The unruly Hidan would definitely not be willing to obey Kakuzu's orders unless it was a critical moment.

But now is not the time to act recklessly. The Four-Tails Jinchuriki is not a weakling, and one person is indeed no match for him.

A master like Lao Zi, who can basically unleash the full power of the tailed beasts and has extremely high wisdom and rich experience to perfectly control the power, cannot be compared with those inferior Jinchūriki who are always worried that the tailed beasts will break free from the seal. If they were not a little older, Kakuzu and Hidan might not be sure they could hold on until the other side was exhausted.

"There is no way to get the enemy's blood, and there is no way to torture this arrogant guy. If he can be sacrificed, the evil god will be very happy."

The huge March sickle flying up and down could not cut through the tough lava shield on Lao Zi's body. The sharper black spear could not get close at all, and naturally there was no way to attack with this short weapon.

"Evil God? I think you just want to please yourself!"

A strange metallic voice came out of Kakuzu's mouth, with a slightly sarcastic tone, which made Hidan a little dissatisfied.

"Don't make it sound like I'm addicted to abuse. I'm doing this for my faith in the evil god, and there's nothing I can do about it!"

Feidan didn't think there was anything wrong with his devotion to the evil god.

While the two were still chatting, a large wave of scattered small lava balls were spit out from Lao Zi's mouth and flew towards the direction where the two were standing.

Kakuzu dodged nimbly while Hidan wielded his March Scythe to chop and block. The broken lava ball turned into hot magma that splashed everywhere, and some of it fell on Hidan, causing the somewhat unhappy guy to scream in pain again.

"This feels really bad. I must let this old guy experience my methods later."

"Stop talking nonsense and move faster, or your other hand will be burned to ashes as well."

As he spoke, Kakuzu controlled the lightning heart monster and the water heart monster, using lightning and water escape to launch a combined attack. Only in this way could he cause greater damage to Lao Zi.

"Don't worry about me, you're not much better."

The combination of the power of the Four-Tails and the Jinchuriki means that Lao Zi basically doesn't have to worry about running out of chakra. The only limitation is his no longer young body.

The battle was intense from the very beginning and lasted for such a long time that although Kakuzu and Hidan's bodies were not greatly affected for the time being due to their immortality, the mental exhaustion was unbearable.

In this case, let alone Lao Zi.

The movements of his hands were becoming slower and slower, and the breaths coming out of his mouth and nose were becoming more and more rapid. It seemed that he was about to reach his limit.

"Put on more effort to avoid unnecessary complications."

Capturing a Jinchūriki is no small matter. If someone interferes with you or something unexpected happens, it will be troublesome. It would be a pity if you put in so much effort but get nothing in return.

Compared to Hidan and Kakuzu who were complaining but not actually worried at all, Lao Zi was even more anxious. The last time he encountered such a dangerous situation was when he was facing a man who was wearing the same black-based red cloud divine robe and whirlpool mask as the two guys opposite him.

That time he was defeated without any ability to fight back. Since then, Lao Zi has been more cautious and more eager to explore his own strength, and gradually reached some tacit understanding with the Four-Tailed Fox.

The Four-Tails Jinchuriki, who had reconciled with the tailed beasts and improved their relationship, barely reached a perfect state. This time, if it weren't for the Four-Tails' secret support, Lao Zi knew that he would not have been able to hold on for so long.

However, even when fighting in coordination with the tailed beasts, there are limits.

How much water a wooden barrel can hold depends on its shortest board. This short board is now too clearly reflected, and that is my body that is almost exhausted.

The chakra was still sufficient, but his legs could hardly move, his hands were extremely sore, and his shoulders and waist were a little numb.

"They are all physical monsters who are not afraid of life and death. If I had known this would happen, I should have run away from the beginning."

Now, Lao Zi, who is almost exhausted, can't run away even if he wants to. It's too late.

After an unknown amount of time, Lao Zi, who was somewhat exhausted, was finally entangled by the chain of Feiduan Sanyuejian, and then pulled along, causing him to fall to the ground without being able to stand steadily.

Lao Zi, who was dizzy and dazed, felt a pain in his arm soon after, as if he was pierced by a pitch-black spear. When he tried to struggle, he found that he had no strength to move.

The last thing that came to his mind was the severe pain all over his body, and a burst of arrogant laughter, and then he fainted...

Kakuzu looked at Hidan with some dissatisfaction as he performed the sacrificial ceremony slowly and leisurely.

"The Four-Tails Jinchuriki has fainted, so there's no need for you to perform your boring performance art!"

"This is not performance art, this is a sincere prayer and sacrifice to the evil god..."

Kakuzu interrupted Hidan impatiently:

"Hurry up, if you make me wait too long, I will kill you!"

"If you can do it, please don't hesitate. The leader promised me that I joined the organization to spread the teachings of the evil god and spread the pain of death in the ninja world. If I can't do this, I won't stay here. Sacrificing these powerful enemies to the evil god is my goal."

"Whatever you say!"

Kakuzu pulled out a small booklet from his arms. On the densely packed bounty list, more than half of the names had already been hunted. Kakuzu slowly flipped through the page, and after finding the page with Lao Zi's portrait, he solemnly drew a cross on it.

…

In a dark underground secret room, after being away from the battle for a long time and with his body mostly recovered, Kabuto Yakushi was counting the precious property left behind by the respected Lord Orochimaru.

Having been Orochimaru's assistant for so many years, Kabuto Yakushi knows exactly which things are the most valuable and which are just insignificant research by-products. If it weren't for the fact that he had no access to some of Orochimaru's secrets, Kabuto Yakushi's achievements might have been even higher.

Limited by his own knowledge, Kabuto Yakushi is unable to be a pioneer who breaks through all obstacles, but he is indeed a qualified successor.

Of course, if the current Kabuto Yakushi could still maintain a clear and independent will, he might be able to take another path. Unfortunately, Kabuto Yakushi, who was severely eroded by natural energy and was greatly shocked by the death of Orochimaru, can only go further and further on the path of being at the mercy of fate.