"Renya, what did the leader want from you?"
As soon as Renya and Danzō walked out, Kakuzu hurried over impatiently, a trace of anxiety flashing in his eyes.
"Nothing much. The leader just borrowed a bit of money from me."
Renya didn't think much of it. He would definitely take it back with interest later anyway.
Three hundred million ryō could just be considered interest. It wasn't like he was short on money.
"Borrowed money?!"
Kakuzu's heart skipped a beat as he asked nervously,
"How much did the leader borrow from you?"
"Not much. Just three hundred million."
"Th-three hundred million?!" Kakuzu's eyes widened in shock. "You fool!"
If you're lending three hundred million to the leader, you might as well lend it to me!
This guy is seriously rich!
Kakuzu was so furious he pounded his chest and stomped his feet, wishing he could tear Hidan that idiot into eight pieces.
If it weren't for his big mouth, talking with him about how rich Renya was, the leader wouldn't have found out!
It turned out that when they were discussing this in the morning, the passing Deva Path Pain happened to overhear.
The moment Kakuzu saw the leader, he shut his mouth and even signaled Hidan to stop talking.
But that idiot Hidan had no awareness at all.
Even when the leader arrived, he kept rambling on endlessly.
At that moment, Kakuzu knew it was over and wished he could kill that idiot!
"The leader asked. I couldn't exactly refuse, right?"
Renya spread his hands helplessly. He had just joined the organization—rejecting the leader's request right away would be too much.
If he got kicked out over such a small amount of money, that would be a real loss.
Kakuzu: "…"
The regret was overwhelming!
Seeing the leader make three hundred million just by opening his mouth—this was even more painful than killing him!
An elite jōnin with status and strength was only worth tens of millions.
Take Sarutobi Asuma, the son of the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, for example. Not only was he an elite jōnin, he had also served as a guardian of the Daimyō.
Even with that status, his bounty was only thirty million ryō.
And the money the leader borrowed in such a short time was enough for him to kill ten Asumas.
"It's just small money. Don't be so upset."
Noticing Kakuzu's dejected expression, Renya patted his shoulder to comfort him.
Shimura Danzō: "…"
Looking at this scene, anyone unaware would think Kakuzu was the one who got his money borrowed.
He looked this miserable just seeing someone else lend money.
Hard to imagine what kind of expression he'd have when all of Akatsuki's funds got taken away.
"In the future, don't lend money to the leader." Kakuzu finally accepted reality. "I'm the organization's treasurer. If you want to lend money, lend it to me."
The rogue ninjas in Akatsuki had no concept of money. Only he valued it, which was why Konan recruited him to manage finances.
In other words, all of the organization's money was with him!
"Kakuzu, as the treasurer, you must be in charge of a lot of money, right?"
Renya asked casually, as if it were nothing.
Kakuzu's expression immediately turned cold, losing all his earlier enthusiasm.
"What did you say?"
Others might not think anything of it, but Kakuzu was different.
Money was what he valued most, and Renya's question had clearly touched his reverse scale!
Asking something like that out of nowhere—he must be eyeing his money!
Shimura Danzō quietly prepared for battle.
His good friend might be about to be exposed.
"I was thinking, since you manage the organization's funds, you could take out ten million to support the organization's expenses."
Renya pretended not to notice Kakuzu's expression and continued speaking.
"But judging from your reaction, you probably aren't in charge of the money. I'll just give it to the leader instead."
The cold expression on Kakuzu's face vanished instantly, replaced by overwhelming enthusiasm.
"Hahaha, of course I'm the organization's treasurer!"
He slung an arm around Renya's shoulder, grinning.
"The money earned by members is all used for the organization's development, and I am Akatsuki's treasurer!"
"All the money they earn is handed over to me!"
That was exactly why Kakuzu was willing to join Akatsuki.
Otherwise, why would he bother joining?
"That works. I'll give the money to you."
Renya took out a scroll and handed it to Kakuzu, carefully observing his reaction.
Kakuzu didn't store the scroll away. Instead, after chatting briefly, he left with it.
Looks like he doesn't carry the money on him—it must be hidden somewhere!
"Renya, does Akatsuki really have money?"
Danzō lowered his voice as he looked at the organization's shabby state.
They had been here for two days. Not only had they not seen a single coin, they had even paid over three hundred million themselves.
If there was no money in the end, wouldn't all of this be for nothing?
"Relax. Trust me!"
Now that he knew the organization's money was with Kakuzu, all he needed was to find a way to get him alone and make him reveal where it was hidden.
And dealing with Kakuzu—he was very good at that!
But before leaving, he needed to meet Uchiha Itachi.
To be honest, he strongly disagreed with Itachi's actions. He was completely brainwashed by the Will of Fire.
Uchiha Shisui had always wanted to stop the Uchiha and protect peace between the village and the clan…
Before dying, he entrusted his eyes to Itachi, hoping he would fulfill that unfinished wish.
But what did Uchiha Itachi do? He turned around and sent his entire clan to meet Shisui.
He dared to raise his blade against his own people, yet didn't dare to strike the village's higher-ups.
Truly incomprehensible…
Someone who had been expelled from his clan since childhood never even developed resentment to the point of wanting to wipe out his clan.
Naturally, he couldn't understand Itachi's actions.
...
The next day, Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki returned to the organization.
The first thing they saw was Renya and Danzō standing at the entrance.
"Itachi, it seems the organization has new members."
Kisame Hoshigaki looked at the two at the door and said with a smile.
Uchiha Itachi said nothing, his gaze fixed on Renya.
Though his expression didn't change, a storm had already risen in his heart.
Uchiha!
The new member was definitely an Uchiha!
And the other person's face gave him a very familiar feeling.
But he couldn't recall who it was for the moment…
"Uchiha Itachi, long time no see!"
Renya said with a smile.
In truth, he had never met Uchiha Itachi before. He just used this opening line to make Itachi think they had met.
Then Itachi would frown and rack his brain, unable to figure out his identity.
Sure enough, the moment his words fell, Uchiha Itachi slightly frowned.
He had absolutely no impression of this suddenly appearing clan member!
Yet the other party seemed to know him…
"Don't you recognize me?" Renya continued. "I even beat up your grandfather when I was young."
Uchiha Itachi: "…"
What nonsense is this guy talking about?
He doesn't even look that old—how could he have met my grandfather?
"Is he your elder?"
Kisame Hoshigaki asked curiously. But he doesn't look that old!
Besides, the Uchiha clan was wiped out by Itachi.
With his strength, no elders should have survived…