Kakuzu was drenched in sweat, but Yuzuru didn't rush to attack. Instead, he smiled.
"What's wrong? Is this all you've got?"
"Looks like the rumors were true. That so-called assassination attempt on the First Hokage… you probably just tossed a shuriken from miles away."
Hearing the mockery, fury twisted Kakuzu's face.
If there were two things he cared about most in his life, one was money… and the other was that assassination attempt on Senju Hashirama.
Even though that mission had been forced upon him by the Takigakure leadership, he still regarded it as his proudest achievement.
Before every fight, he would mention it.
And every time he saw the shock on people's faces, he felt that familiar superiority swell within him.
But this time—Yuzuru wasn't shocked, surprised, or intimidated.
Instead, he mocked him like some joke on a stage…
Unforgivable.
Two masked beasts rose again from Kakuzu's shoulders as he formed hand seals with all his remaining limbs.
"Earth Grudge Fear: Final Shot."
"Your corpse… will be mine!"
With a roar, Kakuzu unleashed all the chakra in his body. A terrifying chakra cannon burst from his severed right arm, firing straight at Yuzuru at impossible speed.
"Yuzuru, be careful!"
Tsunade sensed the overwhelming power even before Kakuzu acted.
Even if she released her Yin Seal, she wasn't confident she could survive that attack.
Yuzuru simply chuckled.
"Tsunade, you'll have to get used to something."
"No matter who the enemy is… I will never lose."
He reached into the empty air, and the Uchiha war fan materialized from the Kamui dimension.
Facing Kakuzu's final strike, Yuzuru placed the fan in front of him and murmured:
"Uchiha Rebound."
Boom!
The massive beam bent backward instantly, swallowing Kakuzu whole.
A powerful shockwave tore through the area, sending Yuzuru's clothes and long hair billowing in the wind.
"S-so handsome…"
Even Tsunade couldn't hold back the praise.
She had traveled the world for decades, meeting countless people, but in terms of presence and looks… no one could compare to Yuzuru.
Yuzuru didn't hear her muttering. He simply slung the fan onto his back and walked toward Kakuzu.
Looking down at the charred, unmoving figure on the ground, he smiled.
"You survived. Impressive."
"But… you should only have one heart left now, right?"
Kakuzu's pupils shrank violently.
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Earth Grudge Fear gives you five hearts. Each one can use its own element."
"By swapping hearts, you gain a form of immortality. As long as you have hearts left, you won't die."
"I'm right, aren't I?"
Kakuzu could no longer hide his shock.
After he stole Earth Grudge Fear, he'd burned every existing record in Takigakure.
After all these years, no one in the shinobi world should know these secrets.
So how did Yuzuru know?!
"Do you have any last words?"
For the first time, Kakuzu truly felt fear.
He always claimed to understand the essence of life, but now that death loomed over him, he realized how unwilling he was to leave this world.
He hadn't earned enough money yet.
He still wanted to enjoy the pleasure of counting it.
"I don't want to die."
The honest answer stunned even Yuzuru.
'Wow, that's… pretty direct.'
But Yuzuru had never planned to kill him anyway. If he wanted him dead, he wouldn't have entertained him this long.
Hearing Kakuzu's plea, Yuzuru spoke calmly.
"Work for me, and I'll spare you."
Kakuzu's eyes lit up instantly.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Keep working as a bounty hunter. Hand over all the money you earn."
"And also… hand over the Earth Grudge Fear technique."
Yuzuru didn't lack money, but he had promised Konan he'd find her a money-making workhorse.
Kakuzu was perfect for the job.
As for Earth Grudge Fear…
Giving it to Orochimaru to research wasn't a bad idea.
After all, it technically achieved a form of immortality. It might inspire him.
Kakuzu didn't hesitate at all.
"I accept!"
He loved earning money and counting money. Spending it didn't interest him.
So as long as he could keep earning, handing it all to Yuzuru wasn't a problem.
As for giving up the secret technique… survival came first.
"Good. Then come back to the Hidden Cloud with me."
"Can I take care of something first?"
"What is it?"
Kakuzu pointed at a ruined corpse on the ground.
"I worked so hard to kill this guy. It'd be a waste not to exchange him for the bounty."
Yuzuru couldn't help but laugh.
"Go ahead. Catch up afterward."
"Yes."
Watching the eager Kakuzu leave, Yuzuru sighed.
As expected of the strongest workhorse—his dedication was on another level.
After Kakuzu departed, Yuzuru naturally reached for Tsunade's hand, only to notice a blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Tsunade, why is your face so red?"
She jumped, quickly covering her face.
"I-is it?!"
Seeing her reaction, Yuzuru's eyes glimmered.
"Tsunade… don't tell me you're falling for me?"
"Stop being full of yourself!"
She yanked her hand free and marched ahead in flustered steps.
Yuzuru grinned behind her.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he could unlock the Senju clan's bloodline evolution.