Kakuzu's abilities were extremely comprehensive.
Through Takigakure's forbidden technique, Earth Grudge Fear, he stole the hearts of others—gaining longevity and multiple chakra natures in the process.
Moreover, Kakuzu had lived for an exceptionally long time.
He was practically from the same era as the First Hokage.
Years of bounty hunting had granted him vast combat experience.
For Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kurenai—three young ninja—
He was the perfect whetstone.
Akihito had already made up his mind.
Their first target would be Kakuzu.
Border of the Land of Fire
The moment Tsunade arrived, she marched straight into a hot spring bar.
Genma Shiranui and the other guards tried to dissuade her—only to be firmly dismissed.
"What's wrong with relaxing a little during a mission?"
"I didn't go to a casino. That's already giving the old man face!"
Even when slacking off, Tsunade was utterly self-righteous.
Bars were the best places to gather intelligence.
Did these rookies not understand that?
Now that she controlled Konoha's finances, how could she possibly resist spending?
As the Fire Country's princess, Tsunade had grown up spoiled.
Even Jiraiya, a common-born ninja, frequented entertainment venues after missions.
Tsunade was worse.
She openly indulged in leisure while her three bodyguards stood there, dumbfounded.
Poverty limited their imagination.
Compared to powerful figures like her, their modest incomes barely covered household expenses.
Tsunade played for three days straight.
Fortunately, she hadn't completely forgotten her mission.
And luck favored her.
After three days of bar-hopping, she obtained intelligence about Orochimaru.
According to reports, someone resembling Orochimaru had recently appeared near Sunagakure.
With that clue, Tsunade immediately abandoned Otogakure and redirected her investigation toward the Land of Wind.
Meanwhile…
Akihito's squad continued tracking Kakuzu and soon entered the Land of Water.
Ahead lay a major crossroads—wealthy merchants and nobles passed through constantly.
Akihito wasn't surprised.
Given Kakuzu's style, earning extra cash on the side was common.
In the original story, even while tasked with capturing a Tailed Beast, Kakuzu detoured with Hidan to kill Chiriku of the Fire Temple for a 30-million-ryo bounty.
Even with Pain as leader, he often acted independently.
If he'd seen Konan's six hundred billion explosive tags, he might have tried to collect a bounty on her.
No sooner had Akihito's group arrived than they received critical intelligence.
A merchant caravan had been robbed recently.
Akihito nodded inwardly.
Greed. Murder. Loot.
Classic Kakuzu.
The crime had occurred not long ago—he likely hadn't gone far.
Akatsuki operated in pairs.
The only question was—
Who was Kakuzu's current partner?
Judging by the timeline, Hidan likely hadn't joined yet.
Akihito ordered his team to disguise themselves as traveling merchants.
He deliberately exposed valuable goods as bait.
The trap wasn't sophisticated.
But for Kakuzu, it didn't need to be.
Though cautious, Kakuzu was deeply arrogant.
Sometimes, even knowing something was a trap, he would walk straight into it.
Like the Fire Temple incident.
The Fire Temple monks were renowned throughout the ninja world.
Their unique abilities deterred most criminals.
Yet Kakuzu attacked anyway—for money.
Risk meant nothing.
Profit meant everything.
And Kakuzu had once attempted to assassinate Hashirama Senju.
Ordinary ninja meant little to him.
Before meeting Pain, he had long considered himself invincible.
Among Akatsuki, his strength might not top the rankings—
But his temper certainly did.
Other than Pain, he respected no one.
On the Main Road
Disguised as merchants, Akihito's group carried their packs along the highway.
Suddenly—
Two figures in red-cloud cloaks blocked their path.
One wore a black mask.
Kakuzu.
The other carried a large blade and had an utterly forgettable face.
Despite the Akatsuki cloak, he looked like background decoration.
Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with undisguised greed.
"Leave your belongings."
"I may spare your lives."
Kakashi, Guy, and Kurenai felt their spirits surge.
The mysterious Akatsuki members had finally appeared.
Before Akihito responded, Kakuzu's partner grumbled,
"Hey, Kakuzu. The leader didn't send us out to rob random people."
Kakuzu shot him a cold glance.
"You dare lecture me?"
"Want to die?"
Akihito sighed silently.
Classic Kakuzu.
Ready to kill his own teammate at a moment's notice.
No wonder Akatsuki eventually paired him with an immortal.
While the duo argued, Akihito's team prepared silently.
Might Guy—disguised as a caravan guard—couldn't wait any longer.
He roared and charged.
"The enemy has appeared!"
"I, the Proud Blue Beast of Konoha, will face you!"
Akihitoand Kakashi both developed forehead veins.
Muscles over brains.
Announcing your affiliation immediately?
That was Guy.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Guy launched a flying kick.
Kakuzu formed hand seals, hardening his body.
His partner raised his blade to block.
Guy's eyes gleamed with excitement.
A tall, imposing opponent wielding a weapon—
Perfect.
He pulled out his nunchaku.
"Oh? Weapons?"
"I'll gladly oblige!"
Metal clashed loudly.
From appearances, the two were evenly matched.
The partner had some skill after all.
Kakuzu stood aside, watching coldly.
Something felt off.
"Proud Blue Beast of Konoha…"
These weren't ordinary merchants.
Though arrogant, Kakuzu still held respect for Konoha—the strongest hidden village.
For now, he chose to observe.
Meanwhile
Kakashi and Kurenai locked onto Kakuzu.
He remained motionless.
He only cared about money.
Teammates? Irrelevant.
The two exchanged glances.
If he wouldn't act first—
They would.
Under Kakashi's signal, Kurenai formed hand seals.
"Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion—Tree Binding Death!"
Kakuzu's vision blurred.
"Genjutsu…?"
He channeled chakra to dispel it.
A veteran like him knew how to counter illusions.
But—
He underestimated Kurenai.
Though he broke free, it cost him precious seconds.
In that gap—
Kakashi was already behind him.
Blue lightning gathered in his palm.
"Raikiri!"
Kakuzu sensed danger too late.
Lightning roared.
His heart was pierced clean through.
Shock filled his eyes.
Backstabbed?
Who lacks ninja honor like this?!
Kakashi spoke coolly.
"Too bad."
"Your body-hardening technique—Earth Release, right? I saw through it."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
"Instantly reading my seals… and such powerful Lightning Release…"
"So you're the famed Copy Ninja—Hatake Kakashi."
Kakashi nodded slightly.
"Figuring that out from so little information."
"You're no ordinary foe."
"It's over."
Kakuzu fell to his knees.
Relief appeared on Kakashi and Kurenai's faces.
That was smooth.
Capture the other one, and the mission would be complete.
But—
Akihito's voice cut in sharply.
"Don't lower your guard."
"He's still alive."
Both froze.
Still alive?
His heart was pierced.
What kind of monster—
They trusted Akihito instantly.
An Akatsuki member possessing abnormal abilities wasn't surprising.
And sure enough—
Before their eyes, Kakuzu rose again.
He had planned to fake death and counterattack.
But Akihito had exposed him.
Kakuzu stared at Akihito, astonished.
Earth Grudge Fear was Takigakure's secret technique.
How did he know?
Akihito smiled faintly.
The truth was beyond Kakuzu's comprehension.
Kakashi and Kurenai felt cold sweat on their backs.
If not for Akihito's warning—
They would've fallen into the trap.
For ninja, such mistakes were fatal.
They steeled themselves.
This enemy was no ordinary opponent.
No more carelessness.
Kakuzu studied Kakashi and Kurenai—
Then glanced at Guy still battling his partner.
Realization dawned.
So that's it.
These are all Konoha Jonin.
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