Chapter 133: Chapter 134: A Bounty of 70 Million, Inviting Kakuzu

The capital of the Land of Rain.

Today was another day of continuous drizzle.

But when the rain fell on a courtyard in the south of the city, it was blocked by an awning and flowed down both sides to the ground.

"That concludes this morning’s theory class."

Natsuki smiled and asked. "Do you have any thoughts after listening?"

"If the organization wants to develop, it needs to make money."

Konan stared at Natsuki and spoke up.

"Our Akatsuki organization can make money by doing missions in the future!"

Yahiko said immediately.

"Is doing missions the only way to make money?"

Natsuki asked in return.

"Then what other ways are there to make money?"

Yahiko scratched his head and asked. "Don’t all ninjas make money by doing missions?"

"Ninjas of the Five Great Villages can, because they have enough missions."

Natsuki reminded him. "But the Land of Rain is poor to begin with, so there won’t be many missions for you to do."

"We can fight for missions with the ninjas of the Five Great Villages."

Nagato suddenly spoke up.

"We can’t do that."

Yahiko hurriedly said. "If we offend the Five Great Villages, it will be hard for us to survive."

Nagato was slightly taken aback and fell silent again.

"We can do business."

Konan tilted her head and said. "I heard doing business is very profitable."

"That is indeed an option."

Natsuki reached out, rubbed her head, and asked. "Do you have any bolder ideas?"

Encouraged by him, Konan’s mind instantly became active.

She quickly thought of something.

"Control the Daimyo of the Land of Rain."

Konan blurted out.

Reminded by her, Yahiko and Nagato also remembered that Natsuki had said something similar before.

"It seems you’ll be in charge of the Akatsuki organization’s finances in the future."

Just as Natsuki finished speaking, he suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Speaking of the Akatsuki organization’s finances, one person had to be mentioned: Kakuzu.

Kakuzu’s experiences could be called legendary.

He was originally a Takigakure ninja sent to assassinate Senju Hashirama. After failing, he was punished by Takigakure.

In a fit of anger, he directly stole Takigakure’s secret jutsu, Earth Grudge Fear, and defected from the village.

From then on, he became a bounty hunter, taking bounties specifically in the underground black market.

Until the Akatsuki organization was founded, and he joined.

Kakuzu was a rare ninja who could use all five elemental jutsu.

Because Earth Grudge Fear allowed him to steal other ninjas’ hearts and use their elemental jutsu.

Thus, Kakuzu possessed five hearts, corresponding to Earth Release, Fire Release, Water Release, Lightning Release, and Wind Release.

Natsuki felt he could invite him to join the current Akatsuki organization.

First, because he loved money and was also proficient in financial management.

Second, because his strength was formidable. After joining the Akatsuki organization, he could help Natsuki do a lot of things.

Third, because he was a rare ninja who could use all five elemental jutsu. Natsuki wanted to spar with him. He could increase the progress of two abilities at once, and maybe even get a new character template.

Fourth, because he was from Takigakure, and Hero Water was Takigakure’s secret treasure.

Just as they discussed earlier, if the organization wanted to develop, it must first make money.

Although Natsuki was already very rich, the Akatsuki organization’s goal was to rebuild the Land of Rain.

His personal financial resources alone were insufficient to support the entire Land of Rain.

After much thought, Natsuki realized the most profitable item was the Nfirea template’s Stamina Recovery Potion.

The Stamina Recovery Potion required two key ingredients: Hero Water and Tailed Beast chakra.

Takigakure was different from other small ninja villages.

Its location was extremely remote and hidden. Non-Takigakure ninjas simply couldn’t find it.

As a Takigakure missing-nin, Kakuzu naturally knew its location.

The time came to the afternoon.

After lunch, Natsuki had Yahiko and the others train while he went to an underground exchange.

The underground black market was a very special existence.

No one knew how long it had existed or who was behind it.

But it functioned like an independent ninja village, providing a massive number of missions for rogue ninjas and missing-nin.

Compared to the missions of the Five Great Ninja Villages, the missions in the underground black market were much bolder.

In the original work, Kakuzu received a mission to assassinate Sarutobi Asuma.

Natsuki didn’t know where the underground black markets were, but the Anbu did.

After inquiring, he learned that there was an underground black market stronghold in the capital of the Land of Rain, which was the underground exchange he came to today.

