Earth Grudge Fear


 * Name:
 * Type: Ninjutsu, Hiden Jutsu, No rank, Supplementary
 * Users: Kakuzu

This technique transforms the user's body to something similar of a rag-doll, held together by hundreds of thick black threads. Kakuzu is able to manipulate these threads for many purposes. He is capable of detaching his limbs and manipulating them for long range attacks, as well as sewing up any injuries that he may suffer. He can also use these threads to sew up damaged bodies of others, as demonstrated with Deidara's arms and Hidan's head.

The most significant point of these threads are that they grant Kakuzu a form of immortality (though he declines to think of it that way). Aside from sewing up his injuries, he can use the threads to tear into a victim's body and steal their still functioning organs and integrating them into his own body, extending his life. Kakuzu usually uses this method to steal hearts from powerful shinobi, able to store up to five hearts at any given time (meaning all five hearts must stop functioning in order for Kakuzu to die).

These hearts Kakuzu took from others are stored in various animal masks sewn onto his back, granting him vast amounts of chakra and numerous elemental affinities. He can detach these masks and have them take on a body of their own, composed entirely of threads. These masks are capable of attacking separately, unleashing devastating blasts of elemental chakra.

These threads can also compact together to form a spider-like body around Kakuzu, allowing him to fuse the attacks of his masks together in order to increase his attacking power.

Masks
Each of these masks, held together by Kakuzu's black threads, stores another shinobi's heart and gives him vast amounts of chakra and elemental-affinity, as well as an extension of lifespan. Interestingly, these masks resemble those of ANBU, suggesting that perhaps Kakuzu has stolen the hearts of ANBU members at some point.


 * Water mask: This mask and such techniques is never present, but since Kakuzu is from a water based village, it can be assumed that his original heart (or a shinobi that did have such a heart, as his original heart might have died of old age) remains in his true body.


 * Earth mask: It is unknown what animal this mask is, as it was destroyed before it could be seen, but the heart has an earth-affinity. It allows Kakuzu to harden his entire body, which forms a near-invincible defense. Kakuzu can also harden parts of his body to strengthen his strikes.
 * Related techniques used:
 * Earth Release: Earth Spear


 * Tiger-like mask: This heart has a fire-affinity and it takes on the shape of a demonic bear. It is capable of launching destructive waves of fire. This mask can also unite with the Eagle-mask to launch a fire-wind dual strike that is near unstoppable.
 * Related techniques used:
 * Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work


 * Bull-like mask: This heart has a lightning-affinity and it takes on the shape of a some sort of deformed bipedal. It can launch twin bolts of lightning that can pierce through enemies.
 * Related techniques used:
 * Lightning Release: Mock Darkness


 * Eagle-like mask: This heart has a wind-affinity and it takes on a strange four-legged body with thin wings. It can launch a heavily dense and high-pressured tornado that can blow away anything in its path. It can unite with the Tiger-mask to launch a fire-wind dual strike that is near unstoppable.
 * Related techniques used:
 * Wind Release: Pressure Damage