At the same time, several sharp stone spikes suddenly shot up from the ground beneath Kakuzu's feet!
"Earth Release: Rock Theft Staff!"
Kakuzu reacted with astonishing speed. Chakra burst beneath his feet, and he leaped into the air, avoiding the stone spikes.
But airborne, his vision was obscured by dust and explosions.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Without hesitation, he switched to his Lightning Release heart! A dazzling bolt of lightning erupted from his hand, shooting like a spear toward Uchiha Makoto's approximate location.
Lightning countered water, allowing him to clear the standing water while attacking his enemy.
The lightning tore through the smoke and dust, but Uchiha Makoto had already left that spot.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Kakuzu switched again. A howling gale swept out, instantly dispersing the surrounding dust and vapor and clearing his vision.
It happened just as he finished unleashing his Wind Release, in the instant his chakra nature switched from lightning to wind.
That minuscule delay as Earth Grudge Fear switched hearts-so brief that an ordinary person could scarcely perceive it-was once again caught precisely by Uchiha Makoto's Sharingan!
Now!
Uchiha Makoto shouted inwardly!
Everything he had done so far-
Using Water Dragon Bullet to leave standing water, explosive tags to create chaos, and Rock Theft Staff to force Kakuzu into the air-had all been to create this one opening!
He abruptly moved his hands into the posture for Fire Release seals. Fire-nature chakra surged violently inside him, and even his skin began to glow faintly red.
He looked ready to unleash a powerful Fire Release attack!
Kakuzu's combat instincts responded immediately!
Fire countered wind!
His chakra flow instinctively began shifting from the Wind Release heart he had just used to his Water Release heart, preparing to counter the incoming fire!
But in the instant his