Land of Lightning border.
After accepting the bounty, Kakuzu rushed non-stop towards Senju Tobirama's location.
“Two hundred million ryo, I’m coming for it now.”
He was already fantasizing about using Earth Grudge Fear to kill Senju Tobirama and then collecting the huge bounty.
Two hundred million ryo would definitely make his hands cramp from counting…
This sum was enough to drive any desperado insane.
Inside his body, the black tendrils of Earth Grudge Fear subtly writhed, as if excited for the imminent battle.
Five hearts pulsed in his chest, each carrying Chakra of a different nature, representing the five Chakra types: Wind, Fire, Lightning, Water, and Earth.
A beautiful scene appeared before Kakuzu’s eyes.
Senju Tobirama, killed by his controlled Earth Grudge Fear, his red pupils beginning to lose focus.
And he would use Earth Grudge Fear to dig out his heart and replace the Water Release heart in his own body.
Senju Tobirama’s Water Release was incredibly powerful; he believed that after acquiring this heart, his strength would be greatly enhanced!
“I found you!”
Kakuzu’s eyes lit up as he spotted several small black dots in the distance.
“Tsk, there are quite a few people…”
He hadn't expected Senju Tobirama to bring so many attendants, but he had no intention of giving up; instead, he sped up his pace.
After acquiring Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu was extremely confident in his own strength.
He believed he could eliminate Senju Tobirama as quickly as possible before the attendants could react. As long as Senju Tobirama was dead, the others would not be a threat.
Unfortunately, the Bounty Station only had a bounty for Senju Tobirama; otherwise, he could have earned even more money on this trip!
Just as Kakuzu was rushing towards them, Senju Tobirama, who was on the move, sensed something amiss.
He suddenly stopped, turning to look into the distance.
“Tobirama-sensei, what’s wrong?” the others asked, puzzled.
Why did their sensei suddenly stop for no reason?
Could it be… the assassin appeared again?!
Renye’s gaze fell on the Second Raikage, and he said coldly, “Is it the Land of Lightning Daimyo’s doing again?”
Upon hearing this, the Second Raikage scratched his head awkwardly, unsure what to say.
He felt Renye was right and had no way to refute it for a moment, only managing an embarrassed smile.
It was obvious that the Daimyo, having learned of the Raikage’s failed mission, had sent someone new to assassinate Senju Tobirama.
Renye looked at the dense forest in the distance, wondering who the Daimyo had sent this time?
Even the Second Raikage wasn't their match; could there be someone stronger in Hidden Cloud Village?!
Hidden Cloud Village had always spoken with strength; becoming the Raikage meant one's strength had surpassed most people, thus qualifying them to be the Raikage.
Absolute power was needed to command respect…
The Second Raikage, the strongest person in Hidden Cloud Village at the moment, had failed; could the Land of Lightning Daimyo find someone even stronger?
As time passed, under Renye's curious gaze, the assassin's figure finally appeared.
The moment he saw the approaching person, he was stunned.
This assassin looked familiar…
Isn't that Kakuzu?
He hadn't expected them to meet again in such a situation; what a coincidence!
As Renye noticed Kakuzu, Kakuzu also spotted Renye beside Senju Tobirama, his pupils suddenly constricting into pinpricks, his mouth slightly agape beneath his mask.
That Uchiha brat!
The experience of almost being poisoned to death was still vivid in his mind; that feeling of his body uncontrollably twitching, foaming at the mouth, and nearing death, he hadn't forgotten it even now.
If it weren't for Senju Hashirama's generosity, making the Uchiha brat hand over the antidote, he would have died long ago.
He thought the matter was over, and he dragged his heavily injured body, preparing to return to his village to report. But then, that damned brat, while his body's toxins hadn't yet subsided, returned to demand payment for the antidote.
That phrase, “You need to pay me for the antidote,” remained unforgettable to Kakuzu to this day.
Circumstances were against him, so he was forced to agree, incurring a debt of up to thirty million ryo.
Meeting Renye again, Kakuzu planned to teach this kid a good lesson and let him know his place!
“Kakuzu, long time no see!” Renye greeted with a smile, “When are you going to pay me back the money you owe?”
Everyone looked at Renye in disbelief, then turned to Kakuzu not far away.
So these two not only knew each other but were also in a creditor-debtor relationship.
Even Senju Tobirama was a bit surprised. When did this kid lend money to someone else?
One had to know that all the money this kid earned from missions was used to develop poisons; where would he have spare money to lend to others?
It was already good if he didn't borrow money from people.
Kakuzu’s mouth twitched slightly. He took out a scroll from his waist and threw it to Renye, “This contains fifteen million ryo. The rest will be paid back to you soon.”
Renye, looking bewildered, took the scroll. He hadn't expected Kakuzu to actually pay him back.
He had initially approached Kakuzu with the intention of robbing him, but after realizing the other party was broke, he dismissed that idea.
As for the money Kakuzu owed, he hadn't even expected it to be repaid.
After all, the Ninja World was vast, and finding someone was quite difficult…
Yet, today, by chance, they met, and Renye just casually mentioned it, and Kakuzu actually paid him back.
Kakuzu looked at Renye’s shocked expression and snorted disdainfully, “It’s only right to repay debts. I’m not that shameless!”
He was quite principled when it came to money.
This money would be temporarily stored with the Uchiha brat. Once he repaid the remaining fifteen million, their debt relationship would end.
By then, he could just steal the money back!
He might even spare this kid's life and make him work for him to pay off the debt.
Kakuzu’s mouth, hidden beneath his mask, couldn't help but curl up as he envisioned the successful revenge.
If Renye knew Kakuzu’s thoughts, he would definitely burst out laughing.
This guy clearly hadn't paid attention to the wars in the Ninja World; otherwise, he would never have said such a thing.
In reality, Kakuzu truly didn't pay attention to the battlefield situation; he was always taking bounty missions.
Every day, he was either killing people for money or on his way to kill people for money; where would he have time to follow the battlefield?
As a rogue ninja from Takigakure Village, the war no longer concerned him.
Only occasionally, while on bounty missions, did he hear some news about the battlefield situation.
For example, Konoha defeated Hidden Sand Village, or the First Raikage of Kumogakure was killed…
He had never truly understood the specific details.
“Brat, this doesn’t concern you.” Kakuzu glanced at Renye, then his gaze fell upon Senju Tobirama.
“Second Hokage of Konoha Village, prepare to die!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others instantly became wary. They knew this guy had ill intentions; it turned out he wanted to assassinate Tobirama-sensei!
The few of them stood in front of Senju Tobirama, absolutely unwilling to let the opponent succeed!
Seeing this, Renye felt some admiration for Kakuzu.
He failed to assassinate Senju Hashirama, and now he was trying to assassinate Senju Tobirama.
He felt Kakuzu was doomed.
After all, this Old Man Tobirama was not a bleeding heart like his elder brother, Hashirama.
Lest all five of his hearts get pierced through…