"I'm sorry… you might have to wait about another twenty years. You should understand what I mean, right? For you Tailed Beasts, it's probably just a blink of an eye… I can't say too much…"
"I hope you continue to persevere… in this world of constant conflict…"
"Reinforce Sealing Jutsu!" Uchiha Shigure directly used the Sealing Jutsu, but this time, Chōmei didn't resist at all. Besides showing some surprise, he allowed Shigure to seal him.
When Shigure returned to the real world, the seal on the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki also stabilized.
"Medical squad!" Takikage immediately called for the medical team to rescue the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Not only did he absorb the Tailed Beast Bomb… but he can also unleash such terrifying attacks… No wonder people call you the Light of the Shinobi World…" Hayashi Rei was no longer surprised by Shigure; she seemed to have become numb to it.
"This is truly incredible! Even the God of Shinobi wouldn't be much more than this, would he? But you're not even six years old, are you? Dealing with a destructive weapon like a Tailed Beast was just a flick of your hand! Would you consider staying in Takigakure long-term? That would also help us stabilize the Seven-Tails."
The Takikage was eager to keep Shigure.
"Don't worry, the Seven-Tails won't go berserk again. I've reinforced the Sealing Jutsu. Unless the Jinchūriki herself breaks the seal, it won't endanger your village."
"We agreed on two conditions, remember? Information about the underground exchange… and taking care of my business." Shigure repeated, fearing that the Takikage would renege on the deal.
The Takikage said somewhat impatiently, "I know! Opening a convenient door for you, and information about the underground bounty station, right?"
He continued, "This underground exchange, also called the underground bounty station, is a place where one can freely accept and post missions. Naturally, after completing a mission, one can also turn it in for a bounty, which is why it's called the underground bounty station."
"Why is it called the underground bounty station?" Rei asked. "Does that mean it's an actual station built underground?"
"Naive… The reason it's called the underground bounty station is because all the missions there are unsavory," the Takikage explained.
"Unsavory…" Rei seemed to understand.
"This goes back to a piece of history. Ninjas were originally a profession that took on missions for rewards. Due to the prosperity of ninjutsu, the samurai era ended. However, the prevalence of ninjutsu also brought endless conflict.
"The one-country, one-village system implemented by Konohagakure in the Land of Fire was very suitable for ninjas. The Five Great Nations, including Konoha, have all continued to use it to this day. Even small countries like our Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Grass have implemented this system.
"Different countries issue different assignments. These assignments are divided into different ranks, to be carried out by different ninjas. This way, problems are solved, and ninjas receive rewards. This is the way of the ninja. But… rogue ninjas exist in the ninja world.
"The principle of the underground bounty station is that no matter who you are, as long as you complete the mission, you will receive rewards — and generally, those rewards are not small. Villages issue assignments to sabotage opponents, or even assassinate the daimyō and important officials of other countries… These are all unsavory things."
After the Takikage finished explaining, Rei nodded. Where there is light, there are naturally shadows.
"I see… It seems the underground exchange is not that simple… So the underground exchange has existed since the birth of the ninja villages — an organization similar to the bounty system, but separate from the Five Great Nations, right?"
"Completing such bounty missions, regardless of origin — as long as the mission is completed, one can receive a reward, right?" Shigure asked.
"Not entirely. Ninjas from the Five Great Nations are forbidden from completing missions at the underground bounty station. Completing missions for shinobi from other countries implies treason. Therefore, only rogue ninjas and wandering ninjas are regular customers of the underground bounty station."
The Takikage finally said, "The underground exchange organization, although long-standing… the identities of its leaders and founders are unknown. Perhaps there are no leaders, no founders — just an organization that earns bounties."
Shigure nodded. "Thank you, Takikage. May I ask if you know its exact location?"
The Takikage shook his head. "Sorry… I don't know… But there's a prisoner who might be able to help you."
"A prisoner? Could it be…?"
"Yes, he's a rogue ninja from Takigakure. He must know the location of the exchange — but he's a genjutsu-type with a very strong mind. It won't be easy to use genjutsu on him…"
Shigure smiled faintly. "Rei, we have a lead."
"Oh… I see! Sharingan, huh? I forgot about that!" The Takikage instantly understood.
He led Shigure and Rei to the Takigakure prison.
"That person is Senbon," the Takikage pointed.
"Haha! You old geezer? Did someone come to see me? I don't recognize these people!" The rogue ninja named Senbon mocked arrogantly.
"You will recognize me. Sharingan!" Although Shigure wasn't a genjutsu-type, his soul and illusions were far beyond the rogue ninja in front of him.
Instantly, Senbon took on a dazed expression.
"Where is the underground exchange?" Shigure asked.
"In the southwest of the Land of Waterfalls…" Senbon answered honestly.
"Alright! We should set off! Rei!" After learning the location of the underground bounty station, Shigure bid farewell to the Takikage.
Although slightly inappropriate, Shigure still reminded the Takikage about his future business ventures.
Following that, Shigure and Rei left Takigakure and finally arrived near the underground exchange.
"I'll transform into Senbon… this guy should be a small fry, no one will pay attention to him," Rei said, immediately using the Transformation Jutsu.
"You've turned into Senbon, what about me?" Shigure rubbed his temple.
"Whatever you want. Or how about becoming my pet?" Rei teased.
"I can't be bothered with you." Shigure thought for a moment, then said, "I've got it! Why can't I transform into him?"
He immediately used the Transformation Jutsu, taking the form of a man wearing a black uniform, a Takigakure forehead protector with a scratch across it, green eyes, and a mask. Aside from not wearing the Akatsuki cloak with red clouds, everything else was identical.
"Who is this? He doesn't look like a good person!" Rei, disguised as Senbon, commented.
"My name is Kakuzu. Don't forget it once we enter. This person should have some reputation. Hopefully, we can get some information about Suisen and the others," Shigure said cautiously, perfectly mimicking the original Kakuzu.
"Stay close to me… It seems we've found the entrance." Shigure carefully observed his surroundings.
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