Uchiha Yusuke's expression really was a bit stunned right now.
He'd thought Kakuzu was about to unleash some incredible trump card.
But in the end… this was it.
He had already tanked the Fourth Raikage A's Lightning Release: Lariat and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki Killer B's Tailed Beast Bomb head-on. Compared to those ultimate moves, Kakuzu's ninjutsu was honestly small-time.
By Yusuke's estimate, Kakuzu's technique—mixing three chakra natures—was at most on the same level as the Two-Tails Jinchūriki Yugito Nii's Fire Rat Jade. It simply couldn't do any damage to him in Fire Release chakra mode.
Once he'd thought it through—
Uchiha Yusuke immediately lost interest in Kakuzu.
As a sparring partner for Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kurenai, sure.
But Kakuzu had no right to be Yusuke's opponent.
Uchiha Yusuke gave a contemptuous smile and directly activated his taunt skill on Kakuzu.
"So it's wind, fire, and water…"
"Aren't you afraid you'll put yourself out?"
A flicker of annoyance flashed in Kakuzu's eyes.
Even though he knew Yusuke was mocking him, that risk did exist.
Normally, Kakuzu needed Lightning and Earth chakra natures to harmonize this move—but he had already lost those two hearts.
Thinking of that only made him even more furious.
He'd lost two hearts and gained nothing.
He had never done such a losing deal in his life!
Kakuzu stared at Yusuke's group, roaring in his heart.
The money is mine!
The hearts are mine too!
None of you are getting away!
Filled with rage, Kakuzu threw everything into unleashing his ultimate technique at Uchiha Yusuke.
"Earth Grudge Fear—Secret Art: Final Shot!"
With Kakuzu's furious shout, a chakra cannon mixing Fire, Wind, and Water surged like an endless ocean, instantly swallowing Uchiha Yusuke whole.
Kakuzu looked toward where Yusuke stood and sneered.
He didn't even dodge.
So that's all he's got?
His mouth was huge, but this is pathetic!
Kakuzu had complete confidence in his ninjutsu.
Standing there without dodging—if even the unfathomable Leader Pain came, he wouldn't be able to walk away unscathed.
Before Kakuzu could even savor his victory, Uchiha Yusuke's calm voice shattered his fantasy.
"So this is your trump card?"
"Wet and hot… it feels just like soaking in a hot spring."
Kakuzu's eyes went wide.
He took my three-nature chakra cannon head-on and didn't even get scratched?!
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
Kakuzu found it unbelievable, but the reality in front of him didn't allow doubt.
Suddenly, Kakuzu's expression tightened as a possibility hit him.
"Don't tell me…"
"You're Uchiha Yusuke—the 'Flame Demon of Konoha' famous across the shinobi world?"
Facing Kakuzu's question, Uchiha Yusuke nodded lightly.
"You're not that impressive, but your eyes are pretty good."
Kakuzu's face shifted again and again.
He'd heard of Uchiha Yusuke's record.
He'd participated in the Third Shinobi World War. While still young, he became head of the Uchiha clan. He defeated Kumogakure's Two-Tails Jinchūriki Yugito Nii and the A–B combination, and in Konoha's internal conflict, he wiped out Danzō—the representative of the village's dark faction.
"Flame Demon" Uchiha Yusuke was praised as the most outstanding genius among the shinobi world's younger generation.
Compared to Uchiha Yusuke, even the famous "Copy Ninja" Kakashi would look dim.
Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kurenai—three distinctive Konoha jōnin—already made Kakuzu feel extremely pressured.
Add Uchiha Yusuke on top of that, and he'd crack on the spot.
Money was tempting.
But you needed a life to enjoy it.
Thinking that—
Kakuzu started backing down.
Right now it was outnumbered and outgunned. Continuing to fight Konoha's people would be unwise!
Making money could happen anytime.
Staying alive came first. Time to run—run.
Once he decided, Kakuzu stopped clinging to the fight.
He threw a smoke bomb at Uchiha Yusuke and bolted down the road.
Kakuzu wanted to escape—
But Kakashi and Kurenai had no intention of letting him off.
Just now Kakuzu had feinted and struck at Uchiha Yusuke—basically playing them right to their faces.
Facing the two of us, you still had the leisure to look elsewhere?
Who are you looking down on?!
Kakashi revealed his Sharingan, lightning exploding in his palm.
Kurenai also formed seals rapidly, genjutsu building.
The two pursued relentlessly, but Kakuzu sprinted straight toward Might Guy's position without hesitation.
Kakashi and Kurenai felt a trace of confusion.
Was he trying to flee with his partner?
Akatsuki operated in two-man teams. Kakuzu running toward his teammate naturally gave that impression.
But Uchiha Yusuke—who knew Kakuzu's character—was unimpressed.
