Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Chapter 71 The Third Hokage with Hashirama's Spirit, Known for His Kindness (2/10)

"Hokage, please explain your strategy today—"

Kakuzu paused for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice.

Danzo Shimura's face darkened further.

Why are you using honorifics when it comes to Hiruzen? I just saw through one of your ninjutsu!

"That's right—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, "Lord Mito Uzumaki, I wonder if you still remember me?"

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.

How could he not remember?

The wife of that ninja god.

This person was present when he attacked Hashirama Senju.

As he lay on the ground struggling, Mito Uzumaki's Adamantine Locket bound him like a dumpling—

Kakuzu will probably never forget the fighting prowess of this couple.

"Of course I remember—" Kakuzu replied, the suspicion in his eyes fading slightly.

He's a sentimental person, just not that sentimental—

"Lord Mito said that there was once a young man who sought to spar with Lord Hashirama and obtained the secret technique of Takigakure, namely the Earth Grudge Fear, which has miraculous effects on repairing meridians and severed limbs."

"That's right—"

"Therefore, we in Konoha would like to sign a long-term contract with you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a serious tone, "I've heard that you're quite interested in money?"

"Name your price. We are sincerely looking to buy. Some of our village's disabled ninjas with old injuries are suffering greatly and need the Earth Grudge Fear to ensure their quality of life and dignity as ninjas."

Kakuzu frowned.

When Mito Uzumaki was mentioned, he thought Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to use a trick to take advantage of someone's kindness.

He truly hadn't expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi would actually want to buy it—

Kakuzu was actually prepared to cut off a piece of land to escape from the enmity.

Furthermore, what constitutes a ninja's quality of life and dignity?

These words themselves weren't special, but when put together, they felt very unfamiliar to him.

Ninjas are just tools.

If a tool breaks, there's no need to go to great lengths to repair it; just replace it with a new one.

"The Earthly Grudge Herb is indeed remarkably effective in repairing severed limbs and clearing the meridians—"

"However, it is not very effective for old injuries or long-term disabilities, unless the body maintains a high level of activity."

"I need to make this clear—"

Kakuzu thought to himself, "Sarutobi Hiruzen speaks so righteously, but in reality, he probably just wants to make use of what he has."

He dreamt that the Earth Grudge Fear could restore the fighting power of those crippled ninjas—

Even if those disabled ninjas' severed limbs were preserved relatively well using sealing techniques.

But over time, even if you manage to connect, you'll still have an extra useless hand, unable to even form hand seals properly, making you useless on the battlefield.

"So, it works on most living bodies? That's great for first aid—" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully. "It doesn't matter if it's not very effective; something is better than nothing."

While the Earth Grudge has limitations, it is very suitable for situations like the large Tobirama figure.

The problem with the Tobirama Izuna clone is the presence of meridian nodules due to imperfect technology.

But the body's vitality is not a problem.

For ordinary ninjas, if they could preserve the severed limbs properly, they could at least reattach them, which was better than nothing.

It can at least help their mental health.

On the battlefield, the Earth Grudge Fear is clearly an excellent material for first aid and bandaging.

Take Uchiha En for example. If he had possessed the Earth Grudge Fear technique when Tobirama Senju severed his arm, he probably wouldn't have been left with only one arm for the rest of his life.

"No problem, we'll take them—" Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped his fingers.

With a cold expression, Shimura Danzo placed the briefcase on the table.

Upon opening it, there were bundles of brand-new banknotes, totaling thirty million taels.

It's just that the banknotes from the Land of Fire have relatively large denominations; otherwise, Danzo would have had to carry such a large bag.

It undermines his dignity as the Hokage's assistant and the Dark Ninja!

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakuzu with a smile.

Logically speaking, negotiation shouldn't be about letting the other party name their price.

However, Kakuzu nowadays has no room for error when it comes to making exorbitant demands.

Furthermore, Hiruzen Sarutobi also wanted to take this opportunity to observe whether Kakuzu's obsession with money stemmed from a morbid obsession with "equivalent exchange."

