Ever since Kakuzu's failed assassination attempt on the Third Kazekage Jinghang eight years ago, the underworld lost a top-tier assassin, while the Golden Sands Entertainment Group on the Yuexi Peninsula gained a premier accountant and debt collector.
Over these eight years, Kakuzu carved out his own empire on the Yuexi Peninsula through sheer professional excellence. He became known by the motto: "There's no account Kakuzu can't balance, no debt Kakuzu can't collect." Every year at the Golden Sands Entertainment Group's annual conference, he was named "Outstanding Individual" and personally awarded the titles "King of Accounting" and "King of Debt Collection" by Vice Chairman Hirai Kangsaburo. For a time, he was the undisputed industry benchmark, admired by all.
Both accounting and debt collection came with kickbacks and commissions. Someone with Kakuzu's exceptional skills and work ethic quickly accumulated massive personal wealth. His net worth had now reached five "small goals"—500 million ryo.
Not only that, but as time passed, his status within Golden Sands Entertainment Group steadily rose. Kakuzu was now not just the group's Chief Financial Officer but also the Debt Collection Department manager. In the ultra-expensive Crystal Palace, he not only had his own private office but commanded tremendous respect—everyone addressed him reverently as "Mr. Kakuzu."
As Golden Sands Entertainment Group's general manager, Maki naturally couldn't bear to waste such talent on chasing small debts. In recent years, he'd mainly assigned Kakuzu to personnel training and mentoring. Kakuzu himself had no interest in pursuing petty sums, instead seriously training several disciples. As he often said, "Cases under one billion? Leave them to my apprentices."
In short, Kakuzu was no longer the blood-soaked killer who once risked his life for a few million ryo. He'd become a member of high society. Thinking back to those underworld days—killing and robbing for pocket change—how embarrassing.
At this moment, Kakuzu's eyes were locked onto the proposal Maki had handed him, reading with intense focus, afraid to miss a single word.
Maki wasn't rushing him, simply crossing his legs and waiting quietly. The office filled only with the soft rustle of turning pages.
Finally, Kakuzu finished reading the document.
He let out a long sigh.
"Cut to the chase—this is just robbery."
"Exactly."
Maki made no attempt to hide it.
"What's the estimated value?"
"Not counting real estate, shops, farmland, and other fixed assets—roughly 40 billion."
Kakuzu pondered briefly, then said dismissively,
"That bookworm Higashi Yoshinari calculated this, didn't he?"
"Is there a problem?"
Maki asked, puzzled.
"Of course there's a problem."
Kakuzu uncrossed his legs, pointing at the document.
"Obviously, Higashi Yoshinari's data is reverse-calculated from the taxes the Fire Pillar Commerce Association has paid to the Land of Fire's daimyo over the years. He only understands numbers on paper—he has no clue about the scheming behind the scenes."
"Oh! Tell me more!"
Maki was suddenly interested.
Kakuzu signaled his female secretary, who immediately understood, respectfully bringing two cups of tea before tactfully withdrawing.
"This Fire Pillar Commerce Association's history predates even Konoha Village—it can be traced back to the Land of Fire's founding period. We're talking over a century of heritage. Each of these people controls a pillar industry of the Land of Fire—silk, salt, mining, grain, coal, lumber, transportation, entertainment. Any one of them could shake the world with a stomp of their foot. They've monopolized these industries for nearly a hundred years. With such connections, manipulating taxes is child's play."
"You're saying they evade taxes?"
"What else? You think everyone's like Sunagakure with a dedicated tax police force?"
"So what's your estimate?"
Kakuzu flipped his palm three times.
"Triple that number."
"Holy shit! 120 billion!"
"That's still a conservative estimate. You think everyone's as naive about taxes as you folks in the Land of Wind?"
Maki was stunned, then couldn't help but give a thumbs up in admiration.
"No wonder the chairman specifically requested you—said only you could completely drain the Fire Pillar dry."
"Chairman?"
Kakuzu suddenly paused.
The Golden Sands Entertainment Group had one and only one chairman—Third Kazekage Jinghang.
"So? Is this job big enough? Will you take it?"
Maki asked.
Kakuzu didn't rush to agree, instead picking up his teacup and blowing on it gently.
"Seizing the Fire Pillar Commerce Association's assets is a massive operation. My team and I can't handle it alone. We don't have enough people."
"The chairman has specially assigned you three thousand ninja—all elite members from Sunagakure's security and tax police forces. Plus, all the actuarial teams under Vice Chairman Hirai's command are at your disposal. Is that enough?"
"Hmm, barely enough people. I need absolute operational authority."
"The chairman's orders: as long as you extract the Fire Pillar Commerce Association's money, you have complete freedom of action!"
"Also, this might involve killing. Can the chairman cover for that?"
"Collection targets are limited to within the Fire Pillar Commerce Association. Within that scope, anything goes."
"Good! I'll take this job!"
Kakuzu slapped his thigh.
"Now, let's discuss compensation."
Kakuzu smiled.
Maki wasn't surprised at all.
"Upon completion, you'll be inducted into the Golden Sands Entertainment Group's board of directors. Major shareholders will carve out 5% of original shares for you. Your annual salary will increase to 20 million ryo, with all other benefits upgraded to third-tier treatment."
Maki's offer was substantial. Just the 5% original shares alone represented nearly billions in value for the entire Golden Sands Entertainment Group—money couldn't buy that.
But Kakuzu remained unmoved, gently shaking his head.
"Still not enough."
Maki remained steady as a mountain, spreading one hand.
"Name your price."
His expression suggested: as long as you dare ask, I dare pay.
"I also want 1% of all assets seized in this operation."
"Deal."
Maki didn't hesitate, turning his palm into a fist and slamming it on the coffee table—deal sealed.
Damn, I lowballed again.
But 1% of 120 billion is still 1.2 billion.
People need to know when to be satisfied.
"Come on, let's sign the contract."
Kakuzu said helplessly.
"Don't rush. I have conditions."
Maki calmly pulled out a map.
"The entire seizure operation is limited to the southern Land of Fire."
Maki drew a circle on the map.
"No problem. Most of the Fire Pillar Commerce Association's assets are concentrated in the south anyway. If I can't get 120 billion, 100 billion is definitely doable."
"And you only have three months."
"What!"
"No choice. Kumogakure has already entered the country. If we're too late, conflicts could arise."
"Damn, why didn't you say so earlier!"
Kakuzu shot to his feet.
"Ryoko! Ryoko!"
The beautiful secretary immediately appeared.
"Go! Notify Rotten Wealth, Sangkun, Sanji, and Gōran—pack your gear as fast as possible! In half an hour, we take the fastest warship to the Land of Fire!"
"Yes!"
Before Kakuzu could turn around, Maki pulled out two contracts.
"Standard procedure—verbal agreements don't count."
Kakuzu immediately took them, scanning at lightning speed.
"This one's fine."
Kakuzu signed his name with a flourish.
"This one? Lifetime service contract? What's this about?"
Kakuzu looked at Maki questioningly.
Maki smiled.
"With core talent like you, I have to keep some insurance. I've heard several headhunting groups have their eyes on you."
"Hmph!"
Kakuzu snorted coldly but signed his name without hesitation.
"Them? Could they even afford me?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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