Chapter 254 — Let Go of Past Grudges and Recruit
With no Hyūga clansmen or sensory-type shinobi by Fugaku's side, Kakuzu sneered inwardly.
"Serves you right—you're just begging to be captured."
He kept his breathing shallow, posture steady, expression blank.
No mistakes.
Not when tens of billions of ryō were walking right in front of him.
This might be the one and only opportunity in his entire unnaturally long life.
If he let it slip away, he knew he would regret it for decades.
The drizzle and the umbrella in Fugaku's hand further obscured his vision—a gift from the heavens.
The rain softened shadows; footsteps vanished into the wet soil.
This truly was the perfect moment to strike.
Thirty meters.
Twenty.
Fifteen.
Ten.
Five steps.
Kakuzu could already feel the other man's aura—vast, overwhelming, suffocating.
The same kind of aura he had once felt from Senju Hashirama… and from the Akatsuki leader.
But money was stronger than fear.
Let alone Uchiha Fugaku—
Even if Hashirama himself were reborn and walked ahead of him like this, Kakuzu would still attack without hesitation.
The timid starve; the bold feast.
He struck—
Thud.
A heavy, muffled crash.
Kakuzu's face paled.
His attack had hit a wall—
No.
A skeleton.
Instant activation!? He sensed me!?
The moment the truth hit him, Kakuzu immediately tried to retreat.
But Fugaku gave him no such chance.
A massive hand—Susanoo's spectral construct—swung down like lightning and clamped around Kakuzu's body.
His ribs creaked.
His breath was crushed out of him.
His organs felt like they were being squeezed through his throat.
He screamed.
Fortunately, the grip loosened slightly, just enough for him to breathe.
But whenever Kakuzu tried to struggle, the pressure increased again.
After a few seconds of this torture, Kakuzu gave up struggling entirely.
The Susanoo arm lifted him effortlessly and brought him to Fugaku's side.
Fugaku still held the umbrella casually, examining the captured intruder—only Kakuzu's head was exposed from the massive ethereal grip.
Kakuzu's hood had been torn off during the scuffle, revealing his real face.
"Who are you?" Fugaku asked, tilting his head slightly.
Whether or not he had sensory ninjutsu made no difference—his Susanoo automatically protected its host.
Nobody could approach him without being noticed.
Because Kakuzu's face lacked distinctive features, Fugaku didn't recognize him at first glance.
He looked like some minor Rain Village shinobi.
Not impressive at all.
Of course, Fugaku didn't know Kakuzu had intentionally held back.
He wanted Fugaku alive for ransom—he hadn't aimed for a kill, only a clean knockout.
How could he have predicted that Fugaku's Susanoo would autonomously defend him?
Sometimes, intelligence decided everything.
Even a weaker opponent could topple a stronger one with the right information.
In the shinobi world, information was king.
Fugaku examined Kakuzu again—something about him felt familiar.
But how could he remember the face of some random shinobi from the Hidden Rain?
Then he noticed a sliver of black fabric with red markings.
A familiar pattern.
He narrowed his eyes.
With a second Susanoo hand, Fugaku pulled Kakuzu forward to inspect his clothing.
The black cloak with crimson clouds.
Akatsuki.
Fugaku's expression shifted.
Pieces aligned in his mind.
Green eyes.
That cloak.
Process of elimination.
"So you're Kakuzu, hm?"
Kakuzu's eyes widened in momentary surprise.
"You… know me?"
Then he smirked confidently. Of course—his attack on Senju Hashirama back then had been infamous.
Naturally, Konoha would remember.
That must be why the Fifth Hokage recognized him instantly.
Fugaku blinked.
Why was this guy smiling?
Did Kakuzu think being recognized meant he would be spared?
Well… actually, Fugaku didn't plan to kill him.
Kakuzu, in Fugaku's eyes, was actually a rather pitiful figure.
Sent by his village to assassinate the God of Shinobi—and he actually went.
He survived only because Hashirama was merciful.
Then his own village betrayed him and tried to execute him for failing.
No wonder the man defected.
And most importantly:
Kakuzu was easy to recruit.
Just offer him money—and a role he would love.
Fugaku smiled lightly and said,
"I know you. You're the one who once attempted to assassinate Senju Hashirama."
Kakuzu puffed up proudly, misinterpreting the praise.
"To dare raise your hand against the invincible God of Shinobi and live to tell the tale… That's extraordinary," Fugaku added with a perfectly serious tone.
Kakuzu, fooled by the performance, chuckled.
"I am honored that Hokage-dono knows of my deeds."
Fugaku continued, "Mr. Kakuzu, you are a very capable shinobi. I have no desire to kill you. In fact… I'd like to recruit you."
Kakuzu froze.
Recruit him?
Fugaku nodded.
"I want you to serve as the Financial Manager of Konohagakure. What do you think, Mr. Kakuzu?"
A flicker of astonishment flashed in Kakuzu's eyes.
He truly hadn't expected this.
For the Fifth Hokage to overlook past grudges and even want to hire him—
This was beyond surprising.
Fugaku added casually, as if discussing the weather,
"Actually… after I destroyed the Hidden Cloud Village, the Lightning Daimyō's mansion, and the Fire Daimyō's mansion, I acquired quite a generous amount of wealth."
Kakuzu's pupils dilated violently.
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