Love Around the Corner, Kakuzu: Hello

"This Master will kill you!"

Hidan flew into a furious rage. After all, he really couldn't perform Water Walking or Tree Walking.

Seeing this, Shennong, who had remained silent at the side as an onlooker, narrowed his eyes slightly and said blandly:

"I don't need to fight. I can carry him down."

Uchiha Ci glanced sideways at him, thinking, Forget carrying him down—even carrying him through a marathon wouldn't be a problem for an old man like you.

However, letting Shennong carry Hidan down would be like sending a meat bun to a dog.

This guy had been staring at Hidan, wanting to gou something out of him. Though he currently looked all honest, like he was only watching, who knew what unexpected event might happen if he were allowed to do as he pleased.

"Let's scout the situation first." Uchiha Ci shook his head and pointed at the city wall below, which clung to the mountain cliff.

Then he turned to Hidan.

"And Hidan, be prepared to stay here."

Hidan said nothing. Mei Terumi, standing beside him, nodded and instructed:

"Then I'll leave it to you, Uchiha Ci."

"From here down to the middle, there's a tree. Hide there. With your Sharingan, you should be able to clearly see the defense situation on the city wall. Record it once every fifteen minutes. After three times, we move out."

"There isn't much time. Dawn is coming."

After saying that, Mei Terumi removed her Ninja Tool Bag from her slender waist and tossed it over.

"I'm not a ninja who specializes in Shurikenjutsu, so I don't have many ninja tools. There are only three kunai, ten shuriken, and two exploding tags."

"That's enough."

Uchiha Ci caught it in one hand, weighed it, and instantly figured out how many ninja tools were inside before casually hanging it behind his waist.

He stood at the cliff edge and looked down, estimating the nearly four-hundred-meter drop below.

The wind blowing up from beneath the cliff lifted the roots of Uchiha Ci's bangs. Thin mist spread through the shadows of the mountain wall, like the gaping abyssal maw of a hidden monster.

He smiled, then leapt down under the watchful eyes of the three.

Whoosh!

Rapid descent!

Uchiha Ci opened his Sharingan in mid-air and quickly spotted the tree Mei Terumi had mentioned.

He pulled out a bandage from his body, folded it, tied it to the end of a kunai, and threw it downward.

The kunai, trailing the bandage, wrapped around the tree trunk. Uchiha Ci grabbed the bandage and swung around, changing his falling momentum before landing lightly on the tree.

Then, he carefully observed the city wall below, which was now clearly visible.

Just as Hidan had said, the castle's defenses were tight.

The night quietly passed, and two quarters of an hour soon went by. Uchiha Ci used both hands and feet to climb back up the mountain cliff.

Compared with running up the cliff face, this method conserved more Chakra.

Just as Uchiha Ci pulled himself up and poked his head over the cliff edge, Mei Terumi looked at him nervously and asked:

"How is it?"

"Reporting to the officer." Uchiha Ci grinned and briefly relayed the intelligence he had gathered.

"A bunch of minions. Nothing to worry about. There are six with Chakra signatures, all genin, patrolling in two shifts."

"Most of them are guarding the entrance to the underground cave. There are two on the city wall."

After climbing onto the cliff face, Uchiha Ci gave a simple analysis:

"As long as we kill one, we'll have at least ten minutes to rush underground, and then—"

But, Before he could finish, Uchiha Ci suddenly froze. Looking past Mei Terumi, he stared behind her head.

Within the Sharingan's field of vision, In a patch of darkness, an enormous light orb with a terrifyingly powerful Chakra signature was slowly approaching.

"And then what?" Mei Terumi frowned.

Uchiha Ci suddenly felt his mouth go dry. He pressed his lips together, his gaze gradually sharpening.

"How should I put this... I saw a big crocodile."

"A crocodile?" Mei Terumi was taken aback, thinking that this little man was actually afraid of seafood.

She immediately said speechlessly, "Don't be afraid! Ci, crocodiles are afraid when they see you too—and even more afraid than you are."

"Tch." Uchiha Ci clicked his tongue, one hand already silently resting on the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist.

"That's hard to say."

Seeing Uchiha Ci's movement, the three of them sharpened their gazes. Then they followed his line of sight and turned to look toward The Deep Darkness Behind.

Before their eyes, Footsteps gradually rang out from The Dense Forest Behind The Cliff.

Under the moonlight, A tall man slowly approached, wearing a Takigakure Rogue Ninja Headband and a Black Mask, clad in a body-concealing Black Robe, his Deep Green Pupils glowing.

The moment Uchiha Ci saw his attire, his heart sank.

This man was none other than the wielder of the secret technique "Earth Grudge Fear," Future Akatsuki's Chief Financial Officer, and currently a senior enforcer at the Underground Exchange—

A Kage Level Strong Person, Kakuzu!

Step, step—

His soles crushed the sand and dust, kicking up a gray haze.

Kakuzu approached at an unhurried pace, his gaze cold and indifferent.

"You made me search for quite a while. Never expected you'd circle back here yourselves."

His eyes swept across the four of them, pausing briefly on Shennong. He frowned, then turned all his attention to Hidan behind the three of them.

He muttered in a low voice:

"Tch, what a hassle."

"This isn't enough money. I'll have them pay more when I get back."

Having said that, Kakuzu suddenly stepped forward, his gaze icy as he shouted in a Deep Voice:

"Hand over the Child behind you."

"Or die!"

As The Words Fell, an immense and terrifying Killing Intent abruptly burst forth from Kakuzu!

Under that horrifying pressure, both Uchiha Ci and Mei Terumi could not help grinding their soles against the ground as they took a step back.

As for the still-childish Hidan, when he faced this future "best partner" of his, His pupils shrank to pinpoints. His body began trembling uncontrollably, and he unconsciously staggered back several steps, Until one foot landed at the Cliff Edge, snapping him back to his senses.

"W-What kind of person is that?!"

Hidan's face was filled with terror.

He had never seen a master of this level before. Merely relying on Killing Intent, Kakuzu had actually frightened someone into losing awareness and trembling all over.

On the other side, Shennong did not move at all. Kakuzu's Killing Intent was like a gentle breeze brushing against his face.

Still, he retreated—seven or eight steps in a row, putting plenty of distance between himself and the Squad of Three.

He looked as though he were saying, Go ahead and fight. I'll just watch.

"Kakuzu—the S-Rank Rogue Ninja of Takigakure, the Top Bounty Hunter in the Ninja World." Mei Terumi's pupils abruptly contracted. Clearly, she had recognized the Approacher as well.

She drew a kunai from the strap around her Pant Leg, one hand already forming the Snake Seal as she readied herself for battle.

Uchiha Ci stared gravely at Kakuzu, who had come for Hidan, Feeling nothing but absurdity in his heart.

The Butterfly Effect caused by him had already begun to stir up a storm!

The "Immortal Duo," who were supposed to be Partners, had now become mortal enemies, And Uchiha Ci actually had to fight Kakuzu to protect Hidan's brain?!

Am I fucking playing Plants vs. Zombies?

After a moment of stunned disbelief, Uchiha Ci immediately turned his head, his Gaze Fierce as he pointed at the cliff and shouted at Hidan:

"Hidan, jump!"

"What did you say?!"

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Bang! Bang! Bang!