The terrified customers bolted out of the restaurant, leaving the place empty in an instant. What had been a pleasant meal now tasted like ash in the mouth. Aoyama sighed, glaring at Kakuzu helplessly.
"Do you always treat your teammates like this? The fact you haven't been killed by one yet is a miracle."
Kakuzu was silent for a moment before letting out a cold chuckle. He lifted his gaze and sneered,
"My teammates? Heh. Everyone who's ever worked with me… ended up dead by my hands."
Aoyama remembered Kakuzu's infamous reputation for slaughtering his comrades, and even he felt a chill crawl up his spine. Still, with Kakuzu's strength being what it was compared to his own, Aoyama wasn't worried about being killed in an instant.
With another sigh, Aoyama said helplessly,
"Social Kakuzu, huh? A man of few words—got it. Fine, finish eating, then come with me. There should be something left behind by Orochimaru nearby."
Kakuzu gave a noncommittal nod.
"Will it make me money?"
Of course, for Kakuzu, money was his only true companion in life. Teammates? Lovers? Those were never worth considering.
If not for the clear difference in strength, Aoyama suspected Kakuzu might have tried to rip out his heart the moment they met—only to complain afterward about the "poor quality."
Together, they went to the location Orochimaru had left behind. Sure enough, deep underground was a hidden laboratory. And inside, they found Orochimaru's "legacy": a massive, broad-bladed battle axe.
The moment Aoyama laid eyes on it, he recalled how Orochimaru had once taken a shard of Godzilla's dorsal plate. This axe had to have been forged from that very piece—essentially a weapon crafted specifically for Kong.
Thankfully, it wasn't meant for the movie version of Kong. Otherwise, Orochimaru would have needed to forge a thirty-meter-long axe.
Adult Kong's body towered over a hundred meters tall—like a walking skyscraper. With a battle axe in hand, he could cleave mountains in two, and once charged with energy, unleash strikes of catastrophic power. A true disaster-class monster.
Even so, giving a juvenile Kong an axe meant unlocking a whole new set of abilities. His combat power would immediately multiply two or three times over.
Kakuzu didn't understand why a lab would contain an axe, but when he saw Aoyama summon Kong, and the beast instantly reached for the weapon, his expression darkened.
"So this axe… was made for your summon? Since when did Orochimaru take up blacksmithing?"
Kong shot him a murderous glare. If not for Aoyama holding him back, the ape would have already swung the axe down on Kakuzu—ignoring all his defenses and cleaving one of his hearts clean off in a single strike.
To make matters worse, Kong gave a small demonstration swing. The axe bit into the stone floor, and Orochimaru's laboratory was left missing a very important section.
Aoyama gaped.
"It works! Just like in the movies—it absorbs and stores special energy, then releases it during attacks. That makes it way stronger than just a physical weapon."
"RAOOOAR!"
Kong howled with excitement, his eager eyes fixed on Kakuzu. The sight alone was enough to send the immortal shinobi walking out of the lab, refusing to turn back. Better to wait outside than stay inside under the gaze of a giant ape itching to test his new weapon.
Truly, Godzilla was Kong's perfect partner. From just a shard of dorsal plate, Orochimaru had engineered an axe capable of storing and releasing energy. Not only did it highlight Orochimaru's brilliance, but it also proved that Godzilla's dorsal plates were priceless treasures.
After sending Kong back to the MonsterVerse, Aoyama mused to himself. Last time, he had summoned the ancient titan Behemoth, but hadn't been able to call him again since. Maybe it was time to let Behemoth stretch his legs.
Besides, joining Akatsuki had unlocked another monster summon. He hadn't had the chance to bring it out yet, but perhaps the next battle would be the perfect opportunity.
Exiting the lab, Aoyama gave Kakuzu a casual wave. The miserly shinobi wasn't in the mood to talk, so Aoyama simply followed along silently.
A day later, they reached the location Zetsu had provided—and came face-to-face with their evaluation target.
It was a nondescript shinobi, lacking any remarkable traits or aura of strength. Honestly, if not for the quota, Aoyama doubted this guy would even qualify to appear in Kakuzu's memories.
"W-Who are you?! Why are you attacking me?!"
The man rolled across the dirt to dodge Kakuzu's strike, then scrambled up in panic, shouting.
The target wasn't just weak—he was pathetic. Even evading Kakuzu's most basic tendril punch was a struggle.
Aoyama stood by, enjoying the show. He had no intention of stepping in. Kakuzu, however, was still simmering from the earlier humiliation at Kong's hands, and now had an outlet for his anger.
He sneered darkly,
"Survive against me, and then you'll earn the right to ask questions. Until then, the only thing you need to worry about… is staying alive."
"You bastard!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
Kakuzu hadn't been chosen by Takigakure to assassinate the First Hokage for nothing. His skill was undeniable. After mastering Earth Grudge Fear and his ability to steal hearts, his power had risen to Kage-level.
The evaluation target scrambled desperately, forming hand seals mid-flight. Staring at the oncoming wind jutsu in terror, he slammed his hands to the ground and roared,
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
"Damn you! If you want my life, I'll take yours first!"
A wall of stone rose, shielding him from the howling wind.
"Oh? Is that so? Then let's see it."
"Fire Release: Head Fire! Combined Technique—Scorching Wind Inferno!"
Flames roared to life, merging with the raging wind. The fiery maelstrom shattered the earth wall and scorched the land black, erasing the man's only defense in a heartbeat.
Watching Kakuzu's raw power, Aoyama was shaken. Maybe he needed to ease up on tormenting the guy with Kong and Godzilla's hungry stares. Constant psychological pressure from giant monsters was pushing Kakuzu into venting on weaker prey.
The poor target didn't last long. Kakuzu's kick sent him sprawling, and when he tried to rise, another savage stomp slammed into his chest, nearly killing him outright.
With cold, glowing green eyes, Kakuzu ground his boot onto the man's face. He drew a kunai, licked the blade, and sneered:
"Too bad. You failed my evaluation. That means you die. But don't worry—I'll at least take your head for the bounty."
All rogue-nin carried bounties. Much like pirates in the neighboring seas, once you defected from your village, you were automatically wanted and prized.
And who came to claim those bounties? Either greedy men like Kakuzu, or the elite Anbu of the major villages. Ordinary people wouldn't dare approach a missing-nin.
Casually slicing off the man's head, Kakuzu hefted it by the hair. Just this one trophy was worth several million. He turned to Aoyama and said flatly,
"The mission's done. I'm cashing this in. You coming with me, or splitting up here?"
Aoyama thought for a moment. Akatsuki had no pressing missions right now, and tagging along with Kakuzu only meant more bounty hunting. He had better things to do.
Shaking his head, he chose to part ways.