Chapter 253 — Kakuzu: Making a Big Move
Kakuzu had only ever felt this kind of overwhelming pressure once in his life—long ago, from the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
But Hashirama had been merciful.
When Kakuzu "assassinated" him, Hashirama didn't kill him—he merely flicked a kunai back at Kakuzu to warn him.
That mercy was the only reason Kakuzu survived.
The pressure Hashirama exuded was bottomless—far deeper than anything Kakuzu had felt even from the Akatsuki's leader, Pain.
Hashirama was unquestionably the strongest of his era.
Originally, Kakuzu had believed that Pain was the rightful successor to that level.
But after witnessing what he saw today?
No—the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku, surpassed even Pain.
As Kakuzu walked in silence, thinking over these things, a sudden flash of red tore down from the sky.
He froze.
A massive shape broke through the dark clouds—only the upper portion visible—and Kakuzu's scalp went completely numb. His breath caught. His pulse spiked.
That colossal red giant…
That outline…
That armor…
There was only one possibility.
It was Uchiha Fugaku's Complete Body Susanoo.
The same Susanoo that had completely crushed the Akatsuki leader.
"Why is the Fifth Hokage in the Hidden Rain Village…?"
Kakuzu immediately hid behind a thick tree trunk, peering at the descending titan with trembling breath.
Did the Fifth Hokage already discover the leader's location?
Was he here to destroy them completely?
Impossible… wasn't it?
Pain had escaped from their previous battle. According to the message he left, Fugaku had not detected him. Otherwise, Pain would've been caught on the spot.
So how did Fugaku find this place now?
Did the organization… have a traitor?
Kakuzu's expression darkened.
He watched as the crimson giant landed—the impact shaking the earth—and then dispersed into countless embers of light.
A lone man began walking calmly toward Ame.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Kakuzu stared at him—the legendary Complete Body Susanoo now gone, Fugaku completely exposed.
And for the first time in many years, Kakuzu felt a dangerous, intoxicating temptation.
He swallowed.
Hard.
This man…
This man carried the wealth of two Daimyō residences plus the entire spoils of the Hidden Cloud Village.
The Fifth Hokage's fortune was unthinkable—billions upon billions.
If he could capture him…
He could ransom him to Konoha.
Tens of billions.
Maybe more.
A life-changing, generation-defining amount of money.
Kakuzu's throat tightened; his fingers trembled.
Money was his second life—no, almost his first.
The mere thought of it made his heart pound violently.
His eyes flickered with greed.
He stared at Fugaku's unprotected back.
No Susanoo.
No defensive shell.
Just a man walking.
This is it…
Kakuzu's madness and greed rose like a tide.
"If I pull this off… I'll never have to worry about money again."
Logic fled.
Even the thought of Pain being weaker than Fugaku was swept away.
Money drowned everything.
He had been reckless once—when the village elders ordered him to assassinate Hashirama.
He had followed orders blindly, charging in headfirst.
He lived, only because Hashirama spared him.
Then those same elders betrayed him, tortured him, and tried to hand him over to Konoha.
He killed them all, stole the Forbidden Jutsu, and fled.
Recklessness was in his blood.
And after so many decades, nothing had changed.
He had just become stronger.
Kakuzu activated his presence-concealing technique, the one he acquired long ago. Combined with the shadows of the trees and his honed stealth skills, he was sure—even the Fifth Hokage wouldn't detect him.
Eyes narrowing, breath steady, Kakuzu crept forward.
Closer…
Closer…
Uchiha Fugaku's back was right there.
He didn't believe Fugaku could sense him.
Not like this.
Not when Kakuzu had the element of surprise.
This was his chance—
The biggest payday of his life.
The payday of several lifetimes.
And nothing—not the leader, not reason, not fear—could stop the greed burning in his veins.
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