"I'm heading out to take care of something. You just stay busy."
Kawaki had originally planned to visit Kakuzu later in the afternoon.
But as soon as he arrived at the Hokage's office and saw that the pile of paperwork on his desk had more than doubled since yesterday, he immediately changed his mind and decided to leave quickly.
This must have something to do with Kakuzu as well.
The damages from last night had already been reported today.
"Don't go! I can't handle all this alone!"
Shouta hurriedly tried to stop him—it was going to work him to death.
"Seriously, I actually came here just to say hi."
"You heard about what happened last night, right?"
Kawaki gave him a crafty look and began to pull one over on Shouta.
"Heard about it."
"But wasn't the guy already caught by you?"
Shouta asked confusedly. Naturally, the Anbu would handle interrogations.
There was no need for Kawaki himself to get involved.
"Ahhh, that's where you're wrong."
"We did catch him, but the guy isn't talking."
"I suspect he might even be a spy sent from another village. I'd feel better if I handled this personally."
Kawaki patiently explained, his expression quite serious.
If Kakuzu heard this, he'd probably be baffled.
Since when did he know anything about this?
He couldn't possibly be blamed for this—he was only driven by greed!
"Oh, in that case, please hurry back."
As soon as Shouta heard it was a foreign spy, he dropped his suspicion.
Indeed, this matter was much more important than dealing with these documents. He'd just have to bear the burden quietly.
"Alright then, see you later."
With a snap of his fingers, Kawaki vanished from Shouta's sight—gone in an instant.
"He sure ran off fast."
Muttering complaints, Shouta glanced at the stacks of papers on both desks. His head throbbed just looking at them.
Right now, he was truly the most unfortunate soul alive.
Sighing, he could only start processing files while silently praying that Kawaki would return soon.
"Big bro, I'm here~"
Kawaki appeared directly in Sakumo's office.
"What do you want? Did you leave Shouta alone in the office again?"
"You can't keep pushing the honest guys around, you know!!"
Sakumo felt sorry for Shouta.
Poor guy got stuck with Kawaki as a boss—it must've been bad luck stretching back eight lifetimes.
"Listen to how you're talking. I never said that."
"I came here for interrogation—that's real work."
For once, Kawaki felt a little embarrassed and genuinely guilty inside.
Still, he refused to admit fault out loud, thinking he should extract Kakuzu's money first before heading back.
"Pfft, give me a break."
"You can fool others, but don't try pulling that act on me."
Sakumo knew Kawaki better than anyone.
"Cough cough... Let's not argue about this anymore—I'm off to the prison cells."
Knowing he'd never win against Sakumo, Kawaki decided to slip away.
"They just transferred the prisoner to the interrogation room. Just head there directly."
Sakumo sighed helplessly—he really couldn't do anything about Kawaki.
"Got it, big bro."
His voice still echoed in the room when Kawaki vanished.
Soon after, he reached the interrogation chamber.
"Lord Kawaki."
Several Anbu greeted Kawaki respectfully as he arrived.
"Hn. Which room is the person caught last night being held in?"
Kawaki cut straight to the chase without small talk.
"In Room Three."
One of the Anbu, being thoughtful, immediately led Lord Kawaki after speaking.
This was indeed Kawaki's first time here, and in truth, he had no real interest in interrogating prisoners. If it weren't for his thoughts about Kakuzu's considerable fortune, he definitely wouldn't have shown up somewhere like this.
"Hmm."
Lord Kawaki followed the Anbu past several interrogation rooms, from which the occasional terrifying scream echoed out. It seemed the Anbu used rather brutal interrogation methods.
"We're here."
The Anbu stopped walking and pointed at the iron door before them. A sign marked "Interrogation Room No. 3" hung above the door.
"Alright, you can go now."
After saying that, Lord Kawaki strode straight into the room as he pushed the door open.
Kakuzu remained trapped within the wooden prison, looking utterly dejected.
