Kakuzu

I was extremely afraid this was going to be a problem. Kakuzu may have just been made a stepping stone for Narutos bullshit Rasenshuriken but he was a grade A beast. I didn't have the luxury of being the child of prophecy so dying was not entirely off the table. How the hell did he find us, he shouldn't be far but this is ridiculous.

The irony behind Kakuzu is that after he fled his village, post the botched assassination on Hashirama, he set up home in the Land of Fire. You know the place where he just tried to kill their Kage. The Land of Fire bounty stations were kept fairly wealthy by Kakuzu alone. Knowing he operated in the area was the only reason I thought there was a chance he'd show up.

Despite my caution, I was still admittedly surprised he had caught up to us when the bingo book didn't even have my picture yet.

Wait no the guy isn't giving the carriage a second glance. His eyes are darting straight to the emissary. Well that makes more sense. If I had to bet money Iwagakure set the bounty on him.

Bingo books had several variations. There was the official bounty version. Reserved for listing criminals, terrorists, missing-nin, and apparently me. There was the personal version administered by Kage to their Jonin and Anbu. This one focused specifically on ninja the Kage considered a threat to the village and may not have bounties just kill on sight orders. Last but not least was the assassination bingo book. This one was illegal. Assassination work was actually a bit of a gray area in the world of Naruto.

No village would ever list the assassination for a Daimyo in their missions office. They could however approach the black market and post a bounty on the guy. Overall there were rules on what village nin could do as far as assassination and missions. Black market deals however had no rules and were mostly undertaken by Mercenary nin. Murder, sabotage, kidnapping as long as you could pay, someone could get it done.

The case was actually being made for me. Kakuzu pulled out a jet black bingo book. I thought it was a little on the nose but whatever. Thanks to my Byakugan I could read the entry.

Name: Yusuke Karatashi

Location: Somewhere between Konoha / Kiri

Reward: 10,000,000 Ryo

The entry came with his image and that was it. Well illegal assassinations would not just come with who ordered the hit.

Seems for all intents and purposes I was safe. The problem is if one of these idiots says something like protect Prince Zuko. Screw being a spy if things get down to it I'll use all the things I'm not supposed to. I'm a survival first kind of guy after all.

" Stop."

" Escaped prisoner we have no quarrel with you please stand aside."

" Prisoner. I haven't been called that in a long time… now shut up or I'll kill you. I only want the one called Yusuke Karatashi."

(Pointing straight at the emissary.)

Quite valiantly the old man stepped forward hands behind his back. " Friends listen to the man and protect Prince Zuko."

This fucking asshole!

Maybe Kakuzu doesn't know. Who am I kidding it's Kakuzu.

After the emissaries words the four Root operatives immediately took a defensive stance.

" Well isn't today my lucky day. A hundred and ten million!"

"Ahhh… stay inside Mai I'll deal with this."

(Stepping out of the carriage)

" You four stand down. Protect the young lady.

(Facing Kakuzu) As for you any chance I can just pay you to leave?"

" A coward? Not exactly the grand warrior I was expecting."

" Well I'm a decent warrior, but not an idiot.

I'm not exactly one to rush to my death. So name your price. Oh what ever the price is for learning your jutsu I would pay that too."

" I'm going to kill you."

( preparing to strike )

" You should know what this is ( taking out Hashirama's necklace) considering the original owner is the reason you are who you are."

( hesitant)

" What are you talking about?"

" S-rank missing-nin. The heart ripper Kakuzu of

Takigakure. Part of the squad who attempted to assassinate Hashirama Senju. As the sole survivor your village imprisoned you and well you know the rest of your life story."

" How do you know all this?"

" I'm a decent warrior. A far better scholar by comparison."

" Intelligent and strong. You'll make a fine addition."

( taking a step forward)

" Before that, this is Hashiramas necklace. It's worth three mountains of gold. A mere hundred and ten million is nothing by comparison. It's yours so long as you let us go on our way. A copy of your kinjutsu would also be appreciated."

" I'll kill you and take it."

" If we really must fight. I'll destroy the necklace and my corpse should I die."

In the blink of an eye a hand was sticking out of my chest. Had I not been keeping an eye on his hands I wouldn't have moved the necklace away in time.

" You talk too much boy."

" Ahh I don't really have a choice today do I…"

Grabbing the coils sticking to the hand. I immediately use a save file. Then I take aim and fire Water Release: Water Severing Wave from my mouth. In one swift motion I store the arm and necklace in a storage scroll.

" Smart boy."

I'd like to say that's for research but even severed he can still use the damn thing. More of a combat decision than a research one.

" All of you get out of here. Run as fast as you can. Protect Mai."

Rushing forward I trigger my seven breaths technique to the third breath and kick as hard as I can. Only to have him block singlehanded without budging an inch. Releasing the seven breaths state and backing away I start using a water gun technique from both hands to strike him at range. He either blocks or dodges all the attacks. As he follows I back up further and further until we are standing in the middle of a river.

" So you pulled me away from your friends to isolate me. The terrain favors a water release master. Not bad. However it's a mistake, you're not my equal."

" Well how about we make a deal. If I manage to take one of your hearts. You work for me. Well with me. I assure you money and hearts will never run out."

"… interesting."

" I'll take that as a yes."

Finishing my words I immediately clap my hands.

Water Release: Water Pillar

Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave

Water Release: Water Prison!

My chain of attacks were rather quick but Kakuzu also wasn't waiting around for me and released his four masks. The four ghastly forms appeared in the water prison. The wind and fire masks combined and fired off Strange Mask Exploding Flame. As the unstoppable force of fire was beginning to expand I used my own technique.

Water Release: Hiding in Water Technique

Water Release: Water Clone Technique

My water clone begins to run away from the massive fireball slowly creeping towards the edge of the water prison.

The flame eventually expands and consumes the clone. While I after merging with the water appear directly next to the mask with yellow paint. Then pulling out Shibuki from my weapons scroll I swing the sword down with all the explosive tag seals lighting up.

The massive explosion consumed the entire masked phantom. Completely destroyed.

Confirming my work I release the massive water prison. My body reforms a few feet from Kakuzu.

" You actually managed to do it."

" Congratulations you're my official treasurer."

" Treasurer… the title isn't bad."

" Thought you'd like it. Now lets heal you up."

" What are you…"

Walking up to him with Shibuki in my left and aiming an open right palm at him. I touched his severed arm and loaded his save file.

Instantly he was completely healed. Missing mask and all.

" You! How did you heal the mask!"

" It's your first day, let us establish some trust before sharing secrets shall we."