Natsuki put on a mask and walked into the underground exchange.

After stating his purpose, he was led into a room.

"Accepting a mission or posting a mission?"

A middle-aged man wasn’t surprised to see him and asked.

"Posting a mission."

Natsuki replied. "I have an enemy, a Jonin, and I want to hire someone to assassinate him."

"A Jonin from which ninja village?"

The middle-aged man asked again.

"Amegakure."

Natsuki said casually. "His name is Amayadori."

"So it’s the acting leader of Amegakure."

The middle-aged man nodded and said. "Considering his status, the price will be very high."

"As for the specific price, I hope to discuss it face-to-face with the ninja who accepts the mission."

Natsuki explained. "I don’t have enough money, but I have items of equivalent value for exchange."

After he finished speaking, he slipped him ten thousand ryo.

"Alright."

The middle-aged man accepted the money and said. "But I must remind you, the ninjas who work for us are very dangerous."

His underlying meaning was not to lie or renege on a debt, lest he lose his life.

"I understand."

Natsuki smiled and asked. "Can I specifically request Kakuzu to take the mission?"

"You certainly know how to pick them. You picked the most formidable one. Then you must be even more careful. Deceiving him will only result in death."

The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment and said. "You can request him, just pay extra."

"Thank you for the reminder."

Natsuki nodded and asked again. "When can I meet him?"

"In a week."

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment and said. "We will contact him first. If he is willing to accept the commission, he will come."

"Please tell him that he will definitely be interested in my item, and it’s very valuable."

After Natsuki finished speaking, he left the underground exchange.

He returned to the courtyard and trained with Yahiko and the others.

It was now April.

After nearly two months of training, he unlocked two more abilities.

[Artoria Template Ability 2: Invisible Air — UNLOCKED]

Its requirement was to learn five Wind Release ninjutsu.

[Jiraiya Template Ability 2: Fire Release — Dragon Fire Flame Bullet — UNLOCKED]

Its requirement was to learn seven Fire Release ninjutsu.

Because Natsuki had the Fire Release talent brought by the Jiraiya template, he learned very quickly.

In comparison, learning five Wind Release ninjutsu took much more time.

Between these two abilities, Invisible Air was undoubtedly more useful. It could make the target unable to see his ninja tools, causing them to misjudge.

With the unlocking of these two abilities, Natsuki temporarily didn’t need to practice Wind Release and Fire Release ninjutsu anymore.

His current training tasks were reduced to two: learning Lightning Release and developing Magnet Release.

A week later.

Natsuki arrived at the underground exchange again.

"Kakuzu arrived in the capital of the Land of Rain the day before yesterday."

The middle-aged man handed him a map and said. "This is his current residential address. Go find him yourself."

Natsuki nodded, took the map, and left the underground exchange.

Kakuzu didn’t live far away, just near the underground exchange.

Natsuki arrived at his residence, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.

Soon, the door opened.

Kakuzu came into view.

Since he hadn’t joined the Akatsuki organization yet, he wasn’t wearing the iconic black cloak with red clouds.

"Are you the client who hired me to kill Amayadori?"

Kakuzu looked him up and down and asked.

"Exactly."

Natsuki nodded and said.

"Why are you wearing a mask?"

Kakuzu asked bluntly. "Do you have a bounty in the underground black market?"

Natsuki’s mouth twitched, secretly thinking, You really are a miser.

In the original work, Kakuzu was such a miser that he killed his teammates to claim bounties.

Eventually, the Akatsuki organization assigned him the immortal Hidan to stop this behavior.

Kakuzu asking this obviously meant he had his eyes on Natsuki’s head.

But... come to think of it, he did have a bounty in the underground black market, and it was as high as two Sarutobi Asumas.

Sarutobi Asuma’s bounty was 35 million ryo, and his bounty was 70 million ryo.

After all, he wasn’t an ordinary Jonin.

In terms of strength, he was Kage-level, and his combat record in the Second Shinobi World War was outstanding, even killing Hanzo.

Plus, he was Orochimaru’s student.

As for the Kage of the Five Great Villages, their bounties were even higher, all starting at 100 million ryo.

But high as they were, absolutely no one dared to accept such bounties.

"First, tell me what that very valuable item of yours is."

Kakuzu changed the subject and asked again.

The reason he accepted this mission was because Natsuki’s words piqued his interest.

"Take a look."

