Only after remaining submerged for several dozen minutes did Kakuzu emerge from the murky river.
Looking at the tracks left by the Wood Dragon on the opposite bank, Kakuzu's expression turned utterly grim. No one in the organization had ever told him that Konoha's Danzo, who had not shown himself for years, had actually mastered Wood Release to such a degree.
That Wood Dragon was clearly a supreme ninjutsu that only the First could wield, powerful enough to battle a tailed beast.
This battle had cost him three hearts outright, and one of his two remaining hearts was on the verge of shattering. Hidan might not have died, but his prospects were grim. There was absolutely no chance he had escaped.
Shaking his head to clear away those stray thoughts, Kakuzu turned his gaze toward a convoy traveling along the road, a chilling gleam flashing in his eyes.
Five minutes later.
The convoy had been wiped out. The ninja serving as guards lay on the ground drenched in blood, their hearts gouged out. The carriage they had been protecting bore a noble family's crest.
Normally, Kakuzu would not attack anyone without a bounty on their head. That was also why he had been able to remain active in the black market for so long.
But with his life at stake, he had made an exception, even taking an ordinary chunin's heart as a replacement.
After glancing back at the convoy and burning it to ashes with Fire Release, Hidan headed toward Akatsuki's base in the Land of Fire. He needed to report the latest intelligence to their leader, Pain.
Inside Konoha.
Following the ostentatious return with Hidan in tow, news of Danzo's successful hunt for Akatsuki members quickly spread through the village. Even chunin and genin were discussing it,