Kakuzu, one of the formidable members of the Akatsuki. Originally an elite ninja from Takigakure (Hidden Waterfall Village), he possessed the secret technique Earth Grudge Fear. This technique allowed him to steal the hearts of others by manipulating black tentacles released from his body using chakra. He could store up to five hearts, including his own, and extend his lifespan by replacing them. Each stolen heart could be transformed into a black-bodied monster made of earth resentment, and these monsters could utilize the original heart owner's elemental techniques. At this stage, his strength was considered Kage-level!
Hidan, another member of the Akatsuki, was Kakuzu's partner. Originally a ninja from Yugakure (Hidden Hot Springs Village), located in the Land of Hot Water, he was known for being bold, arrogant, and reckless. He and Kakuzu were collectively known as the "Immortal Duo," or "Zombie Duo" by Kisame Hoshigaki. Hidan primarily focused on taijutsu attacks and possessed immortality. He could inflict the same damage he sustained upon his opponent through a curse ritual. In the original story, he used his immortality to kill Asuma Sarutobi, a Konoha Elite Jōnin.
Both of them now wore black trench coats adorned with red cloud patterns, a clear sign they were operating under the Akatsuki organization. Ren's earlier guess had been correct. This so-called casino was merely a disguise, a front for Kakuzu to manage funds and accumulate wealth for the Akatsuki outside.
"You're rumored to be quite famous. You've been associated with Konoha's 'Blue Beast' before, the one known as the Black Death God, correct?" Kakuzu's low voice cut through the air as he addressed Ren.
Everyone present was stunned for a moment, then their eyes fell on Ren, a hint of doubt in their gazes. 'Black Death God? Is that Captain Ren's codename?'
Ren smiled lightly. "Oh? I didn't expect you to have heard my name. How did you recognize me?"
Kakuzu continued, speaking almost to himself, "I once heard some information in the underground exchanges. 'Beware of the terrifying figure known as the Black Death God, who travels with Konoha's Blue Beast.' I heard that no one has truly seen him; no one knows if he's male or female, fat or thin, old or young. For all who saw him are dead. Therefore, he has always been called the Black Death God in the outside world."
'Black Death God...' It was a bit of a cringe-worthy codename. Every time he heard it, Ren felt a wave of embarrassment, wanting to cover his face. It was due to the Eight Gates Formation after his own improvements. When the Sixth Gate was opened, his entire body's chakra would mutate into black and envelop him. Under his extreme speed, he was like a black ghost in broad daylight, capable of killing people in an instant. Over time, such a codename had been attached to him during the years he and Might Guy trained outside. It was just this codename... it truly felt a bit "middle-school," and Ren honestly didn't want to be reminded of that dark past.
"How did you recognize me?" Ren asked, a note of helplessness in his voice.
Kakuzu pulled out a scroll from within his robes. On it was depicted the Sun Blade that Ren had just used. A low voice emerged from beneath his hood. "Black Death God, a bounty worth 100 million. So I specifically collected information on you."
"You use a weapon called a Sun Blade, and those boots on your feet, that white feather coat on your body... So after I received information from my subordinates, I confirmed your identity. I just didn't expect you to be so young, still a mere child. What amazed me even more is that you are actually a Konoha ninja, and the captain of Konoha's Anbu! Black Death God, you truly surprise me. With such an identity, your bounty is worth far more than 100 million!"
In Kakuzu's eyes, greed burst forth, looking at Ren as if he were a beloved prey.
In the late Warring States period, during the initial formation of the Five Great Shinobi Nations and their Hidden Villages, Kakuzu, as an elite of Takigakure, accepted and carried out a mission to infiltrate Konoha and assassinate the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. (He merely threw a kunai from eight hundred miles away.) But under the attack of the First Hokage's Wood Style, he suffered a nearly fatal blow, barely managing to save his life and return to his village. However, what awaited him upon his return was condemnation and severe punishment for failing the mission. This was incredibly cruel to him, a ninja who had risked his life for his village. So, consumed by intense hatred, he escaped from prison, stealing the forbidden technique that Takigakure regarded as a treasure—Earth Grudge Fear. He then proceeded to kill all the high-ranking superiors in the village and take their hearts. Since then, Kakuzu only trusted money. He believed that only eternal money would never betray him, and he had been active in the ninja world with this conviction ever since.
"Kakuzu, what nonsense are you spewing at this brat? Kill these guys now! I can't wait to sacrifice their blood to Lord Jashin!" Hidan couldn't help but interject impatiently.
On Ren's side, battle preparations were already complete. He leaned close to Tsunade and whispered, "That guy with a scythe who doesn't seem to have a high IQ, I'll leave him to you."
"That guy's secret technique involves using his scythe to obtain the blood of others, and then he can use a curse to make others suffer the same damage as himself. Tsunade, it just so happens that you have a fear of blood right now, so you can't see it. So just keep fighting at a distance and use the Tracking Bow to deal with him. I'll come to help you after I've solved Kakuzu."
"Hey, don't underestimate me!" Tsunade snorted lightly. Although she was afraid of blood, she certainly didn't want to be underestimated by this kid. Blindfolded at this time, she felt virtually no fear. She clutched the Tracking Bow tightly in her hand, and sharp arrows condensed from green chakra launched from her hand, shooting in Hidan's direction!
Although Tsunade was blindfolded, she pinpointed exactly "the guy who didn't look very smart" that Ren referred to. After shooting an arrow, she immediately bit her finger and slapped it on the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A huge slug clone descended from the sky, instantly occupying one side of the battlefield. Tsunade stood atop the slug with both feet, holding the Tracking Bow in her hand, and lunged in Hidan's direction.
Hidan, holding his giant scythe, showed no fear whatsoever. Always belligerent, he met her charge head-on. As soon as the two clashed, they fought in a furious blur, and in the blink of an eye, a hundred moves had already passed between them.
And Ren, on his side of the battlefield, also launched his attack towards Kakuzu. He didn't know how long Tsunade, who suffered from hemophobia, could last against Hidan, so the battle between him and Kakuzu had to be resolved quickly.
In Kakuzu's heart, he also wanted to swiftly end this battle. A bounty of 100 million was enough to make him excited!
"Earth Style: Earth Spear!"
Kakuzu rapidly stepped forward and suddenly punched out, and a hint of hard, metallic luster appeared on his sallow skin. This technique involved using chakra flowing in the body to harden the skin's surface, increasing his defense to the limit, and simultaneously enhancing the destructive power of his taijutsu attacks. It was a ninjutsu that combined both offense and defense. At the same time it defended, it could also convert defensive power into offensive power, turning his body into a mineral as hard as diamond, capable of damaging the opponent.
"Is it an Earth Style ninjutsu that hardens the body?" Facing Kakuzu, who was attacking him, Ren observed the combination of powerful Earth Style and superb physical skills displayed by this Kage-level ninja. Ren's face suddenly showed more interest.
"Exactly, I like hammering hard substances the most, so let's see if your skin is harder, or if my hammer is heavier!"
Boom!
The moment the voice fell, Ren held the black hammer. Simple and unpretentious, he brought the hammer up. Without dodging or evading, he directly met the fist that had been hardened with the Earth Style ninjutsu.
Hammer and fist collided. An explosion ripped through the air, followed by a high-pitched screeching sound that came from the collision of hard metallic objects. An invisible ripple in the air spread instantly, and everyone present was utterly horrified!