Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

119. To rise to the top, you have to be shameless.

"...Hey! What the hell are you looking at? Do I look like that kind of person? Besides, what use would I have for a Jinchuriki? Jinchuriki aren't worth much. Look at my 98k pure gold greatsword, do I look like someone who's short of money? And look at my body, where could I possibly hide someone? Hatake Sakumo, I was so wrong about you! I always considered you my confidant. Even if the whole world didn't believe me, you would have believed me because you knew what kind of person I was. I never thought even you would doubt me...! (▼he▼メ)"

In this world, anyone can admit to doing something, especially in Konoha, a place whose propaganda slogan is still world peace. Admitting it would make one a complete idiot. Shinto looked at Hatake Sakumo with red eyes and disappointment, as if he had suffered a great injustice. Even Sasori's father, who knew the truth, was dumbfounded.

At that moment, Handsome Scorpion's dad realized!

The reason I can't rise to the top isn't because I lack ability or bad luck, but because I still care about my reputation and my acting skills aren't good enough!

If he hadn't been following his older brother through countless incursions into and out of Iwagakure, he would have believed it himself just by looking at his brother's acting skills!

"Could it be... that this guy really didn't do it?"

"I think it's very likely not. Look at this guy, his eyes are all red. It probably wasn't him. Maybe Onoki has bad eyesight and mistook him for someone else..."

"Hmm...you have a point..."

The Konoha elders around him, watching Masato's performance and seeing that he didn't seem to be acting, began to waver. They were all seasoned actors; even with decades of experience, they couldn't pull off a one-second crying scene. How could a mere teenager, without life experience, possibly do it...?

"...It really wasn't you?"

Hatake Sakumo rolled his eyes at the whispers around him. How could he not know what others didn't? This guy was a born actor. He could fool Lord Kagami when he was only nine years old. After so many years of experience, it was no wonder that his acting skills had improved even further.

However... thinking about it carefully, this guy doesn't seem to have any reason to cause trouble in Iwagakure. The risk is too great. If Onoki recognizes him, then war will break out. Although Iwagakure is famously poor, its armed forces are not weak. If a war really breaks out, it will be mutually destructive and will not benefit Sunagakure either. Although tailed beasts are precious, it is indeed illogical to start a war for a tailed beast and suffer heavy losses. However, looking at Shinto who is still acting, Hatake Sakumo felt that he was this kind of person. After all, he is the only one in the ninja world who can do such a thing.

"It really wasn't me. Didn't we in Sunagakure say that I haven't recovered from my occupational hazard yet? I originally wanted to take Jie to the ninja world for a trip to relax, but by sheer coincidence, we ran into Senju Koma being chased by Kirigakure in the Land of Flowers... If it weren't for my strong sense of justice, Senju Koma would have already passed away outside, and you wouldn't have been able to see him one last time. I didn't expect you to actually doubt me!"

As Masato spoke, he glared angrily at the group of Konoha officials around him. "I'm your benefactor now, and this is how Konoha treats its benefactor?" (▼へ▼メ)

"......"

Ignoring his last glance, the group looked at each other. Although they all thought he was that kind of person, it seemed that he wasn't the one who had wreaked havoc on Iwagakure. The fact that he was able to send Lord Kima back meant he was a kind person and wouldn't do something so despicable. They guessed correctly.

"So... have you ever wondered who did it? There aren't many people in the entire ninja world who dare to infiltrate Iwagakure, release the Five-Tails, and take away the Four-Tails' Jinchuriki..."

At this moment, Danzo, the Root of Konoha, stepped forward and asked with a slightly disappointed tone. He had originally thought that this good teammate was behind it all, and that he was looking for an opportunity in Konoha to make a deal with him and get the Jinchuriki. But with his many years of experience, Danzo was sure that this good teammate wasn't putting on an act, and that it really wasn't him.

However, Danzo still asked one more question, unwilling to give up.

"Ha! This imposing and extraordinary man, who exudes the aura of a superior at all times, must be Lord Danzo, who is known as half of Konoha, right? You've come to the right person. If we're talking about suspicion, I do have someone to suspect. I wonder if any of you have heard of Kakuzu?"

When Danzo suddenly stood up, he almost burst out laughing. He was just worrying about how to advertise for his good brother Kakuzu. After all, although he had obtained the Tailed Beast, if he couldn't advertise it, the price of the Tailed Beast wouldn't be high. If the price wasn't high, it wouldn't create a sensation, and his brother Kakuzu's fame wouldn't rise. He had sworn to the ceiling that Kakuzu's fame would definitely increase after this deal. Kakuzu was working hard to find buyers and sales channels for him, so it was only right to give Kakuzu some publicity in return.

