Chapter 172: Intimidation

The bounty stations had many secret outposts in the Land of Fire. One of them was in the small town of Hino. Just as Kakuzu left the bounty station, he saw a bounty target. This made him excited. Without a second thought, he jumped in front of Kurenai Yuhi.

"Kurenai Yuhi, inheritor of the Yuhi clan in Konoha, Jonin, bounty: 15 million ryo."

Blocking Kurenai's path, Kakuzu spoke coldly. Killing her would net him another 15 million ryo. Although the leader of the Akatsuki had ordered them to lay low, Kakuzu had no intention of following that rule. As long as he killed Kurenai without anyone knowing it was him, there would be no problems.

"Hmm?"

"You're Kakuzu, the rogue ninja from Takigakure, now part of the Akatsuki?"

Seeing his rogue ninja headband, Kurenai quickly recognized him and became highly alert. Kakuzu was a notorious bounty hunter in the ninja world, far beyond Kurenai's capabilities. Normally, she would have already chosen to flee. However, knowing that someone was behind her gave Kurenai an inexplicable sense of confidence, and she did not feel the danger.

That person surely wouldn't abandon me.

Kurenai thought with certainty.

"Hey, Kakuzu, what are you up to now?"

Shinno from the Akatsuki walked out of the town, looking at Kakuzu with impatience. Ever since witnessing Shishou's immense power, Shinno had been thinking about leaving the Akatsuki. However, he was also terrified of Nagato's terrifying strength and dared not act. This left him in a difficult position, making him highly resentful of the Akatsuki's missions and impatient with his partner Kakuzu.

Shinno? Is he also part of the Akatsuki now?

Seeing Shinno, Kurenai was slightly shocked.

"Watch your tone, or I won't mind taking care of you as well."

Kakuzu turned to Shinno, his expression cold. He had already killed more than one member of the Akatsuki and didn't mind adding another.

"Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Shinno's face darkened as he glared at Kakuzu. As the leader of the Sky Ninja Village, mastering techniques like the Eight Gates and medical forbidden techniques for body regeneration, Shinno wasn't someone to be easily intimidated.

Seeing that neither Kakuzu nor Shinno took her seriously, Kurenai felt a surge of anger. This feeling of being ignored due to her lack of strength was hard to swallow!

Fire Style: Headburn!

A mask on Kakuzu's right shoulder opened its mouth, and a massive fireball roared towards Shinno.

"Ha, do you think this fire style can harm me?"

"This fire style is laughably weak compared to the one used by Shishou."

Sneering at Kakuzu's fire style, Shinno activated the Eight Gates, smashed the ground with a punch, and picked up a huge rock to block the flames. After witnessing the apocalyptic fire style from Shishou, other fire styles seemed insignificant to Shinno.

Is that guy's fire style really that powerful?

It seems similar to what Kakuzu just used.

Hearing Shinno mention Shishou, Kurenai moved away from the fighting pair, puzzled. In her memory, the fire style used by Shishou during his battle with the Third Hokage was not much stronger than Kakuzu's current one.

"You're courting death!"

Kakuzu's forehead veins bulged with anger at Shinno's taunts.

"Only if you have the capability!"

Shinno retorted, charging at Kakuzu.

Seeing the two engaged in a fierce battle, Kurenai quietly slipped away.

"Hmm?"

Seeing Kurenai trying to escape, both Kakuzu and Shinno stopped. Their argument was an internal conflict, but Kurenai was an external threat!

"Let's deal with her first!"

Exchanging a glance, Kakuzu and Shinno charged at Kurenai.

The next moment, they stopped abruptly, staring in horror at the figure that appeared beside Kurenai. Shishou, now 1.8 meters tall with a beard, had appeared next to the fleeing Kurenai, pulling her back.

"Why is he here!" Kakuzu and Shinno were stunned.

Pulling Kurenai behind him, Shishou stood in front of her, looking at Kakuzu and Shinno with narrowed eyes.

Seeing Shishou's gaze, Kakuzu and Shinno broke into a cold sweat, feeling extremely uneasy. If they had known Kurenai was connected to him, they would never have provoked her.

Shishou, meanwhile, was considering how to deal with the two. The Akatsuki had just settled down, and killing these two might provoke Nagato and Uchiha Obito, causing unnecessary trouble.

Having made up his mind, Shishou looked coldly at Kakuzu and Shinno.

"Destroy three hearts and cut off an arm."

Without hesitation, Kakuzu crushed his fire, water, and lightning hearts. Shinno also immediately broke his left arm, throwing it at his feet.

Facing Shishou's terrifying strength, any resistance was futile. Seeing them comply, Shishou nodded.

"Get lost!"

Hearing this, Kakuzu and Shinno, far from being angry, were relieved and quickly ran away, disappearing in no time. In the face of death, dignity was meaningless.

"This..."

Seeing Kakuzu and Shinno flee like beaten dogs, Kurenai was in shock, her mouth forming an 'O,' unable to believe her eyes. These two had treated her with contempt moments ago but now fled in terror from Shishou.

Has he become this powerful...

Thinking this, Kurenai couldn't help but stare at Shishou's back, her heart pounding wildly.

When Shishou turned around, Kurenai quickly looked away, blushing, wanting to thank him but feeling too shy. So, she stiffly asked,

"Why did you take so long?"

Holding two meals, Shishou looked innocently at Kurenai. "I went to buy something."

He held up the two bowls of ramen he had just bought in the town.

"Here, you must be hungry."

Handing one bowl to Kurenai, Shishou saw her warm expression soften. The man who had just scared off two top-level ninjas now looked a bit aggrieved and not at all imposing, which touched Kurenai deeply. However, remembering that he was Tsunade's man, she suppressed the feeling.

"Don't follow me."

Taking the ramen, Kurenai walked to a nearby tree, sat with her back to Shishou, and began eating.

As she ate, tears flowed from her eyes. Tsunade had once saved her father and she owed her a debt of gratitude. She could never compete with Tsunade for Shishou's affection, nor could she win.