That night, the underground black market went completely wild.
A batch of sky-high bounty requests flowed into the hands of various mercenary organizations, syndicates, wandering Ninja, Rogue Ninja, and thugs. These creatures, lurking in the dark corners of the Ninja World, all stirred like hounds catching a scent.
These people feared neither heaven nor earth, adhering to the principles of the strong preying on the weak and money above all else. As the saying goes, men die for wealth, and birds die for food.
On this path of riches paved with bones, there was never a shortage of desperadoes!
"Killing an ordinary person can net ten million Ryo?"
"This Konohamaru Sarutobi is actually worth 25.5 million Ryo?"
"Damn it, if this job goes well, I won't have to take another request for the rest of my life!!!"
At the taverns of black markets everywhere, the latest sky-high bounty requests were eagerly passed around by countless hands, and pairs of fervent and greedy eyes glowed crimson.
How long had it been since they fought such a rich battle?
One job here was worth a hundred. Who wouldn't be tempted? Who wouldn't go crazy?
If they didn't seize this opportunity to get rich, they might work themselves to death and never achieve so much!
For a time, undercurrents surged in the underground black market, and turmoil rose again, converging towards the peaceful Konoha Village... In the Land of Grass, within a mountain forest.
A large group of Ninja guards were battling several black monsters. The black monsters continuously spewed Chakra balls of various attributes from their mouths, fighting fiercely.
"Protect the Master!"
"What exactly are these monsters?"
"Ugh... Ah!!!"
A big-haired uncle in a red cloud black robe (akatsuki cloak) was swinging a large sword, attacking the important person being protected.
Kakuzu, who was hiding and watching the show, suddenly changed his expression and turned to look at the messenger hawk flying in the sky: "Is that... a message from the Bounty Exchange Office?"
Kakuzu calmly caught the intelligence scroll dropped, and with a leisurely expression, he unfolded it to read.
But when he saw the new bounty request, his eyes suddenly widened, and his body trembled uncontrollably, clearly excited to the extreme.
"Interesting!"
As Kakuzu scanned the sky-high bounty requests for the Four Great Clans, he murmured in a low, excited voice: "This is truly too interesting!"
"Mine! All mine!!!"
As a dedicated and professional gold-medal bounty hunter, no one was more excited, more eager than Kakuzu.
Putting away the intelligence scroll, Kakuzu looked towards Konoha with fervent eyes... as if he could already see immense wealth and money beckoning to him.
"The Akatsuki Organization's current policy is not to attack Konoha..."
"How troublesome... because of that Uchiha Itachi!"
Kakuzu calmed down slightly, pondering and muttering to himself.
In his memory, Pain's Rinnegan and Itachi's Sharingan flashed alternately. But the next second, the words "Konohamaru Sarutobi 25.5 million Ryo" on the scroll instantly crushed all hesitation.
"There's no way I'm giving up this chance to get money! As long as the Akatsuki Organization doesn't know, it'll be fine, right?"
Kakuzu's lips curled into a greedy arc, and he decided to rush to Konoha as quickly as possible. If he was late, he feared someone else would get there first!
After all, he couldn't be the only one who received this intelligence; other bounty hunters would surely act as well.
Kakuzu quickly formulated a plan of action in his mind.
First, he had to hide it from the Akatsuki Organization. Although the leader wouldn't really hold him accountable, if Itachi's side was difficult to deal with, the leader might not help him either.
And to hide from the Akatsuki Organization's accountability... Kakuzu looked at the big-haired man fighting bravely, a cruel smile appearing on his lips: "As long as no one knows where I went, it'll be fine, right?"
Kakuzu channeled a large amount of Chakra and performed hand seals.
Suddenly, two black monsters merged, and a powerful Chakra fluctuation erupted from their mouths.
"Fire Release: Searing Migraine!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
The strong hurricane infinitely expanded the high-temperature flames, rapidly and wildly surging towards everyone.
"Boom!"
Everything around was utterly destroyed by this explosive energy, including the big-haired uncle who had just joined the Akatsuki Organization. Everyone died under this attack.
