Natsume looked Konan over, a slight smirk playing on his lips at the sight of her indifferent expression.
That's some confidence.
But it was understandable.
After all, it was the Rinnegan they were talking about.
A power so overwhelming it led Nagato to declare himself a god.
It had an indirect effect on Konan too.
In her mind, Nagato was completely invincible.
The Five Great Villages, even the Five Kage, couldn't match him.
He was someone who could destroy Konoha Village single-handedly.
At this point, why should she care about mere Wood Release techniques?
"When will you take me to see your organization?"
Natsume asked, a faint smirk still on his face.
He was genuinely curious about the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Plus, he looked forward to meeting Obito Uchiha.
Messing with villains was just too amusing.
After all, Natsume saw himself as a champion of justice.
"You should release Kakuzu first."
Konan's pale orange eyes locked onto him.
"No problem."
Natsume met her gaze, though his eyes lingered briefly on her lower lip.
She had a lip piercing.
As far as he recalled, beneath her Akatsuki cloak, she wore a tight, open-backed jacket.
And there was a belly button ring as well.
Hmph.
Quite a contrast to her cold and ruthless demeanor.
Natsume clicked his fingers.
The vines wrapped around Kakuzu instantly retracted.
Kakuzu exhaled silently in relief and cautiously stepped behind Konan.
"How should I address you?" Konan seemed satisfied with Natsume's straightforwardness. At least it showed sincerity.
"Kishi."
Natsume replied casually.
Konan gave a small nod, showing no particular reaction.
This was the first time she'd heard that name.
But Kakuzu couldn't help but speak up. "Do you have any relation with that Kishi from the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild?"
Upon hearing this, Konan instinctively lifted her head, her eyes flickering slightly.
If she recalled correctly, the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild was extremely wealthy.
"I'm him."
Natsume replied with a hint of amusement. "I just do some freelance work in my spare time."
"Freelance?"
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes. "Reaching the position of Land of Water representative for the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild—You must be more than just an average person, right?"
The Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild currently operated across many countries.
Each country had its own local representative.
But the Land of Water was by far their largest trading partner and territory.
Konan started calculating silently.
Could she make even more money through Natsume?
"Just luck."
Natsume smiled lightly. "Doesn't your organization allow side jobs?"
Kakuzu instantly fell silent.
When it came to side jobs, he probably took the most.
Always lurking in the black market.
"Naturally allowed."
Konan stepped in. "Mr. Kishi, your earning potential is exactly what our organization needs."
Kakuzu twitched.
What?!
Already moving on and forgetting the old flame?
He'd busted his ass earning all that money for her, only to turn around and cozy up to someone else?
Kakuzu remained silent.
Mainly because he feared Natsume might retaliate.
Then he'd be tied up again.
Mei Terumī hesitated, as though she wanted to say more.
"That's *all* my money!"
"Another beggar? ...Wait, are you trying to rob me?"
"Is our organization running low on funds?"
Natsume let the thought linger.
"Any organization needs money in order to grow, don't they?"
Konan didn't give a direct answer—just a universal one.
"That's true."
Natsume didn't press further.
"I'm not the leader of the organization myself."
Konan steered the conversation back. "I need to report your joining to our leader. Please go to the black market in the Land of Fire's Metropolis sometime this week. Someone will reach out to you then."
"No problem."
Natsume nodded. "I'll arrive on time."
The fact that Konan didn't send him straight to Amegakure showed she still had reservations.
That was quite normal.
After all, he'd practically announced he was a spy.
"See you next time."
Konan looked at him for a moment before turning and walking away.
Kakuzu quickly fell into step behind her.
Both returned to the courtyard.
"Is Hidan definitely dead?"
Surveying the battlefield scars scattered everywhere, Konan could no longer tell where Hidan had been.
"He's been reduced to ashes."
Kakuzu replied solemnly.
There wasn't a hint of sorrow on his face over Hidan's death.
Just a trace of regret.
If only the head had survived—it might've fetched a decent price on the black market.
"Did you see it yourself?"
Konan kept scanning the area. "What about his ring?"
Kakuzu paused briefly and recalled, "It was crushed along with the body."
"Oh?"
