Chapter 32: Kakuzu, Drifting Half a Lifetime, Never Met a Bright Lord
Today, the weather in the Land of Rain was excellent.
It hadn't rained for a long time.
It seemed to be celebrating the complete end of the war.
That's right, the Second Great Ninja War had ended just like that. After Hanzo died and all Four Great Shinobi Villages secured their interests, who would want to keep fighting?
As for the Hidden Mist Village, sorry, they were too far away, so it had nothing to do with them.
In the Raikage's office in the Hidden Cloud Village, the Raikage had been in a great mood these past few days. Even his desk hadn't needed replacing.
There was no other way; he had simply made too much profit.
Originally, he just went out to support the Daimyo of the Land of Rain, but unexpectedly, he gained such a huge profit without spending a single soldier.
Of course, the Land of Lightning Daimyo also had a share in this.
But since he had a good relationship with the Land of Lightning Daimyo, the Daimyo waived his share.
Ah~, how wonderful, how wonderful!
"Father, I'm back!"
Just as Third Raikage was immersed in joy, the figure of Fourth Raikage A walked in.
"You're back!"
Looking at his beloved son's arrival and his fierce, burly muscles, Third Raikage showed a satisfied expression.
Truly worthy of being my son! Look at those muscles, those lines! The Hidden Cloud Village has a successor!
However, Fourth Raikage A's next sentence caused Third Raikage's face to freeze, nearly making him choke with anger.
"Father, when Killer Bee and I were training today, he looked at my perfect physique and insisted on coming over to touch me!"
"Haha, and did you let him touch you?"
"Yes, I did. What's the big deal? I touch him often too."
"Touch... him often! Are you saying you and Killer Bee frequently touch each other?!"
"Yes. What's wrong, Father? You don't look very well."
Fourth Raikage A turned around, looked at his father's flushed face, and asked with concern. He remembered his father's complexion was fine when he first entered, so why was it so red now?
However, Third Raikage was in no mood to pay attention to his son's call.
His mind was filled with what Saito had said earlier.
Not interested in women!
Bringing a man back!!
No heir!!!
The whispers of a demon echoed in Third Raikage's mind, making his breathing heavier and his head momentarily dizzy.
"Father!"
"Father!"
Finally, Fourth Raikage A woke Third Raikage from his deep thought.
"Ah! I'm fine!"
Looking at his son who was leaning close, Third Raikage took a deep breath and asked indirectly.
"My son, you're not getting any younger. Do you have a girl you like? Tell your father and make him happy!"
After saying this, Third Raikage looked at his son with anticipation, hoping to see a hint of shyness or awkwardness on his face.
However, he was destined to be disappointed.
"What are you thinking, Father! What's there to like about those girls? They're weak and frail, and they're not even as good-looking as my biceps!"
"You really don't like anyone?"
"No!"
"Then who do you usually spend time with?"
"With Killer Bee!"
"No one else?"
"No one else!"
"Then is there anyone you want to protect?"
"Yes!"
"Who?!" Third Raikage's eyes clearly brightened, as if he had heard something wonderful.
"Killer Bee!"
"Crack!" Third Raikage's hanging heart finally died.
It's over! The line is going to end!
---
"Oh, Lord Kazekage!!!"
Kakuzu immediately knelt at Saito's feet, shouting with snot and tears streaming down his face.
"I, Kakuzu, have drifted half a lifetime, only regretting that I never met a bright lord. Today, seeing the true face of Lord Kazekage, I know that you are the bright lord I have been searching for!"
"If you do not abandon me, I am willing to serve..."
Wait, wait, wait!!!
You mustn't! You mustn't!
Saito quickly stepped forward to help Kakuzu up.
Just barely! He almost triggered the death trap!
"I have already felt the sincerity of Mr. Kakuzu."
"To be honest, I have also long desired Mr. Kakuzu. I have heard for a long time that Mr. Kakuzu has a complete grasp of the Way of Money. I wonder if Mr. Kakuzu would be willing to serve as the Minister of Commerce and earn a continuous stream of money for the Hidden Sand Village?"
"Let Lord Kazekage know that I have been immersed in money for many years, and I regard other merchants as mere weeds. I am willing to lead the Ministry of Commerce to earn all the money possible to strengthen Hidden Sand Village!"
"Good! Excellent!"
"With Mr. Kakuzu's assistance today, I am like a fish in water!"
"Rasa!"
Rasa, whose name was called, walked forward.
"Lord Kazekage!"
"Mhm! Starting today, follow Mr. Kakuzu and learn well."
"Yes!"
"Lord Kazekage, do you not trust me?"
Kakuzu asked, slightly displeased, looking at the suddenly added shadow following him.
But when Rasa displayed his Magnet Release, that displeasure immediately turned into flattery.
"Lord Kazekage, I truly did not misjudge you. You are my sun!"
He then pulled Rasa away, afraid he might run off.
As for the reason for Kakuzu's massive change in demeanor...
That has to be traced back to this morning.
Due to the end of the war, the people of the Land of Rain finally didn't have to hide anymore. Naturally, Hidden Sand Village stopped its aid program for the Land of Rain.
Although the program had stopped, the money hadn't been settled yet.
So, Kakuzu came to the Hidden Sand Village's factory this morning, preparing to wait for his money to be deposited.
Then, he saw a scene he would never forget in his life, a scene that shocked him even more than the Valley of the End Battle back in the day.
He saw a golden half-body giant suddenly rise from the distant mountaintop, shining even brighter under the sunlight.
Kakuzu dared to swear that this was the most beautiful sight he had ever witnessed.
The giant, entirely crafted from gold, was swinging its fists, smashing the mountain rocks ahead, punch after punch.
Every collision between the fist and the rock splashed out golden sand, which scattered in the air, but before it could fall, it would re-merge into the giant's body.
The golden giant continued punching like this for over two hours, and Kakuzu watched for over two hours with his head tilted back, without blinking once.
If Hidan were here, he would definitely feel that his reverence for Lord Jashin was insufficient.
And then...
Then came the scene of Kakuzu kneeling before Saito, wanting to recognize him as his foster father.
Of course.
All of this had been prearranged by Saito.
Saito had begun preparing as early as Kakuzu's first visit.
Otherwise, the task of carving out the mountain would never have fallen to him.
After all, no matter how much Chakra was used to reinforce it, the material—gold—was still gold. Its hardness could never compare to Sunasuke's Iron Sand.
Although Sunasuke's Chakra quantity was a bit lacking, Saito could have easily let him handle a portion of the work first.
But in order to completely captivate Kakuzu...
Saito had to do it himself.
The effect was excellent. Kakuzu was indeed intimidated by his imposing display and willingly pledged allegiance to him, his bright lord.
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