Seeing Kakuzu Again

Uesugii approached Uzumaki Hane and said excitedly, "We're really saved, Uzumaki Hane! Let's escape together!"

Uzumaki Hane still remembered their first meeting; Uesugi I had been using her, and then when they encountered danger in the black market, he immediately ran away. A half-smile played on her lips as she said, "You said we'd escape together, but you're not planning to use me as bait to get away yourself, are you?"

Upon Uesugii's expression immediately turned serious, and he said righteously, "No way, how could I be that kind of person?"

Uzumaki Hane said, "Then why did you just run away last time?"

Uesugii looked embarrassed and said, "I believe in your abilities, so my presence there would only hinder you from giving your all." Uzumaki Hane continued to stare at him, without responding.

Unable to bear it any longer, Uesugii changed the subject, saying, "We can talk about that later. The situation is too dangerous right now, let's run away quickly."

Uzumaki Hane surveyed the surrounding ninjas who were eyeing him menacingly, and said, "No rush. These people are nothing but ragtag dogs to me; I can wipe them out with a flick of my wrist." Uesugii hadn't expected Uzumaki Hane to utter such arrogant words. Although Uzumaki Hane was indeed very strong, facing four Jonin and fifteen Chunin, even if they wore him down, they could still kill him. Hearing Uzumaki Hane's words, the surrounding ninjas' faces revealed murderous intent, and a few more impulsive ninjas even shouted insults.

"Kid, who do you think you are?"

"Kid, do you want to die?"

"It seems some people are just ignorant and arrogant."

The ninjas continued cursing, but Uzumaki Hane frowned and instantly appeared in front of the Chunin was cursing the most. His right hand turned into lava, and to the Chunin's astonishment, he pierced through his chest.

The ninja stared at Uzumaki Hane in disbelief. Although he knew that Uzumaki Hane had such a large bounty, he must have some skill, but he didn't expect Uzumaki Hane to make a move in front of so many people. Wasn't he afraid of being surrounded and attacked by so many people? Most importantly, how could Uzumaki Hane be so strong? He didn't even have time to react. The chunin looked at Uzumaki Hane with Chunin and lost his life.

No one else expected that Uzumaki Hane would make the first move, and with such great strength, instantly killing a Chunin. All the Chunin became wary, and even the Jonin looked at Uzumaki Hane with serious expressions. Although they could also kill a Chunin one move, they could never do it as easily as Uzumaki Hane.

A Chunin shouted, "Let's all attack together! I refuse to believe he can withstand so many of our attacks alone!" Hearing this, all the Chunin immediately unleashed their most powerful attacks.

In an instant, Earth Release, Water Release, Fire Style, Wind Release, and all sorts of other Ninjutsu bombarded Uzumaki Hane, along with countless Kunai and Shuriken.

Faced with this overwhelming attack, Uzumaki Hane remained unfazed. He took a few steps back, shielding Uesugii behind him. His feet quickly turned into lava, melting the ground beneath him and drawing in the lava to envelop himself, forming a lava sphere. Boom, boom, boom, the attacks were like a storm, completely engulfing the lava sphere that enveloped Uzumaki Hane.

He should be dead by now.

"Hmm, even Jonin n't withstand such a powerful attack."

"Hahaha, let's see if this brat still dares to be arrogant."

"You dare say that at a time like this? Do you dare say it to his face? He killed a Chunin an instant."

"He's so young, he should be a genius, what a pity."

"Hahaha, a dead genius isn't a genius anymore."

"I just hope his body isn't too badly damaged, otherwise I won't get the bounty."

After unleashing their Ninjutsu, the Chunin excitedly discussed their ability to kill such a powerful genius.

At that moment, a Chunin exclaimed, "How is this possible?" Everyone looked towards where Uzumaki Hane was.

The scene after the attack was a complete mess, with countless pieces of wood scattered everywhere and various cracks appearing on the ground. The lava sphere encasing the Uzumaki Hane stood intact, seemingly undamaged. Behind the lava sphere stood Uesugi I, his face filled with fear. The Chunin all looked on in horror as they stared at the lava sphere, amazed that it had withstood the attacks of so many of them.

Uesugi I hadn't expected to survive. When he was attacked, he thought he was going to die, but Uzumaki Hane had blocked all the attacks. Uesugi I snapped out of his daze and, not daring to stay on the battlefield any longer, quickly disappeared. However, the ninjas' attention was now focused on Uzumaki Hane, and they didn't notice Uesugi I's actions.

At this moment, lava slowly flowed down from the lava sphere, revealing the Uzumaki Hane inside. The Uzumaki Hane appeared to be completely unharmed. However, none of the Chunin dared to make a move rashly.

Uzumaki Hane's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was filled with killing intent. The ground beneath his feet began to melt, spreading towards the Chunin.

All the Chunin were watching Uzumaki Hane's movements intently. They hadn't expected Uzumaki Hane to be able to create lava. They had heard of Lava Release before, but they naturally wouldn't surrender easily. They all began Hand Seals, wanting to launch another joint attack on Uzumaki Hane.

Uzumaki Hane naturally wouldn't let them continue attacking. Although they couldn't hurt him, Uzumaki Hane didn't want to be attacked indefinitely. Suddenly, a dozen lava hounds emerged from the lava and charged Chunin the Chunin. The two Chunin standing at the front were instantly bitten by the lava hounds, letting out painful screams as they were burned alive. The other Chunin exclaimed in shock:

"Careful."

"Don't engage them in close combat."

"Use Ninjutsu to attack quickly!"

Next, the Chunin expended considerable effort to kill the Lava Hound.

Suddenly, a voice rang out. "Finally found you! My heart supplies, still thirty-five million. This time, I won't let you escape."

Uzumaki Hane was very familiar with this voice. He looked in the direction of the sound and, sure enough, saw Kakuzu standing there.

Upon hearing the price of 35 million ryo, all the ninjas realized that the other party was also there to kill Uzumaki Hane. They all turned to look, wanting to see who was so arrogant as to dare to try and steal their prey in front of so many of them. There wasn't enough for all of them, so why would they share it with someone else? In an instant, the ninjas present decided to unite against this common enemy.

A Chunin shouted at Kakuzu, "Who are you? Uzumaki Hane is our prey. If you know what's good for you, get out of here, or we might spare your life."

Kakuzu, his killing intent boiling, roared, "Enough talk, all of you, die! Fire Style: Searing Migraine!" Kakuzu unleashed a torrent of flames at the ninjas, the fire swelling rapidly and instantly engulfing the area in front of them. Most of the ninjas couldn't dodge in time, screaming in agony as they were burned to death. Only a few Jonin escaped, staring in horror at the scorched earth Kakuzu.