"What? Still not leaving? Get a move on!" Konan's voice held a sharp edge as she addressed Dosu's hesitant group. "This is the first and las
"What? Still not leaving? Get a move on!" Konan's voice held a sharp edge as she addressed Dosu's hesitant group.
"This is the first and last time. Don't let this happen again, or you'll face consequences."
Dosu's followers mumbled their thanks and quickly departed. Starving in Kusagakure was less appealing than joining these seemingly wealthy Land of Currency ninjas.
One million ryō could feed Akatsuki for years.
Dosu's face was a mask of fury as he watched them go. He gritted his teeth, glared at Kai, and muttered, "Konan-sama, I'll be going…" He left without another word.
Konan breathed a sigh of relief. "Kai, thank you. We still haven't repaid you for the last time, and now this… I don't know how to repay you…"
Kai chuckled, casually ruffling Konan's hair in front of everyone. "Don't mention it. I have a money-obsessed friend; this is pocket change to him."
"But if you really want to repay me… I accept payment in kind."
"I… I don't want to!" Konan's cheeks flushed crimson. "Stop it. Let's go see what Yahiko and Nagato decided."
Kosuke Maruboshi and Might Dai exchanged impressed glances as Konan hurried away. Throwing money at a problem was surprisingly effective.
Kimimaro hesitated. "Boss, if Kakazu found out you used his money to… woo Konan-sama, he might attack this place…"
Kai sighed, rubbing his nose. "If we don't say anything, he won't ask for his money back, right?"
Kimimaro was speechless, feeling like he'd just stepped onto a pirate ship.
The meeting hall, a slightly improved tent with a wooden frame, was situated in the camp's center. Yahiko and Nagato, accompanied by three Amegakure ANBU, emerged, laughing and chatting, suggesting a successful negotiation.
"Konan?" Yahiko's expression shifted upon seeing her, his gaze lingering on Kai and his companions. He didn't question their presence but remained wary.
"Is this Akatsuki's only female leader? Quite impressive," the Amegakure ANBU captain remarked smoothly. "And who are these?"
Konan was about to speak, but Kai smoothly cut her off. She felt increasingly reliant on him; his constant interventions provided a strange sense of security.
"Black market merchants. We're here to discuss a mission," Kai stated flatly, showing no deference to the Amegakure ninjas.
"Black market?" The ANBU captain's expression shifted subtly, but he didn't press further. Akatsuki relied on missions for income; with their current predicament, a black market deal wasn't unusual.
"Kai, why are you here personally? Weren't we supposed to visit you?" Yahiko smoothly interjected.
Kai nodded. "We have a long-standing partnership. I heard Akatsuki was struggling, so our alliance sent me to check in. Seems things aren't too bad."
"You're too kind, Kai. Let me see our guests off first," Yahiko replied, smoothly deflecting further conversation.
"Heh, since you have guests, we'll take our leave," the ANBU captain said, glancing at Kai. "Don't forget Hanzo-sama's request.
Go to Northwest Mountain Region as soon as possible. The town has been plagued by rogue ninjas."
"Thank you for Hanzo-sama's consideration," Yahiko replied. As the ANBU departed, the smile vanished from Yahiko's face. Nagato, his Rinnegan glowing ominously, spoke. "You're Uchiha Kai."
"Konan, are you mad? Bringing him here? The Five Great Nations will judge us harshly!"
"Amegakure might not tolerate our existence anymore."
Konan's face paled. She'd anticipated some reaction, but not Nagato's intensity. Kai had saved her and Akatsuki countless times.
"Nagato, calm down," Yahiko interjected, turning to Kai. "You saw the damage from the last battle. We're facing internal problems, and we don't want any more connections with you."
"Leave."
"Yahiko!" Konan protested, realizing the situation was beyond repair.
"Young master, did you hear that? They want you to leave," Kosuke Maruboshi announced loudly. "You should take that million ryō back. We shouldn't have fed them; they should've eaten dirt and leaves."
Kai rolled his eyes at Kosuke Maruboshi's bluntness. But his words stunned Yahiko and Nagato. The previous payment had saved Akatsuki, allowing them to expand.
Without Hanzo's betrayal, they would have become Amegakure's second-largest force. Another million ryō was a lifeline!
"No response? Is this 'benefactor' uncomfortable? Or are you returning the money to our young master?" Kosuke Maruboshi pressed, his words cutting.
Yahiko and Nagato were speechless. The words were harsh, but a million ryō was more than even Hanzo possessed. Compared to that, this "benefactor" looked quite appealing…
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