In this deceitful world, the only thing one can trust is money.
This is the life creed of someone who has spent decades in the bounty hunter career.
What he is carrying in his hand is a corpse, but Kakuzu feels it's not merely a corpse; it's heavy money.
The price of this corpse, if handed over to an underground exchange, could fetch a high price of twenty million ryo.
Since he started working as a bounty hunter, it also belongs to the range of high rewards.
Thus, another major deal is completed.
As expected, in this cold and deceitful world, only money can bring a touch of warmth.
Walking on a rural path in the Land of Tea, he walks alone on this road.
Kakuzu looked up at the sun, it was almost noon, and the sunlight was a bit blinding.
Just as he turned his gaze back and continued walking forward, five people suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
The leader was Insect Man, and as the staff at the underground exchange said, whenever he visits a country, he stays for a period, now it's exactly during his activities in the Land of Tea.
It took a day to finally find this very famous bounty hunter 'Undead' in the underground exchange.
"You must be Kakuzu, right? We are..."
"Wait a moment."
Kakuzu interrupted Insect Man's words, gently placing the corpse down, and taking out a small booklet from his pocket nonchalantly in the eerie eyes of the five.
Each page of the booklet records a person's portrait, name, and bounty amount.
At the beginning, naturally, were the current Five Kage, followed by famous ninjas from various countries. In the forefront pages, 'Hatake Sakumo's name is listed, with a bounty amounting to one hundred and ten million ryo.
He is one of the highest bounty targets outside of the current Five Kage.
But this page had been crossed out by Kakuzu.
Because Konoha White Fang is dead, this bounty task is thus concluded.
He kept flipping pages, while the five glanced at each other, unsure what this guy was looking for.
Kakuzu continued to search while looking at Insect Man, eyes full of green light filled with a certain obsession.
However, he reached the last page without finding Insect Man's information.
Kakuzu frowned, then took out another booklet from his pocket.
The previous booklet covered bounty tasks of above ten million ryo.
The new booklet records medium to low bounties below ten million ryo.
On the last page of the booklet, he finally found the target.
"Finally found it, so it's here? The name is Insect Man, bounty amount fifty thousand ryo... truly a cheap head."
No wonder he recognized him but didn't find him on the high bounty list.
"..."
Insect Man didn't know what to say.
Bounty hunters from the underground exchange being bounty targets in the exchange are common.
Thus, many times one has to guard against attacks from peers.
He only joined the underground exchange in the past two years, and his reputation isn't very big, fifty thousand ryo is already a decent acknowledgment.
"Judging by your strength, there should be great potential for appreciation. Let's keep your head on your shoulders for now; I'll look for you when your head appreciates in value."
Kakuzu remarked candidly.
The fifty thousand ryo reward frankly doesn't do justice to this man's strength.
From his flawless stance, his current market price is at least six hundred thousand ryo, maybe even more.
Killing him now would be a pity.
Insect Man: "..."
Kakuzu ignored Insect Man's reaction, tucked the two booklets back into his pocket, picked up the corpse on the ground, and prepared to leave.
"Please wait, Mr. Kakuzu. We are here to hire you."
Insect Man, a bit helpless, had to communicate this to Kakuzu.
"Hire?"
Finding this expression somewhat interesting, Kakuzu paused his departure and turned to gaze at Insect Man again.
"We are planning to establish a company and currently lack a capable financial manager. The terms are negotiable, you only need to regularly sort out our company's financial issues each month."
"How much money?"
Kakuzu directly asked about the pay.
Whether it's a bounty task or a hiring task, as long as it makes money, that's all that matters to him.
Moreover, they don't want him to join some chaotic organization, just need him to assist their company in identifying financial problems and loopholes.
He would serve as an external financial expert without accepting any orders or commands.
If he can earn handsome extra income while handling bounty tasks, there's no reason to refuse.
"Monthly payment, the reward is fifty thousand ryo to one hundred thousand ryo."
Whether he receives fifty thousand ryo or one hundred thousand ryo a month depends on his abilities. That was the meaning Insect Man conveyed.
"I'll be counting on the annual extra of twelve million ryo."
Kakuzu spoke plainly, yet showed great confidence in his financial abilities.
