Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Chapter 70 Kakuzu: Why these two?! (1/10)

The capital of the Land of Fire.

Suburbs.

Kakuzu sat upright in the ancient pavilion, dressed in black, quietly reading an ancient book.

He was waiting for those who didn't know their own mortality.

As a seasoned bounty hunter, Kakunojo has managed to survive to this day with his entire body intact, which is due to the tenacious vitality and strength bestowed by the Earth Grudge Fear—

He also places great importance on protecting himself.

Anyone who covets his Earthly Grudge Fear, unless they are a ninja from one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, he will surely eliminate them.

Now, a nobleman actually dares to set his sights on him?

Kakuzu had considered that this might be Konoha's operation against him, a trap set for him.

After all, the Earthly Grudge Technique is also attractive to the Great Hidden Village.

But Kakuzu spent a lot of money to buy information from the bounty office.

Based on the clues that Konoha's top ninjas have been on missions recently, Kakuzu is confident he can defeat or escape even if one or two are free.

"Whether it's the Land of Fire or Konoha, it's no longer the time when Hashirama was around—"

"That debt of gratitude has been paid off for almost forty years now," Kakuzu muttered to himself as he closed the fan-shaped pages of the ancient book.

Kakuzu, who was once generously spared by Hashirama Senju, has basically avoided Konoha in recent years and refuses to take on missions against the enemy.

Anyway, the ninja world is so big, it doesn't matter where you do business.

But Kakuzu is also a pragmatic person.

Having received kindness does not mean unconditional tolerance.

If the Earthly Grudge Yu, where he makes his living, is targeted, he will kill without mercy.

Or rather, what if a powerful figure took him under his wing and ordered him to fight against Konoha—

Kakuzu will not have any psychological issues.

Hashirama's past compassion might have made Kakuzu some concessions, but survival was Kakuzu's top priority.

"They've arrived?" Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.

In the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, dressed in black robes with red cloud patterns and wearing straw hats, slowly walked towards them.

"Ha, this outfit—"

"It's either some weird rogue ninja organization, or some noble family playing house pretending to be ninjas—"

Kakuzu sat relaxed on the stone bench.

In today's ninja world, so-called rogue ninjas and noble private armies are nothing more than scattered, disorganized guerrillas.

The possibility of him posing a threat is almost zero.

They waited patiently for Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura to approach.

Kakuzu gave a cold laugh: "So you're the ones who inquired about the Earth Grudge Fear?"

"That's right, it's us." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly from behind his straw hat. "What's the price?"

"Not even willing to show one's true face is far too insincere and impolite."

Kakuzu spoke in a lecturing tone: "Money may be eternal, but it is not omnipotent—"

"Your experience is far too shallow; you've provoked the wrong person."

"Put off your straw hats, this is the last time you will breathe fresh air—"

A murderous intent gradually crept into Kakuzu's eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura lifted their straw hats, revealing their true faces.

"Danzo, the straw hat you bought is really useful. The beaded curtain is dense enough that they didn't recognize us even when we were this close—"

"Hmph, I've told you before, I don't make any mistakes when I do things."

At that moment, the killing intent in Kakuzu's eyes was instantly replaced by confusion and shock.

no--

Isn't this the infamous Danzo Shimura, the Dark Ninja?

The person next to him, Kakuzu, was stunned for a moment before realizing it was Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Is he remembering correctly? Isn't this the Third Hokage of Konoha?

Even someone as experienced as Kakuzu was bewildered by this scene.

What Hokage and his assistant would wear clothes of such poor taste to meet a rogue ninja from a small, hidden village?

Is it because you have too little free time at work?

Are the higher-ups in Konoha out of their minds?!

Kakuzu had meticulously planned everything, even anticipating that Konoha might be the mastermind behind it all, and had even specifically obtained information on the recent orders received by various top masters.

However, he subconsciously overlooked the possibility of the Hokage and his assistants being dispatched.

After all, although he has some reputation in the ninja world, it shouldn't be this bad!

"What did you mean by what you just said?"

Danzo Shimura stared at Kakuzu and said coldly, "You want to make a move? I heard you have all the gold medals in the underground bounty hunters, but it seems you're nothing special—"

"If you heard someone wanted to buy your hands and feet, would you still negotiate with them properly?"

Kakuzu snapped out of his daze and immediately retorted, "The Dark Side of the Shinobi World, wasn't that your idea? The things you've done have tarnished the reputation of many First Hokage!"

"Insidious enough, ruthless enough, I admit defeat today—but you will never get your hands on Di Yuan Yu!"

Kakuzu formed a hand seal with one hand, gathering chakra, and quickly scanned his surroundings.

Given Shimura Danzo's unsportsmanlike conduct, he always called upon a large group of people to attack together, carrying out organized violence against isolated enemies.

"Nobody here?" Kakuzu asked, somewhat puzzled, but still dared not relax for a moment.

If only Danzo Shimura and his Root group came, Kakuzu would be confident of escaping.

However, the smiling Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him made him extremely wary.

Compared to his memory of the Third Hokage, he seemed considerably younger.

Appearance is only one part of it.

What truly puts pressure on Kakuzu is the intuition that has been honed through decades of combat experience.

If they really fight, he will die!

Moreover, although Hiruzen Sarutobi was known in the ninja world as a "good guy"—

But no one doubted that he lacked the fighting ability to be a Hokage.

The reputation of "Professor of Ninjutsu" is not something he boasted about, but something he earned through fighting!

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves in the nearby woods.

The beaded curtains hanging from the conical hats gently bumped against each other, producing a crisp sound like wind chimes hanging from the eaves.

However, this tranquil and peaceful scene only made the already tense atmosphere on the scene even more strained.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, seemingly oblivious, casually asked, "Earth Grudge Fear, if it's harvested in moderation, will it cause irreversible damage?"

"No, not at all—" Kakuzu paused for a moment, but still answered Hiruzen Sarutobi's question.

"That's good, we can talk."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "It's Earth Release: Earth Spear, right? I like this technique a lot too—"

Lightning suddenly exploded on his body, and he entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

But the next moment, it vanished.

Kakuzu's heart sank; he had just secretly entered the hardening mode of Earth Release: Earth Spear—

However, despite thinking he was well concealed, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw through him and even used his Lightning Release technique to hint at his weakness.

"As expected of the Third Hokage, known as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu,' I've long admired your name—"

Kakuzu spoke in a hoarse voice: "He even knows the Lightning Release ninjutsu of Kumogakure—"

"I appreciate this favor. As expected of the Kage of Konoha, he is different from his subordinates."

If Hiruzen Sarutobi had just suddenly attacked.

Although he was protected by the Earthly Grudge, he would not die.

But at least he would lose a heart, not to mention that Danzo Shimura was by his side—

"If you appreciate it, then sit down and let's talk—"

Kakuzu sat down as instructed, a hint of confusion passing through his mind.

What does that mean?

Could it be that this Konoha ninja genuinely wants to buy his Earth Grudge Fear?

Even with such a significant advantage, why didn't he immediately think of killing someone?

Kakudo unconsciously looked at Shimura Danzo.

This is different from the usual art style—

Danzo Shimura's face darkened; he was furious.

He realized the importance of reputation.

Even though it was Hiruzen who came up with this terrible idea, why did Kakuzu subconsciously feel that it was related to him?

What else could he be accused of damaging the reputation of the original?

He did it for Konoha!