After learning that Hyūga Yu possessed the research results he desperately needed, Hiruko didn't linger. He immediately slung Nakago over his shoulder and departed from the Hidden Mist Village.
Before long, he arrived at the nearest underground black market in the vicinity of the Land of Water. This place was a solitary island not found on any map—a domain belonging exclusively to bounty hunters, rogue ninja active in the shadows of the shinobi world, and various small-scale organizations like the Xuanyuan, the Ryūdōin, and the Fūnin.
In the 48th year of Konoha, shortly after the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War, this place had been seized by a man named Oyashiro En. Under his leadership, the scattered black markets across the shinobi world were unified into a massive underground organization, catering specifically to ninja who could not show their true faces.
Standard ninjutsu, trades involving Kekkei Genkai, the acquisition of rare materials, bounty assassinations, currency exchange, and even providing wealthy figures with "special services" that official ninja villages could not offer...
Hiruko quickly passed through the [Roman Colosseum] currently under construction. That place was a novel concept dreamed up by the underground black market leader, Oyashiro En. It was intended to be something similar to the "Chūnin Exams" held by the Great Nations, meant to provide a stage for underground moguls like Gatō to flaunt their financial power. With enough money, one could hire elite ninja; as these ninja fought to the death, their strength would be put on display, allowing the moguls to judge their own respective power and, in turn, determine the boundaries of their business interests.
The wealthy elite of the underworld used this method to boast of their strength and maintain authority, ensuring that events turned in their favor.
Hiruko had no interest in this. Having come from Konoha, he knew very well just how powerful the world's top-tier violent organizations truly were. Compared to them, this place was as pathetic as a dry latrine built on a desert island. Fortunately, this "latrine" was at least somewhat helpful to a ninja like himself who had abandoned his village. Almost anything in the shinobi world could be found here, including Kekkei Genkai and various classified intelligence leaked from the major Hidden Villages.
Soon, Hiruko arrived in front of a small, dark room. He knocked on the door with a specific code—three long and two short. The door didn't open; instead, the ground began to click and clatter as an opening appeared, revealing a set of stairs leading downward.
Hiruko descended into the basement. Before long, a ghostly voice echoed from the end of the underground passage.
"Mr. Hiruko, I didn't expect to meet again so soon. I recall that the intelligence we sold you should have been flawless. Furthermore, you should be well aware of our rules: even if the intelligence is incorrect, there are absolutely no refunds..."
Hiruko stared at the figure shrouded in shadows and let out a cold snort. "I need new information."
"Pray, tell."
"Regarding a certain ninja," Hiruko said coldly. "Root's 'Tennin'—Konoha's Hyūga Yu!"
The staff member at the intelligence center seemed slightly surprised and offered a faint smile. "Oh? You've also come for that bounty?"
"Hmm? What bounty?" Hiruko's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the man in confusion.
"Just yesterday, several mysterious wealthy individuals placed a bounty on that 'Tennin.' The reward has already accumulated to 200 million Ryo."
"200 million Ryo?" Hearing this number, Hiruko couldn't help but be startled. Even his breathing hitched for a moment. Even for someone like him, such a figure was incredibly tempting.
Research funds for the Kimera no Jutsu, the overhead of a ninja organization, the cultivation of various types of Summoning Beasts... Only after venturing out on his own did he realize that every basic necessity cost money.
Moreover, most ninja did not engage in practical industries. Once they left the mission system of a ninja village, they could only rely on highway robbery, becoming bounty hunters, or selling their lives to various wealthy figures in the shinobi world to earn a living.
Even Hiruko had to deceive quite a few nobles and wealthy men in the Land of Rivers, using "Eternal Life" as bait, just to swindle a large amount of investment to get his career off the ground.
But it was common knowledge that research into cutting-edge technology was a bottomless pit. Sometimes, sinking hundreds of millions into it wouldn't even produce a ripple. Hiruko was quite short on cash.
However, upon hearing about the massive bounty on the "Tennin," Hiruko's brow furrowed tightly. The fact that Hyūga Yu had such a staggering price on his head meant that at this very moment, countless bounty hunters, their eyes red with greed, were swarming toward that brat. If he arrived too late, let alone obtaining the "Ultimate Kimera Formula" he desired, he might not even get so much as a finger.
Thinking of this, Hiruko immediately asked in a heavy voice, "Someone put a bounty on him? Who is it?"
