[Hidden Rain Village]
[Kakuzu's Office]
This place had already become Akatsuki's semi-public reception room.
Now many factions already knew, Akatsuki was based in the Hidden Rain Village.
Even though he lost three hearts, Kakuzu had gone out once and earned three billion. He still felt pleased as can be.
He sent word to Sunagakure.
Sunagakure had already sent people to receive the tea cup and the Shukaku sealed inside it.
Although Shukaku was a weakling in other places, in its desert home field, when fully tailed-beast transformed, its endurance was still very strong.
The key was that the Third Hokage wanted to weaken the Uchiha's strength, and he was throwing money at it.
Naturally, Sunagakure raised both hands and feet in agreement.
"This battle's results also need to be released publicly, only then will more factions come to us to handle their tailed-beast matters."
Although Kakuzu, as an old member of Akatsuki, knew that in the future the organization's goal was to capture jinchuriki and extract their tailed beasts, but since the leader now wanted to make money by restraining jinchuriki, Kakuzu naturally wouldn't object.
Anyway, compared to capturing tailed beasts, this kind of work made more money now, why not do it?
He had just exchanged words with Master Senku and found that Senku didn't want a single coin, giving the whole share to him.
How was this a Master Senku? This was basically a father.
So Kakuzu's respect for Senku was unusually deep.
As for Senku being simple, idealistic, naive, that didn't matter.
The key was that Senku could capture tailed beasts, extract tailed beasts, and make money.
"Master Senku, do you say we need to discuss sealing matters with Sunagakure?", At Senku's side, Kakuzu fawned like an old servant.
Senku's expression was calm. He took out the tea cup, "I have already examined this magical beast's temperament, it is violent."
"It requires someone with a strong will as the jailer."
"It must be an adult, and of a certain strength."
From earlier communications, Kakuzu already roughly understood what kind of person Senku was.
At this time, he also patted his chest and told Senku, "Master Senku, don't worry, I will convey your opinion."
Senku slowly shook his head, "Not an opinion, a requirement."
"If a child is still used as the jailer, I will extract it again."
Kakuzu didn't care whether it could succeed or not. After all, that was for later. He only needed to pass it along.
"Master Senku, rest assured, I will pass it along."
Senku bowed slightly to Kakuzu, "Then I trouble you, Benefactor Kakuzu."
Kakuzu was as kind as a believer, "Master Senku, no need to be so polite."
"By the way, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki… that jailer seen during this mission."
"If a change is needed, what preparations must be made?"
Senku, utterly serious, spoke, "That magical beast called Nine-Tails is extremely powerful."
"Besides a determined adult, it also requires the sealing to be pre-drawn."
"Only then will it be convenient to transfer the beast."
Kakuzu noted all of this down, since it would all be used later in negotiations with Konoha's Third Hokage.
"With this matter concluded, I will take my leave."
"Master, take care," Kakuzu didn't ask where Senku was going. So long as Konan could contact him, that was enough.
———
[Konoha Village]
[Hokage's Office]
Sarutobi Ishishu also returned and reported the details of this battle to the Third Hokage.
And he emphasized Senku's personality.
"Shukaku had no power to resist?"
Sarutobi Ishishu confirmed, "This Senku Master's 'Holy Seal' seems specifically designed to counter tailed beasts."
"When sealing the Two-Tails jinchuriki earlier, it was also this sealing technique."
"The tailed beast basically had no power to resist."
"In his presence, a tailed beast isn't much different from an ordinary wild beast outside."
"Mm…", The Third Hokage slowly paced.
Previously, Master Senku's sudden appearance already drew the attention of all the major forces in the shinobi world.
Now with his second move, Akatsuki would likely spread this information as well.
From now on, would jinchuriki wars drop in priority just because of Senku alone?
This Senku had indeed stated clearly that a change of "jailer" was required.
But specifically, Konoha hadn't yet discussed it with him.
With Akatsuki's recent actions, they had already shown their power. They were now an organization of major weight in the shinobi world.
"Looks like we need to have a talk with Akatsuki."
The Third Hokage thought for a while and naturally wasn't going to miss this chance.
Ishishu asked, "Will you personally go?"
The Third Hokage shook his head, "Jiraiya will go."
He couldn't easily leave Konoha Village. Jiraiya, after all, was Konan's teacher, so his words would carry some weight.
Since Gaara was safe this time, persuading Jiraiya would also be simple.
———
[Uchiha Hospital]
Beep! Beep!
Listening to the beeping sounds by his ear, Gaara slowly opened his eyes.
"Where… am I…"
Kabuto leaned his head in, "Gaara, you're awake."
"Brother Kabuto, I… why am I here?"
Gaara and Kabuto were old acquaintances, so of course he knew this was a hospital.
"I remember I was doing a mission together with Naruto and Sasuke."
Kabuto nodded, "Your tailed beast was extracted. Rengoku-sama brought you back to the clan."
"The tailed beast was extracted?"
Gaara was dumbstruck. He suddenly lifted his clothes, there should have been a sealing mark on his stomach.
But now it was completely gone.
He also could no longer sense Shukaku's existence.
"That's great!"
"That's great!"
Gaara cried tears of joy. The Shukaku that had caused his tragic childhood finally no longer clung to him.
He was finally an independent person, not Shukaku's prison anymore.
Tears of joy were still relatively easy to hold back.
He quickly wiped his tears dry:
"Brother Kabuto, doesn't extracting a tailed beast cause death? Why didn't I die?"
Kabuto tried to pat Gaara's shoulder, but sand automatically rose up to protect Gaara, blocking Kabuto's hand outside.
Gaara was stunned too when he saw the sand protecting him.
What Rengoku-sama said was true, the sand was Mother protecting him, and it had nothing to do with Shukaku.
Kabuto wasn't bothered by his hand being blocked, since the meaning was already clear.
"Rengoku-sama shared his life force with you, so you survived."
Gaara's whole body jolted.
"Where is Rengoku-sama?"
"You looking for me?", Rengoku's voice came from behind Gaara.
Gaara turned his head in delight, but was shocked to find Rengoku's hair already half white.
Kabuto added from the side, "Rengoku-sama lost too much life force, that's why his hair turned white."
Gaara's eyes immediately reddened.
"Rengoku-sama."
Gaara rushed forward toward Rengoku.
Rengoku swept aside the sand, then caught Gaara.
When Gaara's sand failed to block him, it stopped moving as well.
"I'm sorry, Rengoku-sama, that to save me you consumed so much life force."
Rengoku lightly patted Gaara's back.
"It's fine. I promised you before, I said I'd let you stay here."
"A promise must be kept. Now you're no longer a jinchuriki, you're a member of my Uchiha."
Gaara nodded heavily, clinging to Rengoku and sobbing aloud.
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