Seeing Anya's calm expression, Genzo gradually calmed his restless heart. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—despite his age, he still lacked the composure of this child. Then again, it was understandable since she wasn't an ordinary child.
The night deepened, and heavy rain began pouring from the sky. This broken shack couldn't even keep out the rain; water kept dripping down, just like Genzo's sinking heart.
"Rumble..."
A thunderclap cracked through the sky, and in the flash of lightning, a green-eyed man wearing a mask appeared outside the hut.
Anya's eyes lit up with recognition—Kakuzu had finally arrived.
The rain-soaked Kakuzu slowly stepped inside the hut, exuding a chilling aura that made Genzo's hair stand on end. An instinctive tremor rose within him. Without a doubt, this was a dangerous individual.
Anya greeted him first, saying, "Hello."
Kakuzu ignored the greeting completely and strode directly toward the mission request location at the back of the hut.
Unfazed, Anya smiled slightly and stepped aside.
Genzo secretly signaled to Anya with a meaningful glance, indicating they should speak outside, then walked out of the shack.
Understanding immediately, Anya followed him out and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
Genzo's voice turned grave. "How come it feels like you were expecting him? He's dangerous—dangerous in a way I've never seen before. That killer intent... those cold, dead eyes... I've never felt anything like it."
Anya admitted, "Yes, I was waiting for him. He's the only one I can think of who could possibly complete this mission."
Worried, Genzo asked, "Do you know what kind of background he has? Which village is he from?"
"Background? Not sure."
Truthfully, Anya didn't know much about him either. As for his abilities, she had some knowledge—he was a member of Akatsuki's legendary "Undying Duo," capable of absorbing other ninja's hearts, each representing a second chance at life. He had even survived from the age of the Hokage First himself.
On hearing that, Genzo's doubts only deepened. After thinking for a moment, he suggested, "Maybe we should find someone else instead."
Just then, Kakuzu walked out of the hut. With a cold gaze, he stared at the two of them and said, "So you're the ones who issued the bounty mission—to eliminate every ninja from Takigakure?"
"Yes," Anya replied loudly as she stepped forward.
Kakuzu suddenly gave a chilling smile and said slowly, word by word, "Then do you know—I'm originally from Takigakure myself?"
The moment those words came out, Anya and Genzo locked eyes—both instantly broke into a cold sweat, ready to bolt any second.
Damn, what a twist—we just happened to pick someone from that village? Wait, weren't all members of Akatsuki already rogue ninjas anyway?
Realizing this, Anya forcefully suppressed his urge to flee, trusting Kakuzu had more to say.
Sure enough, Kakuzu continued, "I know the shinobi of Takigakure very well. Killing them all won't come cheap—ten billion gold coins won't be enough. You'll need to pay extra."
As soon as those words came out, Anya immediately relaxed. Phew—it was just a money thing! Man, you could've started with that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!
Anya quickly responded, "No problem."
Kakuzu looked at Anya with mild surprise. The kid had agreed too readily, which raised suspicions of deception.
"Just as I thought," Anya continued, "extra payment won't be a problem, but I have conditions."
Hearing this, Kakuzu's doubts eased somewhat. He replied coldly: "Go ahead."
"I want you to perform an assassination. Once you engage with Seven-Tails, lure it away from Takigakure. Don't let the battle drag the village into chaos."
"Heh, kid, your ambition isn't small," Kakuzu immediately caught on to Anya's intentions—it was clear he aimed to take over the entire Taki Village.
Anya didn't bother hiding his ambitions. "Since we're paying, naturally we expect returns. Otherwise, why would I kill them without reason or grudge?"
"Hmph, interesting." A faint smile crossed Kakuzu's face as he coldly added, "Add another five hundred million bounty."
"Done. Five hundred million it is." Anya instantly agreed.
Seeing Anya's quick agreement, Kakuzu turned and started walking away. After taking a couple steps, he suddenly turned back and asked, "What are you two following me for?"
With a cheerful grin, Anya replied, "More people means more help. Besides, staying right under your watchful eyes ensures we won't run off without paying, right?"
Kakuzu nodded unconsciously, finding the kid unexpectedly considerate. But glancing at their strength—a brat who couldn't even channel chakra, clearly useless, and a timid middle-aged man beside him—he sneered in disdain. "Help? Keep your distance when I'm killing people, or you might die before I get paid."
After saying that, Kakuzu sped up and left. The direction he took was unmistakably toward Takigakure.
"Are we really going to follow him?" Genzo felt uneasy about the risk.
Anya firmly answered, "Of course. I want to find Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki first and use the Sealing Formation to suppress his six senses. Otherwise, if a real fight breaks out, there won't be a village left for you."
Though he had suspected something like this, upon hearing it directly from Anya, Genzo still found it hard to believe. "You actually think we, with just our ragtag group, can take over a whole village?"
"Why not?" Anya countered curiously. "With no ninja left, Takigakure becomes free meat for anyone willing to grab it. Its terrain makes it easy to defend but hard to attack, and information moves slowly there. With Kakuzu gone, we'll be its strongest power. You can use your diplomatic skills to sign neutrality pacts with neighboring countries, then seal off the village, imitate the Five Great Ninja Villages, rebuild a new ninja system, establish a Ninja Academy, attract new blood, and start fresh. Won't you finally have a new home? Once we fully control the village, renaming it to Hot Spring Mist Village will only take a single sentence."
Anya's words stirred Genzo deeply, shaking him emotionally. Never could he have imagined that within such a short time, Anya already planned so far ahead. Such intelligence was simply amazing. At this moment, Genzo felt extremely fortunate for making what he considered the best decision of his life back in Konoha.
In truth, this is the natural advantage of a soul transmigrant (a person who has crossed into another world with their consciousness). They aren't bound by the present moment and can observe the world from a god's-eye view. Their way of thinking exists on an entirely different plane and is not a matter of intelligence at all.
Surrounded by water on all sides, entering Takigakure requires crossing through the water. Yet, anyone who attempted this would inevitably encounter an ambush. Previously, Anya and Genzo had relied on hidden mechanisms to bypass this aquatic barrier. But now, Kakuzu simply walked straight across the water without meeting any resistance at all. Obviously, he already understood nearly everything about Takigakure.
Above, Anya and Genzo trailed close behind, slipping into Takigakure once more. The three of them were set to disrupt the village's peace forever.
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