At a certain black-market exchange hidden deep within the underworld of the ninja world, the atmosphere was heavy with greed, blood, and secrecy.
Stacks of cash lay neatly arranged on the table.
Kakuzu stood before them, methodically counting each bundle with mechanical precision. His movements were calm and practiced, as if this were nothing more than a daily routine. When he finished counting the last stack, he confirmed the amount, tied the money securely, and prepared to leave.
Just then, the black-market boss cleared his throat and pushed a scroll across the table.
"This is a new bounty," the man said cautiously. "The target is… unusual. Someone only you would be capable of killing."
Kakuzu paused.
In the black market, his name was synonymous with death.
Calling him the strongest bounty hunter was no exaggeration. Once Kakuzu accepted a job, the target was as good as dead. No matter how powerful, famous, or well-protected the target was, the result never changed.
There had been those who doubted this reputation.
They were now buried in the ground.
And the grass on their graves had already grown more than three feet tall.
Kakuzu silently picked up the bounty notice.
When his eyes landed on the photograph, a faint spark of interest flickered across his usually emotionless face.
"Ten million ryō…" he muttered.
"A target worth killing."
If Aosui had been present, he would have immediately recognized the image.
The bounty was for him.
Land of Grass — Kusagakure
The moment Aosui, Tsunade, and Haku arrived in Kusagakure, the village leader personally came forward to greet them, his face plastered with a warm and welcoming smile.
Tsunade, however, did not return it.
Yumiko, who had later joined Konoha, had once lived under Kusagakure's jurisdiction. Tsunade knew very well what kind of "care" she had received there.
She also knew exactly who had been responsible.
The man standing before her—the smiling Kusagakure leader—was the mastermind behind it all. He was also the one who had secretly instructed Gato to attack Konoha.
The fact that Tsunade did not smash his skull on the spot was already proof of her restraint.
Aosui and Haku shared the same cold expression.
The Kusagakure leader's smile stiffened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and continued to play the gracious host.
"The representatives from Kumogakure will arrive tomorrow," he said. "For today, please rest well in Kusagakure."
Compared to Konoha, Kusagakure was clearly impoverished.
The village felt like a small, desolate town when placed next to the bustling capital of the Land of Fire. Buildings were old, infrastructure crude, and even the chakra fluctuations in the air felt weak.
As they were escorted to their accommodations, Aosui could clearly sense numerous gazes hidden in the darkness.
Malice. Hostility. Suspicion.
None of it surprised him.
While walking, Aosui subtly activated his malice-sensing ability, carefully scanning the surroundings. His true concern was not the villagers—but whether any White Zetsu were hidden nearby.
According to the original timeline, Uchiha Obito had supposedly "died" during the Kannabi Bridge battle, only to be rescued by Uchiha Madara.
That meant Madara's hiding place was highly likely to be somewhere within the Land of Grass.
Last time, when Aosui traveled to the Land of Rain, the other party had already made an unexpected move.
He wasn't about to repeat that mistake.
After a thorough scan, Aosui found nothing unusual and finally relaxed slightly.
This was normal.
He wasn't an Uchiha. As long as he didn't expose the Rinnegan, there was no reason for Madara—or Black Zetsu—to take notice of him.
Still, Aosui did not completely lower his guard.
"This is the lodging we have prepared for the three of you," the Kusagakure leader said politely. "We hope you will find it satisfactory."
After escorting them inside, his smile vanished instantly as he turned and left.
Night soon fell.
Aosui's Room
A knock echoed softly against the door.
When Aosui opened it, he froze.
Standing outside was Tsunade.
Her long blonde hair was slightly damp, clearly fresh from a bath, with a few loose strands clinging to her chest. She wore a form-fitting yukata, tightly wrapped with a sash, emphasizing her mature and voluptuous figure.
At her chest, a tantalizing glimpse of smooth, fair skin was exposed without the slightest defense.
Aosui's instincts activated instantly.
Auto-target locked.
Internally, he sighed.
As expected of Tsunade.
Two Chibaku Tensei right out of the gate.
Who could possibly resist that?
Swallowing, Aosui asked, "It's pretty late, Tsunade-sama. Is there something you need?"
"I haven't had a drink in a long time," Tsunade replied casually. "Drinking alone is boring, so I came to ask you to keep me company."
Before Aosui could protest, she had already entered the room and placed the sake and dishes on the table.
Aosui hesitated.
He was an adult, so drinking wasn't an issue. But this was Kusagakure, and Kumogakure's envoys might arrive tomorrow.
Drinking tonight didn't seem appropriate.
As if sensing his concern, Tsunade waved dismissively.
"Relax. Just a little. Kumogakure is far away—negotiations won't start until the day after tomorrow anyway."
"So drink."
She shoved a cup into his hand.
Aosui accepted it reluctantly, though a sense of unease lingered.
The memory of the last time he drank with Tsunade surfaced clearly in his mind.
She had gotten completely drunk.
And he had been the one to escort her home.
Sure enough—
After only a few rounds, Tsunade was already tipsy.
"Aosui…" she slurred, tugging on his sleeve. "Do you want to be Hokage?"
Aosui sighed.
"Tsunade-sama, you're drunk."
"I'm not drunk!" she snapped. "Answer me! Do you want to be Hokage?"
Aosui's face darkened.
"I do," he replied honestly. "Who in Konoha doesn't?"
He stood up and gently helped her to her feet.
"It's late. You should go back to your room and rest."
"Rest?" Tsunade scoffed. "No! I want to keep drinking!"
She shook him off—and promptly lost her balance.
"Whoa—!"
Aosui lunged forward to catch her.
But momentum betrayed them both.
They fell together.
Tsunade landed beneath him.
Aosui froze.
…Soft.
Very soft.
Instinctively, his hand moved.
Then—
Oh no.
Tsunade sobered instantly.
"YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
BAM!
She punched him.
Thankfully, she held back. Aosui was sent flying, but not injured.
Tsunade hurriedly pulled her loosened yukata back together, cheeks flushed red, and fled from the room.
Inside her own room, she clutched her chest, heart pounding.
"He dared to pinch it…!"
Her face burned.
Logically, she should have been furious.
So why… hadn't she hit him harder?
Even Jiraiya would've been hospitalized for less.
Tsunade didn't sleep at all that night.
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