Chapter 817: That

Potential, or perhaps talent, is an important component that constitutes a ninja's value.

And Kakuzu's talent can simply be described as being in the lowest tier among Kage-level powerhouses.

The secret technique Earth Grudge Fear brought Kakuzu a near-immortal life.

During the First Ninja World War, Kakuzu was already a Kage-level powerhouse.

And right up until the eve of the Fourth Ninja World War, Kakuzu was still just Kage-level.

Over such a long span of time, Kakuzu's strength had not improved in the slightest!

One must know, Kakuzu possessed five different elemental affinities! Over such a long time, was it really that difficult to develop some powerful techniques based on his own abilities?

Yet in these several decades, Kakuzu seemed to have done nothing; aside from bullying the weak every day to earn bounties and indulging in these low-level amusements, his growth in strength was utterly rotten.

Poor talent is one aspect, but the most important thing is his mindset.

In his long life, Kakuzu had long since lost his way; his soul had long since decayed, and he was only satisfied with the insignificant comfort of the present.

In fact, it was not that Mizunuki Ryosuke had never considered recruiting Kakuzu; after all, who would complain about having an extra Kage-level combatant under their command?

Kakuzu's greed for money meant that he would always have the potential to betray his allies for profit.

Kakuzu's notoriety also meant that if Mizunuki Ryosuke were to recruit him, it would bring negative repercussions to Kirigakure and simultaneously sour relations with the Takigakure.

Kakuzu's inertia and decay also indicated that he had no potential for further growth in the future.

Recruiting Kakuzu would be entirely a case of the losses outweighing the gains.

For various reasons, Mizunuki Ryosuke made the decision to kill Kakuzu.

In front of Kakuzu and Mizunuki Ryosuke, who was even stronger than Bee, Kurotsuchi's strength was truly not worth mentioning.

However, as a ninja at the Jonin level, Kurotsuchi could definitely be considered part of the elite class in the Ninja World.

Her identity as a ninja made Kurotsuchi full of curiosity about the battle between the two in her heart.

She curled her body into Mizunuki Ryosuke's embrace, watching the contest between the two Ice Dragon Kings and the fully powered-up Kakuzu with focus.

After all, a battle between powerhouses of this level was not something she saw often.

Mizunuki Ryosuke was in no hurry to make a move. He seemed to have noticed Kurotsuchi's gaze and spoke slowly, his clear and steady voice reaching Kurotsuchi's ears.

"Kakuzu is using a secret technique called 'Earth Grudge Fear'."

"This was originally the secret treasure of Takigakure, stolen by Kakuzu and used upon his own body."

"The effect of this secret technique allows Kakuzu to possess five hearts simultaneously."

"And each heart possesses a completely different elemental affinity."

"This is the reason why, theoretically, he possesses 'five lives'."

Mizunuki Ryosuke explained indifferently, a single sentence directly exposing Kakuzu's bottom line, making Kurotsuchi in his arms even more astonished.

Such a secret technique was something Kurotsuchi had never even heard of in her memories!

And this is a secret technique that allows one to possess five attributes! A ninja possessing five attributes, in the era when Kurotsuchi lived, had long since become a legendary existence.

"No wonder that freak was able to attack me with Earth Release, Lightning Release, and Fire Release all at once!"

Kurotsuchi understood everything in an instant.

It wasn't just Kurotsuchi; Kakuzu, on the side, also felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

In fact, on the surface, Kakuzu was very focused on his battle with the Ice Dragon Kings, but most of his attention was on Mizunuki Ryosuke nearby.

Kakuzu understood very well that the seemingly peerless Ice Dragon Kings were merely techniques cast by that man.

His true opponent was still Mizunuki Ryosuke, who remained calm and composed on the side.

Because of this, Kakuzu heard every word Mizunuki Ryosuke said.

At that moment, Kakuzu's spirit trembled violently, and he made a mistake in his battle with the Ice Dragon Kings; he was almost smashed to pieces by the Ice Dragon Kings due to that one slip.

"How is this possible!"

"How could he possibly know so much about Earth Grudge Fear!"

Fortunately, Kakuzu relied on his seasoned experience to suppress the shock in his heart, letting out an incredulous roar internally.

For a ninja, there is nothing more dangerous than having one's abilities seen through.

Kakuzu's shock was naturally normal; although he had been active in the Ninja World for a long time, he had always carefully hidden the secrets of his abilities, fearing that one day his bottom line would be exposed.

To preserve his secrets, Kakuzu usually wrapped himself in robes like a zongzi, and whenever he fought with full force, he would inevitably wipe out everyone around him, leaving no survivors, all to hide his own secrets.

Therefore, even though some intelligence about Kakuzu's abilities circulated in the Ninja World, it was only insignificant surface-level information.

No one had ever thoroughly understood the secret of Earth Grudge Fear. Now that Mizunuki Ryosuke had revealed the truth in one sentence, how could Kakuzu not be shocked and angry?

Who exactly is this man? Why does he know his secrets like the back of his hand?!

Fire Release: Searing Migraine!

At that moment, Kakuzu directly drove the fire-attribute Earth Grudge Fear beside him, releasing a sea of blazing fire to temporarily force back the Ice Long Wang he was grappling with.

"Who the hell are you?!"

Subsequently, Kakuzu could no longer hold back; taking advantage of this gap, he turned and questioned Mizunuki Ryosuke.

"The one who will kill you."

To Kakuzu's questioning, Mizunuki Ryosuke spoke with an unwavering tone, his eyes still carrying a calm indifference.

This sentence was so understated, as if killing Kakuzu were as easy as crushing a bug in a gutter.

Hearing this, Kakuzu was furious, his heart instantly consumed by rage.

Facing this indifferent contempt, Kakuzu instantly remembered the group of bounty hunters who had died at his hands a few hours ago.

Did they also feel such anger and unwillingness before they died?

A bad premonition flashed through Kakuzu's heart, but it was quickly suppressed by him.

He is Kakuzu! He is an existence with an immortal body! This man must be feigning composure!

Once he completely destroys these two obstructive ice dragons, he will definitely tear this detestable man into ten thousand pieces!

"Roar!"

Not giving Kakuzu time to ponder, the Ice Long Wang, forced back by the blazing sea of fire, flapped its wings and came to kill Kakuzu again.

"Bang!"

A dull sound of impact came, and one dragon and one man were once again entangled together.

"These black-haired monsters are the carriers of Kakuzu's other four hearts; each of them can be regarded as a part of Kakuzu."

"Therefore, to kill him, one must destroy all five of his hearts."

"As long as one heart remains, Kakuzu can continue to live."

Ignoring Kakuzu's gaze, which seemed capable of tearing a person to shreds, Mizunuki Ryosuke continued to speak indifferently.

"Then..."

"Doesn't that mean he can never be killed?"

At this moment, Kurotsuchi, in Mizunuki Ryosuke's arms, slowly raised her head and asked Ryosuke weakly.

After all, Kakuzu isn't stupid; if he can't win, he'll naturally run.

If the four Earth Grudge Fear monsters and Kakuzu's main body all ran in five different directions, how could one chase them?

"That's not necessarily true."

Hearing this, Mizunuki Ryosuke just smiled and rubbed Kurotsuchi's little head, a deep light blooming in his eyes.