Kumogakure.
Raikage Tower.
The Third Raikage looked at Kakuzu as he walked in, happily patting him on the shoulder.
That overwhelming vitality made Kakuzu tense inwardly. Even without clashing, he could feel the sheer force the Third Raikage carried.
"Kakuzu, you can settle down in our Kumogakure from now on. Who knows, maybe you'll even reclaim your ancestral roots one day."
Kakuzu blinked, puzzled.
"Raikage-sama… what do you mean by that?"
The Third Raikage chuckled. "According to our plan, we'll be launching an attack on the Land of Waterfalls soon."
"If we conquer it, you won't have to carry the label of Takigakure rogue-nin anymore."
"And Yuzuru already told me what happened back then—your defection was entirely the fault of those higher-ups in Takigakure."
Years ago, the leaders of Takigakure had ordered Kakuzu to assassinate the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
When Kakuzu failed, they used mission failure as an excuse to throw him into a dungeon.
In the Third Raikage's eyes, those leaders were nothing but traitors to their own comrades.
After all, in that era, no one could possibly stand against Hashirama Senju.
If it had been him, he would've killed those idiots too.
Hearing the explanation, Kakuzu glanced at Yuzuru with a hint of gratitude.
Everyone in the world saw him as a monstrous S-class rogue-nin, never realizing that he had once been a hot-blooded youth who poured his heart into his village and comrades.
Meeting Kakuzu's gaze, Yuzuru said quietly, "Because I've been through something similar, I can empathize with you."
"Those rotten people in power only care about their own interests. They treat everyone else with arrogance, based solely on their own whims."
"Just like how the Uchiha were treated in Konoha. That's why I decided to unify the shinobi world."
"Time has proven that Hashirama Senju's system was flawed. I will destroy it and sweep away all the darkness in this world."
Kakuzu felt something ignite in his chest.
It had been a long, long time since he felt anything like this.
Like Yuzuru, he despised the darkness that plagued the shinobi world.
But where he chose to run, Yuzuru chose to change it.
On that alone, Yuzuru already stood leagues above him.
With that thought, Kakuzu said solemnly, "Yuzuru, I'll fully support your goal. If you need me, just say the word!"
The Third Raikage couldn't help feeling sentimental.
Back then, he too had been persuaded just like this.
This kid's charisma really was something else.
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After leaving the Raikage Tower, Yuzuru brought Kakuzu to the Uchiha compound.
Seeing Mikoto, Konan, Kushina, Pakura, Karura, and the others, Kakuzu stared at Yuzuru in disbelief.
So many women—how much time did he waste on them every day?
When he voiced his confusion, Yuzuru only gave a casual nod, not bothering to explain.
Kakuzu's physical structure was far removed from a human's now; it was perfectly normal he couldn't feel the "joys" women offered.
After a brief introduction, Yuzuru said, "Konan, this is Kakuzu from Takigakure. His specialty is making money. Give him access to your account later."
Konan brightened. "That's wonderful!"
If someone handled the money, she'd be able to mass-produce explosive tags at a much faster pace.
After receiving the account information, Kakuzu refused Yuzuru's invitation to dinner and left the Uchiha compound.
A soldier pill was enough energy for him—any time spent eating could be used to earn more money.
Yuzuru silently gave him a thumbs-up.
Worthy of the Innate Workhorse Saint Physique—his discipline was extraordinary.
After dinner, Yuzuru immediately took a long bath.
After working outside for so long, he could finally relax.
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Early the next morning, Yuzuru arrived at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning.
Located on the outskirts of Kumogakure, it had only a massive lake and long mountain ranges—rarely visited by anyone.
It had once been Killer B's training ground, but ever since Yuzuru reached an agreement with the Eight-Tails, the valley had been left unused.
Only after Orochimaru defected to Kumogakure did it become his new research base.
Walking through an ordinary-looking cave, Yuzuru felt his eyes widen.
Backed by Kumogakure's immense wealth, the interior was enormous—smooth walls and polished stone floors lit by bright white lamps, giving it an almost surreal beauty.
Orochimaru stepped out of a corridor, a faint smile on his face.
"Yuzuru-kun, long time no see."
Yuzuru continued deeper into the base. "Orochimaru, how's life here compared to Konoha?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's gaze turned hazy with emotion. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"Yuzuru-kun, this is the best laboratory I've ever had. Nothing in Konoha can compare."
With Yuzuru and the Third Raikage's full support, everything—from site selection to construction—had been tailored to his preferences.
Every advanced tool he needed was available.
Most importantly, he could conduct any experiment openly here. As long as he asked, any material he needed would be supplied.
Compared to Konoha's damp, cramped underground facilities, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Seeing Orochimaru's satisfied expression, Yuzuru nodded, then tossed him a scroll.
"This is Takigakure's forbidden jutsu—Earth Grudge Fear."
Orochimaru blinked in surprise. "Wasn't this technique stolen long ago by the rogue-nin Kakuzu?"
"Kakuzu is with Kumogakure now," Yuzuru said simply. "Earth Grudge Fear modifies the body and lets you harvest hearts endlessly. As long as a heart beats, you can live forever."
"You should study it when you have time. You might gain insight into immortality."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed, excitement spreading across his face.
"No wonder even Tsunade doesn't reject your… intimacy. If I were a woman, I'd probably develop feelings for you too."
Yuzuru shuddered violently, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Nope! Orochimaru, don't you dare bite the hand that feeds you!"
If another man said that, he would've taken it as praise.
But Orochimaru was different.
His gender was like Schrödinger's cat—always subject to change.