The Strange Rogue Ninja Kakuzu and the Ninja World's Unique Brand of Beautiful Mental Instability

"Hiruzen, we have information on the Earth Grudge Fear you're looking for."

Shimura Danzō reports. "In the hands of a troublesome fellow..."

"His name is Kakuzu, and he is currently a bounty hunter, active in Bounty Office around the world."

"We strongly suspect that he is the Takigakure that Lady Mito mentioned."

Hiruzen Sarutobi began examining the relevant documents.

He was quite satisfied with this level of efficiency...

Danzo, if his ambition can be kept in check, is quite capable.

At least that's how it is from the outside...

But after reading the intelligence report, a huge question mark seemed to appear above Hiruzen Sarutobi's head.

Did I praise you for nothing?

"Loves money? So much so that he'll take on any kind of mission, even one to find a cat?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked suspiciously, "Did you mix up some of the information about Might Duy with his...?"

"No," Shimura Danzō said expressionlessly. "I'm a professional."

"You mean, a dangerous missing-nin who stole Takigakure's secret techniques and assassinated many high-ranking members..."

"Once they arrived at the Underground Black Market, they became orderly, hardworking, and had an excellent reputation, never betraying anyone, diligently completing all kinds of tasks like a model citizen?"

"It's been going on like this for over twenty years, and he's still an old man at least seventy?" Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked expressionlessly.

Do you think this is reasonable?

missing-nin and wandering ninjas are among the most dangerous people in the entire Shinobi World.

It's not that they are necessarily that strong, but given the current atmosphere in the Shinobi World after betraying the Hidden Village.

They won't gain anyone's trust; after all, no organization likes a biting tool.

The notion that ninjas are merely tools didn't form overnight; it's a subconscious construct developed over hundreds of years...

The inertia brought about by time is enormous.

Therefore, once they became individuals despised by the entire Shinobi World, each missing-nin became extremely aggressive, disregarding all order, and were true desperados.

But the man named Kakuzu acted like a model soldier from the Great Hidden Village...

Intelligence indicates that he has a zero-negative-review rate in the black market, and he even refunds deposits if a task is not completed.

A gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way, right?

"Hiruzen, my intelligence is absolutely correct. It has been repeatedly verified and tested." Shimura Danzō's expression also became somewhat strained, and his tone unusually carried a hint of grievance.

After seeing Kakuzu's information, he also found it indeed strange.

Are there really such missing-nin?

Even Danzo himself had to admit that Kakuzu was indeed a strange bounty hunter.

"This person is exceptionally cautious and rarely clashes with the Five Great Hidden Villages. His combat ability and experience surpass the level of an ordinary Jonin."

"If we want to capture him, we must be fully prepared, Hiruzen."

Shimura Danzō added, "If we fail, it will damage our reputation, after all, it concerns the First Hokage..."

"Why?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "What does this have to do with the First Hokage?"

"Hiruzen, didn't you say that Lady Mito said he once attacked the First Hokage?" Shimura Danzō said matter-of-factly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples.

"Danzo, if you were to subdue an enemy who opposes you, demonstrating your magnanimity and tolerance, and the entire Shinobi World secretly admires your character..."

"How would you feel if your junior or subordinate was slashed by this person?"

Shimura Danzō's face darkened. "Then I'll definitely chop him down too, isn't that just sabotaging things!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shrugged. "You understand now? Lord Hashirama Shinobi World aren't just related to his strength; they're inseparable from every little thing he did."

"Those cunning and Great Hidden Village, even they have to show a degree of respect when I mention the name of the First Hokage, and that's why."

"Lady Mito described him as a pitiful young man who was forced to come for a sparring match."

To use a somewhat inappropriate analogy.

If Senju Hashirama is Cao Cao, then Kakuzu is "the talented Chen Lin who once criticized him," not "the arrogant and self-important Xu You."

Shimura Danzō nodded thoughtfully.

Is Hokage really that complicated?

While the First Hokage was very strong, he had indeed harbored some doubts about his intelligence...

So it turns out he was wise in disguise!

"Then what do we do, Hiruzen..."

"Anyway, so many years have passed, not many people remember, so it should be fine, right?" Shimura Danzō said uncertainly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his Tobacco Pipe and squinted.

He wondered why there were so many contradictions in this man named Kakuzu.

"A missing-nin who possesses immortality is still interested in money..."

"Logically, money should mean almost nothing to him, so why does he act like he's obsessed with money? And if he's so obsessed with money, why would he return the deposit when the mission fails..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the intelligence report and read it carefully from beginning to end.

He was assigned by Takigakure to attack Senju Hashirama, was imprisoned upon returning to the village, and then used the Earth Grudge Fear to slaughter high-ranking officials...

Obsessed with money, diligent in performing duties, returning deposits, and fond of reading ancient books...

Thanks to Shimura Danzō's outstanding abilities, Kakuzu figure like Kakuzu, who was buried in history, was unearthed by him using intelligence from various sources.

These points, when strung together, combined with Hiruzen Sarutobi's understanding of ninjas, reveal a deeper connection to the core concepts.

He seemed to understand something.

The extreme cruelty and high pressure of the Shinobi World meant that ninjas generally didn't have a beautiful mental state, and more or less all of them had strange obsessions.

For example, the middle-aged man with bandages next to him, on the surface, seems to care about the Hokage position.

But upon deeper analysis, his behavior seems more like a desperate attempt to prove that he is no longer a "cowardly youth," reaching a point of fanaticism.

Kakuzu loves money, so perhaps what he loves isn't money itself...

Rather, as a traitor who witnessed the cruelty of the Shinobi World, he became fascinated by the sense of order that money represented through "equivalent exchange"...

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed.

"Danzo, how can I possibly believe that Kakuzu be influenced by the Will of Fire?"

"Hiruzen, I admit the Will of Fire is indeed extraordinary in your hands..."

Shimura Danzō shook his head. "But I must remind you, the Will of Fire isn't omnipotent!"

"Want to make a bet?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle.

"If you lose, you have to keep smiling all day, like Might Duy, and spend the whole day inspecting the village, greeting everyone warmly, including but not limited to the Uchiha..."

Shimura Danzō darkened.

Why does this Monkey, at such an old age, still say such frivolous things?

They're already Hokage!

Besides, the content of this bet is so childish...

Who would agree to such a strange thing!

"Hmph, then I'll teach you a lesson."

Shimura Danzō said coldly:

"I'm not kidding. If he's willing to do things for Konoha, then I'll consider you the winner!"

"If I win, then you must be the first to stand up and applaud me the next time I do something for Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and shook his head.

"That's pointless. I would have done it anyway, even without the bet."

"Then you can decide for yourself when the time comes!" Shimura Danzō maintained a cold expression, but inwardly he was quite pleased.

Hiruzen's words were truly like fine wine...

While this is undoubtedly due to his own excellence, it's also something he could learn from...

Let's get back to the main topic!

Shimura Danzō lightly, concealing his amusement. "What do we do?"

PS:

Thank you so much for your support, dear readers!

Xiaofan felt even warmer Danzo than Danzo, who was praised by Hiruzen (seriously).

Bow!!!