Frowning instantly, Konan noted that Akatsuki rings were no ordinary objects.
"It was a black rod Kishi used."
Kakuzu roughly described its appearance.
Konan's first thought was Rinnegan's Black Receiver, but from an effect perspective, it was clearly something else entirely.
Maybe it was some unique ninja tool of Kishi's.
There were many such tools in the ninja world.
The most famous ones were undoubtedly the Six Paths tools.
Without dwelling on it, Konan said, "Let's go back and report."
Kakuzu nodded, asking again, "Are we really letting him join Akatsuki?"
He still felt uneasy from today's battle.
"God fears no one."
Konan glanced at him and replied coolly.
Thinking about the Rinnegan, Kakuzu didn't say anything else.
Indeed, that thing was powerful.
Besides, he considered himself lucky to have survived—whether Kishi joined or not wasn't really his concern.
On the contrary, he actually found having such a strong power as a partner pretty good.
Meanwhile.
Terumī asked, "You really intend to let them go?"
"This organization clearly has more than three members."
Natsume explained, "Killing them now means making enemies completely, and we won't be able to get a clear picture of them later. Since they don't know who I really am, I don't mind playing along with them either."
Terumī stayed silent for a moment before nodding.
"This organization really is terrifying."
She gave a thoughtful sigh. "Three members almost captured San."
"If today hadn't been the day Natsume arrived, I don't know what terrible cost Kiri would have had to pay."
Mei Terumī sighed to herself.
Although Natsume's motives weren't entirely pure either, regardless of that, he had helped Kirigakure more than once.
"Weakness is a sin."
"Mizukage-sama!"
Ao appeared and said, "The Fourth Mizukage is safe. I left Zabuza behind to protect him. I came here just to inform you."
"Hmm."
Mei ordered, "Ao, return to Kiri and notify the Anbu to come clean up this battlefield."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Ao shot Natsume a curious glance but didn't ask anything and turned to leave.
"Thank you for your help today."
Mei tilted her head slightly and said.
"And then what?"
Natsume removed his mask and asked with a smile. "Is that all? Just one sentence?"
Mei was momentarily stunned. Noticing the look in his eyes, she felt her cheeks warm.
Her voice was tight with embarrassment as she said, "Didn't you say last time you wanted me to be your maid for seven days? I can fulfill that right now."
With that, she lowered her head, her ears flushing as well.
For her, saying something like that was deeply embarrassing.
"That was the reward for last time."
He clearly wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily. "You can't use that to brush aside this time's reward, can you?"
"You... what do you want?"
Mei lifted her head again, her face still flushed, her eyes filled with panic.
"Hmm, let's hold off on that for now."
Natsume wanted to say something even more outrageous but feared she wouldn't be able to accept it.
After all, she was essentially a traditional ninja.
"The maid thing… When exactly?"
Mei felt even more uneasy inside.
"In a couple of days."
Natsume gently replied. "I assume you're not available today anyway."
"Okay."
Mei looked away, clearly flustered.
"Call me if there's an emergency."
Natsume smiled and walked away directly.
The tension in Mei's body eased instantly. She leaned against the wall; her lipstick was nearly bitten off from how hard she'd bit her lip.
She couldn't even begin to imagine what was coming in two days.
But it was definitely going to be awful.
Yet, strangely, she also felt a flicker of anticipation.
"Have I lost my mind or something?"
She touched her burning cheeks and whispered softly.
[Because of your actions, Konan, Kakuzu, Hidan, Zabuza Momochi, Haku, Ao, Asuma Sarutobi, and Mei Terumī's destinies have changed. You have earned a total of 460 destiny value.]
As soon as Natsume returned to the Hokage's office, prompt sounds from the Tamaki of Destiny continuously rang out.
Among them, the biggest contributor was undoubtedly Hidan.
Because he had already died.
Actually, keeping him alive could have generated more destiny value over time.
But Natsume didn't particularly like him.
Plus, he wanted to test the Ruyi (a wish-granting scepter) gifted by Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Hence, the current situation arose.
Still, losing one cash cow wasn't a huge deal.
Although Natsume indirectly saved Asuma Sarutobi, he didn't care much.
The favor of saving a life would naturally be repaid by Kurenai Yuhi.
