"Hiruzen, there is intelligence on the Earth Grudge Fear you were looking for."
Danzō reported, "It's in the hands of a troublesome fellow…"
"His name is Kakuzu. His current identity is a bounty hunter, active in bounty offices across various countries."
"It is highly suspected that he is the former Takigakure ninja mentioned by Mito-sama."
Hiruzen began reviewing the relevant documents.
He was fairly satisfied with this level of efficiency…
If Danzō could keep his ambition in check, his professional competence was still up to standard.
At least when it came to external matters…
But after picking up the intelligence and finishing it, a huge question mark seemed to rise above Hiruzen's head.
'Did I praise you for nothing?'
"Loves money? So obsessed with money that he accepts all kinds of missions, even once taking a job to find a cat?" Hiruzen asked in confusion. "Did you mix up some of Might Duy's intelligence with his…"
"No." Danzō said expressionlessly. "I am a professional."
"You're telling me that a dangerous missing-nin who stole Takigakure's secret technique and assassinated large numbers of high-ranking officials…"
"After entering the underground black market, instead follows the rules, works diligently, maintains an excellent reputation, never betrays his employers, and completes all kinds of missions as seriously as a model example?"
"This has already continued for more than twenty years, and he's at least seventy years old now?" Hiruzen deadpanned.
"Do you think that's reasonable?"
Missing-nin and rogue ninja were among the most dangerous individuals in the entire shinobi world.
It wasn't that they were necessarily the strongest, but after betraying a hidden village, given the current climate of the shinobi world—
They would not receive anyone's trust. After all, no organization likes a tool that bites.
The idea that shinobi are tools was not formed in a single day; it was a subconscious notion shaped over hundreds of years…
The inertia brought by time is immense.
So once they became individuals spurned by the entire shinobi world, every missing-nin was highly aggressive, unwilling to abide by any order—true desperadoes.
But the man called Kakuzu behaved as if he were a model mission executor from one of the great hidden villages…
The intelligence showed that in the black market he still had a zero negative rating. If he failed to complete a mission, he would even refund the deposit.
A gentleman loves wealth but acquires it by proper means, is that it?
"Hiruzen, my intelligence is absolutely correct. It has all been repeatedly verified and cross-checked." Danzō's expression also stiffened slightly, his tone carrying a rare hint of grievance.
After seeing Kakuzu's intelligence report, he also felt that it was indeed strange.
A missing-nin like this exists?
And after Danzō personally went into the field, he had no choice but to admit that Kakuzu really was this kind of strange bounty hunter.
"This man is exceptionally cautious. He almost never gets into conflicts with the Five Great Hidden Villages. His combat ability and combat experience both exceed the level of an ordinary jōnin."
"If we want to capture him, we have to make thorough preparations, Hiruzen."
Danzō added, "If we fail, it will damage our reputation—after all, regarding the First Hokage…"
"Why?" Hiruzen frowned. "What does it have to do with the First Hokage?"
"Hiruzen, didn't you say Mito-sama said he once attacked the First Hokage!" Danzō said righteously.
Hiruzen rubbed his brow.
"Danzō, suppose you subdue an enemy who opposed you, in order to show your magnanimity and tolerance, and the entire shinobi world secretly admires your broad-mindedness…"
"Then one of your juniors or subordinates goes and cuts that person down in a single stroke—what would you think?"
Danzō's face darkened. "Then I'd definitely cut him down too. Isn't that undermining me?"
Hiruzen spread his hands. "You understand? Hashirama-sama's reputation and credibility throughout the shinobi world aren't only related to his strength—they're inseparable from every little thing he did."
"Those great hidden villages that are like jackals—when I so much as mention the First Hokage's name, they still have to show a measure of respect. That comes from this as well."
"Mito-sama's framing of him was that he was a pitiable young man, forced to come and spar."
Danzō nodded thoughtfully.
Being Hokage is this complicated?
The First Hokage was certainly strong, but as for brains—Danzō had indeed once privately criticized him for that…
So it was great wisdom hidden beneath apparent foolishness!
"Then what do we do, Hiruzen…"
"Anyway, it's been so many years. Not many people remember anymore—so it should be fine, right?" Danzō said uncertainly.
Hiruzen lit his pipe by himself, narrowing his eyes.
He was thinking: why did so many contradictions appear on this man called Kakuzu?
"A missing-nin with an immortal body, yet he's interested in money…"
"By rights, money should be almost meaningless to him—so why does he display such a life-or-death obsession with wealth? But if he's extremely money-hungry, why would he still refund the deposit when a mission fails…"
Hiruzen picked up the intelligence and read it carefully from beginning to end.
Assigned by Takigakure to attack Senju Hashirama; imprisoned after returning to the village; obtained Earth Grudge Fear and slaughtered the higher-ups…
Obsessed with money; conscientious in fulfilling his duties; refunds deposits; enjoys reading ancient texts…
It was also thanks to Danzō's outstanding ability that a figure like Kakuzu, buried in history, had been thoroughly unearthed through various intelligence networks.
And when these points were strung together, combined with Hiruzen's understanding of shinobi—
He seemed to understand something.
The shinobi world was excessively cruel and oppressive. Shinobi generally did not possess very "beautiful" mental states; more or less, each harbored an obsession like a peculiar fixation.
For example, the bandaged middle-aged man beside him appeared on the surface to care about the position of Hokage.
But on a deeper analysis, his behavior was more like desperately trying to prove that he was no longer a "cowardly youth," to the point of obsession.
Kakuzu loves money—then perhaps what he loves is not money itself…
But rather, as someone who had betrayed his village and witnessed the cruelty of the shinobi world, he is infatuated with the sense of order represented by "equivalent exchange" that money symbolizes…
Hiruzen's gaze flickered.
"Danzō, how is it that I feel Kakuzu might have the possibility of being influenced by the Will of Fire?"
"Hiruzen, I admit that in your hands, the Will of Fire is indeed something extraordinary…"
Danzō shook his head. "But I have to remind you—the Will of Fire is not omnipotent!"
"How about we make a bet?" Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
"If you lose, you maintain a smile for an entire day—like Might Duy's kind—and conduct inspections in the village for a day, warmly greeting everyone, including but not limited to the Uchiha…"
Danzō's expression turned grim.
How could this monkey still say such unsteady things at his age?
He was already Hokage!
Besides, the terms of this wager were too childish…
Who would agree to something so strange?
'Hmph. Then I'll give you a lesson.'
Danzō said coldly: "I won't speak in empty words. If he can take the initiative to work for Konoha, I'll count it as your win!"
"And if I win, then the next time I render meritorious service to Konoha, you'll be the first to stand up and applaud for me!"
Hiruzen smiled and shook his head.
"That wouldn't be interesting. Even without this wager, I would do that."
"Then you can see to it yourself when the time comes!" Danzō maintained a cold expression, yet inwardly he was quite pleased.
When Hiruzen speaks, it truly makes one feel as if drinking fine wine…
Though this was inseparable from his own excellence, it was also worth learning from to a slight extent…
"Back to the main topic!"
Danzō gave a light cough to cover his smile. "What do we do?"
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