Thick clouds of dust billowed through the street, blocking Chihane's vision. But his keen Observation Haki had locked firmly onto Kakuzu from the moment the battle began.
He naturally knew that, despite all the commotion, Kakuzu had suffered no fatal injuries.
Chiriku, who was watching the battle, had no such ability. The smoke blanketing the area completely obscured his view.
Bang!!!
Curious about the outcome of their exchange, Chiriku punched toward the battlefield. His powerful body unleashed tremendous force, and the fierce gust from his fist tore a clear path through the smoke straight to Kakuzu.
Whoosh!
The gust dispersed the smoke, revealing what lay beneath it.
Several enormous wounds scored Kakuzu's body, almost splitting him into pieces. Countless black tendrils inside him worked furiously to repair the damage.
Two of the four masked shadows beside him had vanished, their fragments scattered across the ground. Judging by the scene, Kakuzu had clearly lost that exchange.
The outcome left Chiriku, who had been full of anticipation, rather surprised.
That was it?
He fought the First Hokage with skills like that?
He had acted so impressively earlier, like the great demon king in a play. Yet he turned out to be all show, falling apart at the slightest touch.
"Chihane Hatake!"
Kakuzu gazed heartbrokenly at his two remaining masked shadows. His voice brimmed with hatred, but his heart was full of fear.
He had never imagined that Chihane's casual sword strike could be so terrifyingly powerful. One careless moment had cost him two hearts.
That made things difficult. Kakuzu's strength lay almost entirely in those hearts.
The Taki Ninja Secret Technique he had mastered allowed him to seize a ninja's still-beating heart and preserve it within his body to extend his life. Through the chakra pathways in those stolen hearts, he could