Kinkaku and Ginkaku were utterly stunned, suspecting they had fallen under some kind of genjutsu. Otherwise, how could Kazekaze possibly know so much about the Six Paths ninja tools? Even among Kumogakure's own shinobi, very few understood the secrets of the tools.
Yet Kazekaze not only knew them—he was clearly well-versed in their usage! He had named each tool and explained its function, without missing a single detail. It was as if he had just revealed their greatest trump card for everyone to see.
"This brat's only seven... where the hell did he get this intel?" Kinkaku frowned, unable to wrap his head around it.
In fact, back when he handed the intel scroll to "Hashirama," Kinkaku had sneaked a peek at its contents. After confirming that it didn't mention anything related to him or the tools, he'd handed it over without worry. Which meant… the intel couldn't have come from that spy.
On the other side, Uchiha Kagami was already formulating a response strategy. He didn't know where Kazekaze had gotten his information, but this wasn't the time to dwell on that.
"So in other words, as long as we don't get touched by Kōkinjō (Golden Canopy Rope), the other tools are just regular attacks, right?" Kagami asked for confirmation.
"Correct." Kazekaze nodded.
The Shichiseiken (Seven Star Sword) and Benihisago (Crimson Gourd) only worked properly after the Kōkinjō (Golden Canopy Rope) forced out someone's word soul.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Darui had teamed up with the Ino–Shika–Chō trio—Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji— They used the Amber Purifying Pot to seal Tailed Beast Mode Kinkaku. Unfortunately, at the time, the Kōkinjō (Golden Canopy Rope) was wrapped around Kinkaku's arm, and it got sealed into the pot along with him.
Darui even complained afterward that without the rope, the sword and gourd were basically useless. Based on that detail, Kazekaze was certain: As long as the Kōkinjō (Golden Canopy Rope) didn't touch you, you were safe.
Wait—actually… Even getting touched wasn't fatal. As long as the Shichiseiken (Seven Star Sword) didn't cut your word soul, you'd be fine. Hmm… Even if it did cut your word soul, as long as you didn't say your verbal tic, you wouldn't get sealed.
"That said, just to be safe, it's best to avoid the rope entirely from the start." Kazekaze advised Kagami, then formed a cross-hand seal.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
One after another, solid shadow clones appeared—more than a dozen of them. In the blink of an eye, they outnumbered Kinkaku's group.
"Sakumo. Kosuke." Kazekaze, acting as squad leader, issued his orders.
This battle was far beyond their level. If they stayed, they'd only become a distraction. Sakumo and Kosuke exchanged a look, then solemnly promised Kazekaze—they would bring back reinforcements. Until then, Kazekaze and Kagami had to hold the line. As soon as they finished speaking, they turned and bolted.
But of course, Kumogakure's ninja weren't about to let them go. As soon as the two moved, Kinkaku's subordinates chased after them.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Kazekaze's clones sprang into action, deflecting the shuriken flying toward Sakumo and Kosuke with their kunai, then moving to intercept the pursuers. Despite being only seven years old, Kazekaze's strength already rivaled a full-fledged Jonin.
Kunai clashed mid-air, sparks bursting from impact— His clones managed to stop the enemy ninjas in their tracks.
And at that moment, Kinkaku and Ginkaku made their move. To them, only one person mattered: Kazekaze. Sakumo and Kosuke's lives were irrelevant.
Yes— Their target was Kazekaze. The brothers split left and right. Ginkaku swung the Shichiseiken (Seven Star Sword) in a wide, cutting arc. Kinkaku lunged in with the arm wrapped in the Kōkinjō (Golden Canopy Rope).
There was no doubt—their coordination was seamless. As real siblings, they didn't even need words.
Boom!
But Kazekaze's reaction was faster. Seeing the rope flying toward him, he instantly used the Body Replacement Jutsu, leaving a wooden log in his place and leaping back nearly twenty meters.
The log was struck by Kinkaku, then flung into Ginkaku's sword, which CRACKED it clean in two. The pieces spun off in opposite directions.
Seizing the opportunity, Uchiha Kagami reached into his tool pouch and grabbed eight shuriken at once, flinging them toward the brothers. At this point, there was no need for words.
"Tch!"
Ginkaku cursed and slashed the air with the Shichiseiken (Seven Star Sword), knocking all the shuriken aside.
Clang clang clang!
As the shuriken were batted away, Kagami formed hand seals, inhaled sharply, chest puffed, chakra surging to his throat.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
With the final syllable, a massive fireball erupted from his mouth, nearly five meters in diameter.
"Uchiha Fire Style, huh." Kinkaku narrowed his eyes—he'd heard about the Uchiha's power.
Especially Uchiha Madara. They were from the same era, more or less. Unfortunately, they'd never had the chance to face off.
"Hmph."
Kinkaku reached back and grabbed the Bashōsen (Banana Palm Fan), snorting as he swung it with force. A torrent of Water Style chakra surged forward, cutting past Ginkaku to collide with the fireball.
Fwoooosh!
Opposing elemental chakra met in the middle, erupting into a cloud of thick white steam—blocking Kagami's vision.
"Everyone always talks about the Senju and Uchiha… "But they forget about the great Kinkaku! Senju, Uchiha—they're nothing!" Kinkaku shouted as he dashed through the steam, closing in on Kagami. He raised his arm high overhead and brought it down in a crushing blow toward Kagami's shoulder!
"He's fast..." Kagami was shocked. Kinkaku's speed exceeded his expectations.
If not for his Sharingan catching the subtle signs of movement— He definitely would've had his word soul forced out just now.
BOOM!
Kinkaku's fist struck the earth, sending rubble flying in all directions. The spot where Kagami had stood was left with a massive crater.
"Yo, so you think you're tough now?" Kazekaze's voice suddenly echoed by Kinkaku's ear.
He instinctively turned toward the source— Only to see himself surrounded. Kazekazes were everywhere.
"You sure weren't this brave when you saw Hashirama the other day." Kazekaze taunted.
But it wasn't just mockery— It was a psychological tactic to disrupt Kinkaku and Ginkaku's focus. If their mindset crumbled, their attacks would be full of openings.
To prevent Kinkaku from extracting his word soul and Ginkaku from cutting it— Kazekaze planned to break their synergy first.
And so— He decided to hit them with a truth bomb in the most arrogant tone possible.
"You know, Kinkaku— The guy you saw that day wasn't the First Hokage. That was just a Shadow Clone using Transformation Jutsu. I faked the whole thing."
To make sure they believed him, Kazekaze cast a Transformation Jutsu on the spot— And instantly took the form of Hashirama Senju.
"If you couldn't even see through my Transformation Jutsu… Then maybe you're not as great as you think you are."