When he saw Kakuzu again, Yotsuki A felt something had changed about him. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but there was a difference. Perhaps it was his aura—once exuding sheer dominance and aggression, now more reserved, making him even harder to read.
"Kazoya."
"Present."
"Go to the prison and release Yotsuki Akira."
"Lord Kakuzu, this…" Kazoya hesitated. The current Two-Tails Jinchuriki had been captured with great difficulty, and now he was to be released unconditionally?
Kakuzu waved a hand dismissively. "The Two-Tails' Jinchuriki likely carries your Yotsuki Clan's hereditary disease."
"Yes… Lord Kakuzu."
"I've already provided him with the best treatment possible, but life slipping away isn't something I can control. I hope you understand."
"…Thank you, Lord Kakuzu. On behalf of Kumogakure, I express our deepest gratitude." Yotsuki A placed a hand over his chest in the highest salute of Kumogakure.
Kakuzu simply smiled, saying no more. If the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki were to die here, the beast would disappear and later re-manifest. Rather than letting that happen, it was better to let Kumogakure handle the succession.
...
"Lord Kakuzu." Yotsuki A, having retrieved his comrade, did not leave immediately. Instead, he hesitated, as if struggling with something.
"What is it?" Kakuzu asked.
Yotsuki A pulled out a massive briefcase and opened it, revealing stacks upon stacks of money.
"Lord Kakuzu, I also came to repay my debt. Here's three hundred and fifty million—please count it."
"Oh?" Kakuzu smirked. He never forgot a single debt.
Previously, Yotsuki A had jokingly suggested hiring Kakuzu to assassinate a Kage-level opponent. But due to a lack of funds, it had remained an open tab. Now, he had managed to scrape together a hefty sum from Kumogakure's not-so-wealthy treasury.
Kakuzu suddenly realized—this brute wasn't actually stupid. He was reckless, yes, but with a sharp edge hidden within. After all, if he were truly a fool, how could he sit atop Kumogakure as the Raikage?
"Hah… Yotsuki A, I appreciate your commitment to keeping your word. But using this money to manipulate the Land of Dragons into war—I don't like that."
"No, Lord Kakuzu, you misunderstand! I'm not asking you to assassinate another village's Kage." Yotsuki A waved his hands urgently, afraid Kakuzu would get the wrong idea.
"This three hundred and fifty million—I want to hire you in a different way."
"A different way?" Kakuzu raised an eyebrow. This brute was getting more and more interesting.
"Yes, Lord Kakuzu. If three hundred million can buy the life of a Kage-level fighter, then logically, it should also be able to save one, right?"
...
Thunder Plateau
This was another frontline defense zone of the Land of Lightning. However, only a little over a hundred Kumogakure shinobi were stationed here.
And now, those hundred shinobi faced the greatest life-or-death crisis of their lives.
Opposite them, a force of ten thousand Iwagakure shinobi had stormed onto the plateau, poised to annihilate them all.
"Lord Third Raikage, that bastard Ōnoki backstabbed us at a time like this—unforgivable!"
"Damn Iwa shinobi! They're despicable beyond belief!"
"When we get back, we must make them suffer for this treachery!"
Inside the Kumogakure encampment, the shouting had reached a fever pitch.
"Enough! Silence!"
The voice wasn't loud, but it carried the weight of thunder, instantly quelling the uproar.
With arms crossed, the Raikage slowly rose to his feet.
"To defeat Konoha, we committed all our forces there. Now, all of you—listen to me. Withdraw immediately. I will cover your retreat."
"Lord Raikage!!!"
"No! We cannot let you do this!"
"We should send a distress signal while retreating and use diplomacy to pressure Iwagakure. If we—"
"Enough!"
A single roar of thunderous authority cut them off. Sweat beaded on every shinobi's forehead.
"Remember this! Only the weak seek to escape hardship. The strong never complain about their circumstances! All of you, retreat immediately. Tell my son—if I do not return, he will be the next Raikage. Understood?!"
The Third Raikage's words were absolute. No one dared argue. They could only follow his command.
...
The wind howled, dust swirling in the air. In the distance, a black tide surged forward.
Ten thousand Iwagakure shinobi charged, an unstoppable force, fierce as tigers.
Yet, the Third Raikage stood firm, unshaken.
Today, he would not only ensure his subordinates' safe retreat but also etch his name into history!
As the ten-thousand-strong army bore down on him, the Raikage's gaze shifted to the side.
Step. Step. Step.
The wind flapped against a billowing cloak, light footsteps approaching unhurriedly.
The Third Raikage frowned slightly. "Your chakra… it's immense, even enough to make me take notice. You must be the legendary shinobi who has survived since the Warring States era—Kakuzu."
Kakuzu didn't respond. He merely walked closer to the Third Raikage, intending to greet him. But before he could, a sudden screech of halting footsteps rang out ahead, as if signaling something urgent.
"Stop!"
The leading Iwa shinobi slammed a palm onto the ground.
Rumble!
The earth ahead rapidly caved in, forming a deep chasm that now separated the Iwagakure forces from Kakuzu and the Raikage.
"Lord Kōtsuchi, why are we stopping?" an Iwa shinobi asked in confusion.
"Quiet!" Sweat dripped from Kōtsuchi's forehead.
He had been ordered to lead this force to eliminate the Raikage, but never in his worst nightmares did he expect to encounter Kakuzu as well.
Although this was his first time seeing the man, as the Tsuchikage's son, he understood exactly what Kakuzu's presence meant.
"All forces, hold position! Relay to headquarters immediately—requesting instructions from Lord Tsuchikage on whether to proceed!"
"Understood!"
...
The Third Raikage and the ten-thousand-strong Iwa force faced each other across the battlefield, arcs of lightning crackling over his body.
"Let's go. I'll take you out of here." Kakuzu's calm voice rang out.
The Raikage glanced at him. There was not a hint of tension on Kakuzu's face. It was as if he considered an army of ten thousand nothing more than a nuisance.
If Kakuzu wanted to leave with the Raikage, no one would dare stop him.
Kakuzu took a step forward, and across from them, Kōtsuchi and his men could only watch helplessly, not daring to move.
Yet strangely, the Raikage didn't move.
"What? Are you planning to make me go back on my word? Or do I need to knock you out and carry you?"
Kakuzu had already taken the money. The job had to be done.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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