"Can you still get in touch with Kakuzu?"
Shimoku asked casually.
No matter what, that certain "master piggy banker" must still be holding a large amount of capital.
And now, the Akatsuki organization is on the verge of collapse.
This was the perfect opportunity to try and recruit this financial genius.
It's just unfortunate Kakuzu hadn't shown up during their surprise attack on Konoha previously.
Otherwise, Shimoku would have dragged him back directly back then.
If necessary, they could even do what they did to Sasori — chop him down into a human piżan (human sacrifice) and bring him back home.
There's no way they'd let him escape!
In fact, just two days ago, Shimoku had secretly installed another Rinnegan — Lord Madara's other eye —
hoping to test if he could activate the Projection Technique and contact the remaining members of the Akatsuki organization.
Unfortunately, it seemed activating the Projection Technique required both Rinnegan eyes.
Nor could they pinpoint Kakuzu's location at all.
So Shimoku decided to simply ask Konan if she could make contact instead.
"I can't reach him."
Konan replied bluntly.
"But we could go to the Akatsuki hideout, or post a mission in the underground mercenary market..."
"That guy may love money, but he's probably still very loyal to the organization."
"As long as I personally show up, I should be able to bring him back."
Konan stated calmly and confidently.
After robbing him so many times, she knew him better than anyone.
Even if they couldn't track his movements, just posting one or two high-value bounties in the black market
would be sure to lure that money-grubbing miser right to their doorstep within days.
She firmly believed it would work!
Furthermore, as a notorious rogue ninja, aside from an organization like Akatsuki,
few factions would dare to offer Kakuzu shelter anymore.
Perhaps right now, that guy was already on the run like a wanted man...
However, Konan miscalculated.
Right now, Kakuzu wasn't running for his life at all;
instead, he was living comfortably and triumphantly…
because he was currently representing the newly-formed Akatsuki organization,
and shaking down Iwagakure Village!
…
Inside Tsuchikage's office in Iwagakure Village,
the elderly Onoki was rubbing his lower back as he flipped through the latest report.
According to its content,
their two diplomatic delegations had successfully reached both Konoha Village and Homura Hidden Village.
The intelligence from Konoha indicated clearly
that confirmation had arrived regarding the resurrection of the First and Second Hokages.
Additionally, it mentioned that Konoha had suffered a serious blow —
nearly half the village reduced to ruins.
Far worse than Iwagakure itself, proving how fierce the battles had been...
At the same time, Sunagakure's delegation also arrived.
The former "Fastest Ninja in the Shinobi World" — Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage —
had secretly met with each delegation separately.
He was quietly working out mutual defense deals with both sides...
Of course, these agreements wouldn't be finalized in just a day or two.
Still, according to the delegation's reports—
Due to Konoha's extensive damages, Tobirama Senju had preliminarily accepted Iwagakure Village's "offer for reconciliation."
The long-standing feud between the two hidden villages was put on hold for now.
There was no longer a need to worry about the mighty First Hokage himself coming after their Iwagakure Village atop a several-hundred-meter-tall Daibutsu to settle scores.
For Onoki, this was already very good news indeed.
At the same time, after paying the required ransom,
Iwagakure's delegation successfully redeemed Kitsuchi.
Unfortunately, because of the earlier war with Konoha,
Kitsuchi, who had nearly recovered from his injuries, suddenly got crushed beneath rubble caused by falling debris, suffering another fracture...
As a result, still severely injured with bandages wrapped all over his body,
They were carrying him back to Iwagakure Village on a stretcher!
Regarding this situation, Onoki was genuinely delighted.
He let out an honest sigh of relief.
After all, as long as his foolish son Kitsuchi survived, everything else would work out eventually.
At worst, he just needed a few more months to recover—this wasn't anything that wouldn't heal.
...
Meanwhile, news coming back from Iwagakure Village was also quite encouraging.
Whether it was Kurotsuchi, Deidara, or the other ninja in the delegation,
They all claimed that Homuragakure treated them exceptionally warmly and kindly.
They were living pretty comfortably too!
Not only were there a wide variety of stylish and functional outfits available for Kurotsuchi to try on freely;
Deidara also had unlimited access to explosion testing grounds where he could experiment at will;
The remaining Iwa ninja were happily helping Homuragakure rebuild its village while receiving generous compensation.
In short, there was absolutely no mistreatment toward Kurotsuchi and the others;
Which made Onoki feel particularly reassured upon reading the reports.
His original intention had been to send Kurotsuchi and Deidara into Homuragakure Village under Uchiha Clan's protection.
Therefore, seeing how well his granddaughter Kurotsuchi and others adapted naturally pleased him greatly.
"Oh!"
"Characters who should've been long dead are coming back to life..."
"This Ninja World is getting harder and harder to understand!"
"Not good enough!"
"To protect our village properly, we must seek alternative paths and find ways to significantly enhance our military strength!"
"Otherwise, whether the village can survive the next war is questionable at best!"
Onoki closed the report, furrowed his white brows, and sighed full of worries.
This Ninja World? It's not a place for peace—it's kill or be killed!
Just then, however,
An Anbu ninja suddenly knocked and rushed in with a report:
"Reporting, Tsuchikage-sama! There are suspected members of Akatsuki approaching the village outskirts..."
Frowning, Onoki muttered:
"Hmm?"
"Akatsuki members?"
"Coming to collect debts?"
Anbu ninja: "Most likely, yes..."
Onoki asked further: "How many people are there?"
Anbu ninja: "Apparently only two..."
Upon hearing this, Onoki slightly relaxed his expression.
"Hmph! No need to pay them any attention."
"Just give some excuse and dispatch border guards to drive them away..."
"Let them sweat a bit longer."
"The village simply cannot afford to pay them right now..."
Onoki swiftly made his decision.
The consecutive thefts at the vault; compensating and rebuilding after the war; paying the ransom to Konoha... and so on.
Where would the village have such funds?
If not for the financial and military aid from the Land of Earth, Iwagakure Village would have gone bankrupt long ago...
"At once!"
The Anbu immediately withdrew.
Preparing to deal with this intruder.
Meanwhile, Onoki continued bowing his head, going through official documents, showing no further concern.
...
Yet, within less than a minute,
A series of noises suddenly erupted outside the Tsuchikage's headquarters.
"Who is that?"
"Halt!"
"What do you think you're doing?"
"It's an enemy! An attacker!"
"Ahh—"
"Hurry and call for backup—"
The cries and screams jolted Onoki into action.
Instantly, Onoki rose, flew out the window, and gazed toward the direction from where the shrieks came.
Just stepping out of his office,
Onoki saw in the distance
A tall man dressed in a red-clouded robe, wearing a black mask and forehead protector of a rogue ninja. He stood there motionless.
In his hands was the neck of an Iwagakure Village ninja, gripped tightly.
"Crack—"
Kakuzu snapped the neck of the Iwagakure Village ninja, then carelessly tossed the corpse aside.
He then looked toward Onoki far away.
Witnessing this, Onoki's anger exploded, bloodshot eyes filled with fury.
What the hell is he thinking?!
Just another Akatsuki scum—
A mere blade wielded by others—
After being utterly crushed by Konoha and left half-dead,
He dares to come here demanding payment?
Coming alone...
And dares to kill my men?
Asking for death, plain and simple!
Does he really believe our Iwagakure Village is made of clay?
"Die!"
Roared Onoki furiously, launching his attack without hesitation.
Not even a warning word before striking.
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