Instead, it was the Ninja Blade Munashi Jinpachi had been using all along, and even the name was the same.

But it was different from Shibuki in the intelligence reports.

If the seven Ninja Blades of the Land of Water possessed this kind of ability, how could they have fallen to the bottom of the Five Great Nations?

Judging solely by the manifestation of Explosion Release in Shibuki, it could guarantee the cultivation of at least a Quasi-Kage!

Clearly, the past Shibuki could only detonate the explosive tags on the blade when it hit the target—it was entirely a move that inflicted a thousand injuries to the enemy while damaging oneself by eight hundred.

Has today's Shibuki evolved?

Ōnoki of the Two Scales's eyes were deep.

He thought of the intelligence regarding those special blades from the Land of Whirlpools.

Munashi Jinpachi being strengthened to this extent could only have one reasonable explanation!

That was the Land of Whirlpools!

The Land of Whirlpools actually possessed such technology to forge a Kekkei Genkai!

Ōnoki of the Two Scales's heart suddenly grew fervent.

Understand the Third Raikage, become the Third Raikage!

Anyway, the Land of Whirlpools had to be suppressed.

This conflict between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Whirlpools happened to be used to scout intelligence on the Land of Whirlpools for them!

Although the loss of Gari of the Explosion Release made him ache a bit, as long as their several Ninja villages united to pressure the Land of Whirlpools, by then, the explosive blade, Shibuki, would be treated as compensation for Gari of the Explosion Release's sacrifice!

Equally covetous were Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Third Kazekage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had long experienced the strength of the Land of Whirlpools, and coveting it wasn't a matter of just a day or two.

Aside from watching Shunsui Kyoraku's performance, the Third Kazekage had never witnessed the special traits of a Zanpakuto.

Moreover, although Shunsui Kyoraku's abilities were bizarre, it was hard to connect them to his blade.

But Munashi Jinpachi's blade was different; this was blatant Explosion Release.

Getting one was practically like possessing a Ninja with a Kekkei Genkai!

Sunagakure also wanted a piece of the technology of the Land of Whirlpools...

The rapid defeat of Gari of the Explosion Release caused some commotion in the Shinobi World.

But soon, they no longer focused on Gari of the Explosion Release's death.

Because the excitement of the Land of Whirlpools continued.

Land of Whirlpools, Seireitei.

A certain street.

Kakuzu strolled swaggeringly down the street.

After all, the task assigned to him was to attract the attention of the Land of Whirlpools.

"Hado No. 4: Byakurai!"

Crackle!

A flash of lightning rapidly struck forward, and Kakuzu's eyes flickered slightly as he easily sidestepped to dodge the Byakurai.

"Is this the No-Seal Ninjutsu mentioned in the intelligence?"

Kakuzu grew interested.

Originally, he knew nothing about the intelligence regarding the Land of Whirlpools.

Although the Land of Whirlpools was currently in the limelight, as a rogue Ninja, he had no source of intelligence.

Therefore, the intelligence concerning the Land of Whirlpools was provided by the Land of Lightning.

Since he was working for the Land of Lightning, sharing intelligence was naturally expected.

Moreover, this intelligence was very comprehensive, even recording the special abilities of some captains.

It was said to have been provided free of charge by Konoha.

Just as Kakuzu was pondering the manifestation of these No-Seal Ninjutsu, quite a few Shinigami members gradually surrounded him.

Kakuzu remained expressionless, showing no sense of urgency whatsoever at being surrounded.

"Hado No. 4: Byakurai!"

"Hadō No. 11..."

"Hadō..."

One No-Seal Ninjutsu after another was released from the hands of the Shinigami members. Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and formed hand seals with both hands.

"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!"

The attacks from the Shinigami members were completely intercepted.

Following that, Kakuzu continued to change his hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Encampment Wall!"

A water cannon swooped down, smashing toward the Shinigami members!

Bang!

A crater formed on the street.

Fortunately, the Shinigami reacted quickly, swiftly leaving their original spot.

But Kakuzu's attacks were not over yet.

"Lightning Release: Earth Flash!"

Crackle!

Streaks of lightning serpents slithered across the ground, echoing the water left behind by the water wall earlier.

For a moment, lightning blazed brilliantly!

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and muttered, "Are they still not using those blades from the intelligence? Or could it be that these people cannot use that kind of blade?"

After all, they were Ninja tools capable of using a Kekkei Genkai; it was unlikely they would be dime-a-dozen.

Seeing the projection hell butterfly showing Kakuzu beating back the Shinigami, Ōnoki of the Two Scales and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed this was the true level of ordinary members in the Land of Whirlpools.

These members obviously could not use those special Ninja Blades, and the power of their No-Seal Ninjutsu was far inferior to that of the captains.

Munashi Jinpachi just now was clearly an exception.

With this, Ōnoki of the Two Scales and the others could rest easy.

On the projection screen, the battle situation changed in an instant.

Seeing that these members had no other means besides those No-Seal Ninjutsu, Kakuzu clearly no longer wanted to play along.

His eyes turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, "I wonder what attribute your hearts are?"

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine!"

Whoosh—

Flames like a surging sea covered the street, charging straight toward the Shinigami!

The entire street was within the range of the sea of fire, leaving the Shinigami with nowhere to escape.

"It's over."

As expected of an expert capable of assassinating the First Hokage!

This sea of fire shocked everyone watching the projection.

"Where on earth did the Land of Lightning find such an expert?"

Before they could continue praising for a few more lines, another change occurred in the projection screen.

"Bakudō #81: Dankū."

Boom!!

The surging sea of fire hit a transparent barrier as if it were blocked.

The flames rose high like sea waves, attempting to cross that invisible barrier.

But no matter how hard it tried, it could not climb to the end of the barrier.

Finally, the remaining force of the sea of fire waned, dissipating into the air.

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and stared at the figure behind that barrier.

The rescued Shinigami were stunned for a moment, then cleared a path and exclaimed, "It's Captain Ichimaru!"

"Captain Ichimaru is here!"

Soon, a squint-eyed man with a snake-like smile on his face appeared.

Kakuzu felt a chill in his heart, suddenly having the sensation of being targeted by a venomous snake.