Natsuki handed him a scroll.

Kakuzu casually opened the scroll and began to read.

After a glance, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Natsuki.

"You’re that comfortable showing me the formula?"

Kakuzu asked in confusion.

The content recorded on the scroll was exactly the formula for the Stamina Recovery Potion.

He knew just by looking at the effects of the Stamina Recovery Potion that it would definitely sell for sky-high prices.

After all, he knew very well that many men, especially Daimyos and nobles, had troubles with their marital life.

They would desperately spend money to buy it.

"I can show it to you naturally because you can’t take it away."

Natsuki said with a slight smile.

"Are young people this arrogant?"

Hearing this, Kakuzu snorted coldly and said. "Careful, you might lose your life because of your big talk."

The reason he called Natsuki a young person was because his build, height, and voice didn’t seem like an adult.

Of course, it could also be some kind of secret jutsu.

But Kakuzu was very confident that there were few people in the ninja world older than him.

After all, he was a ninja from the same era as Senju Hashirama.

His Earth Grudge Fear not only gave him all five elemental jutsu but also allowed him to increase his lifespan by replacing hearts.

"No wonder you sought me out."

When Kakuzu saw the end of the formula and found it required Hero Water, he instantly realized.

Natsuki definitely found out from somewhere that he was a Takigakure missing-nin, so he came to find him.

"You’re not a Takigakure ninja and can’t find Takigakure."

Kakuzu put away the scroll and asked. "Now that I know the formula, why should I cooperate with you?"

"It’s not cooperation."

Natsuki shook his head and said. "I want you to join the Akatsuki organization."

"Why haven’t I heard of this organization?"

Kakuzu asked in confusion.

Besides accepting missions, the underground black market was also an intelligence agency.

Its intelligence capabilities were second only to the Five Great Ninja Villages.

If the Akatsuki organization was famous, the underground black market would notify them to pay attention.

"It was just established."

Natsuki replied.

"..."

Kakuzu was instantly speechless.

Was he just some nobody?

In the underground black market, he was a renowned bounty hunter. His fame and strength were enough to rank first.

"Considering you gave me a formula, I won’t kill you."

Kakuzu directly issued an order for him to leave, saying. "While I’m still in a good mood, hurry up and leave."

"It seems I still have to use strength to invite you."

Natsuki’s expression remained unchanged as he asked. "How about we have a fight?"

"I never fight worthless ninjas."

Kakuzu raised an eyebrow and said.

"It just so happens my head is very valuable."

Natsuki chuckled lightly and said.

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Kakuzu immediately took out a small booklet and asked. "What’s your name? How much is the bounty?"

Natsuki glanced at the cover of the small booklet and instantly showed a weird expression.

The title on the cover read "Underground Black Market Bounty Encyclopedia."

"Seventy million ryo."

Natsuki said casually.

"What did you say?"

Kakuzu suddenly paused, raised his head, and stared intently at him.

Natsuki felt his eyes were glowing red.

"There are no more than twenty people in the entire ninja world with a seventy million ryo bounty."

Kakuzu flipped through the small booklet and said. "But none of these twenty people would possibly join a newly established Akatsuki organization."

"Never mind who I am for now."

Natsuki asked in a calm tone. "Am I qualified to be your opponent now?"

"You are."

Kakuzu closed the small booklet and said.

To be honest, among the ninjas with a seventy million bounty, there were a few he wasn’t absolutely confident against.

"If I defeat you, you join the Akatsuki organization and make money with us."

Natsuki nodded slightly and said. "If I lose, you take my head for the bounty."

"Straightforward!"

A look of surprise flashed in Kakuzu’s eyes, and he said. "This is the first time I’ve met someone like you who delivers themselves to my door!"

Moreover, regardless of winning or losing, he wouldn’t suffer a loss.

"Let’s fight outside the city."

Natsuki turned and left.

Kakuzu followed closely behind.

The two quickly left the capital of the Land of Rain and arrived at an extremely open area.

"Since you say you have a seventy million ryo bounty, I have to give you some face."

Kakuzu clapped his hands together.

His body suddenly sprouted densely packed black tendrils.

Among the black tendrils, four masks emerged.

This was the Earth Grudge Fear mode.

Under the four masks were four hearts, representing Water Release, Fire Release, Lightning Release, and Wind Release.

His own heart was Earth Release.