Kakuzu remained silent for a long time.

At this moment, he finally believed in Konoha, or rather, in the Hokage standing before him.

They actually came to him to do business.

Even when murder and robbery were clearly possible, choosing a fair trade and letting him name his own price was the better option.

"It depends on how much you want—"

Kakuzu pulled on his arm, and a large number of demonic threads surged out from the gap.

Danzo Shimura squinted.

This form can hardly be considered human anymore—

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't react much, just observed curiously.

Compared to some of Orochimaru's techniques, Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear, though strange, is still acceptable.

Kakuzu's lips moved slightly, as if he were mentally calculating something: "Thirteen million taels, about twenty catties, which is the most active part. This is my cost price."

Shimura Danzo coldly retorted, "Nearly 700,000 taels per catty, and you're worth over 100 million?"

There was something else Danzo wanted to say, but he hesitated and didn't say it aloud.

He was trying to say, "Do you think we, Konoha, are selling Holy Land Pills? Making such exorbitant profits—"

Kakuzu frowned; he loathed Danzo.

Because in the past, the Root organization often hired bounty hunters without paying them, engaging in double-crossing.

They are considered disruptors of the underground order.

"Those who don't understand business should refrain from interfering."

"First, this is the most active part; second, I calculated it based on combat losses; third, removing these parts would affect my combat effectiveness and thus affect my ability to secure large orders."

Things have gotten this far, there's no need to hide anything anymore.

Kakuzu ignored Shimura Danzo and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "If the Hokage wants a fair trade, this is my bottom line."

"Alright, I'll give you 20 million taels for these local grudges. Businesses need to make a profit, and Konoha doesn't mistreat its friends."

"You may take the remaining ten million taels as well."

"Three million taels is the deposit for the next transaction, and the remaining seven million taels is for hiring you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a generous wave of his hand.

Thirty million taels?

Three hundred Holy Land Pills! That's only the annual supply for seven or eight nobles—

If this allows the Earth Grudge Fear to be applied to Konoha's war system, the resulting benefits would far exceed what thirty million ryo could possibly achieve.

Moreover, aside from the earth's grudge, Kakuzu's behavior patterns and his own character are also extremely valuable.

A bounty hunter with the strength of a shadow realm and immense experience who travels among the major countries without attracting much attention—

It's such a great deal to be able to hire someone for just a little money.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a discerning person. Upon sensing it, he realized that the Earth Grudge Fear that Kakuzu had just released contained extremely thick and dense chakra, clearly different from the other parts.

It is an essence similar to "heart's blood" or core tissue.

Kakuzu was clearly taken aback.

He shared the same sentiments as the daimyo of the Land of Fire, Kujo Gen, Nara Akimichi, and the Hyuga clan.

The Third Hokage was indeed a kind and honest person!

"Lord Hokage, what do you need me to do?" Kakuzu asked earnestly.

"During your employment, do not become hostile to Konoha. We know you have done this very well in the past."

"Gather valuable intelligence that you think Konoha would be interested in. As for the price, it should be 10% higher than the bounty office's price. Settle the payment upon arrival in Konoha, with any overpayment refunded and any underpayment collected."

"I know you are a merchant, Kakuzu, who believes in the order and principle of equivalent exchange." Hiruzen Sarutobi deliberately emphasized the second half of the sentence.

Kakuzu remained silent for a moment.

"Lord Hokage, would you be willing to exchange a blow with me? Three million taels will be deducted from the price of the intelligence."

Seemingly fearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi might misunderstand, Kakuzu added, "To make the Earth Grudge Fear fully active, chakra must be mobilized for battle—"

But actually, Jiao Du wanted to confirm one thing.

Is Hiruzen Sarutobi actually stronger than him?

In this dog-eat-dog world of ninjas, rife with betrayal and filth, is there really anyone who, when stronger than their opponent and in a place where no one knows, can still restrain their violence and follow the rules?

Kakuzu had only ever met one person like that: the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

"Then please go ahead—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled: "I'd love to see the might of the Earth Grudge Fear—"