The wind howled across the desert, carrying sand in violent waves.
Hanekawa's eyes flickered open—the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan blazing with power.
Susanoo.
A cold, malevolent aura erupted skyward.
The air twisted. In an instant, a skeletal white form materialized, half-complete and terrible. Chakra surged through the meridians, flesh coating the bone framework in seconds. The massive warrior stretched out its hands to meet the incoming assault.
BOOM.
The wind hit like a physical force. Kakuzu's attack collided with Susanoo's defense, and the shockwave rolled outward in all directions, tearing through the sand and carving a massive gully into the earth. Only the space where Hanekawa stood remained untouched.
"How is this possible?"
Kakuzu's pupils trembled. His voice cracked. "What kind of jutsu is this?"
"Sharingan," Hanekawa said casually.
"The Sharingan uses magatama as its symbol." Kakuzu's eyes narrowed, fixed and intense. "But this aura... it's the same as the Sharingan, just infinitely stronger."
"You're welcome to try."
Hanekawa smiled. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan rotated slightly, and an invisible wave of pupil power spread outward.
Tsukuyomi.
Kakuzu's world inverted. The desert vanished. He found himself in a dark illusion space, bound to an iron frame by invisible chains. Above him, two massive iron nails fell from the sky, descending with lethal intent.
He broke free instantly, dispelling the genjutsu with a sharp exhalation. Lingering fear flickered across his face.
Five hearts. Five types of chakra. Genjutsu should have minimal effect on him.
Yet one glance had pulled him into that nightmare.
This Sharingan is overbearing. No—this isn't an ordinary Sharingan.
Kakuzu's mind raced. Is there an advanced form beyond the Three-Tomoe? Like what Uchiha Madara possessed?
He'd never seen Madara fight, but the legends were clear: the man had battled Hashirama Senju as an equal. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan alone couldn't accomplish that.
"Try this," Hanekawa said, already forming hand seals.
Kakuzu tensed immediately. The brief exchange had taught him one crucial lesson: Hanekawa was the second strongest ninja he'd ever encountered.
The first was Hashirama Senju.
"Storm Release: Storm Demon Dragon!"
Hanekawa's chakra exploded outward. Black cumulonimbus clouds gathered in seconds. The sky darkened, then blazed with light as dense bolts of lightning poured down like a rainstorm, covering the entire area.
Kakuzu's instincts screamed. He stepped back, trying to escape the range—too slow.
He clapped his hands. The Fire Style and Wind Style masks floated upward, mouths opening wide.
Fireballs and wind balls erupted simultaneously, colliding in mid-air. The explosion created a wall of flame, and the wind drove it forward like a tsunami of fire. Lightning and thunder plunged into the inferno. The resulting detonation sent shockwaves rolling across the desert, mixing with sand to create a violent sandstorm.
Body Flicker.
Kakuzu vanished, reappearing at the edge of the chaos.
"One more," Hanekawa said calmly. "Survive this, and you'll be qualified to serve me."
"Even Senju Hashirama couldn't kill me!" Kakuzu's voice dripped with fury and indignation. "You think you can?"
"He didn't kill you because he was merciful," Hanekawa corrected. "Not because he lacked the power."
Kakuzu opened his mouth to retort—then froze.
The half-skeleton suddenly moved. It clenched its right fist and swung with devastating force. Three massive magatama spiraled toward him, moving faster than thought.
No time to dodge.
Earthly Resentment: Final Shot!
Kakuzu's hands blurred through seals. The Wind, Fire, and Lightning masks gathered in his arms, their chakra converging into a terrifying cannon. Three different energies fused together and erupted outward.
The chakra cannon met the magatama.
BOOM.
Thunder split the sky. Chakra rolled like dark clouds. Flames, wind, and lightning scattered in all directions. The sand beneath them shattered into powder.
Kakuzu's eyes widened.
One magatama still came.
Earth Style: Earth Spear!
He reacted on pure instinct, clapping his hands. His skin hardened like stone, gaining incredible defensive power.
BOOM.
The magatama exploded on impact.
Kakuzu flew backward like a cannonball, slamming into the sand and creating a massive crater. Dust rose in a choking cloud.
Hanekawa casually dismissed Susanoo and walked forward.
Kakuzu didn't die.
