"Hey, did I forget to check the almanac before going out? How did I run into such a troublesome guy?"
Although he was not wearing the iconic black cloak with red clouds, Seiryū immediately recognized him. A future member of the Akatsuki, Kakuzu, one of the Immortal Duo.
Speaking of Kakuzu.
What Seiryū remembered most clearly was the joke about throwing a kunai from eight hundred miles away and escaping unscathed.
Of course, jokes aside.
He was well aware of Kakuzu's strength.
At the very least, a Kage-level powerhouse.
And because of his secret technique, he had to be killed five times.
Did I forget to check the almanac?
Running into such a troublesome opponent on my first mission outside Konoha.
Meeting a high-level boss right after leaving the novice village. This is ridiculous. And something is not right. Why do I have a five million ryō bounty on my head?
Seiryū felt speechless and confused.
Kakuzu's gaze had clearly lingered on him just now, and that kid with a five million ryō bounty was definitely referring to him.
What was going on?
He was an honest and law-abiding person, just a kid leaving Konoha for the first time.
How could there be a bounty on his head?
Who hated him so much?
Had his reputation as a genius already spread, and other villages were targeting him?
Five million ryō. Five million.
In the original story, Asuma, the Hokage's adult son, was only worth thirty-five million ryō.
He was just a rookie who had not graduated long ago, and he already had a five million ryō bounty.
Which bastard put a bounty on a kid like him?
They had better pray he never found out who it was, or he would smash their head in.
"Tsunade-hime, one of the Konoha Sannin, I do not wish to be your enemy. You may leave with the other two."
Kakuzu's voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.
His gaze shifted to Seiryū. "However, I will take the kid with the five million ryō bounty."
The Konoha Sannin were renowned powerhouses of the Ninja World.
Although he was not afraid of her. After all, he was the man who had fought Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, and survived.
But he did not want unnecessary trouble.
Tsunade was the Konoha Princess. Attacking her could provoke Konoha, one of the Great Ninja Villages.
Fighting Konoha alone was not wise.
As long as he got the five million ryō, this trip would not be in vain.
Seiryū was stunned.
What did I ever do to provoke you?
Is this protagonist treatment?
Drawing hostility wherever I go. Being a transmigrator is really difficult.
Facing this sudden hostile presence, Kurenai and Shizune also became tense.
They did not know who this man was.
But judging from Tsunade's serious expression, he was clearly a well-known powerhouse.
"That is impossible."
Tsunade refused without hesitation, staring at Kakuzu coldly. "You are merely a rogue ninja from Takigakure. What gives you the right to speak like that in front of me?"
"If you do not want to die, then get lost."
Forget Seiryū, who was special in her heart. She would not abandon even an ordinary Konoha ninja.
Although she was wary of him, she was not afraid.
If this were before, when she still suffered from hemophobia, she would not have been Kakuzu's opponent.
But now, she no longer feared battle.
"Hehehe."
Kakuzu was not surprised. He let out a low laugh. "As expected of Tsunade-hime. You truly have some of Senju Hashirama's spirit."
"However, I am the man who fought your grandfather and escaped unscathed. If you were alone, perhaps you could escape from me."
"But while dragging along three burdens, do you really think you can get away unharmed?"
He had never fought Tsunade before, so he did not know her true strength.
There was no way she was weak.
If she were alone, she might escape.
But protecting three burdens at the same time. That would be impossible.
Seiryū still had time to mock.
As expected of Kakuzu.
When facing Konoha ninja, he could not resist showing off his record.
Seiryū suspected he had exhibitionism.
Kakuzu sneered. "Although I do not wish to provoke Konoha, I do not fear it either."
"Since you refuse to leave, then stay here together. Let me see how much you inherited from your grandfather."
"Fire Release: Searing Migraine."
Kakuzu acted decisively, attacking without hesitation.
After forming hand signs, his back suddenly bulged. A thread monster wearing a red mask emerged from behind his shoulder.
It was as if he had grown another head.
This was his secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear.
Five hearts, five masks, five chakra natures.
The red mask opened its mouth, and in the next moment, a massive sea of flames poured out.
The fire surged forward like a tide, igniting everything in its path.
The surrounding temperature rose sharply as the raging flames threatened to swallow them.
"Hmph."
Though the flames were swift and fierce, Tsunade merely snorted, her expression becoming focused.
She ordered the three to retreat behind her.
She raised her right leg high and stomped down heavily.
Boom.
The ground cracked violently. A section of earth rose up, forming a thick earth wall that blocked the flames.
"Since you refuse to listen, I will kill you."
Tsunade's eyes were sharp, her voice filled with anger.
She stepped forward and punched the earth wall.
Boom.
Under her monstrous strength, the wall shattered instantly.
The broken rubble shot forward like cannonballs toward Kakuzu's previous position.
Boom, boom, boom.
The rubble struck the ground with loud explosions, smoke and dust filling the air.
But Kakuzu was gone.
Instead, four black thread monsters wearing masks of different colors charged forward.
They formed a circle, surrounding them.
At that moment, a system notification suddenly rang in Seiryū's mind.
["Ding. Encountered a Hollow attack again. The Host is the future Soul King who governs the Three Realms and must prioritize maintaining stability. Hollows are corrupted evil souls and the root cause of imbalance in the Three Realms. Please, Host, purify the Lesser Menos Grande, Gillian, and several ordinary Hollows before you to maintain the stability of the Three Realms."]
["Mission Issued: Purify the Lesser Menos Grande, Gillian, and several ordinary Hollows."]
["Mission Reward: Bakudō #58. Kakushitsuijaku."]
Seiryū cursed inwardly.
Hollow-related missions had only appeared twice.
Each time they appeared, the difficulty was outrageous.
(To be continued.)