Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Ziiiii—

A sharp, grating sound pierced the air as Haruki's longsword grazed Kakuzu's throat, leaving a pale scratch.

Haruki frowned, murmuring, "What a pity."

He regretted not having developed Lightning attribute chakra—its natural advantage over Earth would've penetrated Kakuzu's defense far better than his Wind enhancement could.

Still, Kakuzu couldn't sustain that level of Earth-natured jutsu forever—the chakra cost was enormous. Haruki pressed the advantage, spinning and slashing in a sweep of relentless strikes.

For a moment, Kakuzu was driven on the back foot, forced into a defensive stance. His expression remained unchanged, ghostly and cold, eyes fixated on Haruki.

Haruki seized the moment, activating the mesmerizing power of his Sharingan. Kakuzu's gaze flickered, giving Haruki a crack to exploit. He thrust forward, blade aimed precisely at Kakuzu's eye.

Earth Release: Earth Spear makes one's skin as hard as iron—but the eyes remained vulnerable. A successful strike would mean a single-blade fatality.

Kakuzu snapped back from entrancement, instinctively raising his right hand to block the attack.

Clang—

Haruki's sword struck Kakuzu's palm, forcing him to stagger back into a nearby tree. Leaves rained down, but Kakuzu remained uninjured.

Determined, Kakuzu closed his fingers, attempting to snatch Haruki's sword from the hilt.

But Haruki's reflexes were blinding. In the blink of an eye, he drew back the blade and slashed horizontally, aiming for Kakuzu's jugular.

Despite Earth Release armor, the blow was powerful—if it landed, Kakuzu would feel it. And even if he withstood it, the strain on his chakra would be severe.

Kakuzu ducked, avoiding the slash—but the tree behind him took the full impact. Infused with wind chakra, Haruki's blade shredded wood like a hot knife through butter, felling the tree instantly.

CRASH!

The tree tumbled, and Haruki stepped back to maintain distance.

Kakuzu, however, stood firm, staying within the range of the falling timber. Despite the physical toll and chakra strain, he held his ground to counterattack.

Suddenly, Haruki called: "Fire Release: Flaming Head Scar!"

A roaring surge of flame swept down the path, scorching branches and leaves toward Haruki.

Though hidden behind foliage, Haruki reacted swiftly, forming the seals Tiger–Snake–Rat–Snake–Tiger and unleashing Water Release: Water Wall to block the inferno.

His training paid off: Water Wall, now at level 3, held strong, hissing and steamy as water met flame. A thick mist blanketed the area.

Haruki didn't worry—it would clear in seconds and wouldn't disrupt his Sharingan. But then he realized something was off: the fog lingered—and thickened.

He concentrated and detected subtle currents of water chakra. Kakuzu had used Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique to cloak himself.

He had trained this technique rarely, but a veteran like Kakuzu likely learned it over decades.

Haruki couldn't outsmart him in tricks; raw power was the answer. He gathered chakra and unleashed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! A raging whirlwind tore through the mist, shredding the fog into chaos.

When the wind died down, the battlefield lay in ruins—and Kakuzu had vanished.

Suddenly, two hands burst from the ground, reaching for Haruki's ankles. He slashed downward, severing them.

Yet black tendrils—Earth Grudge Fear's veined appendages—sprouted from the severed limbs, writhing in midair. More black tendrils erupted from the soil, intertwining with those mutated arms.

Haruki's skin crawled. He leapt back to escape.

Not relenting, Kakuzu reattached the limbs and grabbed at Haruki's position with fluid ease.

Haruki reacted instantly, sealing a new hand sign and unleashing Fire Release: Giant Fireball! The fireball struck the severed hands.

Surprisingly, the hands twisted away at the last moment, avoiding the flames.

Haruki retreated again, shifting seals for Wind Release: Wind Blade!

Swoosh— a razor-fast air slash tore through the severed arms, slicing them in half.

Through his Sharingan, Haruki perceived that the severed limbs had attempted to dodge—just a fraction too late. Wind Blade, enhanced by speed and Sharingan insight, cut them clean.

But the limbs' next transformation startled him...