Chp-56: Kakuzu Brings Trouble

"You're stealing my life!"

Kakuzu memorized the name Silver-Faced Shura, the man with a 30 million Ryo bounty.

His routine for the past few days consisted of collecting bounties and searching for Silver-Faced Shura.

"Kirigakure rogue ninja Mizura, bounty 5 million ryo, a cheap head..."

Kakuzu calmly compared the fallen man's face to the bounty notice in his hand.

Expertly, he severed the head and disposed of the body.

In his mind, Kakuzu imagined a familiar electronic voice announcing: "Payment received: five... hundred... thousand... ryo."

With this job done, he moved on to the next target, his life as a bounty hunter repetitive and mundane.

...

"In the Land of Grass, noble Shamon, someone has placed a 10 million Ryo bounty on your head. Do you have any last words?"

Arms crossed, Kakuzu stared coldly at the terrified noble.

"Are you the legendary immortal ninja from the underground black market? I'll pay 20 million to save my own life."

"Hmph! I, Kakuzu, am a man of my word. You think a mere 20 million can buy me off?"

"If word gets out in the black market, how will I maintain my reputation?"

The noble gritted his teeth. "30 million ryo."

"Deal!"

The noble, prepared for death, was stunned by Kakuzu's swift agreement and wondered if he had misheard.

Kakuzu sneered.

"I, Kakuzu, am loyal to money as day is to night. If I haven't agreed to something, understand this:"

"You need to pay more!"

Thirty million Ryo was well above market price for a regular noble's head.

This job exceeded expectations.

In his mind, Kakuzu again heard the electronic voice: "Payment received: thirty... million... ryo."

...

With the bounties in his possession dwindling, the next target was a wandering ninja known for using a sword valued at 20 million Ryo.

Kakuzu cared not for the ninja's past, only their value.

At 20 million ryo, this was a high-paying job.

His target, however, proved elusive.

The ninja, severely wounded, managed to escape.

Kakuzu pursued.

"No prey escapes me. If they do, it means letting them go is more profitable."

This was one of Kakuzu's mottos.

Ahead, he saw a golden sand wave suddenly engulf the fleeing ninja.

When he arrived, only a layer of residual gold sand remained, the bounty target gone.

"Someone dared to steal my money!"

Fury rose within Kakuzu, feeling like all five of his hearts were being squeezed.

The glowing sand caught his attention. Kakuzu picked up a handful, rubbing it between his fingers.

"Cheap, artificial gold sand, worthless!"

Angrily discarding the sand, Kakuzu's rage reached its peak.

"Someone dares to intercept my bounty!"

Recalling the sand wave, Kakuzu knew only one person in the ninja world with that ability.

Rasa!

Only Rasa.

Though it seemed coincidental, Kakuzu could think of no one else who could use gold sand techniques.

And, as it happened, Rasa was currently in this black market area!

Kakuzu's green eyes gleamed with malice.

"Rasa, you've made an enemy in me, Kakuzu."

...

Near the black market town.

The Suna ninjas had lost hope after days of fruitless searching.

"Rasa-sama, given the current situation, Pah is either dead or has escaped far away."

"Even if we continue searching, we're unlikely to find anything."

"We have other tasks; perhaps we should move on..."

The Suna ninjas were anxious. Despite their disguises, their extensive search had drawn the attention of many ninjas.

A team of Suna ninjas searching the area was no longer a secret in the black market.

Rasa gritted his teeth, a fierce look in his eyes.

"We'll search for one more day. If we find nothing, we'll retreat."

Rasa was unaware that this decision would bring him significant trouble...

Kakuzu returned to the black market, his expression icy.

"Give me Rasa's exact location. I heard he's near the black market."

"Yes..."

The task manager shivered, never having seen Kakuzu so cold.

Could Kakuzu be targeting Rasa?

But Rasa's bounty wasn't high! Moreover, Rasa was the Third Kazekage's disciple and a candidate for the Fourth Kazekage.

If Kakuzu targeted Rasa, he would face a major village's wrath.

Watching Kakuzu's murderous demeanour, the task manager was awed. This was a man who had fought the First Hokage, now unafraid of challenging an entire village.

"We have information. Rasa was seen heading northeast into the forest about half an hour ago. You should be able to find him."

Kakuzu snorted and strode out.

Watching Kakuzu leave, the task manager had a sudden realization and looked puzzled.

"Wait!"

"Wasn't Kakuzu after Silver-Faced Shura? How did he end up targeting Rasa?"

...

In the forest.

Rasa, frustrated and angry after another fruitless search, muttered to himself.

"Damn it! Where did we go wrong? Why can't we find him?"

They had confirmed no other ninjas were around before their ambush. Pah should not have encountered anyone on his escape route.

But then, he vanished.

Could Pah have learned space-time techniques?

Though unlikely, it explained the anomaly.

Rasa narrowed his eyes, contemplating the possibilities.

Suddenly, a cold voice came from behind.

"Rasa, you're here!"

Rasa turned to see a cloaked figure with green, glowing eyes staring at him.

"You're... the immortal ninja from the black market, Kakuzu?"

Kakuzu's appearance was distinctive, and his reputation was well-known, even to Rasa.

"What do you want? We have no quarrel."

Rasa was puzzled, but before he could finish, Kakuzu's anger erupted.

"Don't play dumb! You intercepted my bounty!"