Naruto: Reborn as Kakuzu, the Immortal Assassin

"Kakuzu, there's nowhere left for you to run!"

Chiba Mei, hidden among the twenty ninja surrounding Kakuzu, gazed at him with a glint of triumph in his eyes. In a one-on-one fight, no one in Takigakure could stand a chance against Kakuzu—not even Chiba Mei himself. However, Mei had meticulously studied Kakuzu's arsenal of jutsu.

Earth Style: Earth Spear.

One of Kakuzu's signature techniques. By channeling Earth Style chakra, he could harden his body to an almost indestructible state, increasing its durability tenfold. Explosive tags? Useless against him—at least one or two at a time. But dozens? Hundreds exploding simultaneously? Mei was certain even Kakuzu couldn't endure that.

Surrounded and under relentless assault from twenty skilled ninja, Chiba Mei doubted Kakuzu could hold out for long.

Kakuzu, however, knew exactly what Mei was planning. When all else fails, rely on sheer numbers—a crude but effective tactic. Yet, Kakuzu wasn't one to go down easily.

As the Takigakure ninja tightened their formation, the black threads on Kakuzu's back suddenly snapped to life, bursting outward. Emerging from the mass of threads was a new entity—a humanoid figure with a dark, ink-like body and a fiery red mask. Inside this figure pulsed a beating heart, freshly stolen from Gotou Tsubasa.

This heart, now Kakuzu's to command, granted its previous owner's mastery over Fire Style techniques. The creature wasn't human; it lacked intelligence. Yet, when imbued with a single elemental chakra, its combat prowess could rival even an elite jonin.

Kakuzu had named this new creation "Fire Armor".

The twenty Takigakure ninja launched their synchronized assault, their combined power formidable. But Kakuzu wasn't alone—Fire Armor was ready to counterattack.

Kakuzu's eyes gleamed as his hands flew through a series of seals. Fire Armor, reacting to his intent, began to gather searing heat in its mouth.

Wind Style: Pressure Damage!

A massive gust of chakra-infused wind roared through the battlefield, enveloping half of the Takigakure ninja in its chaotic force.

Meanwhile, Fire Armor unleashed its own attack:

Fire Style: Intense Heat Wave!

Woosh!

The wild winds fueled the flames, amplifying their intensity and coverage. What began as a mid-range attack grew into an inferno of devastating proportions, a monstrous blaze roaring towards the Takigakure ninja.

The combined power of wind and fire created an unstoppable force. The inferno consumed everything in its path, turning the battlefield into an unrelenting sea of flames. The ninja, caught in the onslaught, screamed in agony as their clothing, hair, and even their bodies ignited.

Their desperate attempts to smother the flames were futile. Within moments, the relentless firestorm claimed their lives.

As the last vestiges of fire died down, Kakuzu lowered his hands, his expression unreadable. He glanced at the few surviving ninja who had miraculously extinguished the flames on themselves.

"Ugh…"

Meeting Kakuzu's cold, piercing gaze, the survivors froze. Their trembling hands and unsteady legs betrayed the terror coursing through them. In that moment, they understood a harsh truth:

The strongest in Takigakure, both then and now, was Kakuzu.

Even with their combined strength, they stood no chance.

The remaining Takigakure ninja looked at Kakuzu with a mix of fear and despair, knowing their fate hung by a thread.

However, reality proved that they had been overthinking. Kakuzu looked at the terrified shinobi before him and sneered with disdain. They were nothing more than fodder—not worth his time or effort.

Kakuzu's deep eyes shifted forward, and he took a single step ahead. The Fire Mask followed closely, ever-vigilant by his side. After a few steps, Kakuzu stood before Chiba Mei.

The once-arrogant Chiba Mei was now unrecognizable. He lay sprawled on the ground, his body charred black. The combination of Kakuzu's Wind and Fire Release had been aimed squarely at him. Although Chiba Mei was a proficient Water Release user, his jutsu was no match for Kakuzu's devastating synergy of wind and fire.

Now, Chiba Mei clung to life by a thread.

Kakuzu crouched slowly, his left hand pressing onto Chiba Mei's scorched body. Black threads pierced through the man's skin with ease.

The Earth Grudge Fear had a simple prerequisite: the victim needed to be alive. A corpse offered no value, only lifeless remains. Even if the target was on the brink of death, as long as they drew breath, Kakuzu could harvest their final worth.

The black threads snaked deeper, sensing the faint beat of Chiba Mei's heart. It was weak, almost imperceptible, but that didn't matter. Once in Kakuzu's possession, it would beat strong again—for him.

"Chiba Mei," Kakuzu murmured, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, "your strength is now mine."

"You…" Chiba Mei's eyes widened with his last ounce of strength. If Kakuzu had simply killed him, it would've been a clear loss—proof that he wasn't strong enough. But this? Kakuzu wouldn't just kill him, he would take his power, make it his own, and use it in battles to come.

This realization stabbed through Chiba Mei's mind like a blade. His chest swelled with bitterness and regret, but his body was too broken to act.

Kakuzu, observing the anguish in Chiba Mei's gaze, smirked faintly. His free hand waved dismissively.

"Don't overthink it," Kakuzu said. "Your strength barely piqued my interest. Your Water Release is passable—nothing more."

"To be clear, your power is only a temporary asset. The moment I find something stronger, I'll discard you without hesitation. Understood?"

Even in his weakened state, Chiba Mei heard every word. They echoed in his mind, sharp and clear.

"You… you…!" Chiba Mei wanted to shout, to rage, but the words stuck in his throat. His last thought was bitter and clear:

Kakuzu! What a heartless bastard!

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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