"Nothing is impossible."
"There's only an insurmountable gap between us."
Standing before Kakuzu, Menma had eight enormous fox tails obscuring the sky, though they remained unseen behind him. At the tips of these massive tails, four oval objects entwined with dense black lines beat rhythmically—thump-thump-thump.
"An insurmountable gap, is it?" Kakuzu's voice was steady despite the pressure. "Now I'm starting to believe you defeated the resurrected Hashirama Senju."
Gazing at the still-beating heart on the fox tail, he tried to calm himself. "You didn't destroy my heart outright. It seems you're not standing up for that bandaged brat. Tell me, what's your purpose? Why did you come to me?"
"That's right. I like talking to intelligent people," Menma replied, his fox tails swaying slightly. The four hearts entwined with black lines flew directly toward Kakuzu.
His body was covered in fine black lines as he caught the hearts and absorbed them. Seeing that Kakuzu didn't attack again after retrieving his hearts, Menma finally spoke.
"It's simple. I want you to join my Four-Star Village and work for me."
"Recruiting for your own organization again?" Kakuzu shook his head without hesitation. "Sorry, I can't afford to offend you, nor can I afford to offend Pain. He paid me, gave me a platform and a place to stay. I don't intend to join another organization and be hunted down by him. Of course, if you're willing to let me go, I can only take half the commission for the missions you post in the future."
As a man nearing a hundred years old who'd lived long enough, Kakuzu wasn't afraid of death. What he feared was not being able to earn money! An organization like Menma's, which threatened him with force, offered no benefits or salary, and forced him to do missions for free—Kakuzu would rather die here or jump off a cliff than join!
"Don't rush to refuse. Take a look at this first."
Menma waved his hand, and Zabuza, who'd been watching from behind, immediately understood. He picked up the briefcase Menma had placed on the ground, walked over, opened it, and set it down.
"This is?!"
Looking at the two boxes of money on the ground, Kakuzu's green pupils gleamed. "Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, and the largest denomination is one thousand ryo! So these two boxes total... one hundred and twenty million ryo!"
Kakuzu's eyes glazed over. Damn, I'm in love!
He couldn't take his eyes off it; he was completely captivated. One hundred and twenty million ryo—in the black market, that's equivalent to the bounty of four or five Elite Jōnin! It's also what he'd earn in several months, even half a year! And most of that bounty goes to the Akatsuki's treasury, with only a small portion as his salary.
Zabuza scoffed. "Tsk, a country bumpkin who can't resist a little money. He's a disgrace to us ninjas."
"Little money?!" Zabuza's words made Kakuzu's fists clench instantly. He glared fiercely, black tentacles swishing from his body.
"Heh, country bumpkin! Do you even know about Four Star Seeds, Four Star Shipping, and Four Star Media? That little bit of money is just a year's salary for a High-ranking Official at one of our subsidiaries."
Zabuza wasn't lying. The Four Star Consortium, now on the right track, was raking in money every day. As a veteran member, the benefits and perks were something he wouldn't have dared dream of before!
Kakuzu's eyes reddened with envy and jealousy. "A year's salary!" He'd worked so hard for half a year, only to end up with what an ordinary High-ranking Official earned?
Seeing Kakuzu's face contorted with envy, Menma gave Zabuza an approving look. Finally, he spoke slowly: "Nothing is trustworthy except money. Join my Four-Star Village, and I'll give you executive-level benefits. You can keep all the bounties you earn from hunting. Finally, I'll grant you controllable Tailed Beast chakra, just like Zabuza. If you still don't want to join, then I can only—"
Before Menma could finish, Kakuzu exclaimed, "It's so tempting!" and gave his answer. "I join. In this cold world, only money is truly trustworthy and the least likely to betray you. Akatsuki doesn't offer as much as you, nor are they as generous. Your magnanimity makes me willing to work for you."
"A wise choice." Menma nodded, pointing to the briefcases. "Consider these an advance payment for a year's salary. Keep them safe."
Menma had no shortage of money right now. Not to mention the seed company making a fortune, just consider the newly established media company. He'd grabbed a few songs and movies from his previous life that were wildly popular, and the records and CDs were already sold out.
"Thanks, new boss."
Even Kakuzu's mask couldn't hide the upturned corners of his mouth. He didn't even bother to put his clothes on first, stepping over to the box and carefully closing it, holding it like a priceless treasure. Then, as if remembering something, he turned his head.
"Boss, if I'm not mistaken, Sasori and Deidara should have joined the Four-Star Village too, right?"
"That's right. They joined us to improve their Tailed Beast chakra. Of course, you're included too; it's a necessary procedure to join my Four-Star Village."
Zabuza, standing to the side, seized the opportunity to mock him again. "Such powerful strength is really too good for you, you old geezer."
"Too good?" Kakuzu looked at Zabuza as if he were an idiot. "Don't judge me by your low IQ. Free benefits are the most expensive. But it doesn't matter. As long as I get paid, nothing else matters."
Kakuzu could guess the Tailed Beast chakra wasn't anything good, but there was nothing he could do; circumstances forced him to comply.
"Don't worry, these are just some minor measures to prevent your betrayal. They'll be removed after everything is over."
As he spoke, Menma struck Kakuzu on the shoulder. The next second, fiery golden-red chakra enveloped his entire body, and a massive fox tail unfurled.
"Powerful strength... it has taken control of my entire heart. My life and death are in your hands."
Kakuzu immediately sensed the changes in his body. He shook his head and sighed softly, then looked back at Menma. "What do you need me to do next? Go to your Four-Star Village?"
"No need. Continue working for Akatsuki to capture Tailed Beasts for now. I'll let you know if there are any missions."
With those words, Menma vanished.
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