"My apologies, I do not know the identity of the client," the intelligence ninja in the shadows smiled. He continued, "I only know that for this Tennin, the client's requirement is..."
"They want him alive."
Hiruko's frown deepened. "Then I'll ask a different question. Where is Hyūga Yu right now?"
"It just so happens we received a piece of intel regarding this Tennin, though we cannot verify its authenticity."
Hiruko asked directly, "How much?"
"Three million Ryo."
"What???"
Hearing this number, Hiruko's face stiffened. He immediately barked coldly, "Why don't you just go out and commit highway robbery?"
The staff member shook his head and said eerily, "This price is very reasonable. After all, the Tennin is the disciple of the 'Shinobi no Yami.' His intelligence involves Konoha's highest level of security. Besides, compared to 200 million, three million should be a pittance—"
"If you can't even produce this much money, it only proves you aren't qualified to see that Tennin, nor do you possess the ability to capture him."
"Please understand, we also do not wish for bounty hunters who are blinded by a massive reward to recklessly challenge Konoha's [Root]. That would bring catastrophe upon us all."
Hearing this, Hiruko's face twitched slightly. What did he mean, "if you don't have money, you aren't qualified to see him"?
To catch that kid, I have to 'pay-to-play' three million Ryo first just to buy a piece of intel that might not even be true?
Hiruko hesitated.
Seeing the hesitation on Hiruko's face, the staff member suddenly added in a low voice, "Since you are an old client of ours, I'll provide you with one piece of information for free."
"Just moments ago—"
"This intel was purchased by two top-tier bounty hunters. They have already set out."
Hiruko's gaze sharpened. He immediately asked, "Who are they?"
"One of them is an S-Rank rogue ninja from the Hidden Sand Village, Sasori of the Red Sand."
"And the other is Mr. Kakuzu, an S-Rank rogue ninja from the Hidden Waterfall Village."
Hearing these two names, Hiruko's brow knitted tightly. After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and pulled out his bankbook.
"Swipe the card."
Soon, Hiruko left the underground black market with the intel in hand, rushing toward the area Hyūga Yu was passing through to prepare an ambush.
Once Hiruko had left, the staff member at the intelligence station finally breathed a sigh of relief. The figure hidden in the shadows shifted slightly, transforming into a pale, sickly form—it was White Zetsu.
At this moment, he stared eerily in the direction Hiruko had departed, chuckling to himself. "With this, the mission Lord Madara assigned is complete. I even made a little extra on the side."
He happily held the bankbook, which now had an additional three million in deposits. Looking at the long string of numbers, he shook his head. "It's just a pity that money is useless to me..."
However, just then, another tall figure suddenly descended into the intelligence station. White Zetsu's expression tightened, and he immediately used the [Substitution Technique] to disguise himself as the staff member again.
"Hello—"
The newcomer said coldly, "Give me the intel on that 200-million-Ryo Tennin, Hyūga Yu."
The staff member played by White Zetsu flashed a professional smile. "That will be three million Ryo."
Hardly had the words left his mouth when a massive, pitch-black hand suddenly gripped White Zetsu's neck, dragging him bodily out from behind the counter. It was only then that White Zetsu saw the man's appearance. He was draped in a black cloak that covered his entire body. He was tall, wearing a Hidden Waterfall rogue ninja headband and a black mask. His entire being was shrouded in a cold, terrifying killing intent!
A pair of ghostly green pupils stared coldly at White Zetsu, a thick murderous intent visible within them. "You are asking me for money?"
"Spit out the intel and live. Don't, and die!"
White Zetsu's face instantly froze.
At the same time, on the other side of this small island, inside a castle named "Oyashiro," a young man sat on a sofa in the living room. He looked quite cheerful, not even twenty years old, tall, and wearing a pale yellow polo shirt. He had a handsome face, but he wore a pair of bizarrely shaped sunglasses that somewhat ruined his appearance.
At this moment, he was unfurling a scroll, reading a piece of intelligence his subordinates had unexpectedly acquired. "'Tennin' Hyūga Yu is about to depart from the Land of Bears, passing through the Land of Hot Water on his way to the Land of Rain?"
"Escort personnel include twenty-seven Root members, three members of the Tennin Team, and... a 100-million bounty from the Fourth Raikage Ay, plus another 100-million bounty from the Hidden Mist's Yagura Karatachi?"