"...Kakuzu, the bounty hunter rogue ninja? Does he have that ability?"

Hatake Sakumo frowned, puzzled. Having worked in the Anbu for so many years, he had certainly heard of the bounty hunter Kakuzu. He had even had someone investigate Kakuzu's background. Although the information was scarce, Kakuzu's targets in recent years had been either noble lords or high-ranking officials of small ninja villages. Overall, it was just small-scale fighting. Now, he suddenly launched such a big operation. Kakuzu didn't have the strength to do that, did he?

Everyone frowned. In recent years, a top-tier assassin had emerged in the black market. They had all heard of the name Kakuzu, the bounty hunter and rogue ninja, to some extent. However, he spent most of his time working in other small countries and ninja villages, never causing trouble in the major ninja villages, especially Konoha. Therefore, after hearing what Shinto said, they didn't believe that Kakuzu had the ability. If that bounty hunter and rogue ninja was really that good, he wouldn't have spent so many years hunting down nobles and high-ranking officials in those small countries and ninja villages. The prices for the nobles and officials of the five great countries and five great ninja villages were much more attractive.

"Please take back your questioning tone. He has the ability. Back then, for the bounty on the black market for Jie, he dared to lie in wait in the bushes right outside our Sunagakure village... Of course, we don't have bushes in the Land of Wind, this is just a metaphor! And... you might not know, but this Kakuzu isn't some nobody you imagine. He's a man who dared to assassinate Hashirama Senju and survive. Think about it, someone who dared to assassinate Hashirama and survive, infiltrating Iwagakure to release a Tailed Beast and take down the Four-Tails would be a piece of cake for him. Given his money-grubbing personality... everyone! The price of Tailed Beasts hasn't increased at all in recent years!!!"

120. Danzo: Half the Sky of Konoha...

"What?! That guy assassinated the First Hokage!! σ(⊙▽⊙a)"

Shinto's words shocked everyone present. Who was their First Hokage? He was an invincible being in the world! This Kakuzu had actually tried to assassinate their First Hokage, and what's more, he survived!

This is the key point. Although their first lord was kind by nature and never killed innocent people indiscriminately, when a tree realm descended, all the enemies turned into fertilizer, but this guy actually managed not to turn into fertilizer in the hands of their first lord!

Something!

It's surprising that a mere bounty hunter rogue ninja has such a background. If what Shiki said is true, then it's not impossible that the events in Iwagakure were orchestrated by Kakuzu. Even the First Hokage couldn't kill him. To put it bluntly, Iwagakure is really nothing special...

Shinto could tell from their reactions that these guys seemed to have misunderstood something. They didn't know that Kakuzu had thrown a kunai at Hashirama Senju from 800 miles away, and had turned and run away without even checking if it could reach him. Hashirama Senju couldn't fly, so it was normal for him to get away. However, Shinto didn't say anything. Kakuzu's reputation had been built up, which would further prove that it wasn't him.

After all, he felt that the consequences of this matter were more serious than he had expected. The main reason was that taking away the Four-Tails Jinchuriki had really angered Onoki. If Onoki really wanted to go to war with Sunagakure, although Sunagakure had been doing well in recent years, its overall strength was not much higher than that of Iwagakure. After all, the overall strength of a village is not something that can be achieved in a few years or a generation, but requires the efforts of several generations over ten or twenty years.

The most crucial point is that Sunagakure has been lacking talent since his generation and Sasori's father's generation. Only Sasori himself appeared in Sasori's generation. Even the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was just a figurehead. If Sasori hadn't been so rebellious and run away from home, it would have been almost impossible for Rasa, who played with the golden sands, to rise to power...

Decades passed between his generation and Sasori's generation! With such a lack of talent, it was almost impossible for Sunagakure to become strong. Konoha, on the other hand, produced one or two geniuses every few years. This is why, decades later, Konoha was so thoroughly exploited by Danzo that other villages couldn't catch up with it. They just didn't have any talent!

"No! If the Four-Tails Jinchuriki is really in Kakuzu's hands, the ninja world is in danger! Hiruzen! I'm going to get the Four-Tails Jinchuriki back right now!!"

Danzo immediately switched to his upright and incorruptible demeanor and strode over to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was weeping with Senju Kima, and said with a firm and powerful gaze.

For the peace of the ninja world! Let me go!!!

