The moment Kakuzu's flames surged—
Gojo's defense was already complete.
A massive rotating water wall, like a spinning waterfall, surrounded him and Konan in a perfect circle—no blind spots, no openings.
Flames crashed into it—
Hissssss—!!
Thick white steam exploded into the air.
—
But Kakuzu didn't stop.
Behind the smoke, the earth mask raised its arm—
Sharp stone spears rapidly formed and launched forward.
At the same time—
Kakuzu opened his mouth.
"Lightning Style: False Darkness!"
A massive lightning blast tore through the ground, carving trenches as it surged forward with terrifying power.
—
Right then—
Konan acted.
Sheets of paper gathered behind her—
Forming giant wings.
She grabbed Gojo—
And shot into the sky, breaking through the steam.
—
BOOM!!!
Below them—
Stone spears and lightning collided violently.
The explosion blasted a massive crater where they had stood just moments ago.
—
Mid-air—
Gojo didn't hesitate.
Hand seals formed instantly.
"Water Style: Severing Wave!"
A razor-thin, ultra-high-pressure water beam shot from his mouth—
Like a laser.
—
Kakuzu's instincts screamed danger.
He twisted his body to dodge—
But the speed was too fast.
—
SHHHK!!
The beam pierced through—
💥 His right-shoulder mask shattered instantly.
—
And it didn't stop.
Gojo forced the beam to shift direction—
Barely controlling it—
—
💥 The earth mask was pierced next.
Destroyed.
—
"Ha… ha…"
Gojo breathed heavily.
But a smile appeared.
That technique—
Was his own evolution.
A fusion of Water Release: Water Wave and techniques inspired by Tobirama Senju.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
Almost impossible to dodge.
—
Now—
Kakuzu had lost two more hearts.
—
From above, Gojo looked down coldly.
"Kakuzu."
"I'll give you one chance."
"Leave now… and you live."
"But if you stay—"
"I'll take your remaining two lives as well."
—
Kakuzu stared up.
Eyes locked.
"Leave?"
"That kind of jutsu… can you still use it?"
"If you could—would you really let me go?"
—
Gojo smirked.
"Try me."
"Let's see what's faster—your jutsu…"
"Or my water."
He raised his hands again—
Ready to form seals.
—
Kakuzu hesitated.
For the first time—
He wasn't sure.
—
Can he still use that technique?
If yes—
He dies.
If no—
He wins.
—
The bet?
Their lives.
—
After a long pause—
Kakuzu stepped back.
Then another.
He retreated.
—
He chose not to gamble.
—
Because unlike others—
Kakuzu could live forever.
As long as he had hearts.
Why risk everything… for one fight?
—
But just as he was leaving—
Gojo suddenly called out:
"Kakuzu!"
"You want money, right?"
"Then I'll give you a job."
—
Kakuzu stopped.
—
"Kill Hanzo."
"I'll pay you… 70 million ryo."
—
Kakuzu scoffed.
"Then show me the deposit."
—
Without hesitation—
Gojo threw a scroll.
"Ten million. Upfront."
"Finish the job… you get the rest."
—
Then—
Konan grabbed him—
And they vanished.
—
Kakuzu didn't move immediately.
He tested the scroll—
Throwing stones. Branches.
Checking for traps.
—
Only after confirming—
He picked it up.
Opened it.
—
Inside—
10 million ryo.
Real.
—
A slow grin spread across his face.
"70 million…"
He chuckled.
"Hanzo…"
"You've already chosen death."
—
He turned—
And left.
—
As for Gojo?
Already forgotten.
—
Three hearts lost?
Doesn't matter.
He can replace them anytime.
—
But 70 million?
That's rare.
—
Meanwhile—
Far away—
—
Gojo suddenly coughed—
Blood.
His face turned pale instantly.
—
"Gojo!"
Konan rushed to him.
"Are you okay?!"
—
He waved weakly.
"I'm fine…"
"Just… overused chakra…"
"Need some rest."
—
But inside—
His thoughts were clear.
—
I'm not at Kage level yet.
At best—
High Jonin.
—
The reason he won—
Was simple.
He knew Kakuzu.
Kakuzu knew nothing about him.
—
If Kakuzu had gone all out from the start—
I would've lost.
—
Gojo closed his eyes briefly.
Then exhaled.
—
"Still not enough…"
"I need to get stronger."
—
No room for arrogance.
No room for slowing down.
—
Because next time—
The enemy won't hesitate.
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