Joining the Akatsuki—just hearing it already sounds unreliable!
When they first traveled through time, Uchiha Obito had already declared war on the ninja world at the Five Kage Summit.
It could be said that the Akatsuki's plan wasn't much different from Uchiha Madara's "Eye of the Moon" plan.
Both involved gathering the nine tailed beasts and then achieving peace in the ninja world.
If they joined the Akatsuki, they would have to go capture tailed beasts.
Although Renya's true goal was to seize the Akatsuki's money and explosive tags, during the infiltration period, in order not to expose his identity, he could only act according to the leader's plan.
"You really plan to do this?"
Shimura Danzō looked at Renya unwillingly, thinking Renya was just speaking on a whim.
"That's right, I'm going to join the Akatsuki!"
Renya didn't just want money by joining the Akatsuki—he also wanted to experience the life of a rogue ninja.
After all, in his timeline, the Akatsuki would no longer appear.
Even if it did, it wouldn't be an organization of rogue ninja.
Shimura Danzō looked at Renya's serious expression and, after a long while, let out a helpless sigh.
"Fine."
At worst, when capturing tailed beasts, they could just wear masks.
As long as they didn't show their faces, it should be fine.
"Kakuzu, where's the next target?"
Hidan yawned in boredom. Traveling nonstop was really dull.
Kakuzu was flipping through the bounty list in his hand, frowning in annoyance.
"Can you be quiet for once!"
If this guy didn't have an immortal body, he would've killed him long ago and claimed the bounty.
Several of his previous partners had already been killed by him for money.
"Kakuzu, someone's coming from behind!"
Hidan gripped his scythe, speaking excitedly.
"Finally, I can kill again!"
Traveling was too boring. Since some blind fool came to deliver themselves, it was the perfect chance to have some fun!
"Do as you like."
Kakuzu ignored Hidan and continued searching for the next target seriously.
The quality of bounties lately had been getting worse and worse—there wasn't even a single wealthy target.
After looking around, the most valuable head was only worth ten million ryō.
And reaching the destination would take several days.
Forget it—something was better than nothing.
"Bang!"
Just as Kakuzu put away the bounty list, he saw a figure being blasted backward at incredible speed.
Looking closely, it was unmistakably his partner, Hidan!
Two people stood not far away, and the long-haired man still held his kicking posture.
No need to think—Hidan had clearly been sent flying by a single kick.
Seeing this, Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and prepared for battle.
It seemed the visitors had bad intentions.
Kakuzu wasn't surprised by Renya and Danzō's appearance.
As rogue ninja, being hunted by bounty hunters was a common occurrence.
Yet all these years, not a single bounty hunter had succeeded.
Just as he was about to ask their identities, the long-haired man's next action made his eyes widen in shock.
"I'm not here to fight you."
Renya smiled as he pulled out a stack of cash from his clothes and waved it in front of Kakuzu.
"Can we talk?"
"You bastard, how dare you sneak attack me!"
Hidan, who had been kicked away, charged forward angrily with his scythe, but Kakuzu firmly grabbed his wrist.
"Kakuzu, what are you doing?" Hidan snarled. "Why are you stopping me?!"
That damn guy dared to sneak attack him—he had to make him experience the ultimate pain!
"Hidan, don't be rude to my guest!"
In Kakuzu's eyes, the fact that Renya could casually pull out a stack of cash meant he was definitely not short on money.
Since he came looking for him, he must need help!
"There's ten million ryō inside. I want to have a talk with you."
Renya took out a storage scroll and tossed it over along with the cash.
"What do you want to talk about?"
Kakuzu tucked the scroll under his arm while quickly counting the money with his fingers.
Seeing Kakuzu's money-obsessed look, Hidan felt extremely displeased, but out of respect for his partner, he didn't continue attacking.
"I want to join the Akatsuki!"
Renya got straight to the point. As for the money, it was just temporarily stored with Kakuzu.
When the time was right, he would take it back—with interest!
"You want to join the Akatsuki?"
Kakuzu carefully put away the money and looked at the two with surprise.
"Yes, we have heard of the Akatsuki's strength and came specifically to join!" Renya said with a smile.
"We hope you two can make an exception and recommend us into the organization."
"It's not impossible to join the Akatsuki." Kakuzu's eyes flickered. "It's just…"
"I understand, I understand!" Renya took out two more scrolls. "Each contains five million ryō, as a referral fee for the two of you."
Just as Hidan reached out to take it, Kakuzu swiftly snatched it away.
"Hey, Kakuzu!" Hidan instantly exploded. "That money is for me!"
"I didn't charge you for stitching your body together," Kakuzu rolled his eyes. "Five million ryō is my stitching fee. Otherwise, you can sew yourself back together next time."
Hidan: "…"
Forget it—he could only let Kakuzu have it.
Anyway, aside from eating, he didn't really have any other expenses.
"Alright, we'll take you to meet the leader now."
When Kakuzu took money, he got things done.
In his eyes, someone this generous was exactly the kind of member the Akatsuki needed right now!
And being able to kick Hidan flying with one strike proved his strength was at least elite jōnin level.
As long as they joined the Akatsuki, he could ask them for money openly!
Shimura Danzō: "…"
He had thought joining the Akatsuki would take a lot of effort, but Renya simply bribed the two with some money.
An organization so greedy for money must have plenty of it inside!
Maybe his good friend really could make a fortune.
"By the way, what are your names?"
Kakuzu had been so focused on figuring out how to get money out of them that he forgot to ask their names.
"My name is Kakuzu, and this guy is Hidan."
"My name is Renya, and he's Tonton."
Shimura Danzō: "…"
Kakuzu nodded. Names didn't matter—as long as they had money.
"Renya, you seem very rich?"
He pretended to ask casually, while Hidan also pricked up his ears to listen.
"I suppose so. To me, money is just a string of numbers."
Kakuzu: "!!!"
Money was just a string of numbers to him?!
Just how rich was this guy?!
He felt like he had truly picked up a treasure, and he almost couldn't resist attacking Renya.
But thinking it over, that would be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Letting him join the organization was the wiser choice!
Kakuzu subconsciously swallowed and asked with rapid breathing.
"Can you give a specific number?"
"When I was young, I already achieved financial freedom," Renya said with a smile. "Even Konohagakure has to come to me for funding."
"Are you a daimyō?!" Kakuzu exclaimed in shock.
"No." Renya shook his head. "The daimyō isn't as rich as me."
"You should know, truly rich people—like me—don't usually reveal themselves so easily…"
Kakuzu: "!!!"
Hit the jackpot, really hit the jackpot!
With Renya and Tonton joining, the organization would never lack money again.
Danzō looked at Kakuzu's excited expression, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes.
What a pitiful guy…