I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 173 Hiring Kakuzu

Why is Tsunade here? Is she really here to protect Sarutobi Shinnosuke? Probably not. He learned from Orochimaru's few words that Tsunade has significant disagreements with the village's higher-ups, otherwise she wouldn't have left for so many years.

So, is it because of the First Hokage's weapon? That's possible, after all, powerful clans consider family honor more important than their own lives.

The Senju clan leader, a former god of the ninja world and the first Hokage, had his weapons left behind, which was a disgrace to the clan and made the ninja world look down on the Senju clan.

So Tsunade's purpose in coming here this time is probably for the great sword used by the First Hokage. As for protecting Sarutobi Shinnosuke, that was probably deliberately spread by someone.

To create momentum! In order to create momentum for himself, and Tsunade's tacit acceptance of the situation, it is probably an exchange of interests. Tsunade needs all the information about the Land of Whirlpools, while someone needs to take advantage of the situation.

With continuous analysis, Sesshomaru figured everything out in no time. No wonder Sarutobi Shinnosuke deliberately mentioned Tsunade's existence at certain times; it turned out he was using her as a pretext.

"Big brother, I've been kidnapped and brought here. If you just escort me home, my family is very rich."

As night fell, the bustling town was ablaze with colorful lights. Sesshomaru glanced down at Tsunade, one of the three legendary Sannin, who was following behind him, pretending to be young, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Although being addressed as such by the Sannin was indeed somewhat pleasing, it was clear that Princess Tsunade probably knew his identity. Therefore, there was only one person who could reveal it: Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

The information that the other party revealed to Tsunade was probably also to keep him in check. And what was Tsunade's purpose in deliberately getting close to him?

Just then, the young Tsunade put on a pitiful look, her big eyes filled with tears of grievance and helplessness. Seeing this, Sesshomaru fell silent.

"I will receive a fee."

After all, he needed to fit his persona, and Tsunade, who was pretending to be a young girl, burst into tears of joy, perfectly portraying the character.

Both of them are putting on an act; in the end, it will come down to who has the better skills.

The young Tsunade showed gratitude on her face, but in her heart she was secretly wondering if this brat was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, or if he had designs on the young girl.

And so, the two seemed to have formed a temporary employment relationship, with Sesshomaru escorting the other party home and receiving payment in return.

"But you'll have to wait until I've finished my business."

Sesshomaru, sparing with words, coldly walked towards the hotel across the street, while the young Tsunade followed closely behind, looking timid.

A low gurgling sound echoed through the bustling street. Sesshomaru turned around and looked at the girl Tsunade with an indifferent gaze, who appeared shy, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

Sesshomaru turned his head and continued walking forward indifferently, as if his heart was as cold and ruthless as his face. However, he slightly deviated from the direction he was heading towards the hotel.

Following behind, Tsunade, disguised as a young girl, watched Sesshomaru lead her towards the food street in a seemingly unnoticed manner. A barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips. It seemed that this kid was not bad. It was just that he didn't even need to hide his grumpy face. He was definitely an Uchiha.

The bright green banknotes were slowly taken out and placed directly in front of Tsunade. While she was still stunned and wondering what the other party meant, she heard the other party say coldly, "Put it on your tab."

What a stingy brat, not at all like someone from the Uchiha clan, but that grumpy face is just something he was born with.

"Thank you." Although she cursed inwardly, Tsunade, disguised as a young girl, put on a grateful look, nervously holding the banknotes and appearing at a loss.

Finally, Sesshomaru led her to a food stall. After a slight pause, the young Tsunade pretended to suddenly realize something and hurriedly went forward to buy food. It was obvious that the stall had deliberately stopped her to buy food.

"I'll take this, thank you."

As a cosplayer, Tsunade naturally had to fit the character's persona. Her innocent appearance was tinged with caution, and she didn't dare to eat anything indiscriminately, only ordering the cheapest snack to fill her stomach. Disguise is a required course for every ninja, and those who can reach this level are naturally already masters of it. It's just that her powerful strength concealed everything.

Seeing this today, it's clear that no ninja is simple, especially those who have made a name for themselves.

After getting her snack, Tsunade followed carefully behind, eating as she went, while secretly pondering.

Hiding in the shadows, they first used this brat to find their great-grandfather's weapon. After all, her identity was too conspicuous, so hiding herself was the best way to make the best of a bad situation.