Earthly Resentment was the reason. Black threads wrapped around his body like a tailor mending cloth, restoring what had been broken. To truly kill Kakuzu, you'd need to destroy all five hearts and obliterate his body completely in a single instant. Even a severed limb could be restored.
Hanekawa remembered that Earthly Resentment could even repair his teammates' wounds.
"You... you won." Kakuzu forced himself upright, breathing heavily.
"You have good strength," Hanekawa said, offering genuine praise.
Kakuzu's mouth twitched.
He'd believed there were few ninjas in the entire world who could rival him. His age made him a senior to most. Yet here he was, being complimented on his "good strength" after being utterly dominated.
"So," Hanekawa continued, "have you decided? Become my subordinate. You'll make more money than you ever dreamed possible. Eventually, you'll be the richest ninja in the world."
"You're stronger than me," Kakuzu admitted after a few seconds of silence. "But making money isn't easy. It's my specialty."
He didn't believe Hanekawa could surpass him in that regard.
"How much can you make from commissions and bounties?" Hanekawa shook his head. "Real money comes from the daimyo and nobility."
"The daimyo?" Kakuzu's eyes widened. "You plan to control them with your Sharingan?"
"Of course not."
Hanekawa extended his hand, and green chakra bloomed. The Healing Palm Technique.
"You know medical ninjutsu too?"
"A little," Hanekawa said. "I'll explain the money-making methods later."
His vision was clear: legitimate business. Not ordinary commerce, but vital industries—banking, weapons manufacturing, media. The five major countries had never established monopolies in the ninja world. Take ninja tools, for instance. In the original timeline, almost every nation purchased from the Village of Craftsmen. A single village controlled a massively profitable industry.
Why not us?
Kakuzu nodded slowly. By default, he'd become Hanekawa's subordinate.
First reason: he couldn't win.
Second reason: he was desperately curious about this money-making scheme.
---
"Let's go," Hanekawa said, withdrawing his technique.
"Where?" Kakuzu caught up with him.
"Hidden Sand. I need to find someone."
"A Hidden Sand ninja? Or..." Kakuzu glanced at the Sharingan. "A Konoha ninja?"
"I'm from Konoha," Hanekawa said with a smile. "You can try to guess who I am."
"Uchiha Fugaku?"
Hanekawa shook his head.
Kakuzu frowned. If not the clan head, then who? There weren't many famous Uchiha in the world.
"Who are you?"
By the time they reached Hidden Sand, Kakuzu had spent hours guessing and failed every time. His curiosity was maddening.
"Fine. I'll tell you." Hanekawa removed his mask.
He'd worn it mainly to avoid Kakuzu and Suien recognizing him. But Kakuzu was defeated now, and his identity would be exposed eventually once business expanded. Better to reveal it on his terms.
"So young? Wait..." Kakuzu's eyes widened in shock. "You're... Hanekawa?!"
"You've met me?"
"Your portrait is in the black market." Kakuzu took a deep breath. "There's a hundred million ryo bounty on your head."
"A hundred million?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. "Who's offering?"
"Anonymous commissions. But no one's stupid enough to accept it." Kakuzu paused. "A ninja who captures tailed beasts alive? Assassinating him would be suicide."
Only the five major countries could afford that bounty, Hanekawa thought. Probably the Hidden Cloud or Hidden Stone.
"The black market keeps everything anonymous," Kakuzu continued. "But I have to ask—how do you have both Wood Style and Sharingan?"
"If you want to live long, don't be curious," Hanekawa said. He paused. "Are you planning to cash in that bounty?"
"You're not worried I'll run?"
"Try it."
Hanekawa's smile was confident. He'd marked Kakuzu with a Flying Thunder God seal during their fight. Running would be pointless.
"Forget it. I gave my word." Kakuzu meant it. "Since I've already promised, I won't break it."
This was Hanekawa—the ninja who'd ended the Third Great War single-handedly.
"Then go," Hanekawa said casually. "I'll find you when I'm done."
He put his mask back on and turned toward another direction.
---
Suien opened the door to find a masked figure.
"Who are you?" His hand moved toward a weapon.
Hanekawa's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
Suien was a jonin at best—ordinary strength for a small village. He had no resistance to the Mangekyō's power.
"I have questions," Hanekawa said, closing the door. "You'll answer them."
After the conversation, Hanekawa understood Suien's situation. The man knew nothing of dragon veins or seal-breaking techniques. That made sense—in the original timeline, Suien only discovered the dragon vein when Yamato, Naruto, Sai, and Sakura chased him there. That wouldn't happen for another decade.