Ahem.
A knocking sound echoed.
Natsume lifted his head.
Speak of the devil—Kurenai Yuhi walked in just after being mentioned.
She wore a black tight skirt suit and stockings, her high heels clicking with rhythmic steps as she approached the Hokage's desk.
"Natsume."
Kurenai Yuhi smiled.
"Sister Kurenai, what can I do for you?"
Natsume sat on the Hokage chair and looked up at her.
From this angle, the view was quite delightful.
Those two buns jiggled softly.
"Would you like to have dinner at my place sometime?"
Kurenai explained, "My mother wants to thank you."
Ever since Natsume implemented the payment system, all she had to do was stay in Konoha and work as a secretary.
It was both safe and profitable.
She was deeply grateful to Natsume—and so was her mother.
After all, her daughter no longer had to go on dangerous missions.
For an ordinary mother, it was truly reassuring.
Especially considering that Kurenai's father, Shin Yuhi, had already passed away.
"When?" she asked.
"How about tomorrow night?" Kurenai thought for a few seconds before asking. "Will you be free by then?"
"No problem."
Natsume agreed immediately.
"Thank you."
Kurenai's smile grew even brighter. Her red eyes sparkled like gems.
"Since you're the one inviting me, I should be the one thanking you."
Natsume chuckled lightly to ease the atmosphere. "If you keep saying thanks like this, it'll look like I'm bullying my subordinates."
Kurenai paused briefly, blinked her eyes, and asked, "But have you thought about it?"
Ooooh—!!
"…"
Natsume coughed lightly. "Kurenai, stop teasing me. I'm not like that."
Seeing his slightly embarrassed reaction, Kurenai couldn't help but smirk.
Even though he was the famed Hokage, he was still just a kid in terms of age.
He couldn't even handle light teasing like this.
Kurenai placed the documents down. "These are the things you need to review today."
"Got it."
Natsume casually opened them. "You go ahead and do your work."
Kurenai nodded and turned to leave.
Her round, firm butt and long legs, wrapped in sleek stockings, were immediately on full display.
Natsume didn't look away until the door clicked shut behind her.
He shut the file again—he'd read it later.
Because he suddenly thought of someone.
Yugito Nii.
She'd been zapped with electricity for days; surely she was still alive?
Natsume rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
If she'd died, the Tamaki of Destiny would have issued a notification.
Plus, with the Two-Tailed Beast Matatabi sealed inside her, she wouldn't die easily either.
[The Flying Thunder God Technique] activated.
Natsume appeared in Yugito Nii's room.
"Teme…!"
He immediately heard an angry voice.
Though compared to earlier, it now sounded somewhat weak.
"Tsk."
Natsume observed her pale complexion without stepping closer. "Looks like you're in quite a mess."
Yugito stared intently at him, as if trying to devour him with her gaze.
"This whole place reeks." Natsume said with obvious malice. "I wonder what the Fourth Raikage would say if he saw this?"
"No! Please, no!" Yugito cried out in terror, backing away sharply. "I'd rather die!"
The higher one's pride, the more they value dignity and face.
How to put it...
She isn't afraid of biological death, but social ostracism is her greatest fear.
Yugito Nii couldn't bear to imagine that scenario at all.
She would completely lose herself.
But she couldn't even die if she wanted to.
"I actually thought you feared nothing," Natsume said, observing her composure slip, his lips curving into a smile. "This can't go on forever though. How about I give you a suggestion?"
"W-what... what suggestion?"
Yugito looked like a startled cat, losing all traces of her former fierceness.
Partly because she truly feared what would happen if Natsume summoned the Fourth Raikage.
"If I were you, I'd pretend to submit to me, letting me gradually let my guard down."
Natsume sat on the sofa, providing her with a potential escape. "Who knows, maybe someday you'll charm me enough to break your seal."
"..."
Yugito immediately had no words.
"Think about it, if you keep getting locked up by me, subjected to daily lightning shocks, do you really think you'll have any chances?"
Natsume could guess what she was thinking, so he added, "Unless, of course, you actually enjoy this lifestyle."
"Who would enjoy this?!"
Yugito couldn't help but grow furious.
