Chapter 106: Hanzo Leading by Example

[Kakuzu joins Akatsuki. You have obtained following rewards:

Earth Release: Earth Spear

Wind Release: Pressure Damage

Lightning Release: False Darkness

Fire Release: Searing Migraine

Water Release: Water Formation Wall

Combination Jutsu: Combining different jutsu to achieve an effect greater than the sum of its parts.]

While Byakuya heard Kakuzu's question, his mind was preoccupied with the system rewards. Recruiting Kakuzu had granted him a range of high-level A-rank ninjutsu, and even the secret Combination Jutsu, reminding him of the Third Hokage's multi-element technique.

Kakuzu was indeed a weakened version of the Third Hokage, but the gap in their overall abilities was significant. Even with the immortal secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu couldn't match the Third Hokage. Earth Grudge Fear provided Kakuzu with a high baseline, but it also limited his potential.

After receiving his rewards, Byakuya turned to Kakuzu and shook his head lightly. "I've made a verbal agreement with Shisui. Once the ransom is delivered, he'll be released."

Hearing this, Kakuzu looked regretful. In the black market, Uchiha bounties, although not as high as those of the Hyuga, were still substantial. Many ninjas were interested in the Sharingan for research and transplantation.

However, since Byakuya had already made an agreement with Shisui, Kakuzu had to accept it. As a long-time black market operator, he valued his reputation highly. Unless he could eliminate all witnesses without a trace, he wouldn't double-cross anyone.

Shisui, hearing Byakuya's words, breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had resigned himself to dying in place of his clan, given the chance to live, who would willingly choose death?

After a brief conversation, Byakuya led the group to continue their investigation within the Land of Fire. On one hand, he hoped to find potential recruits for Akatsuki. On the other hand, he aimed to turn Shisui into an ally, reshaping his beliefs to align with Akatsuki's goals and planting him as a sleeper agent within Konoha and the Uchiha clan.

After a few days of investigation, Byakuya didn't find any significant results. However, both Kakuzu and Shisui found Byakuya increasingly mysterious. They couldn't discern whether he was conducting espionage in the Land of Fire or simply sightseeing.

Conducting espionage in such a blatant manner seemed too bold. Byakuya never hid the fact that he was a ninja, and his flashy attire made him a walking target. He openly referenced Konoha and the Land of Fire, making him seem like a walking bounty—someone who looked like easy prey.

The idea of him sightseeing was even more absurd. What kind of ninja goes on a vacation while recruiting S-rank rogue ninjas and kidnapping Uchiha prodigies? It seemed like he was intentionally provoking others.

Hanzo, however, noticed something deeper. Byakuya's approach resembled Yahiko's strategy of trying to gain support from lower-tier ninjas within the Land of Fire, aiming to weaken Konoha's upper echelons. But unlike the Rain Country, the lower-tier ninjas in the Land of Fire lived relatively well. Even if they did form an anti-Konoha organization, they wouldn't necessarily follow Akatsuki's orders and might still view Amegakure as an enemy.

Noticing the confusion among his companions, Byakuya glanced back at them before continuing to lead the way. As they passed a farm, Byakuya offered to help the farmer cultivate some land for 5,000 ryō.

Initially skeptical, the farmer agreed after seeing the imposing figures of Kakuzu and Hanzo, realizing that if they could cultivate a field, it would be quite profitable this year. Kakuzu didn't understand why Byakuya wanted to undertake such a menial task, but for the sake of the additional pay, he started clearing the field of weeds and rocks with his ninjutsu.

Seeing Hanzo, wearing his mask, personally working the land, Kakuzu asked, "Hanzo-sama, aren't you spoiling Byakuya too much? It looks like you're his subordinate now."

In Kakuzu's eyes, Byakuya was Hanzo's disciple, and this outing was to train him. But it didn't make sense for the disciple to relax while the teacher did all the work. This wasn't just about protecting the disciple; it was outright pampering, like a doting grandparent.

What Kakuzu didn't know was that Hanzo had no choice. He would have preferred to stay in Amegakure, occasionally enjoying the shocked expressions of the Anbu trainees, and then leaving in a dignified manner under everyone's gaze. He was forced to venture out and do the hard labor by Byakuya.

However, in front of Kakuzu, Hanzo maintained his demigod demeanor. While using Water Release to clear the rocks, he said with a meaningful tone, "I am leading by example, educating my disciple through my actions. If I slack off now, how can I expect him to work in the future?"

Kakuzu was still somewhat skeptical, but Hanzo's determined gaze convinced him to trust the explanation.

The experiences of the past few days had made Kakuzu more wary of the rumors circulating in the black market. The rumors suggested that Hanzo had secluded himself in Amegakure, possibly having met some misfortune. However, reality showed that the demigod not only ventured out but also brought his disciple, and was still as formidable as ever.

Seeing Kakuzu no longer pressing the issue, Hanzo felt relieved. He couldn't afford to lose face in front of Kakuzu, though he wondered if Kakuzu's reputed exploits were exaggerated. Despite being labeled a "watered-down demigod" by Byakuya, Hanzo questioned whether Kakuzu could indeed have survived an encounter with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Meanwhile, Byakuya supervised Shisui's labor while practicing new jutsu. Through their combined efforts, they managed to finish cultivating their designated area. By sunset, they could complete their task.

Sitting on the grass, Shisui panted lightly and glanced at Byakuya beside him. After spending a few days together, Shisui realized that Byakuya wasn't a ruthless ninja, but he was puzzled by Byakuya's persistent attempts to recruit him into Amegakure.

Byakuya frequently brought up Konoha's discrimination against the Uchiha and even criticized the Will of Fire. Initially, Shisui tried to argue back, but he quickly gave up, indifferent to Byakuya's words, as his belief in the Will of Fire remained unwavering.

Shisui thought that the clan members who faced discrimination were too arrogant and unfriendly. He believed that with enough effort, the village would eventually see an Uchiha Hokage.

Just then, Byakuya approached Shisui, offering a freshly grilled fish and asked casually, "Shisui, what's your dream?"

"My dream?"

Hearing this, Shisui fell into deep thought, unable to answer Byakuya immediately.