Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

Kakuzu struggled to get back on his feet, unwilling to believe what had just happened.

He couldn't comprehend how his combined elemental attacks had been reflected back at him.

"I'll kill you!"

In his rage, the three masks on his left arm fused together, generating an enormous amount of chakra.

"Final Shot!"

A powerful beam of blue chakra shot toward Genzuki, far more destructive than the five-element barrage from earlier.

But Genzuki didn't flinch.

Purple energy began to radiate from his body, and rows of skeletal bones formed around him.

A massive skeletal warrior materialized, its eerie aura filling the air with an oppressive sense of dread.

"Susanoo."

Genzuki's Susanoo wielded twin blades. With a single sweep, it effortlessly cut through Kakuzu's devastating attack.

"You... You're an Uchiha?!"

Realizing the danger, Kakuzu immediately turned to flee.

But Genzuki wasn't about to let him escape.

In an instant, using the Flying Thunder God technique, Genzuki appeared directly in front of Kakuzu, blocking his path.

"Wait! I'll join you!" Kakuzu shouted in desperation.

But it was too late. Genzuki's hands crackled with lightning as he unleashed twin lightning spears that pierced Kakuzu's chest.

Two of Kakuzu's hearts were instantly destroyed, leaving him lying on the ground, unable to move.

Although he still had one heart left, his limbs were shattered, making it impossible to fight or escape.

"Kakuzu, you had your chance... but you trusted your own strength too much," Genzuki said calmly.

"Damn it... Just kill me!" Kakuzu growled. "I never thought I'd meet my end here!"

At that moment, Kazu tried to take advantage of the chaos to escape, only to be grabbed and thrown back by Yagura.

"Watch him," Genzuki instructed Yagura.

"You're not killing me?" Kakuzu asked, confused.

"In a hurry to die?" Genzuki raised an eyebrow. "I'm not planning to kill you... yet. Your ability intrigues me."

"Earth Grudge Fear allows you to take others' hearts and gain their abilities. But sadly, you've only collected hearts from weaklings. Disappointing."

Kakuzu was even more perplexed. How could this boy know so much about his secrets?

Genzuki chuckled.

"Kakuzu, this is your final chance. Join me, and not only will you amass endless wealth, but I'll also help you acquire stronger hearts."

"But betray me or the Moon Organization, and I'll kill you without hesitation."

Hearing the offer, Kakuzu quickly nodded. "I accept! As long as you spare me, you're my savior!"

Genzuki sighed. "The older you are, the more you fear death."

"Go ahead and take the hearts of these corpses to replenish your strength," Genzuki added, gesturing to the bodies around them.

Without hesitation, Kakuzu used his Earth Grudge Fear technique, absorbing hearts to restore his strength.

Although his overall power was reduced, Genzuki planned to use Kakuzu as a tool, keeping him around to collect unique abilities.

"Don't worry," Genzuki said with a smile. "Stick with me, and you'll never run out of strong hearts."

Kakuzu grinned. "From now on, I'm at your service, boss!"

Genzuki then turned to Kazu, who was trembling like a pile of jelly.

"Don't kill me! I'll tell you everything!" Kazu begged.

"Don't bother lying," Genzuki said, his Sharingan glowing ominously. "Where is Gato? And who are the rogue ninjas he's working with?"

"My brother is at the Bridge of the Land of Waves!" Kazu cried. "But as for the rogue ninja, I don't know who they are. I've never even seen them!"

"It was originally my job to bring Kakuzu there, but now..."

Using his Sharingan to confirm Kazu's words, Genzuki knew he was telling the truth.

"Spare me! I haven't lived enough!" Kazu pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm afraid you don't even believe I'd spare you," Genzuki smirked. "I only spare those who interest me. As for you... you're just a worthless pawn."

Slash!

Kazu's head rolled to the ground, his lifeless body collapsing in a pool of blood.

The gruesome scene made Chino shrink back in fear, though she quickly composed herself—years of being hunted had toughened her up.

"Where to next, Genzuki-sama?" Kakuzu asked, now fully replenished.

Genzuki thought for a moment. "Your power should be mostly restored now. Head to The Bridge of the Land of Waves and deal with that S-rank rogue ninja."

"I want to know what Gato is really planning."

Although Genzuki was still uncertain about Gato's ultimate goal, it was clear he was gathering formidable forces for something big.

"Understood!" Kakuzu nodded, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "If I win, can I take that rogue ninja's heart?"

Genzuki nodded in agreement.

With that, Kakuzu vanished in a flash, heading for the bridge.

Genzuki turned to Chino, gently placing a hand on her head.

"Chino, how do your eyes feel?"

"They feel a bit dry and swollen," Chino admitted.

Genzuki nodded knowingly.

"Don't suppress the power of your Blood Dragon Eyes. Let it out here," he encouraged.

Trusting Genzuki, Chino closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her pupils had turned blood-red with vertical slits.

"I... I think I can control blood."

Raising her hand, Chino focused on the blood spilled across the room. It gathered into a floating sphere and began converting into chakra, which flowed back into Genzuki and Yagura.

"She can convert blood into chakra?" Yagura exclaimed in surprise.

Genzuki raised his hand, dispelling Chino's power.

"This ability is quite useful," Genzuki said, smiling. "With you around, we'll never run out of chakra."

Chino blushed slightly.

"If it can help you, Genzuki-nii, then I'm happy."

Genzuki gave her a few words of encouragement before leading them out of the hideout, setting it ablaze with a Fire Release technique.

As they walked away, Genzuki spotted several familiar figures in the distance.

His heart raced with excitement.

"Finally... I've met the protagonist."