Shizune sighed helplessly as she saw Kiyosuke and Tsunade quickly come to an agreement.
"Won't this draw the attention of the Exchange?"
The underworld was tangled and dangerous. If Konoha provoked those people, it could cause them serious trouble.
Kiyosuke smirked.
"Relax, Shizune. As long as Konoha doesn't fall, those guys wouldn't dare go that far."
With him guarding the village now, and with Naruto and Sasuke in the future, not to mention the strong new generation still to come, there was no way the Exchange could actually act against them. Time would only make them more cautious.
"That's right, Shizune. With this kid here, it's enough."
Tsunade chuckled, then called out:
"Someone, come in!"
"Yes!"
Haku appeared in the room.
"You and a few others, put on Akatsuki robes," Tsunade ordered. "Then raid the Exchange. Take everything you can and bring it back."
"Understood!"
Haku disappeared, and soon after, a squad of Konoha ANBU moved out, launching a surprise raid on the Exchange.
Kiyosuke, carrying the intel, also left the Hokage's office and headed toward Konoha's main gate.
There, Asuma, Kotetsu, and Izumo—the so-called gatekeepers of Konoha—were already waiting. When they saw Kiyosuke approach, they nodded and set off together.
"I was originally planning to bring Shikamaru and the others," Kiyosuke thought to himself. "But with me here, this mission should be over before they'd even be of use."
He looked at his companions.
"Alright, let's move. Kotetsu, Izumo, you two have separate assignments."
"What assignments?"
Though only Chūnin, their strength wasn't weak. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been entrusted with guarding Konoha's gate. Probably…
"One of you will grab the corpse of the monk Chiriku during the fight," Kiyosuke explained. "The other… will grab the money."
"…Grab the money?"
Both of them froze. Even Asuma couldn't help but laugh.
"So that's what you're after—you've got your eye on the Exchange's cash, huh?"
Kiyosuke shrugged.
"Not exactly. But Konoha's been tight on funds lately. Rebuilding, research expenses—it's all draining the budget. This is just convenient timing. And besides, it's the Exchange. I have no problem openly attacking them."
After all, his bounty in the underworld was sky-high. If those people dared put a price on his head, they had better be prepared to suffer the consequences.
"…Got it."
Kotetsu and Izumo nodded.
The group soon arrived at the Exchange nearest to the Fire Temple. From a distance, the place looked like nothing more than a public toilet. Even from afar, the stench was unbearable.
"That guy sitting there is Hidan from Akatsuki."
Kiyosuke pointed at the man lounging on the steps by the entrance.
"I've fought him before. He really does have true immortality—even if you cut off his head, he'll still be alive and kicking. You can't even call him human anymore. But he doesn't have super-fast regeneration. His taijutsu is strong, though. Most importantly—don't let him get your blood."
"What happens if he does?" Asuma asked.
Kiyosuke met his gaze, speaking seriously.
"You'll be linked to him. If he stabs his own heart, your heart will rupture too. If you burn him with Fire Release, you'll burn as well. That's how it works."
"What kind of technique is that?!" Kotetsu exclaimed. "Immortality…?"
"It doesn't make any sense, right?"
Kiyosuke smirked, eyes narrowing as he looked at the yawning Hidan.
"Akatsuki members always work in pairs. Hidan's partner is Kakuzu, a rogue ninja from Takigakure. He's been around since the era of the First Hokage. He even attempted to assassinate him once. After betraying Takigakure, he acquired the forbidden jutsu Earth Grudge Fear. To kill him, you'd need to do it five times over. His body's not human either. And he's mastered all five chakra natures—he can unleash devastating jutsu combinations."
"…What kind of monsters are in Akatsuki?" Izumo muttered, mouth hanging open. This mission felt way beyond his current level.
"I understand," Asuma said firmly. "In that case, Hidan's yours. You won't bleed anyway."
"Exactly. Leave him to me. You three stall Kakuzu. Once I've broken all of Hidan's limbs, I'll come join you."
With that, Kiyosuke leapt from the trees, transformed into a farmer with the Transformation Jutsu, and strolled toward the public toilet.
Hidan, bored out of his mind, perked up at the sight of someone approaching. Hoisting his blood-red scythe over his shoulder, he greeted him enthusiastically.
"Yo! Wanna join the Jashin cult?"
"The Jashin cult?" Kiyosuke asked curiously. "What kind of cult is that?"
"It's a faith where you can kill people without punishment! Not only that, Lord Jashin will be thrilled and grant you power! How about it? Sounds great, right? Wanna join?"
"…That's just a death cult."
"Huh? How can you call it a cult?!" Hidan scowled. "So what's it gonna be—are you joining or not?"
"Nope. My family told me never to play with idiots."
Kiyosuke curled his lip, openly contemptuous of Hidan's brainpower. Without Kakuzu around, this guy would've died countless times already.
"With that brain…"
"Then I'll just sacrifice you to Lord Jashin!"
With a snarl, Hidan charged, swinging his triple-bladed scythe with surprising speed and force.
The sharp blade slashed into Kiyosuke's torso—
"Soon you'll—wait… why isn't there any blood?"
Hidan froze. The sensation felt wrong. Familiar, even… like he'd seen this before.
"Of course there's no blood."
Kiyosuke chuckled, extending a hand. His palm radiated blistering heat as he clamped down on Hidan's throat.
The instant his skin touched, the searing burn spread. Hidan's immortal body wouldn't die—but it could still feel pain.
"Aaagh!"
He screamed, thrashing, trying to pry the hand off. But Kiyosuke's grip was like an iron vise, unyielding.
His throat burned. His trachea—his trachea was scorched! The stench of singed flesh filled the air.
"No use struggling," Kiyosuke sneered. "Kid, joining a death cult just means you'll die horribly."
As he spoke, he dropped the Transformation and revealed his true form.
Hidan's eyes widened.
This guy—wasn't he the one immune to physical attacks?!
Damn it!
From the corner of his eye, he saw Asuma and the others slip into the Exchange. Moments later, an explosion shook the building.
Kakuzu emerged, lugging two chests of money, with two grotesque creatures flanking him. Asuma followed close behind, blades in hand, ready to strike.
Kotetsu and Izumo were nowhere to be seen—they must still be inside, carrying out the tasks Kiyosuke had given them.
"Hidan, you idiot," Kakuzu growled, exasperated. "Caught again? Working with a lunatic like you is a nightmare."
His head ached. Just being partnered with this fool was exhausting.
"Oh? You're out already?"
Kiyosuke smirked. With a sharp twist, he snapped Hidan's neck and broke his limbs before stepping forward toward Kakuzu.
"Old man… long time no see."