After Yuuki swiftly departed, he did not return directly to Konoha.
During the recent battle, Yuuki sensed multiple directions of surveillance.
Clearly, his every move was being watched, and there were quite a few small boats in the surrounding sea.
The people on those boats were using various methods to record the battle that had just occurred.
Yuuki naturally had no interest in these small fries, nor would he stop them from transmitting information.
Yuuki was even counting on these intelligence personnel to spread his reputation.
The reason Yuuki changed his target was simple: he discovered a familiar person, and even though they were disguised, Yuuki knew who it was immediately.
A small boat, no, it should be called a speedboat, was speeding along, as its streamlined appearance was unlike most boats in the Ninja World.
Yuuki flew at a low altitude from a distance, almost skimming the sea surface, as flying high in the sky would be too conspicuous.
As he approached the speedboat, Yuuki leaped from the sea, landing lightly on the small boat.
Looking at the two people opposite him, one alert and one resigned, Yuuki smiled and spoke.
"Gentlemen, I've come uninvited, I hope you don't mind!"
The two people opposite Yuuki were Kakuzu and Sasori.
When Sasori saw the Eight-Tails rampaging in Kumogakure from afar, he decided to leave quickly.
The Eight-Tails, displaying such divine power, didn't look like it was in trouble at all; the mission was complete, especially with Yuuki still there, so leaving quickly was the right move.
Kakuzu fully agreed with this; the Akatsuki Organization's missions didn't pay well, and if he couldn't defeat Pain, Kakuzu wouldn't want to waste time on such unprofitable missions.
The small boat, handcrafted by Sasori, had a wooden structure and was exceptionally fast, but ultimately, something that ran on water couldn't compare to something that flew in the sky.
Seeing Yuuki had caught up, Sasori completely gave up, not even bothering to control the boat anymore.
"Sasori-senpai, are you back working for your old employer? Are you unhappy working in Konoha?"
Yuuki's casual teasing, however, made Sasori extremely nervous.
Having learned his lesson, Sasori naturally wouldn't answer Yuuki's question directly, as it would be easy to fall into a trap.
However, Sasori felt this was also an opportunity; as long as Yuuki made a slight effort to recruit him, he would reluctantly agree.
Then he would naturally bring up some conditions, such as regarding freedom.
At this moment, Sasori was like those young people working in factories or doing 996 coding in companies, always feeling that they weren't free in the factory or company.
They constantly thought about starting their own businesses, but after a period of harsh reality, they found that working in the factory was more comfortable.
It was true that he had ideas, but he couldn't show them, and even when an invitation was extended, he had to act unwilling.
So Sasori said coldly.
"Uchiha Tomoki, this time I won't surrender without a fight; freedom is above all else for me!"
After Sasori finished speaking, his face was expressionless, but his heart was full of anticipation.
Invite me quickly!
Even if we can't agree, using force is fine!
Yuuki originally came just to say hello to Sasori; after all, he was an employee who had followed him for several years, and aside from his social awkwardness, his abilities were undeniable.
It was the unexpected discovery of Kakuzu that made Yuuki a little intrigued.
As the protagonists of the next arc, Yuuki naturally needed to intensify his infiltration of the Akatsuki Organization to better control the progression.
Moreover, Kakuzu was also capable and worth poaching.
As for Sasori, Yuuki didn't have much interest, especially after hearing Sasori's words.
Sasori was ultimately a Ninja, not a thorough researcher.
In such a difficult environment outside, with such backward industrial foundations, was freedom still his most cherished desire?
Yuuki had already begun making arrangements for Sasori, whether it was vigorously developing various industries or introducing him to the powerful mechanical creations from his own memories.
Making money and developing were primary, and there was also the idea of using this to bind Sasori to Konoha's war machine.
Ultimately, it was a misjudgment!
Yuuki knew he wasn't a god, and being mistaken was not surprising at all; if he was in the Akatsuki Organization, then so be it, he had channels to obtain Sasori's achievements anyway.
"Sasori-senpai, there's no need to be so agitated. We were originally in an employment relationship. Although you broke the contract early, considering the contributions you made to Konoha, let's just consider it settled."
Yuuki said kindly to Sasori, then looked at Kakuzu and said.
"This must be Mr. Kakuzu, correct? It's said you're a powerful Ninja who once fought our Konoha's First Hokage. I have a big business opportunity here now; are you interested, Mr. Kakuzu?"
As soon as the words fell, both of them were stunned.
Sasori couldn't even control his expression, his eyes filled with confusion.
Why is this happening?
We met first, please love me again!
Kakuzu, on the other hand, felt a surge of joy when he heard "big business," but then became extremely wary.
There's a problem!
It's very likely a trap!
Don't I know my own level? Kakuzu didn't believe his true strength could be hidden from Yuuki.
In this situation, Yuuki's words seemed very suspicious.
Kakuzu, young and ignorant of social etiquette, was sent to assassinate Senju Hashirama, only to fail the mission and end up in prison in Takigakure.
After serving his time, Kakuzu ran away from home and became involved in the underworld.
Even now, at over 90 years old, Kakuzu still didn't understand social etiquette or the art of language.
He took Yuuki's praise, which was simply meant to build rapport, as having an ulterior motive, and finally blurted out.
"Not interested!"
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