Hiring Kakuzu

Why is Princess Tsunade here? Is she really here to protect Shin'nosuke Sarutobi? Probably not. He learned from Orochimaru's few words that Tsunade has significant disagreements with the village's higher-ups, otherwise she wouldn't have left for so many years.

So, is it because of the First Hokage's weapon? That's possible, after all, Noble Houses Great Clans consider family honor more important than their own lives.

The Senju Clan leader, a former god of the Shinobi World and the First Hokage, had such a glorious past. The fact that his weapon was left unused was a disgrace to the clan and made the Shinobi World look down on the Senju Clan.

So Princess Tsunade's purpose in coming here this time is probably for the Great Sword used by the First Hokage. As for protecting Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, that was probably deliberately spread by someone.

To create momentum! In order to build momentum for himself, and Princess Tsunade's tacit acceptance of the situation suggests a possible exchange of interests: Tsunade needs all the information about the Land of Whirlpools, while someone else needs to leverage that momentum.

With continuous analysis, Sesshomaru figured everything out in no time. No wonder Shin'nosuke Sarutobi deliberately mentioned Princess Tsunade's existence at certain times; he was using her as a pretext.

"Big brother, I've been kidnapped and brought here. If you just escort me home, my family is very rich."

As night fell, the bustling town was ablaze with colorful lights. Sesshomaru glanced down at Sannin Tsunade was pretending to be young, and Chunin.

While being addressed as such by the Sannin was indeed somewhat pleasing, it was clear that Princess Tsunade probably knew his identity. Therefore, there was only one person who could have revealed it: Shin'nosuke Sarutobi.

The information the other party revealed to Tsunade was likely intended to keep him in check. And what was Princess Tsunade's purpose in deliberately approaching him?

Just then, the young Tsunade put on a pitiful look, her big eyes filled with tears of grievance and helplessness. Seeing this, Sesshomaru fell silent.

"I will take a fee."

After all, he needed to fit his persona, and Tsunade, who was pretending to be a young girl, burst into tears of joy, perfectly portraying the character.

Both of them are putting on an act; in the end, it comes down to whose tactic is superior.

The young Tsunade wore a grateful expression, but inwardly she wondered if this brat was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, or if he had designs on the young girl.

And so, the two seemed to have formed a temporary employment relationship: Sesshomaru would escort the other home, and in return, the other would pay him.

"But you'll have to wait until I've finished my business."

Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru with words, coldly walked towards the hotel across the street, while the young Tsunade closely behind, looking timid.

A low gurgling sound echoed through the bustling street. Sesshomaru turned around and looked at the girl Tsunade with an indifferent gaze, who appeared shy, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

Sesshomaru turned his head and continued walking forward indifferently, as if his heart were as cold and ruthless as his face. However, he slightly deviated from the direction he was heading towards the hotel.

Following behind, Tsunade, disguised as a young girl, watched Sesshomaru lead her casually towards the Snack Street. A barely perceptible smile played on her lips. It seemed this kid wasn't so bad after all; it was just that he didn't even bother to hide his grumpy face—a quintessential Uchiha.

A bright green banknote was slowly taken out and placed directly in front of Tsunade. While she was still stunned and wondering what the other party meant, she heard him say coldly, "Put it on your tab."

What a stingy brat, not at all like Uchiha Clan, but that grumpy face is just something he was born with.

"Thank you." Although she cursed inwardly, Tsunade, disguised as a young girl, put on a grateful expression, nervously holding the banknotes and looking bewildered.

Finally, Sesshomaru led her to a food stall. After a slight pause, the young Tsunade pretended to suddenly realize something and hurriedly went forward to buy food. It was obvious that the stall had deliberately stopped her to buy food.

"I'll take this, thank you."

Tsunade, Tsunade naturally had to fit the character's persona. Her innocent appearance was tinged with caution, and she didn't dare to eat anything indiscriminately, only ordering the cheapest snack to fill her stomach. Disguise is a required course for every ninja, and someone who can reach this level has already mastered it. However, her powerful strength concealed everything.

Seeing this today, it's clear that no ninja is simple, especially those who have made a name for themselves.

After getting her snack, Tsunade followed carefully behind, eating as she went, while secretly pondering.

Hiding in the shadows, they first used this brat to find their Great-Grandfather's weapon. After all, her identity was too conspicuous; it was better to remain hidden and act as the opportunist.

