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The trio had just settled into their ramen bowls when Yuta noticed Uchiha Makoto's guarded posture over his bundle. "Makoto, why not store those in a scroll?" he asked, chopsticks hovering mid-air.
Toko huffed before Makoto could respond. "It's just worthless rocks! He won't even let me look at them properly."
Yuta's eyes crinkled in amusement. "If Makoto's being secretive, there's good reason." He gestured toward the door. "Shall we?"
They departed the capital swiftly, three shadows flitting across the countryside until reaching a roadside town by noon. Over steaming bowls of noodles, Yuta dropped his bombshell.
"You should apply for chūnin promotions when we return," he said casually. "I've taught you all I can these three years."
Toko's chopsticks clattered against her bowl. "Why now?"
Yuta rubbed his temples. "The triplets. With Kiko pregnant again, someone needs to rein in our little menaces."
Toko burst into laughter while Makoto's lips twitched.
Yuta's three sons had become Konoha legends—a whirlwind of chaos since learning to walk.
Their latest escapade involved leading a neighborhood gang they'd dubbed the "Rubble Rangers," much to the villagers' exasperation.
As they resumed their journey, Yuta suddenly halted near a dense thicket. Without turning, he called out, "I'd hoped you'd given up. Persistent little spider, aren't you?"
A massive figure emerged—black mask, glowing green eyes, and a slashed Takigakure forehead protector.
"Konoha's Silver Fox," the bounty hunter rumbled. "Though fifty million seems cheap for prey with your senses."
Kakuzu.
Yuta didn't flinch. "Fifty million? I'm flattered." His foot slammed down, crushing a masked earth grub that had been tunneling toward them. "But hunting me requires… riskier investments."
"You insolent brat!" Kakuzu's threads quivered with rage. "I battled Hashirama when you were still—"
"Then let's see those legendary skills." Yuta's hands flashed through seals. "Earth Style: Stone Colossus Technique!"
The ground erupted like stormy seas. First emerged gargantuan stone fingers, then an entire arm, followed by a mountainous head and torso until a fifteen-meter behemoth loomed over the forest.
Its hollow eyes locked onto Kakuzu as rubble cascaded from its awakening form.
Makoto and Toko backpedaled instinctively. This was no ordinary earth clone—its chakra density warped the air, and the very soil seemed alive under its influence.
Kakuzu's threads lashed out, embedding in nearby trees. "Earth Grudge Fear!" Four masked monsters tore free from his back as he activated his stolen hearts.
The colossus swung.
What followed wasn't battle but demolition. Each of the stone giant's movements carved new valleys into the landscape.
Kakuzu's lightning techniques barely scorched its surface, while water attacks simply pooled in its crevices. When the dust settled, three of his masks lay shattered.
Panting, Kakuzu assessed the smoldering crater that had been a forest. His remaining heart pulsed erratically. This… this wasn't fighting. This was a natural disaster given form.
Yuta stood calmly atop the colossus' shoulder. "Still think fifty million covers it?"
When the dust settled, a massive, ten-meter-tall stone giant stood before Kakuzu. It was Yuta's modified Stone Man Technique, based on the First Hokage's Wood Golem Technique. It could have been larger, but against Kakuzu, this size was sufficient.
Yuta, wanting to test his ninjutsu, refrained from ending the battle instantly.
He had no intention of killing Kakuzu; the man was a valuable resource. In the future, Yuta could "borrow" money from him, avoiding the tedious process of panning for iron sand.
To counter large psychic beasts and tailed beasts, Yuta had used an epiphany three years prior to develop a series of Earth Release ninjutsu, inspired by Wood Release. This was the perfect opportunity to test their effectiveness.
Kakuzu, though surprised, remained determined.
"Your toy is far inferior to Hashirama's, kid!"
Yuta smiled. "Let's see about that!"
As a ninjutsu designed for large-scale enemies, it was more than just size.
Kakuzu leapt away from the stone giant, shedding his clothes. His mask-covered back expanded, revealing three black tendrils.
Strange, masked monsters emerged from his body, similar to the one on the ground, but with intact masks.
Looking at the monster, Kakuzu's face darkened. He formed a seal. "Fire Release: Intelligent Hardness!"
Simultaneously, the three masked monsters opened their masked mouths, performing ninjutsu. "Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
"Water Release: Water Curtain!"
Kakuzu, a seasoned warrior, unleashed ninjutsu far exceeding ordinary jonin. The stone giant swayed under the combined assault.
When the dust cleared, the stone giant's body was pockmarked, resembling a broken clay doll.
"It's still not enough?" Yuta said, dissatisfied with the ninjutsu's defense.
Kakuzu cursed inwardly. 'That was my strongest five-element ninjutsu, and it barely scratched him. You're not satisfied? Give me a break!'
Yuta's words fueled Kakuzu's anger.
"Stop underestimating me, brat! Enough!"
Two masked monsters formed seals.
"Composite Ninjutsu: Flame Wind and Waves!"
A massive wave of fire surged towards Yuta and the stone giant.
This time, the stone giant retaliated. It leapt into the air, aiming a kick at Kakuzu and his monsters. The giant foot loomed over them.
Seeing the attack, the four masked monsters retreated into Kakuzu's body, transforming him into a four-legged tentacle monster.
"Earth Grudge Fear Mode!" Kakuzu declared, determined to take Yuta down with him.
But as the stone giant's foot landed, Yuta sensed Kakuzu jumping hundreds of meters away.
Seeing Kakuzu's quick retreat, Yuta couldn't help but twitch his mouth. "He's fought the First Hokage, after all."