"It's truly remarkable confidence, let's hope we have a pleasant partnership. Later, we will assign someone to draft a formal contract, is that alright, Mr. Kakuzu?"
Insect Man grinned slightly.
"As you like."
Kakuzu carried the corpse away, not wasting any time.
Insect Man watched Kakuzu leave, quite an interesting character.
Then took out some information on Kakuzu.
In the underground money exchange, his reputation ranks among the best, like an ironclad defense and baseline.
No one is more trustworthy than him when it comes to money.
This is the unanimous evaluation from those at the underground exchange who know him.
A man who won't betray money, nor be betrayed by it.
◎
Two days later, Kakuzu received a document.
It was sent by the man named 'Insect Man'.
The document clearly stated his job type, duration, salary, and when it would be paid.
After glancing through it, Kakuzu roughly understood what he needed to do and the workload involved.
It doesn't take much time, but requires highly professional personnel to handle, with no room for error.
Because it involves a significant amount of money.
A slight oversight could create financial loopholes, affecting the company's operation.
Afterward, Kakuzu gathered some information about this newly established company and its industry type.
Shion Flower Pharmaceutical Technology Company.
That's the company's name.
A pharmaceutical company integrating research, production, and sales.
It's apparent that this is a company focused on pharmaceutical sales for profit.
It has currently developed over a dozen new drugs ready for market, now in mass production and soon to be sold externally.
The company's main output is to the various countries of the Ninja Realm.
The company's headquarters is located in the Land of Demons.
And since Shion Flower is the national flower of the Land of Demons, naming the company after it hints at a close connection with the country's officials.
It's possible they've already made contact with the Land of Demons officials, offering convenience as a Neutral Country.
The Ninja Realm is led by the Five Great Nations, followed by special Neutral Countries like the Land of Demons and the Land of Iron.
Next are the small countries.
Among the small countries, some are strong, and some are weak, with serious classification.
There are small countries with Ninja Villages and those without, with a significant power disparity.
In this, Neutral Countries are quite special.
Unlike small countries oppressed by the Five Great Nations, they have independent culture, sovereignty, and armed organizations to protect them.
They neither participate in wars between great nations nor get affected by the wars.
After reading all this, Kakuzu nodded slightly.
In this chaotic era of frequent battles, establishing a company in the Land of Demons is indeed a wise move.
Since the company hasn't officially listed yet, Kakuzu isn't in a hurry to do their accounting.
Instead, he takes out a bounty list, searching for the targets on it.
High-bounty targets have always been his hunting goals.
And the medium to low-bounty targets, being on the list implies potential.
Potential means they'll appreciate in value.
Thus, he won't hunt bounty targets below ten million ryō, he'll wait until they can't appreciate before hunting, maximizing money.
Dealing with these potential stocks too early only reduces his income.
In bounty hunting, a long patience for prey to appreciate is essential.
Like that Insect Man; though only fifty thousand ryō now, Kakuzu believes he can appreciate dozens of times over in a few years.
By then, taking his head off would be fine.
As for Insect Man being his employer...
There's no direct conflict between doing his accounting and exchanging his corpse for money.
The task of financial management is based on his principles and bottom line, which he executes meticulously.
But he also doesn't let go of bounty targets that can appreciate significantly.
Therefore, these aren't really conflicts.
Kakuzu puts the list in his pocket, holding a black suitcase already filled with money, not a corpse.
Carrying the money-filled black suitcase, he once again steps onto the path of hunting bounty targets alone.
Yet he doesn't feel lonely, as money accompanies him on the journey.
Money is his faith.
It brings him the last warmth of humanity.
Who he killed today, or how many doesn't matter.
When or by whom he'll be killed tomorrow doesn't matter either.
Living isn't happiness, nor is death worth lamenting.
What's important is he's on a path of exceptionally bright earning.
Engulfed in a world full of distortion and war.
Because...
In this world where only money brings brilliance, everyone is beyond redemption.
This is the insight of an old man living for decades in the human world, who experienced betrayal and avoidance, then embarked on a constant killing-for-money road, scarred all over.
Carrying his money-laden suitcase, he leaves the crowd, at odds with everyone, walking away alone.
Then he walks out of town, on a country path under the sunset, his shadow stretching longer, and fading into the distance.
Once again, Mr. Kakuzu is on the road alone today.