"You fool..."
"Calm down a bit..."
Kakuzu felt some unease in his heart, hoping Hidan could regain control over himself.
Kakuzu watched as Hidan came closer, noticing that strange black spots had appeared all over Hidan's body. There was a certain stiffness in his movements as he approached.
"I can't control myself..."
Hidan's body trembled with a touch of fear.
In the next moment!
Hidan raised the scythe in his hand, swinging it directly at Kakuzu, spurting a bloom of blood from Kakuzu's body, with blood droplets instantly splattering onto Hidan's face!
"Blood... hahahahaha... blood..."
Hidan's demeanor suddenly turned manic, instinctively grabbing Kakuzu's fresh blood and about to draw a curse array at his feet!
"You fool..."
Kakuzu, having long witnessed Hidan's ability, tried to wake the blood-crazed Hidan to no avail, helplessly watching as Hidan completed drawing the curse array!
"That fool!"
Just a second before Hidan finished the curse array, Kakuzu spat out an Earth Grudge Fear, hoping to save his own life!
"Hahahaha... you're dead."
Hidan, having completed the curse array, wore a morbid smile, lying contentedly in the center of the array on the ground.
There was no longer any need for Hidan to do anything, as countless black rods were already embedded in his body. The curse array would immediately reflect Hidan's physical state onto his opponent!
Meaning...
As long as Hidan obtained blood and completed the curse array, based on Hidan's physical state, the opponent would surely die!
At the instant the array was completed...
Blood gushed out relentlessly from Kakuzu's entire body!
Kakuzu's head drooped helplessly, as if life had departed, leaving only a jet-black Earth Grudge Fear beside him, appearing to ponder when to burrow back in.
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura approached, extending a hand to pick up Hidan's body: "It seems your abilities from when you were alive remain intact, able to be used still..."
"Don't make me get up!"
Hidan stubbornly insisted on lying on the ground, struggling desperately: "I can't get up; I must lie here to pray to the Lord God. Leaving here would be disrespectful to the Lord God!"
"Alright then."
Akihara Kagura decided not to bother with this insane puppet, as Hell Path: Hidan was merely a means to resurrect other puppets.
"Kakuzu, you can rest assured and resurrect now."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Kakuzu's body and the Earth Grudge Fear, attempting to recruit: "I won't kill you, and I wonder if you're interested in earning an extra salary..."
"..."
The Earth Grudge Fear immediately burrowed into Kakuzu's body!
Kakuzu's head lifted up instantly, his eyes once again flashing a brilliant emerald hue: "Akihara Kagura, what do you want me to do?"
"Of course, to take on a side job..."
Akihara Kagura reached out a hand in friendship, aiding in treating Kakuzu's wounds: "Akatsuki Organization's bonuses aren't that appealing, right?"
"Catching a Jinchuriki brings a reward of 5 million ryō."
Kakuzu wasn't secretive about their pay, but just coldly pointed out: "If you want me to do something for you, then offer a suitable price..."
"What's the usual mission remuneration?"
Akihara Kagura couldn't afford such bonuses and planned to approach it indirectly.
"A 30/70 split."
Kakuzu was quite satisfied with his mission share ratio.
Akatsuki organization's mission rewards were substantial, but most traitorous ninjas didn't care much about money; their mission rewards never fell into their own hands, as Akatsuki directly distributed their earnings.
"Why is it only 70%..."
Akihara Kagura furrowed the brows.
"70% is the organization's share."
Kakuzu couldn't help but frown as well.
"Isn't that like begging for food?"
Akihara Kagura instinctively responded.
"..."
Kakuzu cast an odd look at Akihara Kagura.
This Akihara Kagura apparently didn't understand Akatsuki's rules. Other members often had to consider Konan's mood to even secure such a 30/70 ratio!
Of course.
Others didn't care, nor was there a need for the money.
Since Akatsuki handled and reimbursed weaponry and other tool expenses.
Even Red Sand Scorpion, who had once faced hardships alongside Nagato and Konan, cared nothing for money, with Konan always approving whatever budget Red Sand Scorpion proposed.
However...
For someone like Kakuzu, who inherently loved money, Konan naturally wouldn't approve any budget, as if Kakuzu were to ask for money, his personal budget could drain Akatsuki's funds dry.
Kakuzu looked at Akihara Kagura, devoid of loyalty to Akatsuki, valuing money above all: "If you want me to work for you, if in the future there are commission assignments, giving me a 30% division for remuneration, I can do the job for you; if the task reward allocation reaches 40% for me, even if there are conflicts with Akatsuki's assignments, I can still assist you..."
"Agreed."
Akihara Kagura nodded in agreement, glancing at Hidan beside him: "Hidan, collect Kakuzu's blood. If he ever dares to betray our agreement in the future..."
Having only Hidan return would arouse suspicion among others, not to mention Hidan needing to hide his black rods, thus necessitating a witness.
Moreover...
Kakuzu was intended to be one of the revenue-generating members for Akatsuki in the future.
Akihara Kagura wanted to incorporate Akatsuki as subordinate members in the future and didn't intend to waste potential combat power at this point.