Chapter 48 - 48: Kakuzu vs Zeldris
The moment Zeldris spoke, Kakuzu paused for a beat. Something in the air shifted.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the kid's aura... it felt different. He scoffed, brushing the feeling off.
Probably just my imagination. I'm just hyped.
Trying to shake the unease, Kakuzu let out a cold laugh and muttered,
"Let's see if you're still talking tough after I flatten you."
But then—he noticed it.
Zeldris's eyes.
They were glowing faint purple.
Rinnegan?
Kakuzu's instincts kicked in, his body tensing as he stared.
The faint lavender glow was eerily similar to the Rinnegan's power—something Kakuzu hadn't forgotten since the day Pain nearly killed him.
No... wait. He focused.
There were no concentric rings. No tomoe. Just that eerie, soft glow.
"...What kind of eyes are those?" Kakuzu muttered under his breath.
Zeldris's lips curled into a small grin. "Before we start... how about a job offer?"
Kakuzu blinked.
"What?"
"You heard me," Zeldris said, casually brushing sand off his sleeve.
"You want money, right? I've got a better gig than what the Akatsuki's paying you."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
"You offering me a raise because you're scared?" he sneered.
"Trying to bribe your way out of this?"
He chuckled, slow and cruel.
"I don't know what you're playing at, brat—but no amount of coin beats the thrill of cashing in a hundred-million-ryo bounty."
Zeldris's grin didn't waver. "Well, can't say I didn't try."
He slowly raised one hand, curling two fingers toward himself in a taunting gesture.
"Come on then. Let's see how 'undying' you really are."
Kakuzu's expression darkened.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that."
He shot forward, right hand flaring to life as black tendrils erupted from beneath his sleeve, launching toward Zeldris like bullets.
But Zeldris barely moved—just a smooth, effortless sway of his body—and the threads whizzed past him harmlessly.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.
Fast.
"...He dodged it?" he muttered, then smirked. "Alright, not bad. But speed won't help you with this next move."
No more playing around.
Kakuzu's back began to bulge, chakra surging violently within him.
Then—rip!
Two black, monstrous forms burst from his body, each bearing a white mask and a cloak of writhing tendrils.
Zeldris watched them calmly.
"Takigakure's forbidden jutsu... Earth Grudge Fear," he said under his breath.
Kakuzu flinched slightly.
"You know that? Hmph. Then consider it an honor. Not many get to witness it before dying."
He flashed through hand seals.
"Composite Element: Fire-Wind: Pressure Inferno!"
The two masked creatures roared, spewing out a deadly combination—a massive wind bullet and a raging fireball fused into a searing wall of flame.
The sky turned red.
The desert wind howled.
Zeldris's escape route vanished behind a wall of fire.
Kakuzu watched the blaze rise, a satisfied grin spreading under his mask.
"There's no dodging that one. Game over."
He could already imagine the weight of that bounty bag in his hand.
But then—flash!
A sharp beam of white light cut through the fire.
From within the inferno, a calm voice echoed out—slow, almost bored.
"Sorry... I don't really mess with flashy ninjutsu like yours."
"...So I guess I should start taking this seriously."
Kakuzu's eyes widened.
What?!
Before he could react—crack!
A piercing sound like glass shattering rang through the air.
Then everything went still.
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