Naruto: I Can Upgrade My Techniques Infinitely

The Rasengan might not always look devastating in the anime—enemies often took one and somehow lived—but that's only because Naruto's opponents were usually absurdly overpowered.

Kazuki's current enemy wasn't one of those monsters.

Though the man twisted his body at the last second to avoid a direct shot to his groin, the Rasengan still slammed into his calf. The moment it made contact, his lower leg exploded into a mist of blood and shredded muscle.

Chunks of flesh splattered across Kazuki's face.

Expressionless, Kazuki wiped off the blood, then began forming another Rasengan without hesitation.

This bastard wasn't dead yet.

Kazuki had no intention of being taken down by carelessness.

"Damn brat!" the enemy shouted, trying to sound fierce despite the panic in his voice. Kazuki's Rasengan slammed down—onto a wooden log. A Substitution Jutsu.

But Kazuki's spin didn't stop. He pivoted sharply and thrust the spiraling orb behind him—right toward the spot he sensed movement from above.

Looking up, Kazuki spotted the terrified face of his enemy just as the man completed his hand signs. Lightning erupted in a sudden flash, blinding Kazuki for a split second, followed by the thunderclap of a powerful Raiton technique.

When the light faded, Kazuki had dodged to the side.

He'd had the chance to crush the guy's nuts—and probably kill him outright—but that lightning jutsu hadn't been some petty trick. It was powerful enough to cause serious harm. So, Kazuki had swapped places with his shadow clone and refreshed his chakra reserves mid-move.

"So annoying," Kazuki muttered as he inhaled. A crack of lightning struck him directly. His whole body erupted in flames, and he stepped forward through the smoldering aftermath.

"What the…" Kakuzu, locked in battle with Suzaku, momentarily froze. His eyes widened in genuine surprise.

He hadn't expected this. The kid—no, that thing—wasn't moving like a normal shinobi. Was he a jinchūriki?

But… no, that couldn't be.

Kakuzu had never seen the Nine-Tails' host, but he remembered his younger days—once rashly challenging Sunagakure's One-Tails jinchūriki and nearly dying when it went berserk. If the One-Tail was that dangerous, the Nine-Tails would be a nightmare.

And if Kazuki really was a jinchūriki, Konoha would be a lot more anxious right now.

"Damn nuisance!" Kakuzu growled, dodging a shadow creeping toward his feet. But before he could reposition, he suddenly felt his limbs go rigid.

Glancing down, he saw a shadow had already reached him—linked to Suzaku.

The shadow wrapped up his legs, then slithered up his body and coiled around his neck, ready to snap it in one swift twist.

But then—a blur shot through the air. Sheets of paper fluttered, forcing Suzaku to retreat and abandon the kill.

"You!" Kakuzu's eyes locked onto the woman now floating in midair, recognizing her instantly.

She had once tried to recruit him. Strong, yes—but he hadn't taken her seriously. Yet… he remembered that other thing she traveled with. That monster. That… wasn't even a shinobi anymore. It was something beyond.

"You owe me," Konan said calmly. Her gaze shifted to Suzaku, and her eyes lingered on the Leaf headband engraved into his brow. Something flickered behind her irises—something like memory… or hate.

"Stand down, shinobi of Konoha. I'm only here to take him," she said coldly.

"…," Suzaku narrowed his eyes. He hadn't seen this woman before, but judging from her jutsu and reputation, she wasn't someone easily dealt with. Kakuzu alone was dangerous enough.

Protecting the money took priority.

"They've got a fortune over there!" Kakuzu barked in frustration, his voice strained with greed.

Konan gave him a side glance. He clenched his jaw and fell silent.

She then turned her eyes toward the battlefield—toward Kazuki. As soon as Suzaku noticed, he stepped in between, shield raised, expression tense.

He didn't want a fight… but if she moved against his nephew, he would fight to the death.

"Enma… Nara Kazuki," Konan whispered the name with a faint, almost amused smile. Then she turned and left.

Kakuzu hesitated for a moment, clearly reluctant. But when she didn't stop, he had no choice but to follow. Still, his eyes burned with resentment—how could she walk away from so much money?

But in the end, he followed.

Meanwhile, Kazuki stood over his opponent, one hand raised as an enormous Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu blazed from his mouth, easily the size of a building.

The enemy jōnin stared, dazed, unable to move. The fireball descended. A second later, the man was a smoldering husk, body blackened, white foam dripping from his mouth.

One percent more chakra returned to Kazuki's reserves.

He turned, having just glimpsed Konan a moment before.

Originally, he'd planned to prolong the fight—draw it out, gain combat experience.

But the moment he saw Konan, he lost his patience.

He'd hit the enemy with some psychological warfare—"words of truth"—and layered it with the plague-like effect of his Dragon Flame Jutsu, leaving the guy dazed and vulnerable. Then he finished it with a massive fireball.

Now, though, Konan was gone. So was Kakuzu. Only charred corpses remained.

Thankfully, they were far enough from any nearby town that no civilians had been caught in the crossfire.

...

In a cave not far away, Konan laid Kakuzu down and handed him a ring.

Then she returned alone.

"Nagato," she said softly.

Inside, Nagato coughed weakly.

"Konan… cough cough… what do you think of our little junior?" he asked, glancing up at her.

He was done for—his body ruined by the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. But he'd gained something in return: the power to help his dearest friend take revenge.

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