The fact that Kakuzu wasn't backstabbing in the middle of the battle was already mercy.
Kakuzu saving a teammate in a desperate situation?
Unless that teammate was a billionaire.
...
Seeing Kakuzu charging toward him, Might Guy instantly raised his fighting spirit.
"Perfect timing!"
"I, Konoha's Proud Blue Beast, will be your opponent!"
Kakuzu rolled his eyes at Might Guy. He didn't have time to spar with a demon muscleman right now.
Might Guy didn't care. He kicked straight at Kakuzu.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Kakuzu dodged with agile footwork, slipping past Might Guy's attack.
Taking advantage of Earth Grudge Fear mode, he glided through the air and swept past.
Might Guy was thick-headed and didn't sense anything wrong.
But Kakashi and Kurenai, chasing behind, were deeply confused.
What is this?
He's… giving up on his teammate?
Uchiha Yusuke's lips curved.
Everything was exactly as he predicted—Kakuzu never even considered saving the ordinary-faced man.
What was even more unexpected—
After shaking off Might Guy, Kakuzu formed seals quickly, as if he was about to use ninjutsu.
Kakashi's gaze sharpened. He instantly sensed something.
He immediately warned his teammates.
"Guy, Kurenai—careful!"
Before his words even finished, Kakuzu launched an indiscriminate attack backward.
Judging by the posture, he clearly intended to wipe out his injured teammate along with everyone else.
Uchiha Yusuke shook his head slightly.
Cold. Ruthless. No bottom line.
That really did match Kakuzu's usual style.
A violent storm of energy shot into the sky.
By the time the earth settled into silence again, Kakuzu was already gone without a trace.
Selling out his teammate, Akatsuki's Hokuto successfully escaped.
The ordinary-faced man, already badly wounded from Might Guy's beating, ultimately died under his own side's hand.
Not being able to capture an Akatsuki member alive left Uchiha Yusuke slightly regretful.
However, the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques could read the memories of the dead. If they brought the corpse back, they could still obtain plenty of intelligence about Akatsuki.
All in all, this mission could be considered a complete success.
After a quick sweep of the battlefield, Uchiha Yusuke was about to lead everyone away.
Suddenly—dozens of sharp whistles cut through the air in succession.
By the time they turned their heads, Yusuke's group had already fallen into an encirclement of ANBU.
Might Guy still didn't understand what was happening, but Kakashi and Kurenai's faces changed drastically.
Kirigakure's hunter-nin unit?
Did the earlier battle draw their attention?
Uchiha Yusuke remained calm.
"Since you're here, show yourselves."
As soon as he spoke, a small figure suddenly stepped out from among the ANBU.
"Hokage's aide—Uchiha Yusuke."
"I'd like to know what business brings you into the Land of Water."
Seeing this person, Kakashi and Kurenai were shocked again.
The Fourth Mizukage—Yagura Karatachi?
This ANBU unit… the Mizukage himself was leading it?
Uchiha Yusuke answered calmly.
"By the Hokage's order, I'm investigating a missing-nin organization."
"I didn't notify you and crossed the border without permission. My apologies for the intrusion."
Facing the Fourth Mizukage, Uchiha Yusuke was neither servile nor overbearing.
He admitted his fault, yet showed no intention of groveling or begging forgiveness.
In the shinobi world, strength was the only hard truth.
Kirigakure might have numbers, but that didn't mean they could necessarily do anything to Uchiha Yusuke.
Yusuke studied the Fourth Mizukage, thoughtful.
He had already confirmed with his Sharingan—this Mizukage wasn't being controlled by genjutsu.
Yagura being here meant Tobi hadn't had the chance to act yet.
But the Mizukage personally leading a unit on the border was clearly abnormal.
In Yusuke's estimation, Yagura had likely noticed some traces of Akatsuki as well.
Yagura's face was dark. Yusuke's casual attitude irritated him.
So you're relying on your strength to look down on us?
Then I'll show you Kirigakure's fangs!
With that thought—
Yagura snorted and said flatly,
"One light sentence, and you think you can wipe away the fact you crossed the border?"
"Aren't you being far too arrogant?"
With the Mizukage's words, the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Crossing a border without permission could be big or small.
It could be laughed off… or it could become the fuse that ignited a war between nations.
Yagura's tone was hostile, yet Uchiha Yusuke remained calm.
Even facing Kumogakure's A–B combination, he had never shown fear.
A single Fourth Mizukage wasn't enough to make him feel pressure.
Uchiha Yusuke smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Yagura immediately felt humiliated and enraged.
A young man who didn't know his place.
You'll pay for your arrogance!
Given Kirigakure's current state, Yagura naturally couldn't start a war with Konoha.
