"If that's the case…"
Kazuku glanced at Hiruzen, who interrupted his clash with Torifu, and used Body Flicker, appearing before him.
Seeing Kazuku suddenly in front of him, Sarutobi Hiruzen froze, then reacted.
Because…
An overwhelming, piercing pressure surged toward him!
Kazuku…
Was serious!
"Enma!"
At such close range, Hiruzen had no time to dodge. He could only grit his teeth and face Kazuku head-on.
"Got it!"
Though terrified by Kazuku's talent, as Hiruzen's summoning beast and partner…
Enma didn't hesitate, transforming again.
Boom!
Enma turned back into the Adamantine Staff, spinning into Hiruzen's hand.
Gauging the staff's weight, Hiruzen decisively extended its length, striking at Kazuku with lightning speed.
The current Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't the elderly man from Naruto's plot.
In his teens, his body was at its peak.
Strength, speed…
Far surpassing his later years.
The Adamantine Staff aimed for Kazuku's face, creating countless afterimages in an instant, showing its ferocious speed!
The staff's afterimages enveloped Kazuku's body.
Like a storm, assaulting him.
"Impressive, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Kazuku's eyes widened, surprised that Hiruzen at this age had such formidable strength.
Against another ninja, they might've been defeated.
"No wonder Hiruzen was the first among them to become a jonin."
"His strength far exceeds Danzo and Kagami!"
Kazuku gave high praise to Hiruzen's performance.
But…
"Sadly, your opponent isn't Danzo or Kagami—it's me!"
Kazuku's lips curved. Over the past three months, he'd trained relentlessly.
To adapt to the strain of Eight Gates!
Though Tobirama banned Eight Gates for this fight…
The grueling three months of training transformed Kazuku!
Reflexes, neural responses, physical agility…
Kazuku surpassed the Chunin Exam-era Rock Lee.
Facing Hiruzen's storm-like assault, Kazuku pinpointed the real staff among countless afterimages with perfect precision.
Whenever Hiruzen's attack neared, Kazuku dodged faster, preempting it.
Making all of Hiruzen's attacks miss!
Not even grazing Kazuku's clothes!
Let alone dealing any real damage!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened, staring incredulously at the small figure before him.
This guy was really seven?
No…
Was this guy…
Really Kazuku?
Not Lord Hashirama or Tobirama disguised with Transformation?
"Hey, Hiruzen, hit this kid already!"
Enma, swung endlessly by Hiruzen, couldn't help complaining.
He felt frustrated watching Hiruzen's attacks.
But Enma didn't realize…
Hiruzen wasn't missing on purpose—his attacks genuinely couldn't touch Kazuku!
The strength gap was clear.
Kazuku…
Was stronger than Hiruzen!
That's why Hiruzen's attacks couldn't land!
Kazuku and Hiruzen's clash was fully witnessed by Danzo, Koharu, and the others.
They stood dumbfounded, throats dry and itchy, swallowing hard to cope.
Their moods sank.
Kazuku…
Was too terrifying!
Hiruzen's staff technique was far from weak.
On the contrary, it was strong!
Creating afterimages with constant swings!
That alone proved how fast Hiruzen's attacks were!
Yet…
Even so, Hiruzen couldn't shake Kazuku!
"Is this Kazuku's power?"
"The First Hokage's grandson."
"Too strong, Kazuku."
Koharu and the others couldn't help gasping.
They all felt their understanding of ninja, of the world, was overturned by Kazuku!
This guy was a monster!
Suddenly!
Hiruzen's attacks halted. He leaped back, creating distance from Kazuku.
He saw that continuing would only waste his stamina.
"Enma!"
"Got it!"
Hiruzen took a deep breath, spinning the Adamantine Staff, combining Wind Release with it, creating a fierce gale to pull Kazuku in.
Adamantine Staff: Gale!
Caught off-guard by Hiruzen's move, Kazuku's feet left the ground, his body flying toward Hiruzen.
At the same time, Hiruzen switched tactics, gripping the staff with both hands, making Enma larger and thicker, swinging it at the approaching Kazuku.
"Great job, Hiruzen!"
Seeing this, Kazuku didn't resist the Wind Release, focusing on the massive staff, clenching his fist, and unleashing monstrous strength.
Then…
He met it head-on.
Boom!
With a massive crash, the erupting gust canceled out the staff's gale.
Kazuku's fist pressed against the staff.
The staff was harder than Kazuku expected.
His fist stung, even numbed!
This was a chakra-infused punch.
Yet it left his fist aching!
Hiruzen's eyes filled with shock.
He never expected Kazuku to block even this strike!
Not knocked away by the staff!
How strong was his physique?
Hiruzen froze.
Kazuku seized the chance, shifting from fist to claw, grabbing the staff, and yanking it.
With inertia, Hiruzen's body lurched forward, pulled toward Kazuku.
Danzo and the others finally reacted.
Hiruzen was in danger!
But…
Their positions were too far to stop Kazuku!
Kazuku pressed both hands on the staff. Even as Enma reached to grab Kazuku's arm…
It couldn't stop his next move.
Kazuku leaped, kicking at Hiruzen's chest.
In Hiruzen's vision, that kick magnified countless times!
Boom!
Next second.
Kazuku's kick landed squarely on Hiruzen's chest, resounding with a massive crash.
Terrifying force surged through Hiruzen, unleashed without restraint.
Spurt!
Sarutobi Hiruzen spewed blood, releasing the staff, flying back eight meters.
(End of Chapter)