“How about what we discussed a couple of days ago—have you given it some thought?”

  “Five me, but I must refuse.” Kakuzu shook his head decisively.

  “Hmm?” Senshi wore a look of genuine surprise. He really hadn’t expected Kakuzu to refuse.

  “Why?” he couldn’t help asking.

  After a slight pause, Kakuzu slowly replied:

  “Based on what I know about you, going to Takigakure with you is definitely a trap! I have every reason to suspect that you just want to trick me into doing manual bor. So, I’m not going.”

  Hearing this, Senshi thought to himself that Kakuzu had gotten wiser, seeing the big picture so clearly. Still, he needed Kakuzu to help him carry out any pns in Takigakure. Kakuzu, as a “living fossil” of that vilge, ks ins and outs better than anyone. Bringing Kakuzu along would make everything go more smoothly.

  After a moment’s thought, Senshi said:

  “Kakuzu, how you look at it that way? e on, think about it. Ever since we started partnering on missions, haven’t your earnings multiplied many times over? This trip to Takigakure is definitely not a trap!”

  “Besides, remember how they sndered you and wao execute you, even though you were a hero of Takigakure? Aren’t you still holding a grudge? You know, there’s a rumoing around the shinobi world: when you went to assassihe First Hokage, supposedly you threw two shuriken from 800 miles away and then ran for it.”

  As Senshi spoke, Kakuzu’s expression grew increasingly grim. Ihe old folks from Takigakure deserved to die for what they did back then.

  Seeing Kakuzu show a hint of wavering, Senshi pressed on:

  “Just say the word, and I’ll take you back there in no time to settle this ond for all.”

  Even then, Kakuzu still shook his head:

  “Takigakure actually has quite a few strong jōnin. And from the intel I’ve gathered, Takigakure’s Tailed Beast Jinchūriki is a perfect Jinchūriki—someone who fully utilize the Beast’s power. That, bined with their many skilled jōnin, would cause us huge trouble if we start something there. It’d be loud, and word might get out to other vilges. Spy works exist everywhere. If our as in Takigakure were exposed, we’d be in a very bad position.”

  By the looks of it, Kakuzu had ihought carefully about the matter. There was something else on his mind, too: back when he apanied Senshi to Kusagakure, he’d met Mui, the man who held absolute power there. Once Mui took charge, he looked exhausted, as if he’d aged ten years ht. That was only natural—a shinobi vilge has tless problems to deal with. Being the “Kage” of Takigakure would bring nothing but headaches, and Kakuzu strongly suspected that Senshi’s aim was to get him doing the dirty wain.

  No matter what Senshi said, Kakuzu had resolved to refuse this time. But then another uling thought occurred to him. He turo Senshi and asked:

  “Wait a sed. You just mentiouff from decades ago—events that happened before you were even born. Takigakure has always been cut off from the outside world… So how do you know all these a details?”

  Senshi didn’t answer directly. He just gave a mysterious smile.

  “Information like that… is it really so hard for me to find out?”

  At that, Kakuzu stopped talking. He’d known for a while now that Senshi possessed a stra incredibly effit intelligework—ohat surpassed even Orochimaru’s or the Akatsuki’s. While others might not know such old secrets, it wouldn’t be surprising if Senshi did.

  Yet, no matter what Senshi said, Kakuzu wasn’t about to let himself be roped intain. Ign his protests, Senshi threw an arm around Kakuzu’s shoulder.

  “, , o be shy. Let’s go see the Leader and ask for a mission. This time, we’ll make sure you finally settle that old score!”

  Kakuzu wao say no—that he only cared about making money now, not traveling far to Takigakure. But he had no ce to refuse. Senshi activated the Kāma space-time portal, grabbing both Kakuzu and Karin, and they vanished on the spot.

  …

  Atop Amegakure’s Tower

  In the open space where the Akatsuki usually met, Senshi, Kakuzu, and Karin arrived shortly afterward. Before long, the Deva Path of Pain and Konan dropped down from above. through Pain’s eyes, Nagato felt a headache ing on.

  For most other Akatsuki members, even when assigned missions by the anization, they weren’t particurly motivated. They traveled on foot—sometimes not even b with a carriage or using Body Flicker. Senshi was the anomaly—overly enthusiastic, always hungry for a. If there was a missioook it right away. If there wasn’t one, he’d i one himself.