He found that this great teammate always surprised him every time he appeared, and he spoke so pleasantly, with a commanding presence and extraordinary bearing! That's the right way to describe him!

Especially that phrase, "Half of Konoha's sky"...what a great title! ヾ(^д^*)/

"Hey... be careful..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi heard what Shinto said, but with his older brother suddenly passing away, he had no mind to care. Since his best friend loved peace so much, he'd let him go. Although Kakuzu sounded impressive, all the guys who tried to assassinate the First Hokage back then were turned into fertilizer by the First Hokage. He'd never even heard of Kakuzu back then. He figured that even if Kakuzu managed to escape from the First Hokage, either the First Hokage didn't care about such a minor character, or he genuinely didn't care about such a minor character.

My best friend's skills are a bit lacking, but he should be able to handle a small fry like me, especially since he brought his underlings with him...

.......

The news of the death of Senju Koma, the current head of the Senju clan and son of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, spread rapidly throughout the ninja world. It was as if the ninja world had been hit by a magnitude 12 earthquake, and everyone's head was buzzing.

Many newcomers may not know who Senju Koma is, but even a three-year-old can recite who his father is—he is the God of Shinobi!

Although Hashirama Senju's son is not as famous as his father and his cunning second uncle, as the most powerful second-generation ninja in the ninja world, his background and identity alone are enough to be included in the highest archives of various countries and villages. He is probably in his prime now.

Even though being a ninja is a very dangerous profession, neither the head of the Senju clan nor the son of Hashirama Senju would likely die unexpectedly, right? Even if you lent Hiruzen Sarutobi a water tank as a source of courage, he wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

So here's the question: how exactly did Senju Kima die? It's not wartime now, and even during wartime, it wouldn't be so easy for a Senju clan leader in his prime to die!

Immediately afterward, another rumor spread throughout the ninja world: Sunagakure's Golden Lion encountered Senju Koma being chased by Kirigakure ninja on the road. Miya Retsu-gei, the precious son of Sunagakure's genius puppeteer Chiyo, took action and killed the pursuers. Sunagakure's Golden Lion then sent the heavily injured Senju Koma back to Konoha!

Everyone suddenly realized! It was Shiki the Golden Lion of Sunagakure! No wonder! He's ruined quite a few big shots over the years; one more or less wouldn't make a difference. Although Senju Koma has a lot of influence, he can't compare to the Kage who's been ruined by Shiki, right? Especially his second uncle, Senju Tobirama...

However, at the same time, Konoha also issued a statement, stating that after investigation and analysis by their great and wise Hokage, the destruction of Iwagakure was not caused by the Golden Lion of Sunagakure. The culprit behind the destruction was actually someone else, namely Kakuzu, the bounty rogue ninja who had assassinated their First Hokage and was still alive today, and whose reputation had risen in recent years!

Konoha also stated that as a friendly ally of both the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, Iwagakure should not hesitate to ask for help if they encounter any difficulties. Konoha is truly prepared to establish a Ninja World Needy Fund to specifically help those poor... uh... struggling ninja villages and ninja communities overcome their difficulties...

The moment this statement was released, it instantly stirred up a storm in the human world, blowing away the aftershocks caused by Senju Koma's death. Although Senju Koma had a great reputation, it was only due to his status and background.

But Konoha's statement is full of bombshells!

It turns out that after months of suspicion, the person causing trouble in Iwagakure wasn't Shiki, but that incredibly powerful guy who dared to assassinate Hashirama Senju and managed to survive until now!

It hasn't even been ten years since Hashirama Senju died. Although his influence is no longer as great as it was at its peak due to the control of various villages, just hearing the title "God of Shinobi" tells you how prestigious he is!

Anyone who has even the slightest connection to the "God of Ninjas" becomes incredibly popular, especially the man who once attempted to assassinate the "God of Ninjas"!

The name "Bounty Hunter Rogue Ninja" Kakuzu suddenly resounded throughout the world; who knew the ninja world had such a low-key powerhouse hidden away!

121. Uncle Ban's desire to make a comeback is stirring.

"Kakuzu? Assassinated Hashirama? Tell me, who is this Kakuzu? (⊙_⊙)?"

In a certain place in the ninja world, Madara looked bewildered. Having successfully evolved, Madara stared at his two underlings, Black and White, with a look of utter confusion. What's going on in this ninja world? A weakling he'd never even heard of has somehow become famous just because he failed to assassinate Hashirama and miraculously survived!

Shouldn't this loser be made to kneel on durians? Now his fame is almost catching up to his!

