While Hidan was engrossed in his bloody ritual, Kakuzu meticulously searched the mansion. He seemed to possess an unnatural sensitivity to money; no matter how well-hidden the valuables were, he always found them. It was, perhaps, a quality all true lovers of money should possess.
A short while later, Kakuzu returned to the main room, now carrying two large sacks brimming with coin.
"Hey! Hidan, are you done yet?"
"Alright, alright! Stop rushing me! You're so annoying!" Hidan grumbled impatiently, sitting up from the center of his ritual circle. He pulled the black spear from his own body, and the grotesque black and white pattern of his skin slowly faded back to its normal color.
"Let's go. I'll take you to meet the leader of the organization," Kakuzu said, tossing one of the large bags to Hidan. "Carry this."
Hidan caught it, his expression one of innocent confusion. "What's this? Is it for me?"
"Don't be a fool! I just need you to carry it for me!" Kakuzu retorted angrily. He then turned to Shiro. "Shiro. After you're finished here, come find me. I'll have the money for you."
Shiro nodded, his angelic smile returning. "Of course, Uncle Kakuzu."
"Hmph."
Their mission accomplished, there was no reason to linger. Kakuzu, Hidan, Itachi, and Kisame departed, heading back toward the Akatsuki base.
After they left, White Zetsu's voice was filled with disbelief. "I can't believe it… That cold-blooded monster Kakuzu actually called you Shiro? And the way he spoke to you was completely different from how he treats anyone else. My goodness…"
Obito added, "Now that they're gone, tell us. How did you manage to win over that old miser?" Both he and White Zetsu were burning with curiosity. Obito had been so convinced that getting the money would be a struggle that he had even considered revealing his true identity as the Akatsuki's real leader. With Pain and Konan to vouch for him, he was sure he could have forced Kakuzu to hand over the funds. But now, there was no need. Shiro had handled it himself, and had somehow even forged a positive relationship with the notoriously difficult bounty hunter.
"Hehe, it's actually very simple," Shiro said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "I just catered to his preferences."
"If you want to take money from a miser, you must tempt him with the promise of more money. I simply told Uncle Kakuzu that if he spared the life of the innkeeper, then every month from now on, that man would deliver a payment equal to the original mission fee."
"It wouldn't be just him, either. Every time we encounter a debtor who refuses to pay, we can do the same. It's such a waste to kill them every time. It is far more profitable to control them and take over their assets."
Shiro paused for a moment, and White Zetsu immediately held a water canteen to his mouth. After taking a sip, Shiro continued.
"Uncle Kakuzu is a smart man. He understands that a single feast is nothing compared to a steady supply of meals."
"But he is a member of the Akatsuki, and he doesn't have the time to manage so many debtors and their businesses. But with me, it's a different story. I can manage it all for him. He doesn't have to worry about the profits or losses. He just needs to collect his guaranteed share every month. It doesn't matter what happens, his payment is secure."
"In this way, Uncle Kakuzu gets a steady stream of passive income, without having to lift a finger. Of course he would agree to cooperate with me."
"Besides," Shiro finished, a cunning glint in his eye, "even the money I give to him is considered profit for the organization. So in the end, it's all still my money anyway."
At this, White Zetsu and Obito finally understood. And with that understanding came an even deeper sense of awe. Shiro was not only a prodigy in ninjutsu, but he also possessed an uncanny mind for business. Even more impressive was his ability to tame the black-hearted demon that was Kakuzu, without a single blow being exchanged. He was truly no ordinary child.
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