Naruto: This Uchiha is too innocent.

Kakuzu reacted extremely quickly; he shifted his body to the side and simultaneously raised his hand, unleashing a palm strike that knocked the sword in his hand to the ground.

However, the real attack came from the Kusanagi sword hidden behind the shuriken. Uchiha Sora appeared in front of him in a flash, swinging the Kusanagi sword from bottom to top, the silver sword light drawing a perfect arc in the air.

Just as the Kusanagi sword was about to decapitate Kakuzu, Kakuzu suddenly leaned back, his body like a drawn bow, the sword light grazing his chin, leaving a faint line of blood.

Before he could even catch his breath, three more hidden weapons came from different directions. This time, they were three kunai. Gritting his teeth, he kicked one kunai away, blocked another with one hand, and the last kunai pierced his abdomen.

Just when he thought it was all over, the shuriken he had just knocked away suddenly shot from behind and pierced his back with a thud.

At the same time, the Kusanagi sword attacked again, its target clear: the angle's neck!

This set of movements was fluid and seamless, one after another, giving no one a chance to relax.

Even so, Kakuzu showed no sign of fear. Facing the Kusanagi sword that was about to behead him, he ignored his injured body and moved with such speed that he left afterimages.

"Earth Release: Armor Hardening"

Ding-dong—

The Kusanagi sword struck Kakuzu's neck, while Uchiha Sora felt as if he had struck a piece of steel, his arm going numb from the impact.

Kakuzu sneered and formed hand seals again.

"Wind Release: Wind Pressure".

Immediately, a terrifying shockwave blasted towards Uchiha, whose expression changed slightly.

A waterspout enveloped him, blocking the shockwave.

Secret Scroll: Water Rush Waves.

"Interesting, no hand seals needed," Kakuzu remarked, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. These days, he'd seen all sorts of hand seals.

He had seen hand seals made with one hand, feet, and even buttocks, but this was the first time he had ever seen a ninjutsu that could be released without hand seals.

As the water receded, Uchiha Sora stared at Kakuzu with apprehension. Although he had long known that Kakuzu was incredibly resilient, it was still too exaggerated that he could move freely with shuriken or kunai stuck in his arms, back, and abdomen.

"Heh, so it's just a brat." Kakuzu chuckled, pulling out his hidden weapon right in front of Uchiha Sora without even flinching.

"Since you're here, that means that woman is here too," he stared at Uchiha Sora, his green eyes like those of a hungry wolf locking onto its prey in the darkness.

Uchiha Sora stared at Kakuzu with apprehension, and spoke coldly, "The infamous bounty hunter Kakuzu, actually targeting a woman to kill?"

"Heh, I didn't expect you to know me," Kakuzu sneered. "Don't try to provoke me. After all this time, I'm not going to be provoked by a brat like you. Since you know I'm a bounty hunter, then women are naturally my targets."

Uchiha Sora frowned, surprised that his guess was right.

Since Kakuzu betrayed Takigakure, this Kakuzu who has mastered the Earth Grudge Fear technique has become quite a talent. He doesn't pursue immortality or power; instead, he's single-mindedly focused on what's in front of him, becoming a bounty hunter obsessed with money.

Ever since discovering the culprit Kakuzu, he had suspected that someone from Iwagakure had hired Kakuzu to assassinate Tsunade. Now that Kakuzu had confirmed it, he felt extremely troubled.

Efficiency is the most important thing in the bounty hunter profession.

"Kid, you're not the target. Get out of my way now and I might spare your life; otherwise, I'll kill you too," Kakuzu said menacingly.

Uchiha Sora's expression behind his mask was unpredictable. With his current strength, he could still put up a fight against special ninjas, but he was somewhat lacking in ability against elite Jonin or even Kage-level ninjas like Kakuzu.

escape?

That won't do. If he leaves, the seriously injured Tsunade will definitely be sent to the hospital. Now he's certain that the danger the system mentioned for Tsunade is Kakuzu. If he doesn't stop Kakuzu, not only will the system mission fail, but the consequences of Tsunade's death will be unimaginable.

Since they're not running away, then it's time to fight!

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A towering flame lit up the darkness, startling a swarm of bats and causing a flicker of surprise in Kakuzu's eyes.

He leaped into the air, easily dodging the unkillable technique, and said with interest, "Interesting. You brat are actually from the Uchiha clan. Come to think of it, it's been quite a few years since I've killed an Uchiha. Since you've chosen to take action, then bear the consequences."

After saying that, his body seemed to transform into a puppet, with his arms and body connected by some kind of black blood vessels, and he shot out directly!

At the same time, two masked monsters tore open the clothes on his back and crawled out, standing loyally on either side of Kakuzu.

Uchiha Ku's Kusabi Naginata sword blocked the arm, but one of the masked monsters spewed lightning.

"Lightning Release: False Darkness"

In a single exchange, Uchiha Sora was sent flying by the lightning. He groaned as he crashed into the cold wall with a cracking sound, knowing that several of his ribs were broken.

"Fire Release: Head Carving".

Perhaps because he had attacked Kakuzu with Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique earlier, Kakuzu was now retaliating with Fire Release. Compared to his Great Fireball Technique, Kakuzu's Great Fireball Technique was clearly superior, with the towering flames seemingly capable of burning everything.

Uchiha Sora gritted his teeth; he had no choice but to use the secret scroll, Water Rush Wave, to protect himself once more.

While the Secret Scroll: Water Wave is a secret scroll with maximum defensive capabilities, its obvious drawback is that it prevents movement.

As the water tornado dissipated, Kakuzu had already arrived in front of Uchiha Sora, raising his hand to grab Uchiha Sora's neck. Because of the use of Earth Grudge Fear, his mask was torn, revealing his yellowed teeth. Combined with his body, which was covered in stitches, he looked extremely terrifying at first glance.

"You're lucky to have been killed by my Earth Grudge Fear. I've decided that as a reward, I'll rip out your heart." Kakuzu said sinisterly, licking his lips as he felt Uchiha Sora's body. "Although it's not fully mature yet, I can sense the strength of this body. It must be a wonderful heart."

Uchiha Sora's eyes turned cold. Without any warning, a huge panda descended from the sky and smashed the bowl in front of him.

Without the slightest hesitation, Uchiha Sora, having broken free of his restraints, raised his Kusanagi sword and slashed at Kakuzu in the deep pit.

However, a masked monster blocked the sword strike, missing the best opportunity to kill Kakuzu.

boom!

The panda was knocked away because it wasn't a combat-type summon, but rather a support-type summon; its appearance alone could deal damage.

Kakuzu climbed out of the pit, staring intently at Uchiha Sora, who was now emanating faint white steam.

This is the buff that the panda provided to Uchiha Sora: Super Armor, which prevents him from being affected by slowing, burning, or injuries, and restores him to his peak condition.

"Interesting. I'm becoming more and more interested in you." Kakuzu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared intently at Uchiha Sora.

Uchiha Sora's eyes remained calm as he spoke softly:

"Really? Now, don't get killed."