Land of Iron.
A forest path.
Since it had just rained, the rutted road had become muddy.
Two ninja wearing the black cloak adorned with Red Clouds walked along the path. One had his hands behind his head, with an expression of complete nonchalance.
The other clutched a thick book in both hands, reading intently with his head bowed.
Splash!
The reading ninja stepped into a puddle, splashing mud everywhere onto his companion's clothes.
"Kakuzu!" Seeing his clothes now messed up with mud, the nearby ninja frowned in annoyance.
"Are you done messing around with whatever trash you're reading? Can't you walk more carefully?"
Hearing his companion's complaint, Kakuzu lifted his head and stared at him with his green eyes, then said solemnly, "Hidan, I'm studying the bounty list."
"There are several good targets even within the Land of Iron."
Upon hearing this, Hidan sighed somewhat helplessly, "You really are a workaholic."
"If you also became a follower of the evil god, I'm sure the evil god would be very pleased."
Kakuzu snorted lightly, "The only thing that interests me is making money."
"If your so-called evil god could make me count money until my hands go numb, then maybe I wouldn't mind becoming his follower."
Hidan couldn't help but retort, "How can you demand rewards for serving the evil god?"
"Besides, once we reach the capital city of the Land of Iron this time, you'll receive one hundred million ryo. That should keep you happy for quite a while."
"No," Kakuzu shook his head, "That one hundred million won't be easy to get."
"The enemy we're facing this time might very well be that Mirai Uchiha brat."
Seeing Kakuzu's reaction, Hidan raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise, "Kakuzu, are you actually scared?"
Hidan snorted scornfully, carefully tucking away the bounty list, proudly declaring, "Hidan, you underestimate me too much."
"I've lived over eighty years and seen countless storms."
"Back then, I was even a ninja who attempted to assassinate the First Hokage."
"Although I eventually failed, I still managed to escape unscathed."
"A mere young upstart like Mirai Uchiha won't possibly intimidate me."
Kakuzu's voice dripped with arrogance.
Surviving under Hashirama Senju, the God of Ninja, was no feat just anyone could accomplish.
Moreover, back then he hadn't yet mastered [Earth Grudge Fear].
If he were to attempt to assassinate Hashirama Senju now, there might actually be a chance of success!
"Ugh, not this First Hokage assassination nonsense again... I'm so tired of hearing about it."
Hidan muttered under his breath.
Ever since he was teamed up with Kakuzu, he heard those "assassinate the First Hokage" stories over and over again every single day...
What an outdated, stubborn, and boring old man. This is enough already.
Kakuzu, however, seemed completely oblivious to Hidan's mood. He looked at him curiously and asked, "Hidan, do you really think you can take down Mirai Uchiha?"
Hidan ran a hand through his tall, spiky hair, a manic grin spreading across his face. "The evil gods will bless me! I'll defeat Mirai Uchiha and offer her as a sacrifice to the evil gods!"
"Just imagining that moment sends shivers of excitement through my whole body!"
"Kakuzu, don't even think about stealing her from me, or I'll have no choice but to sacrifice you too."
Kakuzu snorted lightly. "You can have your sacrifice. As for me, I want Mirai Uchiha's corpse—I'm bringing her to the black market for the bounty."
"Her head alone is worth fifty billion ryō (a massive sum in the ninja world)!"
Even Hashirama Senju never commanded a bounty that high during his time.
If they could collect the bounty on Mirai Uchiha, Kakuzu would become a legend among bounty hunters!
Thinking about this, Kakuzu and Hidan exchanged glances before bursting into uncontrollable laughter...
———
In the Hidden Leaf Village,
Inside a two-story villa located just outside the heart of the Hidden Leaf Village,
Shizuka Yuhi, Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, and Mirai Uchiha were seated in the living room, calmly sipping tea together.
"Sensei Shizuka," said someone, "you've been going on fewer missions lately, haven't you?"
Upon hearing this, Shizuka Yuhi smiled slightly. "Ever since the Shen Nation was formed, the ninja world has become much more peaceful, and consequently there are fewer missions requiring ninja."
"I never thought five ninja villages could actually unite to form a single nation."
Looking at his current disciple, Shizuka's eyes were filled with appreciation.
Back then, when Kurenai had begged him to accept Mirai Uchiha as his student, he had actually felt somewhat reluctant.
After all, the Uchiha Clan's position within the village and their notoriously proud and defiant nature were widely known.
Yet he hadn't expected that within just a few short years, that once immature teenager would grow into someone of this level.
His rank as a supervising jonin had risen accordingly.
If he hadn't listened to Kurenai's suggestion back then, wouldn't he be regretting it now?
Mirai Uchiha smiled. "Sensei, since there are fewer missions now, I'll give you some other tasks to handle instead."
"Now that the Shen Nation had just been established, there are countless things needing attention every day. Just consider this helping out your apprentice."
Shizuka snorted lightly. "Don't think I don't know what you're plotting."
"Yuhi Kurenai has come of age, and she's always wanted to move in with you. I won't interfere in matters like that."
"But when it comes to the dowry, you absolutely cannot come up short."
Shizuka Yuhi, having lost his beloved daughter, decided he must make Mirai Uchiha bleed heavily — otherwise, he'd never feel at peace.
What a wonderful daughter!
She was practically taken the moment she graduated from the Ninja Academy!
His heartache as a father should be something Mirai Uchiha would also experience.
Of course, Shizuka Yuhi wouldn't personally keep any of that money.
He just wanted Mirai to feel that sting of letting go — like losing a piece of yourself. After a few days, he'd return the entire dowry untouched.
In response, Mirai Uchiha waved his hand generously, "Sensei, how much dowry do you want?"
Shizuka Yuhi thought for a moment before raising one finger.
"One million ryo?"
Seeing Mirai Uchiha's serious expression, Shizuka Yuhi felt a jolt in his heart.
Wow! His original expectation was 100,000 ryo, but he hadn't expected Mirai to immediately quote one million ryo...
"Not speaking? Could it be... one hundred million ryo?"
Pfft!
Shizuka Yuhi was so shocked he choked on his tea, coughing repeatedly.
One hundred million ryo?!
Just how loaded is this guy?!
Noticing his daughter's expression starting to darken slightly, Shizuka Yuhi hurriedly intervened, "Enough, that's enough."
Afraid his daughter might lash out at him right there, Shizuka Yuhi quickly agreed to Mirai Uchiha's terms.
"One hundred million ryo it is!"
As he spoke, a mischievous grin appeared on Shizuka Yuhi's face.
Mirai, son, can you feel that aching loss yet?
Just thinking about it made him feel like he had finally gotten some revenge.
So satisfying!
Under Shizuka Yuhi's watchful eye, Mirai Uchiha pulled out a pen and hastily scribbled something on a piece of paper. "Sensei Shizuka, this is the dowry list I promised. Please keep it safe."
Shizuka Yuhi took the list and glanced at it, a slightly puzzled expression appearing on his face.
"Mirai, didn't we just agree on one hundred million ryo?"
"Why did you write two hundred million ryo here?"
Upon hearing this, Mirai Uchiha shyly smiled, "Sensei Shizuka, didn't you recently adopt Rin as your foster daughter?"
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