The Tenseigan started from the Hyuga main family.

No further words were needed; with the help of Haku's vision, Hinata Zechen had already clearly seen the appearance of the pursuers.

A monster composed of dense black lines, with a fiery red mask at its core featuring a huge mouth, is perched on a tree canopy, seemingly gazing at two large chests of glittering gold coins.

Kakuzu's Earth Grudge?

How did Zabuza provoke the Akatsuki members?

Hinata Zechen was momentarily stunned.

Could it be that Zabuza and Haku avoided the calamity of Team 7, and the power of correction directly attracted Kakuzu?

"Hold on for one minute, and I'll be right there!"

Being caught by a strange enemy filled Bai's eyes with despair. But upon hearing Hinata Zechen's words, he immediately displayed unprecedented resolve.

Lord Zabuza, I will definitely protect you.

-----------------

"what happened?"

Seeing Hinata Zechen stop immediately attracted the attention of Class 7.

"Based on your description, a powerful ninja like Zabuza wouldn't give up on his target so easily. Could it be that he's lurking in the shadows, waiting for us to leave before killing us and destroying the bridge?"

Upon hearing Hinata Zetsu's words, Kakashi instinctively retorted.

"This doesn't conform to the unspoken rules of the various ninja villages..."

At this point, Kakashi's voice lowered considerably, clearly indicating that he himself didn't feel it was very convincing.

Zabuza was a notorious ninja who single-handedly killed all the students of the Hidden Mist Village's Ninja Academy that year, and was also a rogue ninja who dared to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage. He was infamous throughout the ninja world. Expecting him to abide by an unwritten rule would be to entrust the lives of Tazuna's entire family, and even the safety of the entire Land of Waves, to Zabuza's whim.

“Kakashi-sensei, I think he makes a lot of sense. Anyway, it’s already afternoon, and even if we travel, we’re bound to spend the night in the wilderness. We might as well wait another night. If everything is fine by tomorrow morning, we can return to the village.”

This mission away from the village allowed Sakura, a girl who was always focused on Sasuke, to grow considerably and offer her own perspectives.

"All right!"

Kakashi's gaze swept over the three members of Team 7, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes. He finally decided to let them stay another night.

"How about this, I'll go to that Gato company and investigate Zabuza's whereabouts."

Hinata Sawatatsu volunteered again.

"Be careful, do not be careless."

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in Hyuga Zetsu's eyes, he sent over a distress signal flare from Konoha Village.

Whoosh!

The moment he reached out and caught the signal flare, Hyuga Zechen's chakra exploded beneath his feet, and with a Body Flicker Technique, he appeared more than ten feet away.

By the time Uchiha Sasuke caught sight of Hyuga Zechen again, he was already just a small black dot, which disappeared from sight in a flash.

Is this his true strength?

Sasuke Uchiha clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment.

Kaleidoscope Sharingan...

Is there really no other way?

-----------------

Fire Release: Head Carving!

A fireball the size of a fist was spewed from the mouth of the Earth Grudge Fear Fire Release Masked Monster. After landing, it spread rapidly at an astonishing speed, forming a sea of ​​fire spanning more than ten feet, surging forward like a tide.

Wherever the flames passed, the layers of ice walls that emitted an astonishing chill were instantly melted, completely unable to stop the torrent of fire.

"Bai, you can run by yourself."

Zabuza, who had already lost his fighting ability, was being held in Haku's arms when he suddenly spoke.

"Lord Zabuza, even if it means death, I will remain steadfast in my resolve."

Haku once again extracted new chakra from his depleted body, barely managing to avoid the engulfing area before the sea of ​​fire covered him. However, the sparks that flew up ignited Haku's trouser leg, and the crimson flames began to spread upwards, scorching his skin and flesh.

Even so, Bai showed no intention of stopping to put out the fire and continued to speed forward tirelessly.

white……

Zabuza, known for his iron-bloodedness and cruelty, looked up as beads of sweat dripped from Shiro's chin, a hint of tears welling in his eyes.

The fire must have been too hot, and the thick smoke got into their eyes...

Hissing...

The Earth Grudge Fear Fire Release Masked Monster moved extremely fast, catching up again in just over ten breaths. Its strange maw opened once more, and red light began to emerge.

"Lord Zabuza, you must live!"

With her chakra no longer sufficient to create an ice wall to block, Bai Weiwei, knowing she was doomed, glanced down at Zabuza, her mind filled with the image of him reaching out his hand to her on a cold winter day.

Just as Haku was about to muster all his remaining strength to throw Zabuza as far away as possible to avoid the sea of ​​fire, the void in front of him suddenly twisted and opened a dark spatial passage.

Still shrouded in a black robe, with only his pair of dazzling Tensei eyes visible, Hyuga Zetsu stepped out of the spatial passage.

I finally made it!

Chapter 22 The Temptation of Rolling Eyes

"Space-time ninjutsu?"

Both Zabuza and Haku were dumbfounded as they watched Hyuga Sawatatsu step out of the spatial passage, and neither showed any joy at the arrival of reinforcements.

This is a space-time ninjutsu, something that has always existed only in legends. Since the fall of the Fourth Hokage, the Flying Thunder God Technique has become a thing of the past.

