Kakuzu strode confidently into the dimly lit shop, his head held high as his sharp eyes scanned the glass counters lined up before him. Inside the modest store were countless goods—each one unfamiliar to him, exotic and mysterious. The variety dazzled Kakuzu, stirring a rare flicker of curiosity in his battle-hardened heart.
These items were unlike anything he had ever seen in his long and violent life. Despite the seemingly ordinary facade of the shop, the sheer number and peculiarity of the goods hinted that the owner must be incredibly wealthy—perhaps even powerful.
Kakuzu's mind churned as he contemplated the man behind the counter. He decided that before making any rash moves, he would test the strength of this shopkeeper. If the man proved weaker than himself, Kakuzu would not hesitate to kill him and take whatever treasure he desired. After all, strength was the only currency that mattered in the world of shinobi.
At that moment, a figure stirred from a recliner near the back of the store. His eyes opened slowly, revealing a calm, calculating gaze.
"I was just taking a nap. Didn't expect any visitors," the young man said with a faint yawn.
Kakuzu's entrance had roused him—Peter, the store manager, now standing and facing the imposing man. He was stunned for a moment when he noticed the grisly head Kakuzu carried, the blood dripping down and pooling on the floor. The sight was chilling.
Peter's mind raced. "Is this another Akatsuki mission?" he wondered silently. After all, it seemed that many dangerous individuals from the notorious Akatsuki organization were roaming nearby. But when he looked closer, he saw Kakuzu was not wearing the Akatsuki cloak. So, perhaps this man hadn't joined them yet.
Kakuzu's gaze locked on Peter. "Are you the manager of this store?" he asked coldly.
Peter studied Kakuzu carefully. To his surprise, he detected no chakra emanating from the man. Kakuzu appeared just like any ordinary civilian—a rarity for someone so intimidating.
Yet Peter did not let his guard down. Who in their right mind would open a store in such a remote, dangerous place if they were truly ordinary? There had to be more to this man.
Kakuzu felt the same suspicion. He didn't believe Peter was just a simple shopkeeper. He expected a trap, maybe even a hundred or eighty Jōnin hidden in the shadows, ready to attack.
Still, Kakuzu didn't make a move. He wanted to assess Peter's strength first.
Peter smiled confidently. "Yes, I'm the manager here. And I have everything you could possibly need," he said, patting his chest proudly.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. "Everything?" he echoed skeptically.
"Absolutely. This store is stocked with rare and valuable items from across the lands," Peter replied, his voice unwavering.
Kakuzu smirked, then stated bluntly, "Give me 100 million ryo."
Peter froze in disbelief. "What? Do you think this place is a bank?" he asked incredulously.
"Don't joke with me," Kakuzu said as he threw the severed head down at Peter's feet, the impact loud in the silent store. "I don't pay for what I take."
Peter's veins bulged on his forehead, anger flashing in his eyes. "Are you looking for trouble?" he warned through clenched teeth.
Kakuzu sneered, "Hand over all your money, or I won't leave you with an intact body."
This was a straightforward extortion, but Kakuzu was confident. From his experience, this remote shopkeeper seemed like an easy mark, a fat sheep ready to be sheared.
He thought about the treasures in the store—items that could fetch a fortune. If Peter refused, Kakuzu planned to kill him and search the place himself.
Without hesitation, Kakuzu drew a sharp kunai and wiped the blade coldly across Peter's neck.
But just as the kunai grazed his skin, a mechanical voice suddenly echoed in the shop:
"It has been detected that the Host is in danger. All attributes of the Host have been strengthened by 10,000,000%!"
Peter's eyes widened as a sudden surge of power coursed through him. His senses sharpened, and time seemed to slow. Kakuzu's movements, once terrifyingly fast, now appeared sluggish and clumsy.
With a calm but overwhelming strength, Peter stepped forward and slapped Kakuzu hard across the face.
To Kakuzu's shock, Peter seemed to vanish from his sight, only to reappear instantly with another powerful strike. His head spun violently, and before he could react, Kakuzu was hurled like a cannonball against the wall.
The impact was thunderous, yet the wall remained unscathed. It was clear this was no ordinary building; its materials were of exceptional quality, befitting the mysterious power behind the system enhancing Peter.
Kakuzu collapsed to the floor, unconscious or worse.
Peter stared at him, stunned. He suddenly remembered that Kakuzu was known to have five hearts—meaning five lives. How could one strike have been enough to incapacitate him so quickly?
A creeping panic took hold of Peter's mind. "Could it be that Kakuzu only had one heart at this moment? He hadn't replaced the others yet?"
Kakuzu was a valuable client. Losing him would mean losing a significant source of wealth and reputation.
Suddenly, realization struck Peter. "Of course! The Senzu Beans!" he exclaimed, rushing to grab the legendary healing beans from a nearby shelf.
As Peter hurried to save Kakuzu, the man lying on the ground dared to open his eyes. Fear and confusion swam in his gaze.
He had underestimated the boy. This seemingly ordinary shopkeeper had the power to slap him nearly to death in seconds.
If Kakuzu had not possessed those extra hearts, he might have died today.
The memories of his past flashed through his mind.
---
Long ago, Kakuzu had received a deadly mission from the higher-ups in Takigakure.
"Kakuzu, your task is to kill Senju Hashirama," the voice of the village elders had commanded.
At the time, Kakuzu was young and reckless.
"Me?" he had asked in disbelief.
"Yes, succeed and you will become the hero of Takigakure," they assured him.
Determined to prove himself, Kakuzu accepted the mission.
In the Fire Country, he crouched silently on a tree branch, observing two figures in the distance.
"Is the one in white really the God of Ninja?" young Kakuzu whispered nervously to himself.
Trembling, he took out three shuriken and threw them towards Senju Hashirama.
"Please hit him!" he prayed silently.
Hashirama noticed the flying objects and asked, "What is that?"
"Shuriken," Uchiha Madara replied coolly.
"Oh, shuriken... wait, how come there are shuriken?" Hashirama seemed puzzled.
Just as Hashirama readied to catch the shuriken bare-handed, they harmlessly fell to the ground at their feet.
Kakuzu's heart sank.
"Mission failed," he muttered bitterly. "You truly are worthy of the title 'God of Ninja.'" Without hesitation, he fled.
"Hashirama, the little mouse ran away," Madara whispered to him.
Hashirama chuckled and snapped his fingers. A wooden clone suddenly appeared.
"Let the Wood Clone deal with him," Hashirama said, laughing confidently.
Madara rubbed his forehead, bewildered at his friend's carefree attitude.
---
Back in the present, Kakuzu's mind raced as he glanced at Peter from a distance, a new fear gripping him.
This boy, this shopkeeper, was far more terrifying than even Senju Hashirama himself.
The world was full of mysteries and hidden powers. And Kakuzu was now painfully aware that true strength sometimes hid behind the most unassuming faces.
---
Would Kakuzu recover? Would Peter's store continue to hide its secrets?
Only time would tell.
---
End of Chapter 6