Kakuzu, in the original work, can be considered a legend!
He is perhaps the most unique member of the Akatsuki! Looking through the entire history of Naruto, he is also quite special because this guy lived through the Warring States period and did not truly die until the Fourth Great Ninja War!
He lived for more than ninety years before finally perishing!
Yet he remained in peak condition the entire time!
This was due to his mastery of an extremely unique secret technique—Earth Grudge Fear!
By controlling chakra to extend black tendrils within his body, he could seize other ninjas' organs and hearts, prolonging his life by replacing his own heart.
He even once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Even more astonishing, despite failing, he managed to escape alive and return to his then-affiliated village, Takigakure!
When analyzing the original story, Haruto Saito once speculated that Kakuzu's ability to escape from the First Hokage had much to do with Hashirama's personality. It was likely that Hashirama did not want to cause excessive destruction or harm innocents, allowing Kakuzu to flee!
Otherwise, killing Kakuzu would have been too easy for Hashirama!
If, instead of Hashirama, Kakuzu had tried to assassinate Madara Uchiha… he would have been obliterated, reduced to ashes! Madara's temperament would have never allowed him to escape!
Now, it was the early days of Konoha's thirty-third year!
At this time, Kakuzu should already be sixty years old!
On the empty streets—
More and more Konoha ninjas appeared. Hiruzen Sarutobi, White Fang, and Haruto Saito formed a three-way encirclement, trapping Kakuzu in the center. Other arriving ninjas stood atop nearby buildings, watching from a distance!
Kakuzu had no chance to escape!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's aura was deep and formidable. Haruto Saito wanted to capture Kakuzu alive, even bringing up some far-fetched reasoning about fate linking them. Hiruzen, however, remained indifferent!
Capture or kill—either was fine!
For black-market assassins, Konoha's general approach was execution. Unlike assassins from rival ninja villages, black-market killers held little intelligence value. Their sole motivation was the bounty!
Thus, eliminating black-market assassins was not considered a loss!
But since Haruto Saito wanted him alive, that was acceptable too!
Under the hood of his black robe, Kakuzu's eyes flickered strangely. Throughout his life, he had experienced countless life-and-death crises. Situations like this were not unfamiliar to him. He did not despair—how could he know he couldn't escape without trying?
"Hey! Listen to me. Just surrender, and I guarantee you'll survive!" Haruto Saito called out.
"Hmph!" Kakuzu scoffed, his body trembling before suddenly transforming into an afterimage!
Almost simultaneously, Haruto Saito, White Fang, and Hiruzen Sarutobi sprang into action!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The deafening explosions shook the entire area… Haruto Saito felt his heart ache… Damn it, these were all his properties!
Three minutes later.
Amidst the ruins—
Kakuzu knelt on the ground, covered in blood, unable to rise. White Fang had stabbed him at least twice, and Hiruzen had placed sealing jutsu upon him.
It was over!
The result did not surprise Haruto Saito in the slightest. If Kakuzu had managed to escape from a prime Hiruzen Sarutobi, that would have been beyond belief! Not to mention, White Fang was also present!
However, despite the battle lasting only three minutes, it had destroyed two entire city blocks!
ANBU ninjas took Kakuzu away!
For now, he would be imprisoned in the ANBU base. Haruto Saito would interrogate him later—if he had time. Right now, he didn't, as the chaos in Konoha was still unresolved. The other three assassins had yet to escape the village!
Konoha ninjas were still pursuing them!
They had blended into the crowded residential and commercial districts, making them difficult to track!
Haruto Saito joined the search efforts.
Before long—
In the bustling commercial district, a Flying Thunder God kunai streaked through the air, with Haruto Saito right behind it!
On a tall building in the district, the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Raiyo, scanned the surroundings with his Byakugan. He noticed Haruto Saito and his expression darkened… Haruto Saito had already mastered the Flying Thunder God technique, which was bad news for him—terrible, even!
Whoosh!
A figure appeared beside Hyuga Raiyo.
"What's the situation?" the newcomer asked.
Hyuga Raiyo turned his head—it was Danzo. Danzo had just arrived and was unaware of the current status.
"There were five assassins in total—four S-rank black-market killers and one Super S-rank!" Hyuga Raiyo said indifferently. "So far, one S-rank assassin has died by Haruto Saito's hand, the Super S-rank was personally captured by the Hokage, and another perished under siege. Only two remain on the run, but neither has escaped Konoha yet!"
"Hmm…" Danzo nodded.
The situation was well under control. Konoha's swift response had prevented any major disasters!
"Do you know why Haruto Saito survived this coordinated assassination attempt unscathed?" Hyuga Raiyo asked, a hint of mystery in his tone.
"Why?" Danzo asked indifferently.
There were many possibilities—perhaps Hiruzen was nearby, or maybe another powerful figure was around, or Haruto had simply been prepared in advance.
Danzo found Hyuga Raiyo's question somewhat odd.
"It seems you don't know…" Hyuga Raiyo scanned the area before adding, "Haruto Saito has already mastered the Flying Thunder God technique… The assassins never had a chance to kill him…"
Danzo's body tensed, his pupils shrinking sharply.
******
The search lasted about an hour before concluding. In the end, one assassin managed to escape!
It was simply a matter of luck—he was adept at disguising himself and intentionally fled into crowded areas, making Konoha ninjas hesitant to act for fear of harming innocents!
Of the five assassins, only one barely survived, escaping with severe injuries!
This assassination attempt was a complete failure!
Haruto Saito was unharmed!
However, he did pay a "price"—his mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique was now completely exposed! It was only a matter of time before it became known, but still, both Haruto and Hiruzen felt slightly uneasy about it!
It also raised Hiruzen's concerns significantly!
Who knew how many more assassination attempts Haruto Saito would face in the future?
The number of people who wanted him dead was only going to increase!
Behind Konoha, at the ANBU base—
In a pitch-black cell, no light shone.
Creak!
The cell door suddenly opened, allowing light to spill inside.
Slumped in the corner, Kakuzu lifted his head.
Standing at the entrance, Haruto Saito regarded him with an amused gaze. Kakuzu narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Do you know me?" He had asked this question before, and now, he asked again.
Haruto Saito gestured behind him, then stepped inside with an oil lamp in hand.
Creak—Boom! The cell door shut once more!
"Kakuzu, is that right?" Haruto Saito smiled.