Even now, searching all five major ninja villages, one cannot find more than a handful of ninjas who have mastered space-time ninjutsu.

Well, psychic abilities aside.

Despite the stares of Zabuza and Haku, Hinata Zechen remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he couldn't help but curse.

Both being users of the Tenseigan, Otsutsuki Toneri casually waved his hand to create a spatial passage from the moon to the earth; while Hyuga Sawatatsu, in his first attempt, caused his chakra to drain away like a flood every moment, whether opening or maintaining the spatial passage. In just a journey of a few dozen kilometers, he had consumed nearly a third of his chakra.

Is there truly a fundamental difference in the constitution of the Otsutsuki clan? Later, when Uchiha Sasuke opened a space-time portal to enter another dimension, it seemed that due to excessive consumption of chakra and ocular power, the tomoe of his Rinnegan would temporarily disappear for a period of time, proving that Hyuga Zetsu's experience was not an isolated case.

"Who are you?"

Kakuzu's voice came from inside the Earth Grudge Fear Fire Release Masked Monster, clearly indicating that he was also shocked by Hyuga Sawatatsu's space-time ninjutsu.

"Zabuza is mine now. Kakuzu, if you don't want to die, get the hell out of here!"

While rapidly recovering his chakra, Hyuga Zechen also tried to bluff his way out of the situation.

The other person actually recognized me?

Could it be an old monster who has lived for decades?

Looking across the entire ninja world, even within Takigakure, many records about Earth Grudge Fear have long been destroyed by Kakuzu, and no one knows about them anymore.

interesting!

In Kado's luxurious office, Kakuzu, who was searching for the hidden cash box, suddenly stood up, drew the Executioner's Blade he had stolen, and cleaved the desk in front of him in two. He then smashed out of the third-floor window without even saying goodbye to Sasori.

"Kakuzu, what are you up to now? Did Zabuza crush your heart?"

Standing outside the broken building, Scorpion, who had been waiting impatiently, quickly caught up with Hiruko, his tone filled with schadenfreude.

"Someone used a space-time ninjutsu; it seems they've come to rescue Zabuza..."

Compared to his previous useless partners, Kakuzu had to admit that Sasori's strength was definitely not inferior to his own. Zabuza's reinforcements seemed to be quite powerful and knew the Earth Grudge Fear technique, so they would probably aim for his heart. Perhaps Sasori's help would be needed, which was why he hadn't held back.

"A ninja who has mastered space-time ninjutsu? That's perfect material for making human puppets!"

The eyes on Hiruko's head shone brightly, and her tone revealed an unusual excitement.

He thought the Third Kazekage was his most perfect work, but could there be an unexpected gain this time?

However, opponents who have mastered space-time ninjutsu are not easy to deal with. Even if you win, it's very difficult to capture them.

Perhaps we should cooperate with this money-grubbing old geezer once.

Just then, Kakuzu, who was running, suddenly stopped and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"It shattered my fire-attribute heart in an instant. It seems the opponent knew the weakness of Earth Grudge Fear..."

Kakuzu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and continued on his way as if nothing had happened.

If they obtain the other party's heart, I wonder if the new Earth Grudge Fear will be able to use space-time ninjutsu?

-----------------

"You guys retreat first, I'll handle the pursuers."

After piercing Kakuzu's fire-attribute mask, Hyuga Sawa casually tossed a small scroll containing healing medicine and rations into Haku's arms, signaling them to leave first.

"From now on, Bai will definitely follow your lead."

Haku's eyes showed emotion. He opened the scroll, swallowed two soldier pills, and stuffed another one into Zabuza's mouth. After quickly treating the injuries on the two of them, he carried Zabuza and ran for his life.

As a ninja, having already lost most of his fighting ability, staying would only be a burden.

"Open your white eye!"

Once the white figure disappeared, Hinata Zetsu switched his Tenseigan to Byakugan mode.

Five minutes later, two figures, one tall and one short, appeared at the edge of their field of vision, five kilometers away.

Is the immortal duo not yet formed?

Kakuzu was wearing a gray cloth hat, a rogue ninja headband from Takigakure on his forehead, and a mask that covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of emerald green eyes. He was wearing a black and red cloud-patterned cloak from the Akatsuki organization, but the back was partially torn, revealing black lines that swayed in the wind.

Beside Kakuzu was Sasori of the Red Sand, whose true form was hidden inside the puppet Hiruko. He was also wearing an Akatsuki uniform, with a long scorpion tail extending from his back. Each time he touched the ground, he supported Hiruko and slid more than ten feet away, his speed no less than Kakuzu's.

In a one-on-one situation, Hyuga Sawa, who possesses most of the information on Kakuzu and Sasori, is quite confident of defeating his opponent. However, if the two join forces, it's likely that Hyuga Sawa will be the one to turn and run away.

You must distract one of them to create one-on-one time and space for yourself.

Kakuzu, it's you!

Hyuga Zechen clapped his hands together, and clear water surged from beneath his feet, condensing into a water clone that retained the standard attire of a Konoha ninja.

Yes, to seduce Kakuzu, you have to remove your headband.