The capital of the Land of Fire.
Outskirts.
Kakuzu sat upright inside an ancient pavilion, dressed in a black robe, quietly reading an old book in his hands.
He was waiting for those who did not know the meaning of death.
As a veteran bounty hunter, the reason Kakuzu had managed to survive intact until now was not only because of the tenacious vitality and strength granted by Earth Grudge Fear…
He also placed extreme importance on protecting himself.
Anyone who coveted his Earth Grudge Fear—so long as they were not ninja from one of the Five Great Hidden Villages—he would personally eliminate…
And now, nobles actually dared to set their sights on him?
Kakuzu had not failed to consider that this might be Konohagakure making a move against him, setting a trap for him.
After all, the Earth Grudge Fear technique was something even a Great Hidden Village would find attractive.
But after spending a large sum at the bounty office to purchase intelligence, he deduced that Konohagakure's experts had all shown signs of being out on missions recently. Even if one or two were free, Kakuzu was confident he could defeat them—or withdraw safely…
"Whether it's the Land of Fire or Konohagakure, in the end it's no longer the era when Hashirama-sama was around…"
"That old debt of gratitude has lasted nearly forty years by now. It can be considered repaid." Kakuzu closed the front cover of the ancient book and muttered to himself.
Once, after being generously spared by Senju Hashirama, Kakuzu had largely gone out of his way to avoid Konohagakure over the years, refusing missions that put him at odds with them.
The shinobi world was vast—wherever he did business, it was still business.
But Kakuzu was also a realist.
Having received a favor did not mean unconditional tolerance…
If the Earth Grudge Fear that allowed him to survive were targeted, then when he killed, he would show no mercy.
Or rather, if a powerful figure were to take him under his command and order him to wage war against Konohagakure…
Kakuzu would not feel any psychological burden.
Hashirama's former mercy could make Kakuzu yield in some matters, but survival was his foremost priority.
"They've arrived?" Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.
In the distance, Hiruzen and Danzō walked over slowly, dressed in black robes patterned with red clouds, wearing conical hats.
"Heh, that getup…"
"Either some strange rogue-nin organization, or nobles playing ninja dress-up…"
Kakuzu sat relaxed on the stone bench.
In the current shinobi world, so-called rogue-nin and private soldiers of nobles were nothing more than scattered rabble…
The possibility that they posed any threat to him was practically zero.
He calmly waited for Hiruzen and Danzō to approach.
Kakuzu let out a cold laugh. "You're the ones asking about Earth Grudge Fear?"
"That's right. We are." Behind the conical hat, Hiruzen smiled faintly. "What's the price?"
"To refuse to show your true faces—this lacks sincerity and courtesy."
Kakuzu spoke in a lecturing tone. "Money may be eternal, but it is not omnipotent…"
"Your experience is far too shallow. You've provoked someone you shouldn't have."
"Lift your hats. This will be the last time you breathe fresh air…"
Kakuzu's eyes gradually filled with killing intent.
Hiruzen and Danzō lifted their hats, revealing their true faces.
"Danzō, the hat you bought really is useful. The bead curtain is dense enough that even from this close, he still didn't recognize the two of us…"
"Hmph. I told you—when I handle things, there won't be any problems."
In that instant, the killing intent in Kakuzu's eyes was replaced by confusion and shock.
No…
Wasn't this the famously known 'Darkness of the Shinobi,' Shimura Danzō?
And the one beside him—Kakuzu froze for a moment, then realized it was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He wasn't mistaken, was he? Wasn't this Konohagakure's Third Hokage?!
Even someone as experienced as Kakuzu was stunned by this scene.
What kind of Hokage and Hokage assistant would wear clothes with this kind of taste and come to meet a rogue-nin from a minor hidden village?!
Was their work usually that idle?
Were Konohagakure's higher-ups sick in the head?!
Kakuzu had calculated every which way. He had even considered that Konohagakure might be the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, and had specifically obtained intelligence on recent mission activity for the various top experts…
But he had subconsciously ignored the possibility that the Hokage and the Hokage assistant would come in person.
After all, although he had some reputation in the shinobi world, it shouldn't have come to this!
"What did you mean by what you just said?"
Danzō stared at Kakuzu and spoke coldly. "You want to make a move, do you? I heard you have gold-plated credit at the underground bounty office. Looks like it's nothing special…"
"If you heard someone was going to buy your arms and legs, would you still sit down and talk nicely with him?"
Kakuzu came back to himself and immediately shot back, "Darkness of the Shinobi—this was your idea, wasn't it? The things you've done have ruined quite a bit of the First Hokage's reputation!"
"Insidious enough, vicious enough. Today, I admit defeat… but don't think you're getting Earth Grudge Fear!"
Kakuzu formed a one-handed seal, gathering chakra as he swiftly swept his gaze around the surroundings.
With Danzō's style of not playing fair, he would usually call a bunch of people to swarm the enemy, unleashing organized violence on anyone who was alone…
"No one?" Kakuzu was a little doubtful, but he still did not dare relax in the slightest.
If it were only Danzō and his Root coming, Kakuzu had confidence he could escape.
But Hiruzen, smiling at the side, made him raise his vigilance to the highest level.
Compared to the image in his memory, Konohagakure's Third Hokage seemed quite a bit younger…
And looks were only part of it.
What truly made Kakuzu feel pressure was the instinct refined from decades of combat experience.
If they really started fighting, he would die!
Moreover, although Hiruzen's reputation in the shinobi world was that of an "old good man"… no one doubted his combat strength as Hokage.
The title "Professor of Ninjutsu" was not something boasted about—it was earned in battle!
A breeze passed through, wind slipping between the leaves in the woods not far away, branches rustling softly.
The bead curtain hanging from the conical hat lightly collided, producing a crisp sound like wind chimes beneath the eaves.
Yet such a quiet and peaceful scene only made the tense atmosphere at the scene even tighter.
As if unaware of it, Hiruzen spoke leisurely, "Earth Grudge Fear—if an appropriate amount is cut away, would it cause irreversible damage?"
"That wouldn't be the case…" Kakuzu was taken aback, but still answered Hiruzen's question.
"That's good. Then it can be discussed."
Hiruzen nodded. "It's Earth Release: Earth Spear, right? I quite like that technique as well…"
Lightning suddenly burst around his body as he entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
But the next moment, it dissipated.
Kakuzu's heart sank. Just now, he had secretly entered the hardened state of Earth Release: Earth Spear…
He had thought it well concealed, yet Hiruzen had seen through it—and had even used Lightning Release to hint at his weakness.
"As expected of the Third Hokage known as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu.' I have long admired your name…"
Kakuzu spoke in a hoarse voice. "You even understand Kumogakure's Lightning Release Nintaijutsu…"
"I'll acknowledge this favor. As expected of Konoha's Hokage—different from the people under you."
If Hiruzen had attacked just now, with Earth Grudge Fear protecting him, he would not have died.
But at the very least, he would have lost a heart—and besides, Danzō was standing at his side…
"If you acknowledge it, then sit down and talk."
Kakuzu sat down as instructed, a trace of confusion flashing through his heart.
What did this mean?
Could it be that these Konoha ninja truly intended to purchase his Earth Grudge Fear?
And under circumstances where they already held such an overwhelming advantage? They had not even thought of killing first…
Kakuzu unconsciously glanced at Danzō.
This did not match the usual style…
Danzō's face darkened, clearly irritated.
He now understood the importance of reputation…
It was clearly Hiruzen who had come up with this rotten idea—so why did Kakuzu instinctively assume it was related to him?
And what did he mean by damaging the First Hokage's reputation?
He did it for Konoha!
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