Natsume narrowed his eyes slightly.
Her body tensed instantly, and her defiant glare melted into obedience.
After a prolonged silence, Yugito finally asked, "Then what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Didn't I already tell you?"
Natsume raised an eyebrow. "As punishment for your disrespectful words."
"Isn't this enough already?"
Yugito clenched her jaw. "If it's not, then just kill me already."
"Wishful thinking."
Leaning back into the sofa cushions, Natsume asked, "What do you think about my previous suggestion?"
"Not great."
Yugito gradually regained her calmness, replying, "Now that you've voiced it, it might seem like a chance—but really, it's no chance at all."
"You forgot about Matatabi."
Natsume reminded her. "With the Two-Tails sealed within you, it means even the slightest spark could ignite your escape."
Yugito hesitated, drifting into deep thought.
Right now, she was under a sealing technique, cut off from her chakra, thus stripped of any ability to resist.
However, sealing techniques had limits.
Matatabi still dwelled within her.
The tailed beasts' power was undeniable.
As long as Matatabi could break through the seal, even slightly, it would leak enough chakra, sufficient to help her break free from this trap.
Yugito lifted her head, looking straight at Natsume.
His expression was utterly indifferent.
It radiated unwavering confidence.
This very demeanor was exactly what Yugito once possessed.
She once believed herself the perfect jinchuriki, needing to fear no situation.
But reality had struck her down hard.
"Matatabi."
Yugito's mind drifted into the sealed space, asking, "Do you have a way to break this seal?"
"Giving it time, probably yes."
Matatabi considered carefully, answering, "Though the sealing technique on you is sophisticated, flaws will surface if it keeps repelling chakra attacks."
That's how the tailed beasts operate—simple, yet effective.
There's nothing wrong with that either.
In the original story, the Nine-Tails did reveal chakra through this action.
Yugito Nii returned to reality once again.
She took a deep breath. "If I agree, will you let me out? Or am I stuck here forever?"
"You'll naturally be allowed to go outside," Natsume shrugged. "I won't stop you even if you run back to Kumogakure—as long as you're strong enough."
"Fine!"
Yugito Nii's eyes became unusually serious, her expression showing determination like someone who had burned all bridges behind them. "Whatever command you give, I will follow."
"Oh..."
With death not being an option, what Natsume said was undoubtedly the only way out.
Unless she truly wanted to face the Fourth Raikage looking like this mess.
She didn't dare.
Even if it meant enduring Natsume's humiliation, she had to preserve her last shred of dignity in Kumogakure.
"A wise person knows when to yield."
Natsume nodded satisfactorily and continued, "What I want you to do isn't hard—just act like a cat for a few days."
"A cat?"
Yugito looked puzzled.
Thanks to Matatabi, she actually liked cats quite a bit.
But she didn't get what Natsume meant by "being a cat."
Was he asking her to make cat sounds all day?
At that moment, Natsume pulled out an outfit.
Cat ears, collar, tail, and chains—all were there.
"???"
Yugito Nii flew into a rage. "You disgusting pervert! That's impossible!"
"Then I'll send you back to Kumogakure," Natsume replied casually while getting up. "They must miss you dearly."
"..."
Yugito Nii trembled all over, radiating intense killing intent like a food-protecting little cat.
But she ultimately didn't dare to strike her master.
Under Natsume's watchful gaze, she picked up the clothes and said, "I want to take a bath."
In this room, every day she'd been struck by lightning without ever being allowed to clean herself, living worse than a stray cat.
Her stench was overwhelming.
That's why Natsume never touched her.
Also, partly why she feared meeting Kumogakure ninjas was for this very reason.
"Follow me," Natsume said, opening the door.
Yugito stepped out of the room, shivering with nervousness, terrified someone might see her.
That would utterly ruin her.
Fortunately, no one was around.
This courtyard had been specially prepared for Natsume by Ena Uzumaki—it wouldn't be disturbed.
Natsume walked into another room. "Bathroom."
(Five thousand words today! Lords, it's the end of the month—monthly votes are expiring soon. This book launched on the 17th last month and has kept a daily update rate of ten thousand words ever since. It's already hit seven hundred thousand words—this is honestly the fastest I've ever written.)
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