Finally, there's this brat who actually interfered with Orochimaru's human experiments. The thought of the Wood Release plan only fueled her anger. She was determined to teach this brat a lesson, find out the real reason Orochimaru was expelled, who restarted the Wood Release plan, and how many more of these disgusting experiments were still going on in the village!

While Tsunade was secretly plotting, Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) was also secretly scheming. The most terrifying enemy is the one lurking in the shadows. Now that he knows, how can he turn the disadvantage into an advantage?

As his ancestor once said, only by uniting the majority can one deal with the minority. In terms of strength, he really can't beat these veteran Kage-level masters now, so he can only outsmart them.

Both women harbored their own calculations. Tsunade was confident that no one would recognize her, since even if she returned to Konoha in her current state, very few would recognize her. Similarly, Uchiha Yoru (Sesshomaru) was confident that the other party thought he hadn't recognized her.

Outsmart them!

Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) pondered silently. The three Sannin were the same age. Jiraiya was 50 years old when he appeared in the Chunin Exams, and the protagonist graduated at the age of 12. However, the Chunin Exams were clearly in the second year, so he was 13 years old. If we go back 13 years, it would be the night of the Nine-Tails. Tsunade is now exactly 40 years old.

At forty, Tsunade is at the peak of her life, still plump and mature, and with the Yin Seal still in place, she maintains her peak condition of being twenty years old year after year.

Moreover, Tsunade's personal status, the title of Medical Ninja Saint, and her extensive network of connections, along with her identity as a member of the Senju clan, make her arguably the most powerful of the three legendary Sannin combined, and even surpassing the Third Hokage in terms of status.

If Tsunade could stand on this side, then he would almost have the confidence to stand up to the village's higher-ups.

It's not shameful to be a kept man; the key is to know how to make the most of it.

Just then, amidst the flickering lights and children's laughter in the distance, a glint flashed in Uchiha Yoru's eyes, while Tsunade behind him seemed oblivious.

"grown ups."

Suddenly Sesshomaru stopped, and Tsunade, who had hurriedly swallowed the last bite of her meal, quickly showed a respectful expression. After all, she was now playing the role of a helpless and pitiful girl who wanted to go home.

He took out a few coins from his pocket and handed them to the shopkeeper next to him. Before Tsunade could even react, Sesshomaru simply picked her up with one hand and placed her on a wooden horse.

"Play here, I'll come back to pick you up."

Under Sesshomaru's cold and unyielding tone, Tsunade, who was playing the role of a pitiful girl, nodded blankly. At this moment, she was really a little confused, and the surrounding lights were dazzling.

Carousel!

Holy crap! I'm forty years old and I'm actually riding a carousel!

Tsunade felt incredibly aggrieved, but she had her own plans hidden beneath this shame, so she could only suppress it. Watching Sesshomaru's departing figure, she couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Damn brat, you just wait until I get my hands on you!"

Sesshomaru's figure did not leave sight; he was merely communicating with someone. Tsunade, disguised as an ordinary person, could not easily use her chakra. As the childish voice rang out, a dazzling array of lights appeared around them.

The carousel started turning, and all around were the joyful laughter of children.

At a teahouse in the distance, Sesshomaru sat calmly as the owner politely brought over two cups of hot tea.

"Sir, here are the two cups of hot tea you ordered."

After placing the two cups of hot tea down, Sesshomaru calmly picked up one cup, while a figure wearing a gray ninja hat and a black mask slowly sat down in front of the other cup.

"When was it discovered?"

The person who sat down had two gleaming green eyes visible through the black mask, filled with indifference—a coldness quite different from the one Sesshomaru deliberately feigned.

Sesshomaru's indifference is the kind that carries an air of nobility, as if nothing in the world is worth his attention, and this indifference is directed at life itself.

When asked, Sesshomaru gently raised his cup in acknowledgment. The other person remained silent for a moment before slowly picking up his teacup. Thus, these two people, who seemed to have an odd relationship with each other, sat together and drank tea.

"Was it captured alive or a corpse?"

Sesshomaru, exuding an aristocratic air, slowly finished his tea. After the other person had also finished, he perfectly exemplified the etiquette of not speaking while drinking tea or eating, and then said something that might seem abrupt to others. However, the other person was clearly not surprised.

Those emerald green eyes, seemingly indifferent to life yet bearing the marks of countless vicissitudes, glanced at the other person with the same indifference before saying in his uniquely hoarse, deep voice, "Eight million alive, five million dead."

