"Kakuzu! Whether you part with the money is your own affair, but if you dare to lay a hand on Shiro, don't blame us for what comes next!" White Zetsu's voice was uncharacteristically sharp, its anger a palpable force.
It was a rare sight, and for Kakuzu, a first. He had never seen White Zetsu angry before.
"Hmph. How boring." Kakuzu slowly retracted his killing intent.
Hidan, who had been eagerly sharpening his scythe, immediately complained, "What? You're not going to fight anymore? What are you afraid of? I've got your back!"
Kakuzu rolled his eyes at him, his voice a cold growl. "Am I going to fight a child? I don't have time for such foolishness. Besides, his head isn't worth much money anyway."
Shiro's angelic smile returned. "Uncle Kakuzu, I simply wished to remind you that organizational assets and personal assets should not be conflated. I hope you will remember that in the future."
This little brat! Kakuzu cursed silently. If it weren't for Itachi and the others protecting you, I would have killed you long ago, whether I hated you or not! Aloud, he simply responded, "And what business is it of yours? The Akatsuki has nothing to do with you!"
"Obito nii, you don't have to protect me. Let me speak with Uncle Kakuzu. Don't worry," Shiro said, gently pushing away the three men who stood guard over him. He walked forward, his expression confident as he faced the imposing bounty hunter.
"Of course I have a relationship with the Akatsuki," he said with a smile. "After all, I play a pivotal role in the Akatsuki's grand cause."
His words were met with disbelieving silence.
Shiro continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "Uncle Kakuzu, let me ask you, in the Akatsuki's three-step plan, is the first step not to gather a large amount of money?"
Hearing this, Kakuzu was startled. How could this child possibly know about that?
"And the second step," Shiro went on, "is to use this money to hire powerful shinobi, to create a large mercenary army, to instigate wars in various places, and then to settle them, correct?"
"I know all of this better than you do!" Kakuzu said impatiently. "What is your point?"
"Hmph," Shiro raised a hand, pointing a thumb at himself with a proud, confident air. "I am the mercenary. There is no need to spend the money on others. Just give it to me. That is why Konan-neechan told you to give the money to me."
Hearing this, Kakuzu was speechless for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You? A weak little child like you?"
"I may be a child, but I am not weak," Shiro said. He closed his eyes, and the moment he opened them again, his irises blazed with a startling crimson. A pair of three-tomoe Sharingan, brilliant and genuine.
"This… this is!" Kakuzu was shocked, though he allowed none of it to show on his face. After a moment of silence, a flicker of greed flashed in his eyes. He said coldly, "I did not expect you could awaken the three-tomoe at such a young age. Boy, if you were to grow up a few more years, perhaps your head would be worth a great deal of money."
"But as you are now, I will not give you the money just because you have a pair of Sharingan. Even if Konan herself agreed, I would not!"
Shiro seemed to have expected this. A small smile played on his lips. "And what if it were the entire Uchiha clan?"
"You must be joking."
"This is no joke, Uncle Kakuzu. I am serious. Although the news of the Uchiha's defection from Konoha was suppressed by the Leaf, I am certain it did not escape your notice."
"...Go on," Kakuzu growled, his interest piqued.
Shiro stated the terms directly. "The entire Uchiha clan will join the Akatsuki. We will become your mercenary corps. Surely… that is worth your money?"
Behind him, Uchiha Itachi frowned. He turned to Obito, whispering in his ear, "How is it that I did not know of this? When did the Uchiha decide to join the Akatsuki?"
Obito responded softly, his voice a low chuckle, "Shh. You don't have to believe it. Shiro is just trying to trick the old miser into giving up the money."