But teaching Uchiha Yusuke a lesson should still be possible.
Uchiha Yusuke's name was famous, but as the Mizukage, Yagura possessed pride of his own.
People said Uchiha Yusuke was overwhelmingly powerful—Yagura also wanted to experience it for himself.
Yagura stared at Uchiha Yusuke coldly.
"In that case, don't blame me for being rude!"
Uchiha Yusuke smiled calmly.
"Perfect."
"I've wanted to see the Fourth Mizukage's strength as well."
Yagura drew his weapon—a coral staff—and Uchiha Yusuke unsheathed the sword at his waist.
The two heavyweights faced off, while Kirigakure's ANBU and Kakashi's group all sensibly retreated to the sides.
Between jōnin and Kage-level fighters was a chasm that was difficult to cross.
This clash between great figures wasn't something they could interfere with.
Yagura's eyes were cold.
Though he had a baby face, his actual age was far older than Uchiha Yusuke.
"Flame Demon of Konoha…?"
I've wanted to test you for a long time!
Yagura slowly moved his coral staff, the tip aiming straight at Uchiha Yusuke.
Facing the Mizukage's provocation, Uchiha Yusuke showed no panic at all.
If you don't provoke me, I won't provoke you.
But if Yagura wanted trouble, Yusuke didn't mind accompanying him to the end.
Their auras collided, thickening the air until it felt almost solid.
The watching shinobi were shaken to the core.
Such terrifying chakra…
So this is the power of Kage-level fighters?
After a long standoff, Yagura was the first to break the silence.
Using Wind Release to burst forward, he thrust the coral staff straight for Uchiha Yusuke's throat.
Yusuke's sword flashed, sending out a flying slash.
Crack!
Yagura was struck—his body split into two.
But before Yusuke could feel any satisfaction, the "Yagura" in front of him turned into a puddle of water.
A Water Clone?
When did he—
The watching shinobi were stunned.
Even Kakashi was shocked.
With the Sharingan, he was praised as the "Copy Ninja," and his perception was naturally exceptional.
Yet even he hadn't seen Yagura's movement clearly.
In full view of everyone, he had cast a clone technique without a sound—deceiving even the Sharingan.
The Fourth Mizukage's strength was evident.
Using the Water Clone to draw attention, Yagura had quietly slipped behind Uchiha Yusuke.
"You fell for it."
His calm words fell, and Yagura swung the coral staff again, striking at Uchiha Yusuke.
Yusuke couldn't evade in time—his chest was pierced by the coral staff.
Boom!
As he fell, Uchiha Yusuke's body suddenly turned into flames.
Just like before, this "Uchiha Yusuke" was also a clone.
In the next instant—
Uchiha Yusuke appeared behind Yagura, pressing his sword to the Mizukage's throat.
"Your tricks don't work on me."
"It's over."
Kirigakure's ANBU stared in disbelief.
He saw through the Mizukage's deception?
Uchiha Yusuke really did live up to his name!
Kakashi, Guy, and Kurenai all let out a breath at the same time.
Yusuke really was Yusuke.
Even the Fourth Mizukage couldn't fool him easily.
Just as everyone thought the dust had settled, the Yagura with a blade at his throat suddenly laughed coldly.
"My tricks don't work on you? Heh…"
"Who's the one who's fallen into a trap… is still not certain."
The moment he finished speaking, the Yagura under Yusuke's sword turned into a puddle of water again.
At the same time, the real Yagura struck from behind, cloaked in a red chakra shroud.
"Secret Technique: Coral Palm!"
Facing the surprise attack, Uchiha Yusuke didn't change expression.
Without even turning his head, he swung his sword backward.
"Uchiha Style: Sword-Leaping Flame!"
Crack-crack-crack—
Before Yagura's coral could even fully form, it was shattered completely by Yusuke's flying slash.
Against that sharp sword aura, even with the tailed-beast chakra cloak, Yagura was forced to retreat.
Yagura looked disheveled, yet Uchiha Yusuke still didn't miss the chance to mock him.
"See?"
"I told you—your tricks don't work on me."
Yagura's expression stiffened.
You really know how to hit where it hurts.
Uchiha Yusuke was infuriating.
But Yagura also had to admit it—
Facing an Uchiha's Sharingan, attempting ambushes was simply too difficult.
Yagura withdrew his coral staff and began forming seals rapidly.
If he couldn't win with tricks, then he'd clash head-on.
He was a perfect Jinchūriki with the Three-Tails' power. When it came to chakra quantity, he definitely wouldn't lose to Uchiha Yusuke.
He had the Three-Tails to back him—he didn't need to fear wasting chakra.
But Uchiha Yusuke might not have that luxury.
After careful thought, Yagura chose to take the initiative.
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