Kazuku's massive Rasengan killed Gold Horn instantly.
Thus…
Gold Horn's entire squad, save Silver Horn sealed, was wiped out.
Annihilated!
Looking at Gold Horn's corpse, Kazuku sighed in relief.
It was finally over.
But his gaze soon shifted to the Six Paths Tools.
Amber Rope.
Banana Fan.
Seven Star Sword.
Red Gourd.
In the ninja world, they were formidable tools.
Especially the Amber Rope, Seven Star Sword, and Red Gourd combo.
Once triggered, it was near-certain death.
The user's only risk was chakra consumption.
"For a ninja like Kakashi…"
"One use would probably drain him dry."
But for Kazuku, this risk was negligible.
He walked to Uchiha Kagami.
The Uchiha's specialties…
Were Fire Release and shuriken.
Nearly every Uchiha carried a scroll packed with ninja tools.
"Give me one."
Kazuku reached out.
Though unsure why, Kagami handed over a scroll, explaining its use.
"Got it."
Kazuku nodded, opening the scroll, following Kagami's instructions to summon the shuriken inside.
He returned to Gold Horn's side.
"Sakumo, Kosuke."
"Grab those two tools."
Kazuku ordered.
As their captain, his word was law.
Sakumo and Kosuke complied, one carrying the Red Gourd, the other the Seven Star Sword, joining Kazuku.
Kazuku pulled the Amber Rope from Gold Horn's body.
"Like this, right?"
He turned to Kagami for confirmation.
"Yeah, correct." Kagami nodded, seeing no issue.
Under everyone's watch, Kazuku stored the Amber Rope, Banana Fan, Seven Star Sword, and Red Gourd in the scroll.
"Though these tools belong to Kumogakure…"
"Their ninja invaded the Land of Fire's border and were wiped out by me."
"These tools should be confiscated, handed to the Hokage."
"For now, I'll hold onto them."
"Any objections?"
Kazuku addressed the group, then…
Openly tucked the scroll into his ninja pouch.
As for confiscation…
Those who understood, understood.
Ninja like Masagawa had no objections to Kazuku's handling.
Especially…
Learning Kazuku was the First Hokage's grandson and had awakened Wood Release.
Masagawa's attitude and tone were deferential.
Kagami, Sakumo, and Kosuke needed no mention.
They were Kazuku's subordinates.
What right had they to question him?
They only followed orders.
"But what about these bodies?" Masagawa thought briefly, asking Kazuku.
By rank…
Masagawa, the lead jonin, was the highest authority.
Disposing of Gold Horn's squad was his call.
Yet…
Masagawa was awed by Kazuku.
Though only seven, in his mind, Kazuku loomed large.
Both border crises were resolved thanks to Kazuku.
Honestly, facing Gold Horn's squad, Masagawa doubted he'd escape.
Not just him.
All who witnessed Kazuku's terrifying strength…
Thought the same.
They believed…
Wiping out Gold Horn's squad was just the start of Kazuku's legend.
Not the end.
The future Kazuku would surely inherit the Hokage title.
Perhaps…
A greater Hokage than the First!
Masagawa and others were convinced.
"Hm…"
Kazuku pondered.
Gold and Silver Horn's subordinates were ordinary ninja.
They couldn't withstand Wood Dragon Jutsu, so Masagawa could handle them.
As for Gold Horn's body…
Kazuku thought it could be brought to Konoha.
For Tobirama to study.
In a sense, Gold Horn was half a jinchuriki.
"If I recall, when Gold Horn ate Nine-Tails flesh and gained tailed beast chakra, returning to Kumogakure…"
"The Raikage had villagers consume Eight-Tails tentacles."
"Many died."
"He theorized Gold and Silver Horn's Sage of the Six Paths bloodline let them withstand tailed beast power."
Kazuku muttered.
From his intel, the Sage had two sons.
Indra and Asura.
Evolving into the Uchiha and Senju clans.
At most, the Senju branched into the Uzumaki.
But Gold and Silver Horn clearly weren't tied to these clans.
"Could they be… illegitimate kids from the Sage's travels?"
Kazuku quipped, then instructed Masagawa to send ninja.
To bring Gold Horn's body to the village.
Quickly.
"Understood."
Masagawa agreed without hesitation, deciding to return personally.
In less than a day…
Masagawa arrived at the Hokage Building with Gold Horn's body, reporting to the Anbu, requesting an urgent meeting with Tobirama.
Hokage's Office.
Tobirama, as always, handled village affairs.
"The Uchiha have been active lately."
"Especially since Uchiha Setsuna failed to become chunin, the hawk faction's stirring."
Tobirama reviewed Anbu reports.
Since taking over, he'd monitored the Uchiha closely.
Even…
Occasionally having Anbu surveil them.
Of course…
Tobirama's actions weren't out of bias against the Uchiha.
It was for the village.
As he pondered the Uchiha, a knock sounded.
"Come in."
With permission, a masked Anbu entered, kneeling, head bowed, reporting.
Border lead jonin Masagawa returned suddenly, claiming urgent business, requesting to see Lord Tobirama.
"Masagawa?"
Tobirama frowned.
A border ninja returning abruptly was unusual.
Could it involve Kazuku?
Quickly, he thought of his brother's seven-year-old grandson, waving the Anbu to bring Masagawa in.
Soon…
Masagawa entered, kneeling respectfully before Tobirama.
"Lord Tobirama, regarding the border, I must report in person!"
(End of Chapter)