[Kakuzu defected from Takigakure at around age 31, taking the secret technique "Earth Grudge Fear" with him, granting him an extended lifespan. After becoming a professional bounty hunter, Kakuzu focused solely on making money. And with his Kage-level strength, he accumulated an enormous fortune over sixty years through this means.]
[It is worth noting that among his captured targets were high-value bounties such as Chiriku (30 million ryō) and Sarutobi Asuma (35 million ryō)—one job alone equaled about thirty S-rank missions.]
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Hokage Office]
Hiruzen's brow furrowed instantly, a tightness forming in his chest.
'Asuma!'
This Kakuzu… would kill Asuma in the future?
His wife, his eldest son, his daughter-in-law had already sacrificed themselves for the village. And now Asuma too was doomed to the same fate?
Just how many more people would he have to see leave in his lifetime?
Hiruzen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat painfully dry.
"Old man."
"The screen is talking about the future. It hasn't happened yet."
Tsunade saw the look on Hiruzen's face and tried to comfort him.
Hiruzen nodded but said nothing. He set down his pipe and wiped its stem over and over, silently.
---
[Location of Team 10]
Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji looked at their supervising Jōnin with concern. Ino's eyes were already red, tears welling up and threatening to spill at any moment.
"Asuma-sensei…"
Asuma himself, however, was calm. His face betrayed no emotion. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, tapped it against the pack, put it in his mouth, and pulled out a lighter.
The flame flickered a few times, the tip of the cigarette glowing red, and he took a deep drag, letting the smoke drift slowly from his nostrils.
"Who can say for sure what will happen in the future?"
"Besides, the screen already said Kakuzu is the one who kills me. So we just need to note his information carefully and make appropriate countermeasures. That should be enough to prevent it."
With that, Asuma looked at his three students. "As Shinobi, dying on the battlefield or in the line of duty is our fate. Even if I do die, don't be too sad."
"Especially you, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru did not speak, only staring fixedly at the Sky Screen, trying to extract as much information as possible about the strangely dressed man on it.
Seeing Shikamaru ignore him, Asuma wasn't upset. He just gave his three students a gentle pat.
Meanwhile, at the location of Team 8, Kurenai also clenched her fists tightly, mentally noting the figure known as Kakuzu.
[Adding to that, Kakuzu served as the Akatsuki's treasurer, managing the organization's finances. Over the decades while the Akatsuki quietly grew, they accepted any mission that came their way. And since the organization had few members, their expenses were minimal.]
[For instance, Zetsu was a plant and could absorb nutrients from the ground. Sasori was a puppet and didn't need to eat. Deidara got by on eating clay. Kisame could catch fish for himself—and even share some with Itachi. That cut another chunk out of the Akatsuki's daily expenses. In other words, most of what the organization earned was pure profit.]
[So, when you add it all up, even Kakuzu himself doesn't know how much money he actually has. Only Konan probably knows. What's most tragic for Kakuzu, however, is that after he dies, his money was left unspent—and will end up being squandered by others.]
---
[Akatsuki Hideout]
Kakuzu's expression immediately turned cold. His eyes scanned the Akatsuki members one by one, finally settling on Pain.
"Leader… what does the screen mean by that? The organization's money was earned through everyone's hard work. There's no way I'm letting you squander it all by yourself!"
Deidara opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back. He glanced at Kakuzu's expression and decided to stay quiet.
Hidan, for once, also didn't chime in. He hoisted his scythe and took half a step back.
Kisame chose to be a silent observer.
Sasori's puppet eyes shifted slightly, but he also said nothing.
Even Zetsu rose halfway out of the ground, curiously watching the scene.
Itachi, as usual, revealed nothing of his thoughts.
Though they were all surprised. What exactly had Nagato done in the future to spend all the money—especially the money that 'Kakuzu' had worked so hard to earn?
Nagato himself was equally puzzled.
Still, he considered himself a god and would never tolerate open defiance.
But when he looked at Kakuzu, who seemed on the verge of tears, he found it hard to speak harshly.
Forget it, regardless of anything else, Kakuzu was single-mindedly devoted to the organization.
So he manipulated Pain's body and slowly spoke: "Kakuzu, I don't know what the future holds, but I promise you—the organization will not misuse your money."
"The organization's funds… will all be used for our plan."
Hearing Nagato's response, Kakuzu felt somewhat reassured. He knew that, as a strong-willed leader, it wasn't easy for Nagato to offer such comfort.
Besides, Nagato had entrusted the money to Kakuzu's management. All funds earned through bounties, assassinations, and other means were kept and allocated by him.
Every transaction in and out was recorded clearly in Kakuzu's mind. And he knew that, for now, none of the organization's funds had been misappropriated.
Still, Kakuzu decided he needed to find a successor—someone to help manage both his personal fortune and the organization's finances.
Even though he was confident, that with the screen's intel, he wouldn't die in the future, he still had to plan ahead.
What if? What if something went wrong? Would the wealth he had accumulated over decades just disappear?
He scanned the room and realized that most of these eccentric guys had no concept of money.
'Deidara?'
This guy just played with clay. If he managed the money, he'd probably spend it all on clay for his "art." His explosive art was costly after all.
'Sasori?'
Puppets didn't need to eat, but he was also a researcher. Give him the money, and it would all turn into puppet parts. His hundreds of puppets didn't build themselves for free.
'Hidan?'
Give him money, and he'd spend it all preaching to his so-called "Lord Jashin."
'Kisame?'
A simple-minded beast—would he know how to manage money?
'Zetsu?'
Did plants even need money? He probably wouldn't even know what it was.
'Obito?'
He barely showed up to the organization lately. Not trustworthy.
'Itachi?'
This one was the most suspicious; even an old veteran like Kakuzu was afraid that he would abscond with the funds.
The only one he could entrust seemed to be Konan—the only one who appeared to be a normal person.
After all, compared to these strange characters, a woman would surely be better suited to handle money.
With that, Kakuzu made up his mind. He'd find an opportunity to have a serious conversation with Konan about this.
And he also decided to change some of his own habits.
Though the organization's funds couldn't be touched, he had to start spending some of his own money.
Otherwise, if someone else got to enjoy it after he died, he'd be miserable just thinking about it.
Just the thought of it made his chest hurt.
Meanwhile, Konan, who rarely attended group activities, felt a jolt of unease.
It couldn't... be such a coincidence, could it?
She looked at Kakuzu's bitter and deep-seated face and silently took a step back.
*****
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ReduxMagister