"Hey, let's talk about Iwagakure when we get back. It's time to refine the Light and Heavy Rock Techniques…"
Glancing back in the direction of Iwagakure, Toshi silently made a mental note.
It wasn't as if he had done nothing here.
"Earth Release: Earthwork Technique."
Combined with the Rock Concealment Technique, and after years of perfecting his control over earth and stone, Toshi had developed the Earth Movement Technique to its peak.
Even when traveling underground, his speed was almost on par with moving on the surface.
Of course, this was under the condition that he didn't use the Propelling Technique or the Body Flicker Technique.
Using the Earth Movement Technique, he swiftly exited Iwagakure and emerged from the ground. After confirming his direction, he activated the Sole Propelling Technique and headed toward the Land of Lightning.
At this moment, there was no visible water vapor forming beneath Toshi's feet.
Through the development of Ice Release, his understanding of water's structural changes had reached a new height.
While he hadn't yet mastered the ability to change its structure to direct gasification, he could prevent water vapor from condensing for a short time.
As long as water vapor didn't liquefy, mist wouldn't form, allowing him to mask the external traces of the Propelling Technique.
Of course, this method was only viable for travel.
If he wanted to use the Propelling Technique for combat, he couldn't afford such limitations.
This time, the name of Toshi would resound throughout the ninja world.
This was something he firmly believed.
Thinking about his achievements over the past two years, his confidence only solidified.
At the Border of the Land of Earth
While traveling, Toshi suddenly halted, scanning his surroundings as he assumed a combat stance.
Inside his sealed mental space, Toshi No. 1 had already activated his Sharingan, analyzing the environment for threats.
"Found him!"
"Earth Release: Earthquake Core!"
Though the Earthquake Core was inferior to his Earth Movement Technique in terms of versatility, it was more than sufficient for this situation.
Fifty meters to his right, the ground erupted as a figure emerged from beneath the earth.
A black mask, green pupils with red sclera, a white hood covering his head, and a forehead protector with a deep slash—his identity was unmistakable.
"Kakuzu?"
Toshi narrowed his eyes, not expecting to run into an acquaintance here.
His strongest impression of Kakuzu wasn't fear or resentment.
This guy was a walking treasury.
A man obsessed with wealth, highly sensitive to money, with peak Kage-level strength and an unnaturally long lifespan.
How much money must he have saved?
"That's it, then. Pay up or die."
"All your wealth belongs to me now."
Toshi felt no guilt. Not only was Kakuzu a notorious killer, but he had also clearly intended to attack him first.
There was no moral burden in taking him down.
"Hmph, you recognize me?"
Kakuzu was taken aback. Was his reputation really that well-known?
Before he could say more, Toshi sprang into action.
"Lava Release: Gundam Mode!"
Without giving Kakuzu any time to react, Toshi immediately activated his trump card.
Earth Grudge Fear?
Sorry, but you won't get a chance to use it.
Or rather, you'll only get as many chances as you have lives.
Within three breaths, a fifty-meter-tall magma giant took form.
Though the height was the same as before, the internal structure had been vastly improved.
Even from appearance alone, this version was far more refined.
The magma exterior had a richer texture, its defense undoubtedly enhanced.
As he gazed at the colossal being before him, Kakuzu was dumbfounded.
The red giant towering over him reminded him of someone—
The man known as the God of Shinobi.
Back then, Hashirama Senju had summoned an enormous wooden construct with a single-handed Wood Release technique.
Though the material differed, the overwhelming presence was the same.
The fifty-meter giant loomed over the stone pillar where Kakuzu stood.
With a simple command, the magma titan swung its massive fist.
Steam erupted from the giant's elbows, shoulders, and waist—a characteristic of the Propelling Technique.
Despite its size, the titan moved only slightly slower than a normal person throwing a punch.
Boom!
Kakuzu was sent flying dozens of meters before he even processed what had happened.
"This power…!"
Kakuzu's voice trembled.
Though it didn't compare to the several-hundred-meter-tall wooden constructs he had seen in the past, the fifty-meter magma giant carried an oppressive weight.
Visually, magma was more terrifying than wood.
Toshi wasn't done yet.
Hand seals formed.
"Lava Release: Explosive Bomb!"
A ten-meter-wide magma fireball condensed in the titan's hand and was hurled at Kakuzu.
Reacting instantly, Kakuzu flickered several dozen meters away, narrowly dodging the attack.
But the fireball didn't explode on impact. Instead, the ground beneath it melted into a massive crater.
A second magma fireball formed, clutched by the titan's other hand.
Then, both were hurled in succession.
The battlefield became littered with deep craters, each one evidence of the attack's destructive power.
Kakuzu lost two lives in the process.
His abilities? Earth Grudge Fear?
He never got the chance to use them.
Meanwhile, an amusing thought struck Toshi.
Fighting the Three-Tails hadn't felt like a proper giant-versus-giant battle.
But this?
This felt different.
Within a three-hundred-meter radius, Kakuzu had no space to maneuver.
Thinking back to the legendary battle between Hashirama and Madara, Toshi had a realization.
So, was Kakuzu really just throwing kunai from eight hundred meters away back then?
"Seems likely…"
There was no time to ponder further.
"This is enough. If I get serious, you won't survive."
The two fireballs were thrown at full force, detonating near Kakuzu.
The ground shook violently from the explosion.
Kakuzu lost another heart.
"Damn it… I only have two left. I need to escape."
"I should have run when I had the chance…"
Regret filled Kakuzu's mind.
He had made a fatal mistake.
"Lava Release: Kunai Storm!"
Magma kunai rained down from above.
Kakuzu's heart sank.
This attack covered such a vast area—
How was this even fair?
If he knew what Toshi was thinking, he'd be even more frustrated.
This wasn't an unfair cheat.
It was the result of relentless effort.
The ability to construct such a complex structure in mere seconds—
This was Toshi's true achievement.
Standing before Kakuzu, Toshi made his final offer.
"You have one life left. Pay up, or die."
Kakuzu's last hope vanished.
The enemy knew everything about his abilities.
This was pure horror.
He hesitated.
Toshi smirked.
"Choose wisely."
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