Lightning Release: False Darkness!

Kakuzu didn’t hesitate at all, and the Lightning Release mask opened its mouth.

In an instant, violent lightning spewed out, transforming into a giant lightning spear in the air.

The lightning spear, like an arrow released from a bow, wrapped in splashing lightning, charged toward Natsuki.

Natsuki stood in place without moving, just raising his hand.

Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wall!

The nearby ground trembled violently, and a massive amount of iron sand flew out, forming a wall in front of him.

"Magnet Release?"

A look of astonishment appeared on Kakuzu’s face. "Are you the Third Kazekage? No, that’s not right. The Third Kazekage’s bounty is more than seventy million ryo."

Rasa was closer, but his Magnet Release controlled gold dust, not iron sand.

Could it be a hidden Magnet Release powerhouse from Sunagakure?

Boom!

The lightning spear crashed into the iron wall.

An ear-piercing sound rang out.

Ring after ring of lightning spread outward.

Natsuki raised his hand again.

Magnet Release: Iron Sand Cuboid!

More iron sand flew out, blocking the splashing lightning, then condensed together, turning into a cuboid and smashing toward Kakuzu.

Kakuzu didn’t take it head-on, dodging the cuboid with a Body Flicker Technique.

He watched Natsuki form hand seals.

The Fire Release mask suddenly spewed out a stream of flames.

Upon landing, the flames rapidly expanded, forming a sea of fire in the blink of an eye.

The air distorted, and countless flames swept out like a violent storm.

Natsuki felt his vision completely filled with flames.

Fire Release: Dragon Fire Flame Bullet!

He took a deep breath and spat out flames no less powerful than Kakuzu’s.

Five giant fire dragons soared into the sky and charged into the sea of fire.

Kakuzu’s pupils couldn’t help but contract.

He was even more certain Natsuki wasn’t the Third Kazekage.

Because judging by this single Fire Release ninjutsu alone, Natsuki could already be considered among the top ten Fire Release ninjas in the ninja world.

And the Third Kazekage had never used Fire Release.

While thinking, Kakuzu’s movements weren’t slow. He immediately used Water Release: Water Formation Pillar.

The Water Release mask opened its mouth, and a water cannon flew out.

It crashed into a fire dragon, exploding directly and blasting the fire dragon to pieces.

At the same time, Kakuzu formed hand seals with both hands again, and the flames on the ground surged toward Natsuki like ocean waves.

Railgun!

Natsuki raised his hand, lightning permeating the air.

The Sword of the Thunder God transformed into a bolt of lightning, tore through the sea of fire, and arrived in front of Kakuzu in the blink of an eye.

Kakuzu hurriedly formed hand seals with both hands.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

The Sword of the Thunder God suddenly exploded when it hit the water wall.

Countless fragments and lightning howled toward Kakuzu.

Kakuzu completely didn’t expect the Sword of the Thunder God to explode.

Fortunately, he wasn’t an ordinary Jonin, and in his haste, he clapped his hands together.

Earth Release: Earth Spear!

This Earth Release ninjutsu sounded like an offensive type, but it was actually defensive.

The skin all over his body suddenly turned black.

The immense impact force crashed into him.

His entire body was sent flying backward.

But in mid-air, he steadied his body in time and landed smoothly.

However, the pain coming from all over his body still made him frown.

But he was more concerned about another matter right now.

"Are you Natsuki?"

Kakuzu asked with a serious face.

"Indeed."

Natsuki admitted.

After Kakuzu joined the Akatsuki organization, he would definitely learn his real name.

After all, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan called him Teacher Natsuki every day. It would be strange if it wasn’t exposed.

"You established the Akatsuki organization to bypass Konoha and make money?"

Kakuzu asked curiously.

With Natsuki’s identity and status, barring any accidents, he would become a Konoha higher-up, or even Hokage.

Establishing the Akatsuki organization seemed unnecessary.

If it was to make money, it barely made sense.

After all, the Stamina Recovery Potion involved Hero Water, and Takigakure was an ally of Konoha. Without changing identities, it would be difficult to obtain it normally.

"In my view, all ninjas act for money."

Natsuki went with the flow and said. "Money is above ninja villages."

"You are very different."

Kakuzu laughed and said. "It’s rare to meet someone who shares my beliefs. It would be a pity to kill you."

"Then you have to defeat me first."

Natsuki said carelessly.

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