  Worst of all, it was never a trivial matter: either capturing a Tailed Beast or forcibly bringing a shinobi vilge under Akatsuki’s (or his own) influence. He was effit, yes, but also ridiculously expensive. First he subdued Kusagakure with brute force, then he captured the Three-Tails from Kirigakure. Now, seeing Senshi, Kakuzu, and Karin all looking eager, Nagato couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding.

  Dropping onto the ptform, Pain and Konan fronted Senshi.

  “Uzumaki Senshi,” Pain said. “What do you want this time?”

  Senshi answered without hesitation:

  “Leader, I io press on and subdue another medium-small shinobi vilge.”

  Nagato (back with his real body) involuntarily twitched at Senshi’s words.

  “Sure enough,” he thought wryly. “This guy either captures Tailed Beasts or takes over vilges—no middle ground.”

  Out loud, the Deva Path’s voice was calm as ever but slightly less imposing than usual:

  “Which vilge?”

  “Takigakure,” Senshi answered.

  Nagato, listening through Deva Path, was taken aback. Pain simply said:

  “Reason?”

  Senshi had already prepared his talking points:

  “There are many bes to taking over Takigakure.

  1. Takigakure is secluded behind a great waterfall. O’s under our trol, we set up a secret base there.

  2. They have something called the ‘Hero Water,’ which greatly increases a ninja’s chakra. I’m not sure if they still have it, but it’s worth cheg.

  3. Among the smaller hidden vilges, Takigakure has some of the best overall skills. Their many jōnin would bolster Amegakure’s high-end fighting force.

  4. Most crucially, even though it’s just a small vilge, Takigakure has a Jinchūriki. ‘Those who possess treasure often suffer because of it.’ We ’t just leave that alone. We’d be missing a big opportunity.”

  While Senshi spoke, Pain and Konan listened carefully. Indeed, what he said was logical—this kind of takeover would be both the Akatsuki and Amegakure. But after a brief silence, Pain shook his head.

  “No.”

  Senshi looked baffled.

  “Why not?”

  Having already subdued Kusagakure, he found it highly rewarding. Even though his main body was standing there chatting with Pain, his Wood-Style es were busy in Ame’s bck market and in various parts of Kusa, stantly accepting and pleting missions. Even his summon, Kuro-maru, hadn’t stopped w sihey sigheir tract.

  All that work ed him not only vast wealth but also tons of system rewards. If Takigakure also joihe emerging “Shinobi Alliance” under Ame’s lead, that meant more missions, more points, mrowth.

  Pain’s refusal was based on sound reasoning:

  “Takigakure is different from other vilges. The Land of Waterfall has close ties with the Land of Fire, and Konoha maintains frequent iion with them. We ’t treat them as we did Kusagakure. The Daimyō of the Land of Fire won’t sit idly by. The Akatsuki isn’t ready to face the Great Nations head-o. We don’t have enough manpower. We ’t move on Takigakure now.”

  Nagato, frail though he was, still thought clearly. Unlike a certain Tsuchikage who might beuddleheaded with old age, Nagato’s deaking and situational awareness remained sharp. If the Land of Rain suddenly seized a faithful subordinate of the Land of Fire, the Fire Daimyō would definitely retaliate. At this stage, Amegakure and the Akatsuki were not ready for that.

  Senshi immediately bristled, speaking with dramatic fir:

  “You and the anization may not be ready, but I am. All I need is your say-so, and I’ll go subdue Takigakure right this moment. As for any pressure from the Land of Fire… Don’t worry. If you give the word, uh…assuming you cover my expenses, I’ll just go kidnap their Daimyō for you!”

  He was stirring up trouble without a care. Truthfully, Senshi wasn’t bothered by any threat from Konoha—he’d grown s, so fast, and had few reasons to fear them.

  Nagato, watg through Pain’s eyes, nearly choked on Senshi’s words, coughing violently. He knew Senshi wasn’t bluffing: the guy feared nothing, had terrifying power, and was developing even faster. But even so, Nagato wasn’t willing to say yes. The st time Senshi pulled off a grand achievement—capturing a Tailed Beast—it had caused Nagato quite a bit of trouble. If Senshi now went after Takigakure, that would drag the Land of Fire into the flict prematurely, aher the Akatsuki nor Amegakure could afford that yet.

