Chapter 364 - 49

AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 49: Principled KakuzuAt this moment, all the low-level thugs had been cleared out. Kakuzu finally made his late entrance with the air of a "great villain." He saw through Naruto's Transformation Jutsu at a glance and said, "Brat, let me see your true face! You're going to die anyway, and if there's a bounty on your head, I can make a fortune."Naruto smiled upon hearing this and replied, "Then it shall be as you wish! However, I'd rather not let others see my face."Having said that, he turned his head to look at Robin, who immediately understood his meaning. She instantly used her Wheel Flower Technique, and three arms grew on everyone in the private room, covering their eyes and ears.After finishing the technique, she added coldly, "So troublesome. I really feel like just blinding them all instead."Such words coming from such a cute face created an indescribable sense of dissonance. Fortunately, after being together for so long, Naruto had grown accustomed to her way of speaking.However, her words piqued Kakuzu's interest. He looked at Robin with a playful smile and said, "Oh? What you said suits my taste quite well. But if I had your ability, I'd be more direct and just snap their necks.But speaking of which, you're the one who started all this today, aren't you? I didn't realize you were such a master of gambling tricks."Robin retorted bluntly, "What? Are they allowed to run a casino and use rigged machines to cheat people, but I'm not allowed to use some methods to win money? Where did such an overbearing rule come from?"Kakuzu chuckled and said, "So you don't know the rules here! Heh, running a casino is just like any other business; there must be a way to ensure a profit. Otherwise, how do you think people make money?And everyone knows this, yet they still come here to try their luck, constantly comforting themselves that they'll leave after winning just one round. But the more they think like that, the worse they lose in the end.Isn't it better to earn money through your own abilities? Look at me, I work here when nothing is happening, and when a bounty target appears, I make some extra cash. Why rely on luck?As for the behavior of you two, it's even less honorable. You broke the house rules and injured so many people. How crude!However, I really appreciate your ability. If you promise to follow me from now on and win money specifically for me, I can consider sparing your life.Alright, enough talk. It's time for me to see what you two really look like!"Naruto felt a bit of a headache from Kakuzu's talking. He really hadn't expected that Kakuzu, who was so decisive in killing and loved money as much as his life, would be such a chatterbox. Was it because he had lived too long and was getting old?Nevertheless, he followed the request and reverted to his original appearance. Seeing the two of them truly surprised Kakuzu. Although he had called them "brats" before, given his age, even calling the Third Hokage that wouldn't be an issue.But Kakuzu really hadn't expected that these two people with decent strength were actually so young—completely just two children.At this point, Naruto's Sharingan was already active. He spoke up, "I didn't expect that Kakuzu, who treats human life like grass, would actually be so principled. I really didn't expect your philosophy of earning money through your own hard work."But in reality, looking at Kakuzu's experience, he was definitely a competent subordinate. During the era of chaos, as an elite of Takigakure, Kakuzuaccepted a mission from the higher-ups to assassinate the First Hokage. Who was Hashirama? He was the God of Shinobi! At that time, he was the undisputed number one in the Ninja World.Knowing full well it was an impossible task and that he would likely lose his life, Kakuzu still went without hesitation or a single complaint.After infiltrating the Land of Fire, Kakuzu fought the First Hokage, Hashirama, but was ultimately defeated by Hashirama's Wood Release secret technique, nearly losing his life. Fortunately, Kakuzu managed to escape in the end. However, when he returned to his Village, what awaited him was the stigma of mission failure and severe punishment.He had risked his life for the Village and done everything to complete the mission they gave him, only to be treated cruelly. This caused a drastic change in Kakuzu's personality and made him question his sense of belonging.Consequently, Kakuzu escaped from prison with intense hatred and took the secret technique that the Village regarded as a treasure. He used this technique to take the hearts of all the high-ranking officials in the Village. This secret technique was the vascular tentacles Kakuzu used—Earth Grudge Fear.From then on, Kakuzu stopped trusting others. He believed that things like comrades were not as reliable as cold gold. After joining the Akatsuki Organization, he had many teammates, but without exception, they were all killed by him.It wasn't until later that he finally met the best partner of his life, the man who worshipped Jashin and could not be killed no matter what—Hidan....Kakuzu saw his Sharingan and asked in confusion, "Oh? These eyes... the Uchiha Clan? No, you only have the Sharingan in one eye. Was it transplanted later?Wait, your face looks a bit familiar. Let me see."As he spoke, Kakuzu actually pulled out a small notebook from his robe, wetted his finger with his tongue, and began searching through the pages.After a moment, his eyes lit up. He closed the notebook, put it back in his robe, and said with some excitement, "I thought you looked familiar. So you're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha Village!Haha, I'm really in luck today. As long as I can deal with you, I can collect three payments. I don't even need to mention the shares from the casino and the Akatsuki Organization; your head also has a high price on it at the Bounty Station!You really are my lucky star! But the intel didn't mention anything about you having the Sharingan. Well, it doesn't matter; I'm going to kill you anyway."After saying that, the way Kakuzu looked at Narutochanged, as if he were looking at a dead man, devoid of any other emotion. Seeing this, Narutoasked, "Since you know I have the Sharingan, you still dare to stare at it like that? Aren't you afraid I'll use Genjutsu on you?"Kakuzu might have been a bit too excited and hadn't thought of that. When Naruto said those words, he was visibly a bit embarrassed.