"Fire Release: Searing Migraine!"
Kakuzu formed a hand seal with both hands as he kept moving. Behind him, a black monster appeared, opening its mouth to unleash a massive sea of fire.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
Seeing the approaching inferno, several Konoha ninjas adept in Water Release quickly formed seals, creating a water barrier to shield themselves.
Although Water Release counters Fire Release, the outcome depends on the strength of the techniques. Kakuzu's power far surpassed that of the defending ninjas, and their water wall barely slowed the fire's advance. The intense heat quickly evaporated the barrier, leaving the Konoha ninjas exposed and helpless.
The fire spread too quickly, and the area was too vast. It was already too late for them to escape.
"You stay here. I'll go after him," came Kawakaze's voice from nearby.
In the next moment, the ninjas found themselves out of harm's way, the danger suddenly gone.
"Lord Kawakaze!" the captain exclaimed, relief flooding his face at their survival. But that joy quickly turned to shame as he realized how badly they had failed again.
"It's not your fault. The opponent is very strong," Kawakaze said, sparing the captain further blame. This situation had gone beyond their capabilities. Judging by the power of the Fire Release, the enemy was clearly at least Kage-level.
"It's my incompetence," the captain said, lowering his head in remorse. He couldn't think of anything else to say.
"There's no time for sentimentality. Let's go back," Kawakaze said, deciding there was little point in that and leaving the group behind. Without another word, he continued his pursuit.
"We..." the captain began, but before he could finish, Kawakaze had already vanished.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu had taken advantage of the distraction to flee, vanishing to an unknown location.
"Sigh... let's go back," the captain said, resigned. He led the remaining team back.
With Kawakaze on the case, the outcome was already clear. If even Kawakaze couldn't handle the opponent, their involvement would only result in more unnecessary deaths.
The captain's shame lingered. Not only had they been unable to contribute, but they had also required Kawakaze to rescue them yet again.
"Captain, we've done all we could," one of the ninjas said, noticing the captain's low mood and attempting to comfort him.
They had barely escaped with their lives—who could say they hadn't given their best?
"That's what you say, but..." the captain began, but then stopped himself. "Forget it. Let's wait for Lord Kawakaze to return."
He didn't want his feelings to weigh down the team, so he swallowed the rest of his words.
The group returned to the city in silence, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
"Trying to chase me? How ridiculous!" Kakuzu muttered to himself, finally relaxing after not sensing any pursuers for a long while.
He was nearing the gates of Konohagakure and was determined to leave, even if he had to force his way out. As long as he remained in Konoha, he couldn't feel secure.
Regret began creeping in. Why had I taken on this bounty?
"I think it's you who are ridiculous," a voice suddenly interrupted, startling Kakuzu.
"Who is it?" Kakuzu stopped and scanned the area intently.
Not far ahead, a man stood casually on a tree branch, dressed in pajamas. His silver hair gleamed under the moonlight.
It was Kawakaze Hatake—the very person Kakuzu had been targeting all along.
Kakuzu's pupils shrank at the sight of him. He had no desire to fight Kawakaze unless absolutely necessary. He knew his chances of victory were next to nothing.
"Your 350 million ryō," Kawakaze said, taking a few leisurely steps toward Kakuzu.
Kakuzu instinctively backed away, fear creeping into his movements.
"You're Kakuzu?" Kawakaze asked, his gaze fixed on the man before him. A faint, almost mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
So it really was this money-obsessed bounty hunter who valued ryo more than his own life!
"You know me? Is there a record of me in Konoha?" Kakuzu asked, astonished. He couldn't fathom how Kawakaze knew his name.
What Kakuzu didn't realize was that Kawakaze had a lasting impression of him.
In the original timeline, Kakuzu was the financial director of the Akatsuki organization, tirelessly accumulating wealth, only to have it all drained by Konan. The infamous six hundred billion Explosive Tags were a dream Kakuzu could never achieve.
"There's no record of that," Kawakaze replied. "But I think only you, Kakuzu, would love money so much that you'd risk your life for it."
Kawakaze's tone was teasing, and with his strength, he felt no pressure confronting Kakuzu.
"Hmph, I only believe in money," Kakuzu retorted, picking up on the sarcasm in Kawakaze's words. If he believed he could win, he would've attacked already.
"The money is right here in front of you. Why don't you come and take it?" Kawakaze taunted, extending his right hand and hooking his index finger. With his casual pajamas and nonchalant demeanor, he exuded arrogance and dominance.
"Today, I'm willing to give up the reward. Let me go," Kakuzu said at last. For the first time in his long life, he openly backed down.
The humiliation burned, turning his face as red as a pig's liver. Even against Hashirama Senju, he had fled only after being defeated—at least, that's how he justified it to himself.
"No, no, no," Kawakaze replied with a serious expression. "Right now, I won't allow you to give up."
His gaze hardened as he thought to himself: The sooner I finish this, the sooner I can get back to Tsunade and sleep.
Wasting time with Kakuzu held no appeal.
"No discussion?" Kakuzu asked, seeing Kawakaze's firm stance and realizing there was no chance of resolving this peacefully. He began silently gathering his strength.
"No discussion," Kawakaze replied flatly. "If you don't come, I'll come to you."
Kawakaze took a step forward as if to close the distance.
"Tentacle Fist," Kakuzu growled, separating his wrist from his arm. Dense black threads shot out, extending from his arm and rushing toward Kawakaze with great speed, their tips still connected to him.
"With just those moves, you won't be able to escape from me," Kawakaze remarked.
Taking another step forward, his body became encased in lightning. A seemingly effortless strike dispersed Kakuzu's attack.
In the blink of an eye, Kawakaze's figure vanished.
Puff!
Kakuzu coughed up blood and fell forward.
"First heart," Kawakaze said calmly, shaking the blood from his hand.
Cough, cough. Kakuzu struggled to his feet, his breathing labored. "How do you know so much about Earth Grudge Fear?!" he rasped, enduring the pain.
In just one exchange, he had lost a heart. At this rate, he wouldn't last more than a few seconds.
No wonder Kawakaze had been so confident—his Flying Thunder God Technique marks were everywhere in Konoha. If they had fought elsewhere, Kakuzu might have managed to hold out a little longer.
"Five hearts only. You don't think you're the only one who knows about it, do you?" Kawakaze said, his tone cryptic, deliberately keeping an air of mystery.
Though in truth, it was only thanks to knowing the details from the original story that he had such insight.
"Do you have to be like this? I can pay you," Kakuzu said, desperation seeping into his voice.
When faced with life and death, survival always took precedence. Kakuzu loved money, but he valued his life far more.
"How much can you pay me?" Kawakaze asked, chuckling as he toyed with him, enjoying the moment like a cat playing with a mouse.
"It's all yours. I currently have 925,627,891 ryō saved up," Kakuzu said without hesitation, laying everything on the table.
"No wonder you could be the chief financial officer," Kawakaze remarked, amused. "You even remember the exact amount in your secret stash."
Kawakaze wasn't surprised. After so many years of killing and collecting bounties, it made sense that Kakuzu had amassed such a fortune. The bloodstained origin of the money wasn't his concern.
"Just promise to let me go, and it's all yours," Kakuzu urged, speaking quickly as he noticed Kawakaze wasn't attacking anymore.
The strike that had pierced his chest had shattered more than his body—it had crushed his will to fight. He had no intention of continuing the battle.