Border of the Land of Lightning.
After accepting the bounty, Kakuzu raced non-stop toward the location where Senju Tobirama was said to be.
"Two hundred million ryo, I'm coming for you."
He had already pictured himself killing Senju Tobirama with his Earth Grudge Fear and claiming the massive bounty.
Two hundred million ryo — enough to make anyone's hands ache from counting.
That kind of money could drive any outlaw insane.
Inside his body, the black tendrils of Earth Grudge Fear writhed faintly, as if thrilled at the prospect of the battle to come.
Within his chest, five hearts beat in alternating rhythm, each infused with a different chakra nature — wind, fire, lightning, water, and earth.
Kakuzu envisioned a glorious scene in his mind.
Senju Tobirama, slain by his Earth Grudge Fear, his crimson pupils fading into lifelessness.
Then, he would dig out Tobirama's heart with Earth Grudge Fear and replace his own water-natured heart with it.
Senju Tobirama's Water Release techniques were formidable, and Kakuzu was certain that once he obtained that heart, his strength would soar to an entirely new level.
"Found you!"
Kakuzu's eyes lit up as he spotted several tiny black dots in the distance.
"Tch, more people than I expected…"
He hadn't thought Tobirama would bring so many escorts, but he didn't intend to give up. Instead, he pushed himself to move even faster.
After obtaining Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu's confidence in his strength had skyrocketed.
He believed he could kill Tobirama before his escorts could even react. As long as Tobirama died, the others wouldn't matter.
It was just a shame that the bounty was only for Tobirama — otherwise, this trip could have earned him even more.
...
While Kakuzu charged toward them, Senju Tobirama, traveling with his group, suddenly sensed something unusual.
He abruptly stopped walking and turned to glance into the distance.
"Tobirama-sensei, what is it?" one of the shinobi asked, puzzled.
Why had their teacher suddenly stopped for no reason?
Could it be… another assassin?
Renya's gaze fell on the Second Raikage, his voice cold as he said,
"This must be another trick from the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning, right?"
The Second Raikage scratched his head awkwardly at the remark, unsure how to respond.
He felt that Renya wasn't wrong, but he couldn't bring himself to argue, forcing an embarrassed smile instead.
There was no need to guess — of course, the Daimyō, after learning that the Raikage had failed his mission, would send yet another assassin to kill Senju Tobirama.
Renya turned his gaze toward the dense forest in the distance, curiosity gnawing at him. Who had the Daimyō sent this time?
Even the Second Raikage couldn't defeat them — did Kumogakure really have someone stronger?
Kumogakure had always valued strength above all. To become Raikage meant one's power surpassed almost everyone else, granting them the right to lead.
Only absolute strength commanded respect.
If even the Second Raikage, Kumogakure's strongest shinobi, had failed… could the Daimyō possibly find someone more formidable?
As time passed, Renya's curious gaze finally landed on the assassin's figure emerging in the distance.
When he saw who it was, he froze instantly.
That assassin looked awfully familiar…
Wasn't that Kakuzu?
He hadn't expected to meet him here of all places. Fate certainly had a sense of humor.
The moment Renya recognized him, Kakuzu also spotted Renya standing beside Senju Tobirama. His pupils constricted into needle-like slits, his mouth slightly agape beneath the mask.
The Uchiha brat!
The memory of almost being poisoned to death resurfaced vividly — the uncontrollable convulsions, the frothing at the mouth, the brink of death. He hadn't forgotten a thing.
If it hadn't been for Senju Hashirama's generosity in letting the Uchiha brat give him the antidote, he would have been dead already.
Kakuzu thought the matter was over, but while he was still recovering, this damned brat came back and demanded payment for the antidote.
That one line — [You need to pay me for the antidote] — was forever etched into Kakuzu's memory.
Overpowered by circumstance, he had no choice but to agree, incurring a staggering debt of thirty million ryo.
Now, seeing Renya again, Kakuzu decided it was time to teach this brat a lesson — to let him know who he was dealing with!
"Long time no see, Kakuzu!" Renya greeted him with a smile. "So, when are you planning to pay me back?"
Everyone stared at Renya in disbelief, then turned their gazes toward Kakuzu in unison.
So not only did these two know each other, but they were also creditor and debtor?
Even Senju Tobirama was somewhat surprised. Since when did this kid lend money to others?
He knew that Renya spent nearly all his mission earnings on poison research. Where would he even get spare cash to lend?
It was a miracle the brat didn't borrow money himself.
Kakuzu's lips twitched as he pulled out a scroll from his waist and tossed it to Renya.
"There's fifteen million ryo in there. I'll pay you the rest soon."
Renya blinked in surprise as he caught the scroll. He hadn't expected Kakuzu to actually repay him.
Back then, Renya had intended to rob Kakuzu outright but gave up after realizing the man was broke.
As for the debt, Renya had never really expected to see a single coin of it.
After all, the shinobi world was vast — finding someone to collect from was no easy task.
Yet today, by sheer coincidence, they'd run into each other, and Renya had casually mentioned the debt… only for Kakuzu to actually pay up.
Seeing Renya's shocked expression, Kakuzu snorted coldly, his tone dripping with disdain.
"A debt must be repaid. I'm not shameless enough to ignore that."
When it came to money, Kakuzu had his principles.
For now, he'd let the Uchiha brat hold onto the money. Once he paid off the remaining fifteen million, their debtor-creditor relationship would end.
Then, he could just take it back by force.
He might even spare the brat's life and make him work off the debt instead.
Beneath his mask, Kakuzu's lips curved into a wicked grin as he imagined his sweet revenge.
If Renya knew what was going through Kakuzu's mind, he'd be rolling on the ground laughing.
This guy clearly hadn't been keeping up with the state of the war. Otherwise, he'd never dare say something so absurd.
In reality, Kakuzu rarely paid attention to the overall battlefield situation. He spent nearly all his time taking bounty missions.
If he wasn't killing for money, he was traveling to kill for money. Where would he find the time to keep track of the war?
As a missing-nin from Takigakure, the war hardly concerned him.
He only occasionally heard battlefield news while on missions.
Like how Konoha had defeated Sunagakure… or how Kumogakure's First Raikage had died in battle…
But beyond rumors, he knew little else.
"This has nothing to do with you." Kakuzu shot Renya a glance before fixing his gaze on Senju Tobirama.
"Second Hokage of Konoha — prepare to die!"
At once, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others stiffened in alarm. They knew instantly this man was an enemy — here to assassinate Tobirama-sensei!
They stepped forward, forming a protective line in front of Senju Tobirama. They couldn't allow him to succeed!
Watching this, Renya couldn't help but admire Kakuzu's audacity.
Failed to assassinate Senju Hashirama, and now coming for Senju Tobirama?
He had a feeling Kakuzu was doomed.
After all, Tobirama wasn't like his brother Hashirama, who was soft-hearted to a fault.
If Kakuzu wasn't careful, all five of his hearts were going to end up shredded.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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