Finally, there's this brat who actually interfered with Orochimaru's Human Experimentation. Just thinking about the Wood Release Project made her even angrier. She was determined to teach this brat a lesson, find out the real reason Orochimaru was expelled, who restarted the Wood Release Project, and how many more disgusting experiments were being conducted in the village!

While Tsunade was secretly plotting, Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) was also secretly scheming. The most dangerous enemies are those lurking in the shadows. Now that he knows, how can he turn this disadvantage into an advantage?

As his ancestor once said, only by uniting the majority can one deal with the minority. In terms of strength, he really can't beat these veteran Kage Level masters now, so he can only outsmart them.

Both had their own calculations. Princess Tsunade was confident that no one would recognize her, since even if she returned to Konoha in her current state, very few people would recognize her. Similarly, Uchiha Yoru (Sesshomaru) was confident that the other party thought he hadn't recognized her.

Outsmart them!

Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) pondered silently. The Sannin Jiraiya the same age. Jiraiya was 50 years old when he appeared in the Chunin Ninja Exams, and the protagonist graduated at the age of 12. However, the Chunin Ninja Exams were clearly in the second year, so he was 13 years old. If we go back 13 years, it would be the Nine-Tails Night. Tsunade is now exactly 40 years old.

At forty, Tsunade is at the peak of her life, still plump and mature, and with the Yin Seal still in place, she maintains her peak condition of being in her twenties year-round.

Furthermore, Princess Tsunade's personal status, the title of Medical Saint, and her extensive network of connections, along with her identity as Senju Clan, make her arguably the most powerful person in the world. In terms of status, even the Sannin combined cannot match her, and she even surpasses the Third Hokage.

If Tsunade could stand on this side, then he would almost have the confidence to stand up to the village's higher-ups.

It's not shameful to be a kept man; the key is to know how to make the most of it.

Just then, amidst the flickering lights and children's laughter in the distance, a glint flashed in Uchiha Yoru's eyes, while Tsunade behind him seemed oblivious.

"Grown ups."

Suddenly Sesshomaru stopped, and Tsunade, who had hurriedly swallowed the last bite of her meal, quickly adopted a respectful expression. After all, she was now playing the role of a helpless, pitiful girl who wanted to go home.

He took out a few coins from his pocket and handed them to the shopkeeper next to him. Before Tsunade could even react, Sesshomaru simply picked her up with one hand and placed her on a wooden horse.

"Play here, I'll come back for you."

Under Sesshomaru's cold and unyielding tone, Tsunade, playing the Tsunade of a pitiful girl, nodded blankly. At this moment, she was genuinely a little confused, surrounded by dazzling lights.

Carousel!

Holy crap! I'm forty years old and I'm actually going to ride a carousel!

Tsunade felt incredibly aggrieved, but she had her own plans hidden beneath her shame, so she could only suppress it. Watching Sesshomaru's retreating Sesshomaru, she couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Damn brat, you just wait until I get my hands on you!"

Sesshomaru's figure did not leave sight; he was merely communicating with someone. Chakra Tsunade. As the childish voice rang out, a dazzling array of lights appeared around them.

The carousel started turning, and all around were the joyful, excited laughter of children.

At a teahouse in the distance, Sesshomaru sat calmly as the owner politely brought over two cups of hot tea.

"Sir, here are the two cups of hot tea you ordered."

After setting down the two cups of hot tea, Sesshomaru calmly picked up one cup, while a figure wearing a gray ninja hat and a black mask slowly sat down in front of the other cup.

When was it discovered?

The person who sat down had two gleaming green eyes visible through the black mask, filled with indifference—a coldness quite different from the Sesshomaru deliberately feigned.

Sesshomaru's indifference is the kind that carries an air of nobility, as if nothing in the world is worth his attention, and this indifference is directed at life itself.

In response to the other person's question, Sesshomaru gently raised his cup in acknowledgment. The other person remained silent for a moment before slowly picking up his teacup. Thus, these two people, who seemed to have an odd relationship with each other, sat together and drank tea.

"Was it captured alive or a corpse?"

Sesshomaru, exuding an aristocratic air, slowly finished his tea. After the other person had also finished, he perfectly exemplified the etiquette of not speaking while drinking tea or eating, and then said something that might seem abrupt to others, but the other person was clearly not surprised.

Those emerald green eyes, seemingly indifferent to life yet bearing the marks of countless vicissitudes, glanced at the other person with the same detached indifference before uttering in a uniquely hoarse, deep voice, "Eight million alive, five million dead."