But Hanekawa could accelerate the timeline.
He knew the sealing techniques Minato had used.
Using the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Hanekawa implanted false memories into Suien's mind, then left. With these fabricated recollections, the centipede would seek out the dragon vein. Breaking the seal would take time, even with Hanekawa's help.
To prevent complications, he'd assign an ANBU team to monitor him.
---
The black market—the underground exchange, also known as the special mission hall. It served rebellious and wandering ninjas, offering bounties on anyone: ordinary shinobi, bloodline users, village Kage, even daimyo. All had prices.
Kakuzu exchanged his bounty and waited at the entrance.
He spotted Hanekawa studying a bulletin board.
"Interested in the Hidden Sand?" Kakuzu asked, approaching.
"The Hidden Sand is one of the five major powers. As the Hokage's assistant, I need to understand their situation."
"They haven't chosen the Fourth Kazekage yet," Kakuzu observed. "Yakura's the acting leader, but Rasa has better strength and record. With Chiyo and Ebizo retired, it's tense."
"Who do you think will win?" Hanekawa asked.
"There's an underground casino in the Hidden Sand betting on it." Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with interest. "If you knew, I'd place a bet."
Hanekawa considered. Strength mattered most in the ninja world. Rasa possessed the Magnetic Release technique—the Third Kazekage's kekkei genkai. It would bring wealth and ease economic pressure. He'd likely become the Fourth.
Unless external forces intervened.
If Pakura becomes Kazekage, would she have an entry?
Hanekawa didn't know. But if Rasa won, there'd be no entry. Worth testing.
"Bet on Pakura," Hanekawa said with a smile. "But don't blame me if you lose."
Kakuzu hesitated.
"I have a task for you now," Hanekawa changed the subject. "Infiltrate the Village of Craftsmen. Learn everything about it. Ideally, become a high-ranking official."
"The Village of Craftsmen?" Kakuzu's frown deepened. "You want to make ninja tools?"
"Buy and sell them," Hanekawa corrected.
Kakuzu's expression shifted. He suddenly understood. Selling ninja tools to every village would be incredibly profitable. His previous thinking had been too limited to ninja work alone.
Working for the strongest ninja in the world might not be so bad, Kakuzu thought. Especially if it makes me the richest man alive.
---
In the deserted desert, Hanekawa and Kakuzu vanished.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
Kakuzu's certainty solidified. Hanekawa was the real deal—not just strong, but possessing space-time ninjutsu. The most dangerous kind of ninja.
Can't fight. Can't escape. But with his identity and power, becoming the richest man in the ninja world might actually happen.
---
Less than thirty minutes later, Hanekawa arrived in the Land of Birds.
Controlling Suien was easier than Kakuzu. He was just a jonin from a small village—weaker than jonin from the five major powers. Their assessment standards were looser, and their available techniques far inferior.
After ordering Suien to attack Takigakure Village in two days, Hanekawa returned to the ANBU base in Konoha.
Two days would give Suien and his forces time to travel from the Land of Birds to the Land of Waterfalls. Using Flying Thunder God to transport so many people would be tedious.
---
"Lord Hanekawa."
Haru greeted him as he entered. "Konan from the Akatsuki is waiting in your office."
Hanekawa paused. Konan? Why?
He walked into the office.
Konan stood from the sofa, greeting him. She wore a black bodysuit with mesh lining at the neckline, the hem ending at her thighs. Unlike her original timeline appearance, she had no black windbreaker with red clouds—Yahiko was still alive.
"Senior Sister Konan," Hanekawa said warmly. "Long time. What brings you?"
"I came to apologize," Konan said, bowing deeply. "For Akatsuki breaking our alliance with Konoha."
Konoha had helped them eliminate Hanzo, formed an alliance, sent supplies and money. Breaking the contract was neither moral nor reasonable. But Nagato, blinded by revenge for his parents and influenced by Uchiha Madara, had insisted. They had no choice but to comply.
"Don't dwell on the past," Hanekawa said casually.
"Thank you." Konan straightened, smiling.
Because of Hanekawa's influence, Akatsuki was thriving. She wasn't the cold, distant figure from the original timeline.
Her smile faded into hesitation.
She needed to ask him for something.
After several seconds of internal struggle, she made her decision. After all, only Hanekawa could help with this.