"Kakuzu-san, I didn't expect to run into you here... What an honor. On behalf of Kumogakure and the Yotsuki Clan, I greet you with respect..."
The rough and straightforward warrior wasn't skilled with words, but at this moment, he racked his brain to come up with a plausible reason for their presence. However, behind him—
"Something inside you stirs, yearning to learn the ways of rap—since you—"
Smack!
A's forehead veins bulged in frustration. He turned and delivered a heavy punch, sending B tumbling to the ground.
"B, you idiot! How many times do I have to tell you not to say such ridiculous things?!"
"And especially not while we're talking to Kakuzu-sama!"
Although Killer B's bizarre way of speaking was out of place, Kakuzu didn't seem to mind.
"Heh, do all your Raikage come from the Yotsuki Clan?"
Yotsuki A stopped reprimanding Killer B and turned back to face Kakuzu.
"Kakuzu-sama, that's not exactly the case. From an outsider's perspective, it might seem like our Yotsuki Clan is the largest in Kumogakure and has held the Raikage position for generations, leading to misunderstandings."
"But in truth, Kumogakure has always adhered to the principle that the strongest should lead. Whoever proves their strength and earns the village's recognition is the one qualified to become Raikage."
"For example, the Second Raikage was not from the Yotsuki Clan."
Hearing this explanation, Kakuzu nodded in agreement. Indeed, a village leader should be determined by strength, not shady backdoor dealings. Just like Konoha's Hokage—
First, the position went to the older brother. Then, to the younger brother. Next, to the student. After that, the student's student. Then, the student's granddaughter. And then... the student's student's student. And after that—
Let's not even go there.
At this moment, Yotsuki A, the future Fourth Raikage, swallowed hard as sweat slid down his cheek.
"Kakuzu-sama, we've already met now. Can we leave?"
"Heh."
A cold chuckle escaped Kakuzu's lips.
"Since you're here, don't be in such a hurry to leave."
He raised a finger and pointed at A.
"You."
Then, he pointed at Killer B.
"And your brother. Let me see for myself—how capable are the sons and disciples personally trained by the Third Raikage?"
The sweat on A's forehead finally dripped down. His jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth audibly ground together. His powerful hands twitched—he felt the urge to slap himself.
Why had he been so foolish? Why had he insisted on passing through Kakuzu's path?
But now that there was no choice left, he had only one option.
"B! Show him the might of Kumogakure!"
"Got it, big bro!"
With a quick sidestep, Killer B widened the distance between them.
The two positioned themselves in a pincer formation around Kakuzu.
Kakuzu's gaze swept over them. He raised his hand and casually beckoned them forward with his fingers, a calm smirk playing at his lips.
"Come. Show me if you're worth my time."
"B! Now! Use that move!"
A firmly planted his stance. His muscles bulged as if ignited, his entire body crackling with wild lightning chakra. His golden hair, normally slicked back, now stood on end like a bed of steel needles.
"Understood, bro! Time to show him our strength—oh yeah!"
Lariat – Double Lariat!
Yotsuki A raised his right arm. Killer B raised his left.
Both their arms surged with razor-sharp chakra as they charged toward Kakuzu from opposite sides. Their coordinated footwork propelled them forward at breakneck speed.
The moment they reached Kakuzu, their arms slashed across in a scissor-like motion—
A direct strike to Kakuzu's head!
Boom!
The moment their attack landed, the Kumogakure shinobi in the background clenched their fists in anticipation.
"Did they get him?!"
"Don't underestimate A-sama and B-sama."
"We of Kumogakure are strong!"
The supporting shinobi were shouting encouragement, but standing in the eye of the storm, Yotsuki A wasn't as optimistic.
A brute? That was merely an external label others gave him.
A true warrior who fought with his life on the line needed more than just brute strength. He had to be capable of decisive sacrifices, of going all-in for victory.
But whether he could truly take his opponent down with him—that required a sharp battle sense, honed through experience.
Even as he executed the Double Lariat, A kept his eyes fixed on Kakuzu, scrutinizing every detail.
"B!"
"Keep up the pressure! Don't stop! This is our one and only chance!"
"Understood, big bro!"
For once, Killer B's usual playfulness vanished from his face.
The moment he struck Kakuzu, he understood why his brother—normally reckless and aggressive—was being so cautious.
Because Kakuzu's strength...
Was beyond anything they were prepared to handle.
"Enough."
A calm voice slipped from Kakuzu's lips.
That single word struck like a dagger, sending shivers through the Kumogakure shinobi watching from a distance.
"This is your limit. If you keep attacking, it won't make much of a difference."
That was Kakuzu's final judgment.
"No! Kakuzu-sama, we can still—"
Before A could finish his sentence, Kakuzu's hand had already seized his face.
This wasn't an ordinary hand.
It was an arm hardened to thirty times its original strength through the Steel Release.
The sheer force in that palm alone felt as heavy as a thousand tons. A felt like a mountain had crashed down on his face.
Boom!
A powerful fist, wrapped in the violent energy of Steel Release, slammed into A's face, sending him flying backward. At the same time, Kakuzu's other hand wasn't idle—it reached out and grabbed Killer B's arm.
"Dark Release!"
"Ughhh... My chakra—it's draining so fast…"
Killer B collapsed to the ground, his body limp and powerless. Kakuzu followed up with a swift kick, sending him flying as well.
The gray-toned steel covering Kakuzu's neck began to recede, returning to its normal color. He rolled his neck slightly, glancing down at the two fallen brothers.
Overall, the A-B Brothers were quite formidable. That Double Lariat—even most Kage-level shinobi wouldn't be able to withstand it. And considering their current stage of growth, their potential was still immense. A looked to be around twenty-four or twenty-five, while Killer B was about eighteen or nineteen. This was far from their peak.
However, at that moment, Night Moon A, who had barely managed to climb back to his feet, suddenly froze in terror. His eyes widened as he looked ahead.
"B! Are you okay?! Snap out of it!!"
His hoarse voice echoed as all eyes turned toward Killer B.
The younger brother was already on his feet, but his body was trembling, weak and unsteady. A dark red chakra began to seep from his skin, flickering ominously.
"Oh? You're already forcing out the Eight-Tails?"
Kakuzu smirked.
"That makes things much easier for me."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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