When money was mentioned, a flicker of emotion appeared in the man's bright green eyes. Seeing this, Sesshomaru thought to himself, "I knew it was him."

Akatsuki's North Star is the representative of 'money' within the Akatsuki group.

"We lost money."

The man's concise statement made Kakuzu frown, and he said in a deep voice, puzzled, "Your head is already listed on the Black Market for five million, or eight million if you're captured alive. That's about the price of an Elite Jonin of the Five Great Nations."

Elite Jonin from the Five Great Nations are naturally also subject to bounties, but the price is generally around five million, after all, this requires enduring the pursuit of the Five Great Nations. As for Sarutobi Asuma's price in the original work, it was simply because of his status.

Seeing Kakuzu's appearance, Sesshomaru calmly looked at him and said, "Kakuzu, a well-known figure in the Black Market."

"Ten million, for three months."

After uttering those words, others were probably a little confused, but Kakuzu, who had an obsession with money, instantly had his green eyes light up. "You mean protecting you for three months for ten million?"

Instantly, Kakuzu began to ponder deeply. If it were to capture the opponent alive in exchange for eight million, he wasn't without confidence, but he would definitely need to thoroughly understand the opponent's strength and capabilities first. This would certainly take time, and he couldn't afford to let anyone get there first. Even if he captured the opponent, wouldn't someone else try to steal him?

Moreover, based on his investigation, the other party seems to have some background, and the value is obviously a bit strange. In addition, the other party suddenly appeared on the Black Market, which raises many suspicions.

Kakuzu has not yet joined Akatsuki. He is extremely cautious as he wanders the Shinobi World alone, otherwise he wouldn't have lived for so long.

After constantly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, he finally came to the conclusion that protecting the other party for three months seemed to be more beneficial to him.

"Three million a month, four million in the third month!" Kakuzu directly chose the terms most advantageous to himself.

However, Sesshomaru shook his head and said, "Two million for the first month, three million for the second month, and five million for the third month."

He was serious about business, and Kakuzu was Kakuzu. The two men, who both had a thorough understanding of money, suddenly felt a sense of mutual respect.

"Your background is unclear. If you encounter ninjas from the Five Great Nations, you'll have to pay extra."

"Ninjas from the Five Great Nations were involved, and the final price was increased by two million."

"Make a deal."

Good heavens, the two of them reached an employment agreement in just a few words, and both were very satisfied, especially Kakuzu was practically glowing with the green light of money.

He earns ten million in three months, and if the ninjas from the Five Great Nations participate, he can earn an additional two million. He's just protecting the other party, and the other party is quite strong.

More importantly, their relationship is one of employment. Even if the matter involves the Five Great Nations ninja villages, it will still be just an employment relationship for him, and he won't be too implicated. Moreover, three months will be enough.

Perfect.

"Boss."

The moment the deal was struck, Kakuzu immediately smiled and said respectfully, instantly embracing his role as a messenger of money, even though it was all for the sake of money.

Kakuzu's appearance didn't offend Sesshomaru; instead, it brought a satisfied look to his face. "He who takes money must do the work"—how many people in his past life could uphold such a simple principle?

But Kakuzu is the kind of person who, once a deal is struck, will continue the transaction unless the mission fails.

Although it wasn't loyalty to the employer but money, this quality was something Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru), who had witnessed much of humanity, greatly admired.

"Here's one million, to be paid off at the end of this month. I need you to find out as soon as possible about the information circulating secretly about the First Hokage's weapon."

Upon receiving the start-up capital, Kakuzu immediately broke into a satisfied smile, almost calling the boss generous. However, after hearing the second half of the sentence, he said in a deep voice, "Gathering information exceeds the scope of protecting hired hands."

Kakuzu paused here, "But it's not impossible, it'll cost extra!"

Good grief, so they've come to fleece me? Seeing Kakuzu's expression, Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) remained expressionless, but inwardly he was speechless. He was always the one fleecing others, and today someone dared to fleece him. But it was alright, he would eventually show them what it meant to be worth the price.

"Okay, the information is accurate, one million."

Light and spacious!

Kakuzu immediately smiled with satisfaction. These days, it's hard to find such a generous and straightforward boss. They've negotiated so much down the price in such a short time; this is truly the most agreeable deal he's ever made in years.

Sesshomaru (Uchiha Yoru) secretly chuckled to himself. He would only pay if the information was accurate, and this price was well worth it.

Hmm, this plot isn't long, it's kind of a setup before the next little climax, haha, welcome to support!