Grandpa Ban realized that in just over ten years since he stepped down from his frontline position, the world and values ​​have changed so drastically!

Which bird is Kakuzu again?

He searched his memory but couldn't find any information related to the name. This could only prove that the man who supposedly tried to assassinate Hashirama but survived was just an insignificant nobody back then, and whether he actually tried to assassinate Hashirama was still unknown.

But this guy is just too damn popular right now. Even though he keeps to himself and doesn't use Black Zetsu, his two henchmen, White Zetsu, go to investigate. From the conversations of the people who pass by him, nine out of ten sentences involve this name. It's hard for him not to know. So he called his two henchmen to ask who this guy is and why he's so popular.

"Lord Madara, Kakuzu was originally an elite Jonin of Takigakure. He defected to Takigakure for unknown reasons, then returned and stole the village's secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear. After that, he wandered the ninja world as a bounty hunter. As for whether he actually assassinated Hashirama Senju, or even fought him, there's no way to verify it. However, this news came from Konoha, so I think it's probably true. Konoha has no reason to cover anything up for that brat Shiki. But since Kakuzu obtained the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, he's been secretly meeting with people from some small ninja villages, planning to sell the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. This might affect our plans..."

The black object truly lived up to its mother's will; its memory was incredibly impressive. It and White Zetsu hadn't even investigated Kakuzu; it simply recited Kakuzu's information from memory. However, towards the end, it became somewhat uneasy. It hadn't expected that poor bastard Kakuzu would be so greedy, actually wanting to sell the Tailed Beasts. This was comparable to Hashirama Senju back in the day.

Their plan happened to include a step that required the Tailed Beast. He wasn't so worried if the Tailed Beast stayed in a major ninja village, since there wouldn't be many variables. Even if they tried to capture the Tailed Beast decades later, they would know its whereabouts. However, if the Tailed Beast fell into the hands of a smaller ninja village, the variables would be too great. Smaller ninja villages were constantly fighting and killing each other. If this went on for too long, who knew who would end up with the Tailed Beast? It would be troublesome for them if they wanted to capture it.

"Hmph...just a piece of trash. White Zetsu, go tell that brat Onoki to handle it himself..."

Madara scoffed disdainfully after hearing Kakuzu's resume. A mere trash from Takigakure, yet he'd become a sensation? While this annoyed him and stirred a desire for a comeback, he forcibly suppressed the urge, remembering his unfinished grand ambitions. Besides, his health no longer allowed him to hold a solo tour...

My concerns are not unfounded. Tailed beasts are much safer in the hands of large ninja villages than in small ninja villages. It would be bad if one day those small ninja villages accidentally lost the tailed beasts.

........

"Lord Kakuzu, we sincerely want to buy the Four-Tails Jinchuriki you possess. This is all the funds our Land of Demons can muster. What do you think..."

Far off the eastern coast, separated from the Land of Wind by a sea, and from the Land of Earth by the Land of Fire, in a conference room in the Land of Tea, which borders the Land of Fire, the leader of the Land of Demons, which borders the Land of Earth, came before Kakuzu like a sycophant, accompanied by his underlings carrying several super large sacks filled with countless banknotes, bowing and scraping.

The Land of Demons borders the Land of Earth, making it arguably the Land of Earth's little brother. Geographically, it lies between the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, along with the Land of Bears. However, the Land of Bears borders the Land of Wind. The Land of Demons is the largest country below the Five Great Ninja Villages on the map. This explains why they dared to trade with Kakuzu even knowing that the Four-Tails Jinchuriki of the Land of Earth was in his hands. In this ninja world, survival is impossible without a strong military.

Why does Takigakure, a village smaller than their Land of Demons on that map, dare to call itself the sixth largest ninja village in the ninja world?

Isn't it because they clung to Konoha's coattails back then that Hashirama Senju gave them the right to auction a tailed beast, even though Sunagakure didn't participate in the tailed beast auction, allowing them to get a tailed beast? If they didn't have this tailed beast, let them try shouting the slogan of the Sixth Great Shinobi Village.

But life is often so helpless. The Land of Demons has the largest area on the map, but it is located in a remote area and is separated from the Land of Fire by several countries. They want to go and take over Konoha's big brother, the Land of Earth, but they won't allow it. So even if they are unhappy with Takigakure, there is nothing they can do. The other side has a Seven-Tails, and they definitely can't beat them!

