[Ding! Detected that due to the host's actions, Namikaze Minato fell into a disadvantageous position during his battle with A, losing an opportunity to display his talent. Special reward: taijutsu +2.]
While hurrying along the road, Gekko Chizan was momentarily stunned.
What's going on? Namikaze Minato is fighting A?
Wasn't Minato supposed to be on the battlefield in the Land of Grass? How did he end up at the Land of Hot Springs?
And from the looks of it, he even got the worse end of it.
Is that his fault? No! After all, facing a freak like A, surviving is already impressive.
Shaking off his thoughts, he activated his insect eyes to observe the surrounding environment.
By his estimation, he had already entered the residential zone of Iwagakure.
Soon, his intuition was confirmed.
Several figures were rushing toward his location at high speed.
The one leading them had a head of brown, explosive hair and a dark expression—he looked very strong.
The moment he saw him, Gekko Chizan's pupils shrank. He recognized this person.
A Jōnin from Iwagakure—Kakkō. In ninjutsu, taijutsu, and Genjutsu, he was one of the top-tier experts in the village.
Most crucially, in the original story's Kanabi Bridge mission, it was through the tactics he had honed from rich combat experience that Obito was killed.
In short, he was a formidable ninja.
"Stop! If you come any closer, I'll attack!"
Kakkō eyed Gekko Chizan with suspicion.
After all, Chizan currently appeared as Kakuzu, with no forehead protector and dressed in plain, nondescript clothing.
To Kakkō, this person radiated strangeness, and he was even carrying someone? Judging by the attire, it was probably a ninja.
Hearing the warning, Gekko Chizan slowly stopped walking, but his eyes remained locked on Kakkō.
And who was Gekko Chizan? The master of disguise.
He had mimicked Kakuzu's demeanor and aura to near perfection—enough to intimidate the other party.
"Hmph, a ninja from Iwagakure? Perfect."
"I have a deal to discuss. I wonder if you're interested?"
A deep, oppressive voice came from Gekko Chizan.
Kakkō grew even more cautious upon hearing it.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
"Me? I'm Kakuzu, a bounty hunter. Your Iwagakure higher-ups should know who I am."
At the name "Kakuzu," Kakkō was visibly startled.
Yes, he had heard of that name—a notoriously powerful mercenary. It was said he'd do anything for the right price.
"What kind of deal are you proposing?"
"This is the deal."
Gekko Chizan smiled slightly and casually tossed Troy's corpse onto the ground.
Only now did Kakkō get a clear look at the ninja's face.
"A Kumogakure Jōnin… a Magnetic Release kekkei genkai user… Troy..."
"You actually killed him?"
The surrounding Iwagakure ninja all showed looks of shock.
"How much is he worth? If the price is right, I might be willing to make a few more deals with you."
"Like some intelligence, for example."
Kakkō composed himself, eyes full of wariness, then slowly stepped forward and stood before Gekko Chizan.
"How much are you asking?"
"Hmph. The bounty office offered 50 million, but I think that's too low. He's a kekkei genkai user, after all. Your Iwagakure has deep pockets—surely you're not that stingy."
Gekko Chizan deliberately mentioned the bounty office first to guide their thinking. As a seasoned schemer, he knew just how dangerous it was to let others control the narrative.
Sure enough, upon hearing "bounty office," Kakkō nodded. Clearly, he was familiar with it.
"I'll need to report your request to the Tsuchikage-sama."
"How long will that take? My time is valuable."
"Not long. You three, keep an eye on him. I'll be back shortly."
With that, Kakkō turned and rushed back to the base.
Gekko Chizan was completely unbothered—after all, the one surrounded by Iwagakure wasn't him, but a shadow clone.
He'd never take such risks himself. His real body was several kilometers away, watching the show.
"Chizan, do you think Iwagakure will catch on?"
"No. In fact, I hope he reports to Tsuchikage Ōnoki. If it's Ōnoki, he'll definitely know who Kakuzu is."
"Who is this Kakuzu anyway? Why are you so sure Ōnoki will recognize him?"
"Hmph, just a very troublesome guy."
Kakkō acted swiftly. Upon returning to camp, he immediately sought out the communication ninja.
"Contact the Tsuchikage-sama now. I have critical intel."
The ninja was confused, but when he saw Kakkō's serious expression, he dared not delay. He quickly activated Iwagakure's special communication technique—Rock Transmission.
The ninja placed his hand on a special stone, then turned to Kakkō.
"Ask Tsuchikage-sama: A bounty hunter named Kakuzu has arrived. He brought the corpse of Kumogakure Jōnin Troy and wants to exchange it for money."
"The price is over 50 million ryō, and he also claims to have more intel."
"Urgent report—requesting immediate response from Tsuchikage-sama."
This was Iwagakure's unique intel transmission method. It sent text across long distances through special rocks.
It was discreet—and very much their style.
Soon, a reply came.
"If it really is Kakuzu, then agree to the deal. As for the intel, listen to what he has to say. If it's worthwhile, pay him."
A single line of instruction gave Kakkō a clear plan.
Meanwhile, far away in Iwagakure, Tsuchikage Ōnoki slowly floated into the air while staring at the message-bearing stone.
A trace of surprise appeared on his face.
"Tsuchikage-sama, do you know this Kakuzu?"
The two ninjas beside him couldn't help but ask curiously.
Ōnoki nodded.
"He's from my generation. A very powerful ninja. Originally from Takigakure, but greedy by nature—eventually betrayed his village and became a bounty hunter."
"I've hired him before."
"Didn't expect that during wartime, he's still out there... and even took down a kekkei genkai user from Kumogakure."
"Must have accepted a bounty, hah... Lucky for us the bounty office didn't pay enough, otherwise this catch wouldn't be ours."
"A Magnetic Release user's corpse still has its uses!"
Just as Gekko Chizan had predicted—using Kakuzu's identity to deceive Ōnoki worked perfectly. Ōnoki, who frequently used mercenaries, was undoubtedly familiar with Kakuzu.
"Tell Kakkō to pay him. And get Troy's body back to the village immediately—hand it over to the research division."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."