Far away, Kakuzu was dumbfounded.
How did those two ninjas just vanish in a flash?!
That wasn't even the worst part—his money was gone too!
Yesterday, he'd been tailing a wealthy target, ready to pull off a quick robbery. But out of nowhere, two unfamiliar ninjas swooped in and stole his prize!
One called himself Little Black, the other Big Yellow. Their skills were impressive, but Kakuzu had never heard of them. And those names… why did they sound like dog names?
Not that it mattered to Kakuzu. They stole his target, so he'd just rob them instead. Problem solved!
Lately, he'd been strapped for cash. He used to have a nice little stash—living from the Warring States period to now, how could he not have saved up? But ever since joining the Akatsuki, he'd been forced to hand it all over. Couldn't fight them, so he paid for peace.
Broke and desperate, robbing was his only option. So, he'd quietly trailed the two ninjas, only for them to disappear in an instant!
A bad feeling crept into Kakuzu's gut. These guys aren't ordinary, are they?
Just then, he heard their voices behind him.
"Yo, mysterious ninja~ Why've you been tailing us? Looking for the black-haired ninja? Or maybe the blond one?"
Kakuzu's pupils shrank. Damn it! These guys were no joke!
They'd not only noticed him but somehow got behind him without him sensing a thing! He activated his Body Flicker Technique, zipping dozens of meters away in a flash.
When it came to his life and wealth, Kakuzu didn't mess around. Back when he tried to assassinate the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, he made sure to stay 800 miles away, tossing a single kunai just to say he'd attempted it.
Did it hit Hashirama? Of course not! But that wasn't the point—he'd made his move.
Still, Hashirama's chakra was so overwhelming, even from that distance, it nearly crushed him. Lucky for Kakuzu, Hashirama hadn't been in a killing mood, or he'd have been dead long ago.
Now, catching his breath after his escape, Kakuzu muttered, "These two are definitely not normal. Who the hell are they? Ninjas from the Five Great Nations? No way… those guys wouldn't be out robbing. Missing-nin, maybe? But I've never heard of Little Black or Big Yellow…"
Before he could finish his thought, a chill ran down his spine. Their voices were behind him again.
"Yo, mysterious ninja~ Looking for the black-haired ninja? Or the blond one?"
Kakuzu felt like he was seeing ghosts. What are these guys?! Actual spirits? No normal ninja could appear behind him like that!
Suppressing his fear, he slowly turned around. There they were—Little Black and Big Yellow, looking completely ordinary.
"Gentlemen… I mean no harm! Can you let me go?" Kakuzu pleaded.
Minato Namikaze let out a cold laugh. "No harm? Then why've you been tailing us? You've been following us since we robbed that guy last night, haven't you? What's your game—trying to pull a double-cross?"
Fugaku Uchiha sized Kakuzu up, then said coolly, "Big Yellow, we've already robbed one guy—what's one more? This dude looks loaded. Why not rob him too?"
Minato nodded. "Good call, Little Black! I like your style!"
Kakuzu, who'd been trying to talk his way out, snapped. They could beat him, insult him, even kill him—but rob him? No way! His money was his life!
"Taking my money is the same as taking my life!" he roared. "You two are going too far!"
Minato smirked. "Hand over the cash, and we'll let you walk."
Kakuzu unleashed every ounce of his chakra in a fury. "Arrogant fools!"
Whoosh!
Minato vanished, reappearing behind Kakuzu with a kunai pressed to his throat. "Pay up, or you're done."
In that instant, Minato and Fugaku unleashed their chakra, its overwhelming pressure hitting Kakuzu like a tidal wave. He froze, realizing he was completely outmatched. These guys are monsters!
His heart sank. My money… my precious new stash… it's gone!
A tendril extended from Kakuzu's body, like an arm, holding a bag. It reluctantly dropped the bag to the ground.
Kakuzu's face was grim. "That's all my money… I was never here."
Minato grinned. "As we say in the Land of Fire, a wise man knows when to yield. Looks like you're a wise one!"
Fugaku stepped forward, picking up the bag. He opened it and raised an eyebrow—nearly 100 million ryo! This guy was loaded.
With a quick glance at Minato, Fugaku nodded. Minato placed a hand on Fugaku's shoulder, and in a flash, they were gone.
Kakuzu stared at the empty space, his strength draining away. He collapsed to the ground, wailing, "My money! My money! What's the point of living anymore?!"
Meanwhile, in a forest near the Hidden Leaf Village, Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha had reverted to their true forms. Spitting into their hands, they eagerly counted the ryo they'd taken from Kakuzu, their eyes gleaming.
As they counted, they let out eerie, "Jie jie jie" laughs, like ghosts haunting the woods.
Jie jie jie jie jie…
Jie jie jie jie jie jie jie…
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