  Hence, Pain (trolled by Nagato) spoke with ear seriousness:

  “The anizatioime to prepare. Ohat’s done, whether it’s subduing smaller vilges or capturing Tailed Beasts, we’ll have major hiring opportunities for you—and you’ll get y paychecks. But not yet.”

  In other words, Nagato was handing Senshi a “promise of future bounty.” Aually meant it: even without Senshi, the Akatsuki would still pursue all the Tailed Beasts. Senshi’s presence just made success more likely. But right now, they simply weren’t ready.

  Seeing that Nagato was firmly opposed, Senshi realized there was no pushing it for the moment. Over on Kakuzu’s side, he silently let out a long breath of relief. He was certain Senshi’s pn involved using him as a workhorse. With Pain’s refusal, he could finally take a break. After all, Senshi’s Wood-Style es could handle most low- or mid-level missions. Kakuzu hoped that meant some leisurely days ahead.

  But bae, as Senshi was sighing in disappoi, an ued visitor appeared. Senshi’s Mantra had detected him in adva was her than Orochimaru, a member of the Akatsuki.

  Knock, knock, knock!

  The pale-skinned Orochimaru arrived at Senshi’s door, knog lightly. Senshi opehe door at once.

  “Orochimaru, what brings you here?”

  Orochimaru’s lips curved into a chilling smile. Slowly, he produced a long-term mission request. Senshi’s eyes widehen he looked slightly awkward.

  It hadn’t been too long ago that Orochimaru tried to purchase Karin for research, which Senshi had refused. Instead, he’d offered up his own unusual abilities—like his elementalization—for Orochimaru to study. They even fought, ending in Senshi obtaining a long-term mission tract from him. But to be ho, Senshi had only wahat tract for the “Super Draw” reward, not for any geerest iing Orochimaru keep studying him. After signing the deal, he had only provided Orochimaru with two drops of blood and two strands of hair.

  Eyeing Orochimaru’s traow, Senshi asked curiously:

  “Orochimaru, you’re still looking for more research material?”

  Senshi inteo brush the whole thing off. He’d already gaihe Super Draw reward, so from his point of view, there was o tinue.

  But Orochimaru wasn’t so easily fooled. He looked at Senshi and said:

  “Since we signed our long-term deal, you’ve only givewo drops of blood plus two strands of hair. That’s four samples in total. Don’t you think that’s far too little?”

  Senshi forced a ugh:

  “Haha… Orochimaru, you’re thinking too small. Just one drop of my blood is worth dozens—or even hundreds—of ordinary samples. And sidering how quickly I’m growing in power, the differeween the first and sed blood samples I gave is huge. So…how’s your resear those four samples going?”

  He was clearly trying to brush it aside. Orochimaru’s thoughts, however, were rag:

  Ihe material he provided is incredibly precious and unusual.

  His cells rival those of Hashirama. In some respects, they’re even more perfect.

  His lightning-release aptitude is simply mind-boggling. Each drop of blood could unch a dozen research projects.

  Even the differeweewo blood samples is vast—his power level jumped tremendously in that time.

  I haven’t had enough time to study them thhly, anyway…

  Orochimaru wouldn’t say these things out loud, of course. Instead, he met Senshi’s gaze and said seriously:

  “Let’s discuss it in my b. I have a new mission ission for you.”

  At that, Senshi brightened right up:

  “Alright, sure!”

  Just as he spoke, he activated his Kāma portal again, instantly transp Orochimaru—and Karin—into the tter’s research base. Orochimaru felt a brief shock. He realized that Senshi’s space-time ability was, in some ways, even more advahan the Sed Hokage’s Flying Thunder God. Flying Thunder God required a special seal; Senshi’s jutsu seemed able to reaywhere at will.

  Senshi and Karin had been here a few times before, but they were surprised to see that Orochimaru had apparently moved more research equipment into the b. There was also stuff missing, presumably relocated to other bases. Orochimaru might be in the midst of “moving house.” Senshi recalled that Orochimaru ter fouhe Otogakure in the Land of Rice Fields. Perhaps he was already making preparations for that.

  As Senshi let his thoughts wander, Orochimaru pulled him back to the present. Taking out a scroll, Orochimaru spped it against the floor.

  “Huh!”

  Bleam