strictlysupreme Chapter 560 He is the one I've been waiting for.
Chapter 560 He is the one I've been waiting for.
Having lived to such an old age, Xuanweng had seen countless powerful figures, but this was the first time he had faced someone of Kakuzu's caliber. The coldness and indifference emanating from his very bones filled him with deep fear.
Looking at Xuan Weng's terrified expression, Zhang Hai's eyes flashed with understanding. Kakuzu's power, and his death-like qualities, could indeed easily intimidate ordinary people.
“He is the person we’ve been waiting for.” Zhang Hai admitted without any concealment, “His name is Kakuzu. Someone… capable of completing our mission.”
"You've been waiting for him all this time?!" Xuan Weng was shocked again. He hadn't expected Zhang Hai to have such a far-reaching plan, and even to be able to accurately predict that such an unfathomable powerhouse would come to accept the mission.
“That’s right.” Zhang Hai nodded, his tone firm and confident. “No one but him could complete the tasks we assigned so cleanly and efficiently. His strength, combined with his personality… he’s practically tailor-made for us.”
Upon hearing this, Xuan Weng's doubts deepened. He felt a chill run down his spine. He knew Zhang Hai was referring to Kakuzu's greedy nature and his almost freakish strength. But even so, he felt that the young man before him was far too insane.
The torrential rain lashed their faces, but Xuan Weng's heart was colder than the rain. He stared intently at Zhang Hai, awaiting his answer.
“He…” Zhang Hai’s voice was muffled by the heavy rain, but carried a hint of amusement, “He is a very special ninja. As for the ninja village he belongs to…”
Just then, a deep, hoarse voice, as if from hell, slowly drifted from behind the thatched hut through the rain.
“You’re right, I came from that place.”
Kakuzu!
The burly figure reappeared at the doorway of the thatched hut, his cold green eyes staring intently at Zhang Hai and Xuan Weng through the rain. Rain streamed down his mask, but it couldn't conceal the suffocating killing intent emanating from him.
“I…I came from Takigakure.” Kakuzu’s voice carried a hint of disdain and mockery. “However, that was many years ago.”
This answer was like a thunderbolt, instantly exploding in the minds of Zhang Hai and Xuan Weng!
Xuanweng's face turned deathly pale, and he staggered backward, nearly falling to the ground. A ninja from Takigakure?! They hired a rogue ninja from Takigakure to wipe out the village?! This was an utterly ironic twist of fate! At the same time, a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. If this person was sent by Takigakure, wouldn't they have walked right into a trap?!
Although Zhang Hai was momentarily shocked, he was no ordinary person. He quickly calmed down, but his body still tensed instinctively, ready to fight at any moment. The short sword in his hand trembled slightly, its tip pointing directly at Kakuzu.
"What...what exactly do you want?!" Xuan Weng's voice trembled as he tugged at Zhang Hai's sleeve and whispered, "Run! Zhang Hai! This man is dangerous! He's a ninja from Takigakure!"
Gen's instinctive reaction was to run away. He was worried that Kakuzu was toying with them, or that Takigakure already knew about their plan and had sent Kakuzu to lure them into a trap.
Kakuzu's cold eyes swept over the two men's wary postures, a disdainful smile playing on his lips. He didn't attack immediately, but instead walked forward unhurriedly, seemingly oblivious to their guardedness.
“Since you intend to wipe out all the ninjas of Takigakure, then…” Kakuzu’s voice rang out again, carrying a businessman’s calm and calculating tone, “I know the ninjas there very well. Killing them all, especially those old guys who are hiding, will not be an easy task.”
He paused, his green eyes fixed on Zhang Hai as if he were looking at two pieces of walking fat meat, and uttered his request: "Therefore, the bounty needs to be increased."
Zhang Hai's tense body instantly relaxed upon hearing Kakuzu's words. A hint of relief flashed in his eyes. More money? I see. Any problem that can be solved with money isn't a problem at all. Kakuzu's greed is both his greatest weakness and his greatest strength.
Xuan Weng listened in utter disbelief. What was this? A rogue ninja dared to demand exorbitant sums to kill his former comrade?! And Zhang Hai had actually relaxed!
"How much more do you want?" Zhang Hai asked calmly, as if discussing the weather today.
Kakuzu's green eyes flickered, clearly pleased with Zhang Hai's straightforwardness.
“Since the goal is to wipe out all the ninjas, this is no longer a simple assassination mission.” Kakuzu’s voice was deep. “I need your assurance that I will receive the reward I deserve. Moreover, I have one more request.”
"Go on," Zhang Hai gestured for him to continue.
“The Seven-Tails,” Kakuzu said bluntly. “The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki is the greatest fighting force in Takigakure. If I make a move, it will definitely fight back with all its might. I won’t let it cause too much damage inside Takigakure, because its chakra might become my collection in the future. So, I need you to lure the Seven-Tails out of the village when Takigakure is attacked, and let it go completely berserk outside the village.”
Zhang Hai's eyes sharpened instantly. He understood Kakuzu's intentions. This wasn't just a simple hired killing of a village; Kakuzu had his own motives—he wanted the Seven-Tails' chakra! Moreover, Kakuzu's request coincided with some of Zhang Hai's own plans.
Luring the Seven-Tails out of the village to prevent its rampaging power from affecting the village's interior was undoubtedly preparation for the subsequent annexation plan. A village that wasn't completely destroyed is far more valuable than ruins.
“No problem.” Zhang Hai agreed to Kakuzu’s request without hesitation, and added, “I have one more request. You must guarantee that during the destruction of Takigakure Village, the village’s buildings and facilities, especially the important resources, will not be excessively damaged. I need a relatively intact village.”
Kakuzu narrowed his green eyes slightly and gave Zhang Hai a deep look. In that moment, he seemed to see through Zhang Hai's ambition hidden beneath his calm exterior.
This Konoha ninja wasn't simply after revenge. What he wanted was... the complete annexation of Takigakure! He wanted to use his power to clear away obstacles and then reap the rewards.
A bloodthirsty smile curled at the corner of Kakuzu's mouth. He liked this kind of scheming. The more shrewd the employer, the more profit he could squeeze out.