"You're not going to kill me?" Kakuzu asked, surprised.
"You took money to do a job. Strictly speaking, there's no hatred between us that can't be settled, is there?
"Besides, I've already killed you four times.
"You're just special enough that it didn't stick," Kokugetsu said, removing his ANBU mask with a small smile.
Kakuzu fell silent.
"Hey. My strength isn't an insult to you, right?"
"Your strength is great. I'm not your match," Kakuzu said bluntly. "With power like that, why are you unknown in the shinobi world? Even in Konoha, you should have made a name for yourself."
"Maybe I only reached this level at the end of the war.
"And if you surge too fast, you attract trouble. A genius can be a step ahead, not miles."
"I see. If I refuse, do I die?"
"Of course. I'm not in the mood to reenact seven captures and seven releases," Kokugetsu replied, face smoothing flat.
Kakuzu didn't know the reference, but he got the point.
"What's in it for me if I follow you?"
"To move you, I pay you. Internal rate. First job is a free trial."
"Fine. As long as there's money. What's the first job?"
"Return their own methods to them."
"You want me to kill whoever posted the bounty at the exchange," Kakuzu said after thinking. "I can do it. I don't know who it is."
"I do. Barring surprises, the Hyūga clan's Great Elder.
"The clan head has backed off, but the old men won't let the Byakugan go.
"I took a war trophy from a Mist ninja. Why should I hand it back?
"Once things broke, I assassinated the Second Elder and Third Elder of the Hyūga main house. The last old man is simply waiting for a clean opening."
Kakuzu drew a sharp breath. "You killed main-house elders of your own village's Hyūga?"
The Hyūga were famed across the world, strong in power and reach.
"If they're preparing to kill me, I strike first," Kokugetsu said as if stating a rule of nature.
"Aren't you afraid of Hyūga revenge, or the village finding out?"
"My grandfather's father, my parents—gone. I'm on my own. What's there to fear?
"They want to play, then we play.
"As for the village, Hyūga pride won't run to tattle. Even if they do, without hard proof, the elders who back me can't be forced to act.
"And if the village does discover it, I walk.
"I like Konoha, but it isn't the only place to live. The world's not so small."
Kakuzu found himself nodding. He had never been the usual kind of shinobi either.
"I can kill the Great Elder. How do I get into Konoha, into the Hyūga compound? Your village barrier and their Byakugan are famous."
"Not asking how you get out?" Kokugetsu's brow lifted, a smile at his lips.
"I got out of Konoha before. I can again. And if I can't, dying there is fine. Most shinobi die on some mission."
Kokugetsu laughed. "Refreshing. But relax. I'll handle extraction.
"Only the strike on the Great Elder carries risk. The rest is safe."
"So confident. I'm very curious about this plan."
"No rush. Let's find a place in town and talk it over at dinner.
"Don't resist. I'm moving us now."
Mask back on, Kokugetsu flashed to Kakuzu's side, formed seals for show, and set his right hand on Kakuzu's shoulder.
Kakuzu stiffened, then eased.
"What is this?"
"Step in and see."
They walked into a black-red spiral. A blink later, a bustling town spread beneath their feet.
"Space-time ninjutsu. Terrifying space-time ninjutsu," Kakuzu said, openly shocked.
"After you kill the target, head for the nearest forest. I'll pull you out with space-time. Clean escape."
Kokugetsu clasped his hands behind his back, voice calm and sure, black hair stirring in the wind.
"You keep surprising me. Even the famed Yellow Flash likely can't do this."
"Minato-senpai can't."
"Absorption, space-time. What's your aim?"
"Short term, become the Sun of Konoha. Medium term, the Sun of the shinobi world.
"The big goal can wait."
The Sun of Konoha. The Sun of the shinobi world. Kakuzu mulled it over. It sounded like bringing warmth, hope, and peace. A grand aim.
"Impressive goal. Interesting, too. Out of curiosity, I'll lend you a hand," Kakuzu said, deadly serious.
Kokugetsu let the misunderstanding stand. If there was only one sun in this world, peace wouldn't be hard to enforce.
"Good. Let's go book a private room and talk over food."
Kakuzu, monster or not, still needed to eat. That was energy.
"Fine."
They cast Transformation and dropped from the rooftop together.
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