninja in the Akatsuki. It belonged to someone who truly stood at the summit, looking down upon all living beings.
Only powerhouses like Hashirama Senju and Madara carried themselves that way.
Run!
I have to run!
That was the only thought in Kakuzu's mind. Even if he had to abandon all dignity, even if his juniors mocked him for cowardice, he did not dare stay another half second.
Hidan was utterly dumbfounded and stood frozen for a full two seconds.
"Hey! Kakuzu! What are you doing?!"
Hidan shouted in alarm.
In that instant of hesitation, Kakuzu had already fled dozens of meters, putting a safe distance between them.
The wind howled across the deathly silent battlefield, leaving Hidan standing alone before that pitch-black figure.
Fear completely overwhelmed his arrogance. He could no longer maintain his swagger. Not daring to linger, he spun around and sprinted after Kakuzu with all his strength.
One behind the