Kakuzu emerged from behind a large rock, glancing at the charred bodies on the ground: "Good! The request is complete..."
With that, he recalled the black monsters and absorbed them into his body.
Kakuzu took out his red cloud black robe (akatsuki cloak), put it on, and with a flash of his body, disappeared from the spot, speeding towards Konoha.
My money, you must wait for me... Kakuzu's eyes were fervent.
Not long after Kakuzu left, a large aloe vera plant emerged from underground. The green aloe vera opened, revealing Zetsu, a blend of black and white: "What is that Kakuzu guy up to? It seems he killed another comrade?"
White Zetsu: "Where did Kakuzu go? Should we look for him?"
Black Zetsu: "No! Leave such minor matters to the leader. We will gather intelligence on the Tailed Beasts..."
...Tree shadows rapidly receded beneath his feet.
Kakuzu had torn his Akatsuki Organization uniform. Wrapped around him now were countless black tentacles.
Those living-like tentacles were now slapping against his crazed, laughing face.
"Must go faster..."
The Earth Grudge Fear monster burst out from his back, and the Wind Release mask monster directly lifted him, allowing him to fly with the wind.
The Fire Release monster continuously spewed fireballs backward, using the explosive shockwaves to boost his acceleration.
Outside the Land of Fire's border, a Rogue Ninja squad was resting by a stream.
"Have you heard? Konoha is now--"
Before he could finish, a hurricane carrying a black shadow swept over their heads.
When they looked up, they only saw leaves falling everywhere and the crazed whisper from the sky: "Mine... all mine..."
...In Konoha Village, night had already fallen.
At the Konoha Village gate, a masked man in a gray burlap tunic approached.
The "Two Great Faces of Konoha"—Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki—who were chatting, quickly stood up to inspect when they saw someone approaching.
Kotetsu Hagane picked up his pen: "Hmm? Uncle, you're not from Konoha, are you? Outsiders need to be thoroughly registered!"
Izumo Kamizuki scrutinized the newcomer: "Excuse me, please remove your mask. Village regulations require all entrants to record their true appearance."
The newcomer chuckled inwardly: "Good thing I already used the 'Facial Sculpture' Jutsu!"
Seeing that Izumo Kamizuki had already taken the photo, Kotetsu Hagane began to question and record: "Your name."
"Kakuzu."
"Occupation."
"Traveling merchant."
"Where are you from..."
...After completing the procedure, the "Two Last Lines of Defense of Konoha" allowed the newcomer to enter the Village.
Not long after leaving the gate, no one saw the strange black tentacles extending from "Kakuzu's" chest, seemingly excitedly searching for something.
Kotetsu Hagane stretched, complaining: "It seems more people are entering our Konoha today than before..."
...The night was dark, but Konoha's streets were brightly lit.
Konohamaru Sarutobi, four or five years old, swaggered down the street, followed by his elite teacher, Ebisu. Several dark figures in the shadows watched silently; they were Anbu assigned to protect Konohamaru Sarutobi.
Ebisu was tirelessly explaining to the young master how to become Hokage. This was a request from his idol, the "Strongest Hokage of All Time," the Third Hokage!
"Konohamaru Sarutobi! You must remember what I'm telling you. Don't let my appearance fool you; I am the strongest in Konoha's theoretical instruction!"
"Konohamaru Sarutobi! You possess the makings of a Hokage. As long as you diligently follow the path I guide you on, you will surely become a great Hokage..."
"Just like Third Hokage-sama..."
Ebisu kept muttering.
Konohamaru Sarutobi grinned, revealing a smile with seven or eight missing teeth: "I don't want a stuffy teacher like you!"
"You guys keep talking about my grandpa all day; it's so annoying! I want to walk my own path!!!"
With that, Konohamaru Sarutobi walked into the Sarutobi Clan's territory, acting world-weary, not even glancing at Ebisu.
Having delivered the young master back here, Ebisu stopped in place, watching his student's retreating back, and murmured: "Third Hokage-sama... your grandson might surpass you..."
Nodding slightly to the Anbu protecting him from the shadows, Ebisu turned and left.