Am I considered a traitorous ninja of Konoha now?
Aomi had a strange feeling in his heart. The story of Hatake Sakumo was very similar to his past...
Both were betrayed by the village's leadership.
"This is for you..."
Hatake Sakumo looked at Kakuzu, who seemed distrustful, shook his head, took out a slip of paper from his backpack, and tossed it to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu carefully hardened his hands with Earth Release and caught it.
This was a letter of appointment written by Aomi, appointing Kakuzu as the Minister of Finance for the Root, and it also explained a series of situations about Hatake Sakumo.
Kakuzu stared blankly at the contents of the slip, momentarily unable to react.
More than a year ago, when Aomi and Kakuzu met, Aomi was still a regular Genin, just beginning to see blood under Tsunade's guidance.
How did he suddenly become the leader of the Root?
He even gave this bounty hunter a position, making him one of the heads of the Root overnight.
Hatake Sakumo slowly walked over and handed Kakuzu a pile of scrolls: "These are entrusted to you by Aomi. Take a look..."
Kakuzu furrowed his eyebrows, but seeing that it was Aomi's unique handwriting and familiar tone, he remained guarded with Hatake Sakumo but allowed him to come closer and take the scroll.
As Kakuzu read, his eyes gradually became glassy.
In the scrolls, there were various Five Elements Jutsus, from the Fire Release of the Uchiha Clan to the Water Release of Senju Tobirama, as well as various practical and obscure Earth Release, Wind Release, and Lightning Release Ninjutsu, like a mini Book of Kinjutsu.
Aomi called these his serious work rewards, suggesting in a boss-like manner that Kakuzu should study hard, recharge himself, and avoid always using the same few rough, suppressive, and deceptive moves, which would harm the future image of Konoha Root.
Then there was the financial condition of the original Root, where Aomi stated that since Kakuzu was the Minister of Finance, he would be in charge of all matters regarding the Root's finances, investments, and fund management. Aomi said he need not bother him and should handle things himself but should remember to allocate funds to the orphanage on time.
Finally, Aomi talked about Hatake Sakumo's experiences, hoping Kakuzu could talk to him from the perspective of someone with experience, and the two could become good partners. At the end of the scroll was a formal Root appointment letter, signed in Aomi Uchiha's handwriting.
"That's about it, Kakuzu-senpai."
Hatake Sakumo chuckled lightly, "It's quite strange, really. In Konoha, I'm usually called 'senpai,' but given your age, even Sarutobi Hiruzen would have to call you that..."
Hatake Sakumo handed a Konoha Headband to Kakuzu, gesturing for him to take it.
Kakuzu held the scrolls, feeling indescribable emotions in his heart.
The jutsu Aomi had given him was far beyond the silver notes he had previously sent to Aomi.
Kakuzu immediately saw that many techniques and explanations of form transformation in these Five Elements Jutsus were priceless, even treasures for the Ninja Clans.
"What, you don't agree? Kakuzu-senpai..."
"Kid, stop looking at me with those dangerous eyes. I am one of the founders of this new Root!"
Kakuzu sharply sensed Hatake Sakumo's increasingly threatening gaze, unceremoniously taking the Konoha Headband and said coldly, "Come with me now, I'm taking you to complete your first mission."
Hatake Sakumo shrugged, noting how quickly this guy was adapting, "What mission is that..."
"To have a talk..."
Kakuzu patted Hatake Sakumo on the shoulder, a hint of emotion in his voice, "Aomi probably told you, right? I was once betrayed by the leadership, even ordered to assassinate the First Hokage..."
Hatake Sakumo nodded silently, smiling inwardly.
At that time, he had complained to Aomi that compared to himself, Kakuzu's experiences were more tragic and frustrating.
Shimura Danzo's methods at least had some subtlety, while the leadership of the Hidden Waterfall Village almost outright demanded Kakuzu to commit seppuku.
Kakuzu and Hatake Sakumo walked shoulder to shoulder.
At this moment, the first meeting of the Root's Minister of Finance and Intelligence was finally over...
Though the two men weren't talkative by nature and came from completely different backgrounds, they surprisingly shared similar experiences. As they chatted, they opened up, even buying some wine and food to eat and talk.
"Brother Sakumo, I'm telling you, let's do our best in the Root. It's a good place!"
Kakuzu took a hearty sip of wine, chewed on raw beef liver, and said with a wave, "Trust me, you can't go wrong. I've encountered more people in the Ninja World than you've eaten salt, Aomi will be the future of Konoha!"
Hatake Sakumo clinked glasses with Kakuzu, his face slightly flushed.
After hearing about Kakuzu's dealings with the Hidden Waterfall Village, Hatake Sakumo felt full of admiration for him.
Compared to his own suicide for reputation, Kakuzu was fierce enough to massacre the entire Hidden Waterfall leadership and ran with the Secret Technique: Earth Grudge Fear as a traitor.
Sure, there were objective reasons for Hidden Waterfall's weakness, but Hatake Sakumo hadn't even considered resisting.
In contrast to Kakuzu, Hatake Sakumo seemed to have learned a lot.
"I know, brother, if it weren't for Aomi, I'd already be dead..."
Hatake Sakumo clinked glasses with Kakuzu, the two, who were probing each other earlier, quickly warmed up discussing their experiences and Aomi, and started calling each other "brother."