The young man's brow furrowed seriously. He questioned the subordinate waiting respectfully by his side, "How did this kind of intelligence end up in my hands?"
"Lord Oyashiro, this intel came from within Konoha, provided by an information broker we frequently collaborate with."
"That makes it even stranger."
Oyashiro En raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. "How on earth did those guys get intelligence of this caliber? Is Konoha's Root that incompetent?"
"But, Lord Oyashiro, this is an opportunity—"
At this point, the ninja waiting respectfully suddenly spoke up. "Oyashiro is just starting out, and we are in need of massive funds. If we can capture that Tennin, it would resolve our urgent needs."
"With that money, we could develop even faster. Combined with your power... we might even unify the underground black markets of the shinobi world and become their leaders!"
"Oh?" Oyashiro En narrowed his eyes slightly, appearing as though he were interested. However, beneath his sunglasses, his eyes quietly changed. His pupils turned black and stretched into horizontal bars like those of a toad, while his sclera became a deep scarlet, filled with countless tiny blood vessels. A broad smile remained on his face, but Oyashiro En's gaze coldly scrutinized the "trusted aide" standing respectfully before him. Everything seemed normal; even with the [Ketsuryūgan], he couldn't spot any flaws. Yet, Oyashiro En suddenly felt a chill from deep within his heart that raced up his spine!
He remained calm and spoke with a hint of concern. "But that guy is the 'Tennin' Hyūga Yu, the one who personally triggered the collapse of the Hidden Mist and left the village safely!"
As he spoke, Oyashiro En shook his head. "I... might not necessarily be able to defeat him."
"You must be joking." Hearing this, the aide chuckled and flattered him, "You are the 'Ogre' Oyashiro En, the man who personally slaughtered the Chinoike Clan and broke through the Valley of Hell guarded by the Uchiha!"
"With your power, killing a brat like that would be as easy as flipping one's palm."
At those words, Oyashiro En's gaze turned completely cold. He had never mentioned that event to anyone!
However, facing this "trusted aide" whom he was now certain was no longer his aide, he kept his expression neutral. He merely showed a trace of worry, shook his head, and let out a long sigh. "Better to forget it."
"It would be fine if the capture succeeded, but if it failed, I wouldn't be able to withstand Danzō Shimura's retaliation."
"Small fry like us in the black market can't afford to provoke [Root]... Let the matter drop, and do not speak of it again."
Oyashiro En suddenly seemed to remember something. He looked up at the aide and said with a smile, "I just remembered, the black market in the Land of Rain has just been established and needs manpower. Jiro, why don't you go work there for a while? As you know, I can't get away from the Colosseum here for the time being."
Hearing this, the "trusted aide" disguised by White Zetsu stiffened again. He thought to himself: This guy is completely unyielding and shows no openings. There's no way to force him into action... Damn it, Lord Madara's assignment might fail on this end...
However, just then, White Zetsu suddenly received information from a spore clone on the other side that had just died.
"Huh?"
"Kakuzu actually appeared here... I already told him the intel, so why did he kill me!?"
But then, White Zetsu had a change of heart. Oyashiro En was a failure, but unexpectedly triggering Kakuzu to take action counts as a lucky break. Now I can report back to Lord Madara.
Thus, under the turbulent landscape of the shinobi world, various undercurrents, driven by malice lurking underground, began to surge toward the current location of Hyūga Yu!
And what was Hyūga Yu doing at this moment?
Hyūga Yu was practicing the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique.
January 28, Year 50 of Konoha, 12:00 PM. The Root team was advancing rapidly toward the Land of Hot Water. They were disguised as traveling merchants. Yu had specifically prepared a flatbed cart, and he sat atop the piled-up goods, unfurling a scroll to read.
As the cart swayed and moved forward, his understanding of Yang Release was gradually deepening.
At this stage, his research into Yang Release had inevitably split into two branches. One was the Nature Transformation of Yang Release, which was the true Yang Release Yu ultimately sought to master. However, this path was essentially blocked; without the experimental conditions of "massive" amounts of chakra, it was difficult to make further progress.
The other branch was the Shape Transformation of Yang Release.
————
Supporting me on Pa-treon to gain early access to advanced chapters and enjoy expedited updates. Your support is greatly appreciated.
pat-reon .c-om/Dragonhair
(Just remove the hyphen - and space, to access Pa-treon normally.)