Bang!
The swiftly flying wrist instantly shattered the tree, but the chakra clone's figure had already vanished, reappearing suddenly behind Kakuzu.
'This guy is fast.' Kakuzu retracted his wrist, retreated abruptly, and stood on high alert, abandoning his previous underestimation of him.
"Oh, it seems that rumor was wrong."
The chakra clone stroked his chin and nodded. "So what really happened? I'm curious how you managed to get away from the First Hokage in one piece. You didn't kneel and beg for mercy, did you?"
"Nonsense! I escaped from him with my own strength!" Kakuzu retorted loudly. He was clearly very sensitive about this experience; no wonder he was always bringing it up.
"The First Hokage isn't around anymore, so you can say whatever you want, right? Unless you can prove it to me?"
"Go ask him in the Pure Land!"
Enraged, Kakuzu went all out. Several large bulges appeared on his back, then burst through his clothes as four monsters wearing strange masks emerged. This was the secret technique of the Village Hidden in the Waterfalls, Earth Grudge Fear. It allowed the user to steal the hearts of others, create masked monsters from them, and transplant them into their own body to achieve immortality. Kakuzu could collect a total of five hearts with different chakra natures, meaning he would only die after all five hearts were destroyed. Not only that, but these masked monsters could detach from Kakuzu's body and move freely like living creatures, able to use all the ninjutsu of the person whose heart was stolen. Fighting him was equivalent to fighting five people at once—a truly devious ability.
Unfortunately for him, he had run into a chakra clone.
"Let's see how fast you can run!" Kakuzu quickly formed hand seals. The monsters coordinated with his seals, their mouths gaping open one after another.
The next moment, five ninjutsu were unleashed in succession.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" "Wind Style: Pressure Damage!" "Lightning Style: False Darkness!" "Fire Style: Searing Migraine!" "Water Style: Water Shockwave!"
First, the Earth Style activated, raising a thick wall of earth around the two of them, trapping them inside and restricting the chakra clone's movement. Then, the lightning and water jutsu merged, rushing toward the chakra clone. If it hit, he would be paralyzed. Subsequently, the wind and fire jutsu combined. The fire, fanned by the wind, created a massive wave of flames, turning the entire space into a sea of fire. This was the final, finishing move. The combined power of the five ninjutsu was terrifying to behold. It was a killing technique Kakuzu had painstakingly devised but had never had the chance to use. He had given the chakra clone the honor of being its first victim.
And in doing so, he also reaped his first failure.
When the chakra clone appeared before Kakuzu completely unscathed, without a single hair out of place, Kakuzu was too stunned to speak.
"Ahem, not bad. Your fireworks were quite pretty, just a little too smoky," the chakra clone said, deliberately coughing twice and teasing him with a smile.
"Why? Why are you completely unharmed?" Kakuzu asked in disbelief.
"Heh, not even the Third Hokage could do anything to me. How could a mere low-spec version like you possibly hurt me?"
"You've actually fought the Third Hokage?"
"Of course. And I even narrowly won by half a move."
"You... you beat the Third Hokage?"
Kakuzu looked at the chakra clone with suspicion and alarm, his voice low. "Who are you? And what business do you have with me?"
"Oh, so you've finally calmed down? But, you don't look too convinced. Want to go another round? I haven't had enough fun yet."
"..." Kakuzu said coldly, "If you have something to say, say it. Don't waste my time."
"Alright." The chakra clone wiped the look of unfulfilled desire from his face and became serious. "I want to invite you to join the Village Hidden in the Grass and make a fortune together."
"No!" Kakuzu refused without a second thought. "Ninja villages are unreliable. I swore long ago never to join one again."
"Well, we say it's a ninja village, but it's really just a mercenary organization. I won't restrict your activities too much. Don't you just want to make money? Our goal is the same as yours. Money talks. Everything is for money." The chakra clone explained, "With someone helping you gather intelligence, you'll make money much faster. If you decide to join, I can even let you be the one to manage the money. How about it?"
"And if I still refuse?"
"Heh, then I'm sorry, but you will end your sinful life right here, right now. And after you die, a rumor will spread throughout the ninja world—about the man who shot a kunai from half a mile away and then groveled for his life."
"..." Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the chakra clone. After a long moment, he nodded. "Fine, I'll join. I hope you keep your word. If you dare to touch my money, I'll take you down with me!"
"Heh heh, that certainly won't happen. But hey, since you make so much money with nowhere to spend it, why not invest in our Grass Village? That way, you can get a huge dividend every period."
"No need. I prefer to kill people and take their money myself. It's less hassle." Kakuzu retracted his Earth Grudge Fear threads but didn't forget to hoist the corpse from the ground.
"Alright then, suit yourself. But... are you sure you didn't throw a kunai from half a mile away?"
"...Get lost!"
...
With Kakuzu, the ultimate mercenary, on board, the Village Hidden in the Grass was like a tiger with wings, poised to become a terrifying money-making organization.
Just as the chakra clone was preparing to launch his grand plans, a big business deal came knocking on his door.
A man wearing a mask that completely concealed his identity arrived in Kusagakure, demanding to see the chakra clone about an important commission. Wulei was about to refuse such a rude request, but then he saw the massive stack of cash the man produced.
And so, the chakra clone personally received him, even actively dismissing everyone else so the two of them could be alone.
"You are the leader of the Village Hidden in the Grass?" the masked man asked in a hoarse voice.
"That's right. And how should I address you, sir?"
"My name is Yu. I hear that as long as the price is right, you'll take on any mission?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Even against one of the Five Great Nations?"
"If you offer a price that satisfies me, I can go take out the Third Hokage in Konoha right now!" the chakra clone declared, patting his chest.
"...That won't be necessary. I simply hope you can get the Village Hidden in the Grass to participate in the upcoming four-nation Joint Chunin Exam."
"Mmm, that's a bit difficult," the chakra clone said, raising his eyebrows and feigning trouble. "Our Grass Village is a bit weak and always looked down upon. We don't have much say in these matters."
"Seventy million!" the masked man said directly. "After the entire commission is completed, I will give you a reward of seventy million ryo. Of course, getting the Grass Village into the Joint Chunin Exam is just the first step."
"Tsk, tsk, two Asumas! Your Excellency is truly generous!" The chakra clone nodded. "Then it's no problem at all! I will definitely complete the commission. You can just wait for my good news!"
"Very good."
After the masked man left, the chakra clone chuckled softly. "It looks like this Chunin Exam is going to be quite a show. I wonder just how many factions will be involved?"