When money was mentioned, a flicker of emotion appeared in the man's bright green eyes. Seeing this, Sesshomaru thought to himself, "I knew it was him."

Akatsuki Hokuto is the representative of "money" within the Akatsuki group.

"We lost money."

The man who spoke so succinctly made Kakudo frown. He said in a deep voice, puzzled, "Your head is already listed on the black market for five million. If you are captured alive, it will be eight million. That's about the price of an elite Jonin from one of the Five Great Nations."

Elite Jonin from the Five Great Nations are naturally also subject to bounties, but the price is generally around five million, after all, this requires enduring the pursuit of the Five Great Nations. As for Sarutobi Asuma's price in the original work, it was simply because of his status.

Seeing Kakuzu's appearance, Sesshomaru calmly looked at him and said, "Kakuzu, a well-known figure in the black market."

"Ten million, in three months."

After uttering those words, others were probably a little confused, but Jiao Du, who had an obsession with money, instantly had his green eyes light up. "You mean protecting you for three months for ten million?"

Instantly, Kakuzu began to ponder in his heart. If it was to capture the other party alive in exchange for eight million, he was not without confidence, but he would definitely need to figure out the other party's strength first. This would definitely take time, and he couldn't let anyone get there first. Even if he captured the other party, would someone else try to steal it?

Moreover, according to his investigation, the other party seems to have some background, and the value is obviously a bit strange. In addition, the other party suddenly appeared on the black market, which is very suspicious.

Kakuzu has not yet joined Akatsuki. He is extremely cautious as he wanders the ninja world alone, otherwise he would not have lived for so long.

After constantly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, he finally came to the conclusion that protecting the other party for three months seemed to be more beneficial to him.

"Three million a month, four million in the third month!" Kakuzu directly chose the terms that were most advantageous to him.

However, Sesshomaru shook his head and said, "Two million for the first month, three million for the second month, and five million for the third month."

He was serious about business, and so was Kakuzu. The two men, who both had a deep understanding of money, suddenly felt a sense of mutual respect.

"Your background is unclear. If you encounter ninjas from the five great nations, you'll have to pay extra."

"Ninjas from the five great nations were involved, and the final price was increased by two million."

"make a deal."

Good heavens, the two of them reached an employment relationship in just a few words, and both were very satisfied, especially Kakuzu, who was practically glowing with the green light of money.

He earns ten million in three months, and if the ninjas from the five great nations participate, he can earn an additional two million. He is only protecting the other party, and the other party is not weak either.

More importantly, they are employees. Even if the matter involves the five great ninja villages, he will still only be an employee and will not be greatly implicated. Moreover, three months will be enough.

perfect.

"Boss."

The moment the deal was struck, Kakuzu immediately smiled and said respectfully, instantly embracing his role as a messenger of money, even though it was all for the sake of money.

Kakuzu's appearance did not offend Sesshomaru; instead, Sesshomaru showed a satisfied expression. "He who takes money must do the work." How many people could have followed this principle in their past lives?

But Kakuzu is the kind of person who, once a deal is struck, will continue the transaction unless the mission fails.

Although it wasn't loyalty to the employer but money, this quality was something Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru), who had witnessed much of humanity, greatly admired.

"Here is one million, to be paid in full at the end of this month. I need you to find out the information about the First Hokage's weapon that has been circulating in secret recently as quickly as possible."

Kakuzu, having received the start-up capital, immediately smiled with satisfaction, almost shouting "Boss, you're so generous!" However, after hearing the second half of the sentence, he still said in a deep voice, "Gathering information is beyond the scope of protecting employees."

Kakuzu paused here, "But it's not impossible, it'll cost extra!"

Good grief, so they've come to fleece me? Seeing Kakuzu's expression, Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) remained expressionless, but inwardly he was speechless. He was always the one fleecing others, and today someone actually dared to fleece him. But it's alright, he'll make the other party know what it means to get what they deserve.

"Okay, the information is accurate, one million."

light and spacious!

Kakuzu immediately smiled with satisfaction. These days, it's hard to find such a generous and straightforward boss. They've negotiated so much about the price in such a short time. This is truly the most agreeable deal he's made in years.

Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) was also secretly amused. He would only pay if the information was accurate, and this price was well worth it.

Hmm, this plot isn't long, it's kind of a setup for the next little climax, haha, welcome to support!

(End of this chapter)