Chapter 151: I Have Kakuzu, I Can Slay the First Hokage!
“It’s him!”
At the end of the path, the moment Tobi saw Hakken Yoru, his body visibly trembled. Obito immediately took control, giving Zetsu a significant glance.
“Retreat!”
“This place is no longer safe!”
Although he, too, harbored a deep hatred for Hakken Yoru, after that fateful blow, he had understood one thing: unless Madara Uchiha was resurrected, there was no way he could ever defeat that man!
He couldn’t win.
Truly, he couldn’t win.
On top of that, that man had the ability to seal off space itself. If they didn’t retreat, they’d likely be killed instantly with a single strike!
Five years had passed, yet Obito’s hatred for Hakken Yoru only grew with each passing day. But equally, his fear of that man deepened.
Without a doubt, when he saw him, Obito could tell: the man had grown stronger.
And not by a little!
As space rippled, Obito retreated, ignoring the Akatsuki members.
Zetsu, following suit, burrowed underground, leaving only half his head exposed as he observed.
With Night Owl Team blocking Jiraiya, the battlefield shifted dramatically.
Shadows moved as the remaining Akatsuki members took position behind Konan.
Only Deva Path Pain stood at the summit, silently surveying the scene.
The standoff began.
On the left, Orochimaru, Biwa Hozuki, Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu, and Konan—still struggling to flap her wings and disarm Yatsuhashi’s Zanpakuto—all stood in their matching Fire Cloud robes.
Aside from Obito, who was fleeing, Zetsu, who was hidden, and Pain from above, the Akatsuki side had six members present.
On the right, Konoha’s Night Owl Team stood in formation. In the front was Hakken Yoru, with Itachi Uchiha and Shisui standing behind him. Their Sharingan swirled slowly. Guy was ready to open the Eight Gates, and Kakashi had pulled back his forehead protector to reveal his Sharingan.
Jiraiya, still recovering from the shock, watched the scene, breathing heavily.
The Night Owl Team and the Akatsuki were about to clash.
“Hmph. I was wondering who the hell was so tough. A couple of kids and a few old guys? How strong could they possibly be?”
The strange silence was shattered.
Hidan, carrying his Triple-Bladed Scythe, let out a loud cry and strode over to his partner, Kakuzu.
He then flashed a confident grin, patting Kakuzu on the shoulder.
“I’ve got Kakuzu here—together, we can slay the First Hokage!”
Instantly, all eyes turned to the Undying Duo.
The oppressive tension in the air made Kakuzu’s emerald eyes flicker from calm to confusion, and then to rage in the span of three seconds.
That bastard!
He glared at Hidan, practically boiling with the urge to kill him on the spot.
“When did I ever say I could slay the First Hokage?”
His body trembled slightly as Kakuzu struggled to keep his composure.
“Didn’t you kill the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju?”
Hidan froze for a moment. “That can’t be right, Kakuzu. You told me during a mission that you fought the First Hokage.”
“And not long after, he died?”
“Those were your exact words!”
Those were my exact words!
But could you stop twisting the meaning?
Kakuzu was fuming.
He had indeed fought the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, once—and it was because of that encounter that he became a Missing-nin.
That mission had been insane!
Assassinate the First Hokage? Assassinate the man hailed as the God of Shinobi? How could anyone pull that off?
In reality, he had only thrown a single shuriken from a great distance.
And because he was so nervous, he missed entirely!
To cover up the failure, he had stolen a forbidden technique from his village and escaped, transforming into his current form.
What crushed him the most was that just days after he escaped, the First Hokage had died.
He had heard that Hashirama had succumbed to injuries from his battle with Madara Uchiha.
The exact cause of death remains unknown, but the First Hokage truly did die!
Had he waited just a few more days, he probably wouldn't have spent the rest of his life hiding like this.
Alas, it was all fate.
Now, with his immortality, the longer he lived, the more he realized how valuable money was—he had become a true miser.
As for Hidan knowing this, it was merely him showing off to his comrades back then.
After all, the First Hokage had been dead for years, and no one knew what actually happened.
"Alright then, heh. You go first."
Sasori of the Red Sand took a step back willingly. With a man capable of going toe-to-toe with the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, present, this fight probably had nothing to do with them.
"Heh heh, you're something else, Kakuzu."
Orochimaru also wisely took a step back. He was eager to see which of the two vessels he had been waiting for had grown stronger over the past five years.
His greedy gaze fell on Hakken Yoru and Itachi Uchiha. He unconsciously licked his lips, excitement written all over his face.
As for Hidan, he was already happily pushing Kakuzu out.
“I have Admiral Kakuzu here—together, we can slay the First Hokage!”
The atmosphere grew slightly awkward.
Kakuzu nervously swallowed and glanced over.
That brat...
Seems like he hasn’t even noticed me.
Though humiliating, the best course of action now is to stay still while the enemy moves!
Hmm.
After all, the one facing that brat is Akatsuki’s angel.
He should hold out for a while, right?
"Konan, what’s going on here?"
The standoff continued, but Jiraiya was clearly in pain.
Being treated this way by a former student would be unbearable for anyone.
He had saved them in their time of need, taught them ninjutsu.
And this was the thanks he got.
If Hakken hadn’t come to their aid, would he have died at the hands of his own disciples today?
For the self-proclaimed "Child of the Prophecy" and "Guide" to die by the hands of his disciples... what a joke.
"Now’s not the time for such thoughts."
"As for Akatsuki, I’ll explain everything once we’re back."
"But right now, as a member of Night Owl Team, pull yourself together."
Hakken tilted his head. The long blade embedded in Konan’s shoulder trembled, its searing chakra beginning to burn her wings.
At this moment, they were enemies.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A voice echoed through the air. Hakken snapped his head up.
Deva Path Pain’s hand was already thrusting toward him.
"Disperse!"
A low shout rang out. At the command, the Night Owl Team members immediately scattered!
Yet, due to their long-honed synchronization, each one unconditionally trusted Hakken’s decision!
Golden light erupted from Hakken’s body, shooting toward the heavens.
A bizarre, colossal skeleton instantly shattered the Shinra Tensei, a technique inherent to the Rinnegan, and even launched a counterattack!
Manifested Defense of Immeasurable Spiritual Power!
Having unlocked over 50% of the First Template, Hakken was more than prepared for this move.
The Oni’s incredible strength didn’t just lie in its terrifying swordsmanship—it also radiated an oppressive aura and unmatched physical might.
How could a standard Shinra Tensei possibly break through such a defense?
After the repulsion, Hakken stood unmovable, like a mountain. Then, with a taunting gesture, he yanked Konan from the air and pulled her into his embrace, pinching her chin.
"Tell Nagato to hit harder."
"This old man is struggling."