Elsewhere, at the Underground Bounty Office in the Land of Rice.
Kakuzu had just completed a bounty mission and was happily counting his money at the counter.
For Kakuzu, nothing was more joyful than hearing the crisp sound of banknotes.
Suddenly, Kakuzu paused, pulled out a bill, and handed it to the staff member beside him.
"This bill is a little worn. Exchange it for another."
"Of course, Lord Kakuzu."
The staff member hurriedly replaced it with a new bill.
Just then, the person in charge of the bounty office emerged from the back and whispered mysteriously to Kakuzu.
"Lord Kakuzu, news has just arrived. There is a new S-rank mission."
Kakuzu's eyes immediately lit up. An S-rank mission meant a great deal of money.
He immediately asked, "How much?"
"Fifteen million ryo."
Kakuzu hurriedly put the money back into its box.
"Give me the mission."
A hint of difficulty flashed across the manager's face as he said in a low voice,
"This is a top-secret mission. Once you look at it, you must accept it.
"Furthermore, the employer requires each bounty office to assign only one person to take the mission."
Kakuzu waved his hand. "Then I'll take it. You should know my strength."
The manager nodded, took a Mission Scroll and the related intelligence from the safe, and handed them to Kakuzu.
"The assassination target is Master Digo of the Temple of Fire.
"The employer has a time requirement. The target must be assassinated only after he leaves the Temple of Soup.
"And he must not be allowed to enter the Land of Fire."
Kakuzu looked puzzled. "Spending so much money just to kill a monk?"
The manager nodded firmly. "Yes. A monk without much strength, though we cannot rule out the possibility that ninja are protecting him."