Naruto: Menma Exiting Infinite Tsukuyomi

Chapter 188: You're So Reliable, Kabuto

"Why can't you learn from him? Look how sensible he is."

Hearing this, the corner of Kakuzu's mouth twitched.

However, he still lowered his hands that were forming seals, a self-deprecating smile appearing on his face: "Tsk, hunted geese all day, never thought I'd get my eye pecked out by a goose. This secret technique of yours is truly insidious!"

Although he didn't understand the principle of Chū's secret technique, he could vaguely guess a little.

The strong light just now, which he thought was just for show, was probably to plant something inside his body.

Now, when he tries to use chakra, it gets absorbed by the lump on his chest.

As for what happens next...

Kakuzu indicated that although he had lived for eighty or ninety years, he still wanted to live for several more eighty or ninety years.

He didn't want to risk death to test the power of this secret technique.

"Hehe, this is the importance of intelligence."

Chū smiled leisurely, striding towards Kakuzu and the other two.

Seeing this, the faces of Kakuzu and Konan both darkened.

The two subconsciously wanted to use their chakra, but suddenly felt a sharp pain and their bodies froze.

Chū's footsteps paused, then he stabbed a kunai towards Konan's neck.

But just then,

A tremor suddenly came from under their feet, and the faces of the five members of the Xuanyuan Group couldn't help but change.

"Sage Art: Inorganic Reanimation!"

BOOM!!

Following a low, cold shout, sharp spikes instantly shot out from under the feet of the five Xuanyuan Group members.

"Damn it! How did he not get hit?!"

The Xuanyuan Group retreated with looks of astonishment, while also seeing Yakushi Kabuto with his hands forming seals.

There was absolutely no sign of the Bursting Bug parasitizing his body.

Seemingly realizing he was no match for Yakushi Kabuto, the retreating Miǎo, Suǒ, and Yáo began to form hand seals without hesitation.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Secret Technique: Shadow Lurking Technique!"

"Earth Style: Underground Submarine Voyage!"

In an instant, a water dragon over ten meters long flew into the sky, then fell from the air towards Yakushi Kabuto's position.

Suǒ also melted like a liquid into a dark corner, and the ground under the other four turned into a swamp-like state, swallowing them.

From Yakushi Kabuto using Sage Art to the five members of the Xuanyuan Group escaping, only a few short seconds had passed.

After a moment of silence,

"...They just left?"

Seeing the Xuanyuan Group had not reappeared, Kakuzu couldn't help frowning.

However, a look of understanding and a sneer immediately appeared on his face.

"To flee directly upon encountering an unexpected situation... these five fellows are truly cautious and decisive."

These five members of the Xuanyuan Group indeed had various proficient secret techniques and ninjutsu as rumored.

But the five's actual hard strength was not very strong; they only relied on their bizarre secret techniques and tacit cooperation.

As long as one knew the principles of their secret techniques, the threat of the five would be greatly reduced.

"What an insidious secret technique."

Kakuzu looked at the spider-shaped lump on his chest, his tone filled with indignation: "It was just a failure in intelligence. I won't fall for it again next time I encounter them."

Chū's secret technique should work by making the enemy fall for it through sight.

Then, as long as one closes their eyes when performing ninjutsu, they should be able to ignore the threat of this secret technique without any surprises.

"Phew! It's also thanks to Kabuto."

Konan let out a sigh of relief with some lingering fortune: "Otherwise, if I wanted to break free, I'm afraid I would have had to pay a great price."

"...Hmph! At worst, I'd just lose three or four hearts."

Kakuzu first snorted disdainfully, then immediately looked at Yakushi Kabuto beside him: "Although your actions were a bit superfluous, I still owe you a favor."

"A favor for a favor." This was Kakuzu's principle as a bounty ninja.

No matter how he viewed Yakushi Kabuto before, Kakuzu couldn't dislike him now.

"Mr. Kakuzu, you're too kind."

Yakushi Kabuto, with a smile on his face, adjusted his glasses: "It was just a coincidence. Kabuto's chakra is like poison to this kind of chakra-absorbing thing."

...

Five minutes later, inside the underground space of Amegakure.

"...Is that so? Kabuto saved you."

After hearing Konan finish telling him about the Xuanyuan Group, Nagato's expression also became grim.

Even he had completely failed to notice when the Xuanyuan Group had infiltrated Amegakure.

And because of his momentary carelessness, in just these few short minutes,

Konan had actually encountered a life-threatening crisis.

If Yakushi Kabuto hadn't been by her side, Nagato simply couldn't imagine what would have happened to Konan.

Thinking this, Nagato turned his head to look at Yakushi Kabuto, revealing a stiff smile.

"You're so reliable, Kabuto."

Yakushi Kabuto said humbly: "It was just luck. It's good that Lady Konan and Mr. Kakuzu are alright."

The topic ended there.

But most of the Akatsuki members, including Nagato and Konan, now looked at Yakushi Kabuto with a trace of friendliness.

...Except for Uchiha Itachi, who had been silently observing everyone.

"Leader, so this is your true form."

Kisame, who had just rushed back, carried Samehada on his shoulder, sizing up the currently gaunt Nagato with curious eyes.

From a position a thousand meters away from Amegakure, he had witnessed the entire process of Nagato dealing with the falling meteorite.

The entire event was thrilling and horrifying.

That was simply not a power humans could confront or possess.

And the one who summoned that terrifying monster and had been leading the Akatsuki all along was actually this seemingly frail fellow before him.

All the members of the Akatsuki had different thoughts as they looked at Nagato, who had none of the aura of a powerhouse.

"My body had some problems before, so I have always appeared to the outside world as Pain."

Nagato did not hide anything, saying calmly: "I know what you are thinking. You can test me as you please."

"But the prerequisite is that you are already prepared for death."

Now that his body had basically recovered, and the power of Amegakure had been preliminarily revealed to the entire ninja world,

then, there was no need for him to continue hiding behind the scenes.

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of Sasori, Kakuzu, and the others flickered.

However, after a moment of silence, they temporarily suppressed their plans.

After all, Nagato's track record was there for all to see; they wouldn't disregard his strength just because of his appearance.

"Very good."

Nagato ignored the changes in the crowd, nodding calmly: "Then the next mission is to capture the One-Tails Jinchūriki."

...

Meanwhile, at the border of the Land of Rain.

Five black shadows continuously flickered through the forest until they arrived at a natural cave.

Yàn used Fire Release to light a campfire, illuminating the dark cave.

Miǎo sat down on the ground with a plop, stretched his muscles and bones, and rubbed his somewhat sore thighs.

"Boss, this mission was too difficult."

He looked at Chū beside him, his tone helpless: "Although the Land of Snow gave enough money, that harmless-looking fellow was too ruthless."

"And... your Bursting Bug was exposed. Is that really okay?"

(End of Chapter)

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