Naruto: The Hidden Shadow Style

At first glance, Haseo appeared to be a very logical, organized, and planning-oriented person. Every time he received a mission or planned an operation, he would always create detailed and rigorous strategies beforehand, preparing contingency plans for worst-case, average-case, and best-case scenarios, reminding his teammates to prepare psychologically for any eventuality.

Exactly when to advance and when to retreat—everything was carefully outlined in his plan. Furthermore, he had excellent communication skills, clearly conveying how a small team needed to function like a precision machine to maximize battlefield effectiveness and increase survival chances... Their kind of squad absolutely relied on teamwork.

The plans were thorough, and his words convincing. But the moment he hit the battlefield and faced real danger, Haseo's calm, sharp mind would take an entirely different course…

He'd charge in headfirst.

All those careful plans amounted to nothing but nonsense—Haseo always relied on improvisation.

This wasn't due to emotional instability or hot-headedness, but rather because at critical moments, he tended to trust himself more than others.

His teammates had moved from initial shock to complete acceptance of this man's tendency to say one thing and do another.

...

Based on the principle of eliminating weaker enemies first before focusing on stronger ones remaining, Kakuzu's battle philosophy was definitely sound. However, the issue lay in his choice… targeting Haseo as the first elimination objective wasn't entirely wrong—but it wasn't exactly right either.

Facing Kakuzu who suddenly appeared, Haseo showed no panic whatsoever—not even the slightest hesitation—as he charged straight toward the enemy. With Lightning Release enhancing his movement, his speed became lightning-fast—Kakuzu had clearly initiated the attack first, yet under Haseo's high-speed taijutsu, he ironically became the one being ambushed.

Such sudden reversal of offensive and defensive positions caused a brief moment of hesitation in combatants. Kakuzu's green eyes—lacking any particular vitality—suddenly lost track of Haseo's movements, his prepared killing intent nowhere to release itself.

That guy moves incredibly fast… Instantly, he became fully alert.

The air directly in front of him abruptly disturbed—relying purely on battlefield experience, Kakuzu responded correctly within an instant—he crossed both arms, protecting the side of his head.

Haseo soared upward then twisted his body sideways, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that not only carried ferocity but most importantly… immense weight behind it.

[Lightning God's Flash]

"Damn, so heavy. He's not just fast—he also possesses extraordinary strength?"

Kakuzu's defense had been sufficient; otherwise, such a blow landing squarely on his head would've robbed him of all conscious thought immediately.

However, Kakuzu underestimated the combined power of Haseo's dual chakra circulation and the enhanced mobility granted by Lightning Release. With such amplification, there was simply no way his strikes wouldn't carry crushing force.

Kakuzu's upper body was struck. A massive force surged through his arms, causing him to momentarily lose balance before rolling sideways in the direction of Haseo's attack.

But Kakuzu had already activated Earth Grudge Fear, so he wasn't afraid of such blunt attacks from Haseo. In fact, although he appeared slightly battered from being knocked away, his special abilities ensured he hadn't taken much damage.

As he was kicked flying, the young Konoha ninja finally reappeared within Kakuzu's spinning vision—Haseo now stood exactly where Kakuzu had been moments ago.

Haseo leaned forward with his knees bent, legs set in a powerful fighting stance, one arm drawn back with the elbow tucked close to his side while the fingertips of his other hand lightly touched the ground, once again gathering power.

His eyes were like still water—utterly calm, yet radiating a quiet, chilling intent.

Not good… Kakuzu immediately felt this way—not because Haseo had taken a charging stance, but more because of the unmistakable killing intent in his gaze.

Forget about seniority—on the battlefield, it's skill that determines who lives and who falls.

The ground cracked and caved beneath him, the deep thud of Haseo's feet pounding the earth, the trembling vibrations and sharp humming produced by his rapid movement cutting through air—all erupted at once, blending into chaos. Bright lightning, swirling smoke, and flying debris burst forth from where he stood like a violent explosion of color!

Kakuzu hovered midair—no matter what move Haseo made next, normally there would be no way to evade it. However, at this moment, he knew clearly that he couldn't hold back any longer. Thus, his limbs suddenly tore open, yet instead of blood flowing from these "wounds," long, jet-black threads emerged resembling strands of hair—this was his [Secret Arts: Earth Grudge Fear].

Using Earth Grudge Fear as the connection, Kakuzu extended his limbs which landed on the ground below, halting his rolling motion. Yet just then, a sudden flash of light cut through—taking advantage of the moment he'd yet to stabilize himself, Haseo's expressionless face had already clearly appeared right before Kakuzu's eyes.

Only inches apart.

Kakuzu's sprawled form looked eerie and towering, while Haseo abruptly stopped directly beneath him. Then, with his right hand crackling with electricity, Haseo thrust forward precisely toward Kakuzu's heart.

Yet just as he thrust forward toward Kakuzu's chest, countless black "strands" surged forth like fast-growing vines during springtime, instantly wrapping his arm tightly.

"I've got you now," Kakuzu said.

Despite Haseo's incredible speed, Kakuzu was a ninja who possessed restraining abilities. With his arm completely bound, Haseo's speed advantage became useless.

"You caught me. I knew you would."

Haseo paid no heed to Kakuzu's murderous words. His fingertips were barely an inch away from Kakuzu's heart, when suddenly he flipped his palm forward. The gathering lightning energy on his hand instantly surged forward as a powerful Lightning Bolt. In the next moment, the brilliant blue current pierced straight through his opponent's chest.

Just like piercing through a sheet of white paper.

Was it successful? No, it couldn't be this simple.

Haseo felt the black strands wrapped around his arm loosen momentarily, but in the very next instant, they tightened with far greater force than before—so strongly that it seemed they would crush the metal bracer on his arm right into his flesh.

The [Lightning Release · Kurigara] extending from Haseo's hand remained embedded in Kakuzu's chest cavity, yet surrounding this blade of lightning, Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear moved eerily and grotesquely, like the hair of a drowned corpse swaying underwater.

"I see now," Haseo murmured. "You're not here to assassinate the Hokage. So… this was all about 'testing your blade.'"

Looking at the monstrous form before him, Haseo suddenly realized Kakuzu's true purpose for coming here.

It wasn't assassination—it was testing and verification. Kakuzu wanted to confirm how effective his finalized Earth Grudge Fear would be against powerful adversaries.

In samurai culture, renowned swordsmiths often tested their new blades on live humans—whether condemned prisoners or random passersby, this practice was considered part of perfecting their craft.

Once, Haseo himself had attacked Menzuomen to verify the effectiveness of his Mikage Dazong Lu. Now, Kakuzu's outwardly reckless attempt to assassinate the thoroughly protected Third Hokage was nothing more than another blade test.

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