Land of Hot Water.
The streets were bustling with noise, but the clamor of people and vendors was just white noise to Kakuzu. He felt like they were all just noisy. He was squatting alone in the shadow of an alley, completely cut off from the bustling world.
He held a burger in his right hand, mechanically stuffing it into his mouth. His left hand, however, was clamped tightly onto a copy of the Bounty Hunter's Gazette, his green eyes practically glued to the headline that listed a staggering number, one that was enough to drive a man insane: 3.2 billion Ryo!
His Adam's apple bobbed instinctively, not from hunger, but from the subconscious act of swallowing at that terrifying number. Kakuzu's mood today could be described as an emotional rollercoaster.
In the morning, upon seeing the bounty for Obito Uchiha, that 3.2 billion Ryo instantly triggered his monetary instincts. The most crucial part was that he happened to have a well-preserved severed arm of Obito Uchiha! He had initially estimated its value at a minimum of 400 million Ryo. But then he was told: 20 million Ryo! Not a single Ryo more!
Twenty million?
Heh, these people have no idea of the true value of this arm.
He didn't argue or protest. He didn't even make a move! He decided to hold onto it and wait for its value to appreciate!
Just when Kakuzu thought that was all for the day, Pain sent him a message: he had been assigned a new teammate who was already on their way and would arrive soon.
In his mind: a teammate = bounty money! He had just cashed in a worthless teammate for 2 million Ryo this morning. Now there was a replacement? Excellent.
Kakuzu's withered fingers put the last bit of the burger into his mouth, the green light in his eyes flaring again. Another walking vault was on his way! He hoped this new teammate was worth some money to make up for his "loss."
Meanwhile, Hong Zhong had just completed his initiation into the Akatsuki, received his uniform and ring, and was told that he had been assigned to a member who had "just so happened" to lose their teammate. Through his conversation with Nagato, he now knew that the Akatsuki was in its dormant phase. The current goal was simply to raise funds for the organization and prepare for the future. The way they did this was by taking on various missions.
Additionally, the Akatsuki's current structure was a two-person team, for both mutual assistance and mutual supervision.
Hong Zhong immediately set off! His teammate would be waiting for him in the Land of Frost, next to the Land of Hot Water, and they would embark on a mission in the Land of Lightning together.
The scene shifts.
At the border of the Land of Frost, at the designated meeting point.
Hong Zhong immediately spotted a figure shrouded in a black robe with red clouds. The man had a gloomy aura and a hunched back, his dark green pupils fixated on a newspaper like a vulture eyeing carrion, as if it were a priceless treasure.
This must be his teammate. What was his name? He didn't know.
Seeing that the man hadn't noticed him, Hong Zhong walked over with a light step, just in time to see the contents of the newspaper.
"Obito Uchiha, bounty of 3.2 billion Ryo?"
His voice was filled with a perfect amount of curiosity. "You want to claim this bounty, too?"
3.2 billion Ryo... who wouldn't want that?
Kakuzu calmly folded the newspaper, his movements showing a hint of annoyance at being interrupted. He looked up, his clouded green eyes scanning Hong Zhong's black-and-red Akatsuki robe and ring, confirming his identity.
"Who are you?" His voice was dry and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together.
"Just call me Hong Zhong!" Hong Zhong grinned. He was still getting used to the Akatsuki's rules. He didn't know what the relationship between teammates was like. Would it be like the dynamic of Team 7? He thought to himself and decided to offer a friendly greeting to test the waters.
This "friendly" smile, in Kakuzu's eyes, was like a lamb willingly showing its plump neck to the butcher!
"Kakuzu."
His name was concise and to the point, hitting the ground like a shard of ice.
Kakuzu? An unfamiliar name.
He had no memory of him from the fighting arena, and his boss had never encountered him in the real world. He would just have to go to the intelligence database on the forums and find out more later.
"Well then, Kakuzu-senpai, shall we get going?"
"Senpai?"
Kakuzu was a little surprised. He carefully sized up the teammate he had been assigned. The man was tall, with a plain face and clear, stupid eyes. Was Pain just trying to humor him with a teammate like this?
"Do you have a bounty on your head?"
Kakuzu's voice was completely flat, as if he were asking about the weather. But in the depths of his green eyes, a sharp glint flashed.
Although Kakuzu was very good at concealing himself, his unrestrained malice had already been detected by Hong Zhong's own malice-sensing ability.
Where did I slip up?
Hong Zhong didn't know what he had done wrong. He had just met his teammate, and he already wanted to kill him. Was this Kakuzu an undercover agent from another organization? Or was this just how Akatsuki members normally interacted?
Could it be right for a teammate to constantly want to kill you?
In any case, although he didn't know why the man wanted to kill him, he immediately put on his best acting performance and decided to play along to see what this teammate was up to.
He, Hong Zhong Uchiha, was at this moment a completely innocent and naive rookie!
"A bounty?"
Hong Zhong showed just the right amount of confusion, then waved his hands as if he had just realized something. "No, no! I just joined the organization, where would I get a bounty?"
Kakuzu: "..."
The faint hope in his heart was completely extinguished. This newcomer didn't even have a bounty? Judging by his foolish look, he was probably not even a Rogue Ninja.
Did Pain think that this arrangement would prevent me from killing this worthless teammate?
No bounty? No problem! As long as he followed him on three missions, someone with no bounty would eventually get one! And that would be the time for harvesting!
"Hong Zhong," Kakuzu's voice was still calm, but it held a hint of subtle, scrutinizing intent, as if he were choosing a tool. "What can you do?"
The bounty value is nothing, so let's see if he has any other value.
Hong Zhong scratched the back of his head. "I don't know much. Just a little bit of Lightning Style and some swordplay."
Lightning Style?
In the depths of Kakuzu's dark green pupils, a glint of greed appeared! Of his five elemental styles, he only needed a Lightning Style heart! This body had no bounty value, but the Lightning Style heart was very valuable.
I'll just let you fill that missing heart.
Perfect!
He suppressed his murderous intent, his voice still icy. "Very good. Let's finish the mission first."
If he "accidentally" killed his annoying teammate during the mission, even Pain wouldn't be able to say a word.
With that, he turned and started walking away without any hesitation.
"?"
The murderous intent is gone? Is this a trick, or something more?
Hong Zhong let out a silent breath, suppressing his chaotic thoughts. A faint, invisible smirk appeared on his face.
Tsk... I have nothing to do, so I'll play with you.
"Wait for me, Kakuzu-senpai!"