Gold Horn lay dying, gazing at Kazuku by his right side.
He'd overestimated his strength and underestimated Kazuku's.
He thought Shadow Clone and Rasengan were Kazuku's biggest trump cards.
Never did he imagine Kazuku could use Wood Release!
Suddenly…
Gold Horn realized something terrifying.
Since Kazuku had Wood Release, he could've killed him that night.
Yet he didn't!
"Could it be, Kazuku feared killing me would spark a war between Konohagakure and Kumogakure?"
"So he didn't use Wood Release, only posing as Hashirama with Transformation Jutsu to scare us off."
Gold Horn's eyes widened. Realizing the truth, he was shocked again!
Unlike that night, this was the Land of Fire's border.
He'd led an invasion of the outpost.
Even if Kazuku killed him here, he had justified self-defense.
If his death reached Kumogakure, the Raikage had no grounds for war.
Plus, Kazuku's mastery of the Six Paths Tools…
Showed he'd done his homework, certain a clash was inevitable.
Thinking differently…
Had Kazuku been scheming from the start?
First, he revealed his identity and talent, baiting Gold Horn.
Planting the idea that Kazuku must be eliminated.
Luring him to invade the outpost.
Based on this design, Kazuku hid his Wood Release initially!
"When I thought I was one step ahead, Kazuku was three steps ahead!"
Gold Horn's heart surged, unable to calm.
He couldn't comprehend or believe…
A seven-year-old had such cunning and depth!
Even he and Silver Horn were played!
And…
From the beginning!
The moment Kazuku faced Silver Horn, he set a grand trap!
His intellect was outrageous!
But in reality…
These were just Gold Horn's overimaginings.
A fancy excuse for his failure.
Kazuku's mind wasn't that of a seven-year-old.
But his intellect wasn't that brilliant.
At best, his IQ was around 130, akin to a favorite author named Pippi Rabbit from his past life.
He didn't use Wood Release that night because he didn't know it then!
He only learned it after returning, through a check-in!
"From the start…"
Oblivious to the truth, Gold Horn clung to his last breath, detailing Kazuku's "plan."
How he schemed, set traps, hid his true strength.
Gold Horn analyzed it all!
As if…
He were a worm in Kazuku's stomach!
Kazuku's face was a black question mark.
Kazuku: "???"
What was this nonsense?
Did he think I was Kyouka Suigetsu, Char Aznable, or JoJo?
Yet Gold Horn spoke vividly, convincingly.
Kagami and the others were stunned!
Did Kazuku predict Gold and Silver Horn would come to the outpost?
So he saved Wood Release as his final trump card, baiting them?
If true…
Kazuku's mind was terrifying!
"No…"
Kagami gasped, thinking if anyone could calculate this far, it was Kazuku!
Otherwise, how did he know the Six Paths Tools so well?
He'd clearly studied Gold and Silver Horn thoroughly!
"If I'm not mistaken, Kazuku likely contacted Lord Tobirama secretly for this intel!"
Kagami analyzed calmly, reaching a conclusion!
"What kind of monster did the First Hokage sire?"
Masagawa's eyes bulged, thinking only "monster" could describe Kazuku.
To execute his plan…
He not only played Gold and Silver Horn…
But kept everyone else in the dark!
Before this, no one knew Kazuku inherited Hashirama's Wood Release!
"Is Kazuku really this terrifying?"
Sakumo marveled, awed by Kazuku's intellect!
This was the only logical explanation!
Otherwise…
Kazuku couldn't have learned Wood Release in days, right?
That was impossible!
Kazuku's wasn't ordinary Wood Release.
It was…
Wood Human Jutsu!
And Wood Dragon Jutsu!
Among the highest-tier Wood Release techniques!
Kazuku's face was lined with exasperation.
If he didn't know the truth, he'd almost believe it!
But…
He was helpless!
Though misunderstood, he couldn't explain!
He couldn't admit he'd read Gold and Silver Horn's "script"…
No, their plot.
That's why he knew the Six Paths Tools.
Who'd believe that?
And Wood Release.
Should he say he got it from a check-in gift pack?
That it might've cost Madara twenty years of lifespan?
He'd get eye-rolls.
And be mocked.
"Kazuku, you got a fever?"
Forget it.
Kazuku shook his head, too lazy to explain.
"End it, Kazuku."
After analyzing everything, Gold Horn closed his eyes.
He was furious Kazuku sealed his brother.
More furious he'd orchestrated it all.
But at the end…
Realizing death loomed, Gold Horn's emotions calmed.
He'd survived the Warring States.
What storms hadn't he seen?
Ninja died eventually.
Dying to a cunning, powerful ninja like Kazuku…
He wasn't wronged!
Yes.
After his overthinking, Gold Horn accepted defeat.
This battle…
Was not just Gold and Silver Horn's legend falling.
But Kazuku's legend rising!
Sadly…
He wouldn't see that future.
Gold Horn opened his eyes, gazing at the sky, watching birds fly by.
He etched a name in his mind.
Kazuku.
Senju Kazuku.
He was certain Kazuku would become a ninja greater than Hashirama!
"Goodbye, Gold Horn."
Kazuku's voice was low. He hadn't expected Gold Horn's final words.
He thought someone like Gold Horn would make a last-ditch effort to take him down.
Perhaps this was…
As people say, the dying speak kindly.
Kazuku leaped, slamming the giant Rasengan onto Gold Horn.
Boom!
Gold Horn, dead!
(End of Chapter)