บท 56: Chapter:55

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White Zetsu explained gloatingly, "He is Kakuzu, the financial director of the Akatsuki organization, and his favorite thing is money. Since you wiped out the Sarutobi clan and the Shimura clan, Konoha has set a very high bounty for you in the underground exchange. Now, when Kakuzu sees you, it's like seeing a lot of money."

Kirito suddenly realized and continued to ask, "Then how much is the bounty?"

"Ninety million ryo," Black Zetsu replied.

"What? Those three old guys are too stingy. Less than the price for three Asumas," Kirito said in disgust. He took out a scroll from his sleeve, spread it on the ground, and made a hand seal. With a puff of smoke, a dozen suitcases appeared.

Kirito opened one of the boxes, revealing the shiny banknotes inside. He turned to Kakuzu and said, "I don't care for money and have no interest in it. I haven't counted it, but there's more than 400 million ryo here. Since you love money so much, how about a bet?"

"What kind of bet?" Kakuzu asked, swallowing hard as he stared at the money.

Even the other Akatsuki members were intrigued, particularly Scorpion and Orochimaru, who were known for their expensive research into puppets and forbidden techniques.

Orochimaru came forward, slightly excited. "Kirito, where did you get so much money?"

Kirito shrugged. "Where else? From the treasury of the Sarutobi family. That filthy rich teacher of yours, Orochimaru. I've got several scrolls like this one. It's not like I earned it through hard work, so I won't feel bad even if I lose it."

Everyone, including Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi, frowned at Kirito's nonchalant explanation.

"Well, Kirito, you're certainly rich," Orochimaru laughed awkwardly, wondering if he should rob a wealthy family the next time he needed funds.

Ignoring Orochimaru, Kirito put away most of the suitcases, leaving only three behind, and addressed Kakuzu again, "So, tentacle monster, what I hate most is being remembered. Since you're so bold, how about fighting me? Beat me, and I'll give you 100 million ryo. Deal?"

Kakuzu's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, but what if you lose?" Kirito asked.

Kakuzu replied, "That's up to you. I won't give you any money. At worst, I'll give you my life."

"I'm not interested in your life," Kirito smirked. "But how about this—if you lose, hand over the ninjutsu you've learned. You won't suffer any loss. The 100 million will still be yours because I don't like seeing my comrades lose anything."

Kirito's real plan was to use the fight to release his Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu.

"Deal!" Kakuzu agreed without hesitation. For him, it was a no-risk arrangement—he would either win 100 million or exchange his ninjutsu for it, a price worth paying.

Kirito nodded. "Let's go."

As they were about to leave, Orochimaru hurriedly interjected, "Wait, Kirito. I have a lot of ninjutsu. You don't have to fight me. I'll sell them to you."

Kirito made a face of disgust. "Forget it, Uncle Snake. I know you won't teach me your core ninjutsu. The rest of what you know is just snake-related, and I don't want to learn that. I prefer the traditional five elements."

Before Orochimaru could argue, Kirito performed the Body Flicker technique and disappeared. The other Akatsuki members followed closely behind.

Only Pain, Konan, and Zetsu remained.

Black Zetsu turned to Pain. "Leader, are you sure it's okay to let them act like this?"

Pain replied, "It's nothing serious. I just want to assess the strength of our new member." He disappeared instantly, with Konan following.

"Let's go," Black Zetsu said to White Zetsu, and the two merged into the ground.

Before long, the Akatsuki members had followed Kirito to an open field. Kirito and Kakuzu stood fifty steps apart.

"Are you ready, tentacle monster?" Kirito asked, flicking his sleeve as his Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, appeared in his hand.

Under the gaze of all the Akatsuki members, Kirito whispered to himself, "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."

Kakuzu, unaware of the illusion, sneered, "A sword? Come on, boy."

He positioned himself defensively, his body fully covered by his Earth Spear technique. Confident in his skills and combat experience, Kakuzu took few members of Akatsuki seriously, aside from Pain.

However, in the blink of an eye, before Kakuzu could even react, Kirito appeared behind him. With lightning sparking from his hand and the sound of chirping birds, Kirito's Chidori pierced Kakuzu's chest from behind.

"So fast," the Akatsuki members murmured, all shocked—except for Zetsu, who had witnessed Kirito's slaughter of the Uchiha clan.

No one had expected Kirito's movement to be so swift. In terms of pure speed, he was among the best in the organization, rivaling even the fastest in the ninja world.

The power and control over his lightning chakra were astonishing. In a single strike, Kirito had already destroyed one of Kakuzu's hearts.

"That's Kakashi's Chidori," Orochimaru muttered. His long, snake-like tongue flicked out as he eyed Kirito like a rare treasure. What a perfect body! Such a brilliant talent! Orochimaru's mind raced with thoughts of Kirito's potential.

Kirito clicked his tongue in mock pity. "Ah, tentacle monster, you fell for it so easily. You're too weak. You won't be able to claim the 100 million at this rate."

As he spoke, Kirito changed the form of the Chidori in his hand, transforming it into a long whip of lightning. The electric current surged, wrapping around Kakuzu, who roared in pain as the lightning disrupted his earth-based defense.

Thunder was the natural enemy of earth, and Kakuzu's Earth Spear technique was rendered completely ineffective by the lightning whip. He screamed in agony, his body convulsing under the powerful electric current.

After a few moments, Kakuzu collapsed, lifeless, one of his hearts destroyed beyond repair.

(End of Chapter).

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