Chapter 165: Stirring Disaster
In terms of sheer size, comparing Shukaku to Mizuki was like using a flyswatter to strike a mosquito. The Tailed Beast's Drilling Air Bullets might have had overwhelming momentum, but their actual effectiveness against Mizuki wasn't much. With Sage Mode enhancing his speed, Mizuki could still dodge those giant, slow-winding attacks fairly easily. However, for the genin on the battlefield, these wildly flying Drilling Air Bullets were death incarnate—grazing one would mean instant death, and there was no chance of dodging them.
Fortunately, Mizuki had one advantage: attracting Shukaku's aggro. That meant he had to invest more energy into dodging the beast's attacks—but it also gave him a certain degree of control over the direction of those attacks. If Mizuki could guide where the Tailed Beast aimed, others could remain safe.
At this point, Mizuki realized something very clearly—trying to overpower a Tailed Beast with ninjutsu alone was far too exhausting.
When faced with an overwhelming difference in raw power, elemental advantages didn't matter. It all came down to brute force. Even though Mizuki's Fire Release countered Wind, blasting high-temperature flames at Shukaku only made the beast howl in pain—it didn't break down its sand-based form so easily.
Now further enraged, Shukaku effortlessly gathered even more chakra, firing two more Drilling Air Bullets from its mouth.
"The power just keeps rising…"
As time passed, Shukaku's control over its sand body improved, and so did the destructive force of its jutsu.
Watching this unreasonable, berserk fighting style, Mizuki finally gave up trying to outlast the beast in a chakra war. Even if he tried to wrestle Shukaku hand-to-hand, it would be a waste of effort.
"Tailed Beasts like this, which act purely on instinct and have no real combat training, can't be subdued with brute force. Honestly… maybe they're better off being used instead."
With a new plan forming in his mind, Mizuki decided not to go head-to-head with Shukaku anymore.
Using his superior agility, he weaved through the battlefield with grace, dodging not only the incoming Wind Bullets and their shockwaves, but also the sand traps under Shukaku's control. Mizuki kept dancing between the hazards, fully aware that he was in constant danger—but as long as he kept the Tailed Beast's attention focused on him, everyone else would be safer.
Soon, Mizuki glanced around and confirmed that Aoba Yamashiro, Neji Hyuga, and Shino Aburame were no longer visible—meaning they had likely retreated to a safe distance.
"If your goal is the Tailed Beast, then you don't get to just sit back and watch…"
Resolved, Mizuki dodged another incoming attack by a hair's breadth, then suddenly rushed toward Kakuzu, who was just preparing to take action.
"Let's kick off the most dangerous game of dodgeball in history. At least let's invite two more players to join the fun…"
Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Hidan were just about to begin their mission's final objective.
"Kakuzu, looks like Sasori bit the dust, huh? What a shame," Hidan said with a twisted grin, clearly taking pleasure in the misfortune. There was not a hint of mourning for his fallen comrade. "Didn't they say that guy had all kinds of tricks up his sleeve to stay alive?"
"He's dead. That's that," Kakuzu said bluntly. "We've got plenty of backups waiting to fill that spot. If there's a new recruit when we return, so be it. Let the Leader worry about those things."
Kakuzu, only ever interested in money, had seen many of his partners die. Another fallen member didn't even register to him.
"Hmm. So who do you think Deidara will get as a new partner? I hear we're stretched thin on manpower. Are they gonna pull from the reserve list again?"
"What? You don't like the reserves?" Kakuzu's voice remained flat. "If your last partner hadn't died, you wouldn't have made it in so soon either. You'd still be waiting your turn."
"Tch. You always say that like my place here is just charity," Hidan snapped.
"Because it is. Honestly, Hidan, I think Tobi's more competent than you. If it weren't for your little 'immortality' gimmick, you'd be long gone," Kakuzu replied calmly, speaking harsh truths without emotion. "And besides, we don't even know if Deidara can be saved. Also…"
He paused before changing the topic: "When did you start caring so much about other members? Since when did Akatsuki tolerate people who worry about other squads?"
"I'm just curious," Hidan replied. "I haven't been in long, but for an organization powerful enough to secretly control an entire ninja village and go after Tailed Beasts, it's still weird that we're so secretive. What's the endgame?"
"The Leader will tell us when the time comes. Enough chatter. Let's get to work."
"Tch. You money-obsessed freak. Don't you ever wonder where all the money you rake in goes?"
"…?" Kakuzu paused—money always got his attention. "That's not your concern. Now look there—the guy who killed Sasori is heading this way. Get ready."
"Oh ho… a fresh sacrifice?" Hidan licked his lips. "Today really is my lucky day. So many ninja to please Jashin-sama with…"
"Idiot, move!"
Because it wasn't just Mizuki rushing their way—he brought friends: two more Drilling Air Bullets, aimed squarely at them.
Mizuki had slipped past both attacks with expert precision, but the Wind Bullets lost none of their power and flew straight at Kakuzu and Hidan. The overwhelming pressure forced them both to leap out of the way. Kakuzu, with his reinforced body and Earth Release, handled it fine.
Hidan wasn't so lucky.
He wasn't hit directly, but the shockwave still slammed him through several trees, sending him bouncing and crashing across the ground until he finally came to a stop.
If not for his immortality… that impact alone might have knocked him out of the fight completely.
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