However, their chance to turn the tables has now arrived. The Four-Tails, the elder brother's jinchūriki, has been taken away by Kakuzu, a powerful figure who assassinated Hashirama Senju and is still alive today. The leader of the Land of Demons, who had cooperated with Kakuzu several times, still has Kakuzu's contact information. As long as they can get their hands on the Four-Tails jinchūriki, whether they secretly keep it in their own hands or hand it over to Iwagakure as a condition for Iwagakure to help them attack Takigakure and bring back the Seven-Tails from Takigakure, it's a good choice. They help bring the Four-Tails back to Iwagakure, and Onoki will definitely have to repay this huge favor. After all, it is the dignity of a great ninja village, and Onoki, who is known for his cunning, will not play tricks on this.

After figuring things out, he immediately contacted Kakuzu, who happened to be in the Land of Tea, far from the Land of Earth, preparing to contact a buyer. He couldn't help it; he was just too famous lately! Although he enjoyed this sudden fame—the entire ninja world was talking about his "classic battle" from years ago, and those less influential were practically groveling before him—he could now act like a king wherever he went. However, this sudden fame also had a slight downside: the Four-Tails of Iwagakure was in his hands. For safety, he had no choice but to flee to the Land of Tea, which was separated from the Land of Earth by the Land of Fire, to stay temporarily and deal with the Four-Tails' jinchūriki. After receiving contact from the leader of the Land of Demons, he figured it didn't matter who he sold to. Although the Land of Demons was a subordinate, it was still a major power, and the price offered was much higher than those from small countries and villages. So, he sent the leader of the Land of Demons to the Land of Tea with the money to make the deal.

122. Kakuzu remains true to his original aspirations.

The person in charge of the Land of Demons was either highly skilled and daring, or perhaps he had done a few transactions with Kakuzu and thought Kakuzu was a decent person. He actually dared to secretly bring his underlings and carry a large amount of cash from the Land of Demons, crossing more than ten countries, to the Land of Tea to do a transaction with Kakuzu.

"I have felt your country's sincerity, and you have offered the highest price among all the offers made in recent days. As a legitimate businessman, I have no reason not to sell to you. However, there is one thing I must state first: due to some unavoidable reason, the sealing array of this Jinchūriki has loosened, and the Tailed Beast within him may emerge at any time. I am not an expert in sealing techniques, so you will have to handle this matter yourselves. Of course, I can guarantee that the Tailed Beast will not emerge while you are back in the Land of Demons. I can vouch for this with my integrity. But if it goes on for a long time, then it's hard to say..."

Looking at the leader of the Land of Demons, who was quite bold but a bit timid in front of him, Kakuzu saw nothing but sincerity. Since the other party had come with such sincerity, Kakuzu didn't say much. The main reason was that the sealing array inside that brat's body had indeed loosened somewhat after the last time. Fortunately, the tailed beast had been relatively well-behaved for a while after being beaten by Shinto. But as the old saying goes, time heals all wounds, let alone a wild and untamed tailed beast. If this Four-Tails really came out and fought him, he really couldn't beat it. So it was better to sell it now while he could get a good price and fulfill his obligation to his good brother.

However, now that he is a celebrity standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, for the sake of his reputation, he still needs to make things clear to this sincere leader of the Land of Demons, lest his brother ruin what he worked so hard to make him famous. Businessmen value integrity, and celebrities need a good reputation!

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Kakuzu. We will not delay too much after the transaction is completed and will return to the village as soon as possible to reseal it!"

The person in charge of the Land of Demons knew that Kakuzu was easy to talk to when it came to money, but he didn't expect him to be this easy to talk to. The deal was settled in just a few words!

He was incredibly excited. Even without Kakuzu's reminder, he would have returned to the village quickly after the transaction was completed. After all, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki was a hot potato. If news of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki spread, the journey would be even more difficult than the Longbeard Monster's solo escort of his sister-in-law.

"In that case, this brat is yours. Leave the money, and you can take him with you."

Kakuzu didn't bother with what the person in charge of the Land of Demons said. He'd already given the necessary warnings. Whether or not he could safely escort his sister-in-law back was their business. He was swamped with work right now. Shinto was absolutely right. Since he became famous, the black market boss had been contacting him, trying to give him money. His old clients were also waving their cash at him, and the prices were several times higher than before. If it weren't for dealing with this tailed beast, he would have gone out to do business long ago.

Despite his skyrocketing net worth, he remains true to his original aspirations. Is he the kind of person who acts like a diva...? ヾ(^д^*)/.

.....

"That bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi!! (▼he▼メ)"