"Lord Kawaki!"
The two Anbu guarding Kakuzu quickly rose to their feet and bowed respectfully.
"You two can go. I'll handle it from here."
Lord Kawaki waved a hand casually, signaling for them to exit.
"Yes."
Without any dodging or hesitation, the two obediently stepped outside.
Clang! The iron door slammed shut, leaving only Kawaki and Kakuzu inside the interrogation room.
"Release."
With a single hand seal, the wooden prison binding Kakuzu began slowly to disappear.
"Feeling okay? Not dying anytime soon, are we?"
Lord Kawaki grabbed a stool and sat directly in front of Kakuzu, then crossed one leg over the other comfortably, looking extremely relaxed.
"Tch, just kill me already if that's what you want."
Cooled off overnight, Kakuzu suddenly grew bold again. He seemed to have forgotten how he'd begged for mercy just yesterday.
"Aw, come now, no need for that. I'm not the kind to kill without reason. The reason I came today is actually to propose a deal with you."
From start to finish, Lord Kawaki maintained a smile; he could accept whatever attitude Kakuzu showed. Did he really expect Kakuzu to greet him warmly?
"What kind of deal?"
Kakuzu asked coldly, clearly showing only disinterest.
"Hand over your money, and I'll let you walk away free. Afterward, you'll be someone who has faced off against two Gods of the Ninja World. Once released, you can make even more money and boost your reputation, right?"
Speaking at a slow pace and gesturing casually, Lord Kawaki looked like he was having a relaxed chat with an old friend.
"You must be dreaming. You expect me to give you my money, then you just kill me afterward to end everything? Cut the crap."
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Kakuzu nearly laughed out loud in anger. Did this guy really think he was some kid he could fool that easily?
"A gentleman's word is his bond. As long as you hand over your money, I will set you free. I mean what I say, and I won't break my promise."
Leaning suddenly closer, Lord Kawaki startled Kakuzu slightly. It was impossible for Kakuzu not to feel apprehensive toward Kawaki.
"I… I don't trust you."
Kakuzu wasn't clinging stubbornly to his money—he feared losing both his life and his riches. Even though Kawaki sounded sincere, they were both crafty old foxes; how could Kakuzu possibly trust him easily?
"Then tell me, what would make you believe me?"
Lord Kawaki tossed the decision back to Kakuzu—there was no way he was giving up that money.
"What?"
Kakuzu thought he must've misheard.
Did he really have the right to make demands in his current position?
"What exactly do I need to do for you to believe me?"
Kawaki rephrased himself, but the message was the same.
"Let me go first. I'll pay you once I'm safe."
Kakuzu didn't hesitate—he chose the safest path for himself. As long as Kawaki agreed, he would definitely pay.
"Then go ahead and die."
Kawaki was just as fickle as a dog's face—his mood shifted instantly. He stood up to leave.
"Don't! We can still talk this over."
Kakuzu panicked now. Having seen hope, how could he possibly give up?
A nearly imperceptible smile flickered across Kawaki's lips. He had thoroughly studied human nature.
"Is that really your negotiating attitude?"
"How could you say that? Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Kawaki sat back down, clearly displeased. He looked like he might get up and leave at any second.
"My apologies. Then let's make a compromise."
"What if this—we each take a step toward the other?"
"I trust the mighty God of the Ninja World won't stoop to cheating someone like me, just a wandering ninja."
Kakuzu forced himself to flatter Kawaki with nauseating words before continuing.
"I'll give you half upfront now, and the rest once we're out of Konoha."
"But there's one extra condition I'd like to add."
He stole a glance at Kawaki's face as he spoke.
"Go ahead," Kawaki responded uncharacteristically calm, his tone flat.
"You must find someone to heal my injuries."
"Half will be paid immediately upon leaving Konoha."
Kakuzu pondered. As long as his wounds were healed, escaping outside Konoha should be possible—assuming Kawaki, the shameless bastard, didn't intervene himself.