The Third Hokage with Hashirama's Spirit, a Reputation for Kindness (2/10)

"Hokage, please explain your strategy today."

Kakuzu paused for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice.

Shimura Danzō's face darkened further.

Why are you using honorifics when it comes to Hiruzen? All I did was see through one of your Ninjutsu!

"That's how it is--"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, "Lady Mito Uzumaki, I wonder if you still remember me?"

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.

How could he not remember?

The wife of that God of Shinobi.

This person was present when he attacked Senju Hashirama.

As he lay on the ground struggling, Mito Uzumaki's Adamantine Sealing Chains bound him tightly, turning him into a mummy.

Kakuzu will probably never forget the fighting prowess of this couple.

"Of course I remember—" Kakuzu replied, the suspicion in his eyes fading slightly.

He's a sentimental person, just not that sentimental.

"Lady Mito said that there was once a young man who sought to spar with Lord Hashirama Takigakure, called Earth Grudge Fear, which has miraculous effects on repairing meridians and severed limbs."

That's right--

"Therefore, Konoha would like to sign a long-term contract with you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a serious tone, "I've heard that you're very interested in money?"

"Name your price. We sincerely want to buy. Some of our village's disabled ninjas, suffering from old injuries, are in dire need of the Earth Grudge Fear to ensure their quality of life and dignity as ninjas."

Kakuzu frowned.

When Mito Uzumaki was mentioned, he thought Hiruzen Sarutobi was planning to use a scheme to take advantage of a debt of gratitude.

He truly hadn't expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi would actually want to buy it.

Kakuzu was actually prepared to cede a piece of Earth Grudge Fear.

Furthermore, what constitutes a ninja's quality of life and dignity?

The words themselves weren't unusual, but when put together, they felt very unfamiliar to him.

Ninjas are just tools.

If a tool breaks, there's no need to go to great lengths to repair it; just replace it with a new one.

"The Earth Grudge Fear is indeed remarkably effective in repairing severed limbs and clearing the meridians."

"However, it is not very effective for old injuries or long-term disabilities, unless the body maintains a high degree of activity."

"I need to make this clear—"

Kakuzu thought to himself, "Hiruzen Sarutobi speaks so righteously, but in reality, he probably just wants to make use of what's useless."

He dreamt that the Earth Grudge Fear could restore the fighting power of those crippled ninjas.

Even if those disabled ninjas' severed limbs were preserved relatively well using Sealing Jutsu.

But over time, even if you manage to connect the dots, you'll still have an extra, useless hand, unable to Hand Seals properly, making you useless on the battlefield.

"So, it works on most bodies that are still alive? That's great for first aid—" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully. "It doesn't matter if it's not very effective; something is better than nothing."

While the Earth Grudge Fear has limitations, it is very suitable for situations like the Great Figurines Tobirama.

The problem with the Tobirama-Izuna Clone is the presence of Meridian Nodules due to imperfect technology.

But the body's vitality is not a problem.

For ordinary ninjas, if they could preserve the severed limbs properly, they could at least reattach them, which was better than nothing.

It might at least be helpful to their mental health.

On the battlefield, the Earth Grudge Fear is clearly an excellent material for first aid and bandaging.

Take Uchiha Hono for example. If he had possessed the Earth Grudge Fear when Senju Tobirama severed his arm, he probably wouldn't have been left with only one arm for the rest of his life.

"No problem, we'll take them—" Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped his fingers.

With Shimura Danzō placed the briefcase on the table.

Upon opening it, there were bundles of brand-new banknotes, totaling thirty million taels.

It's just that the Land of Fire's banknotes have relatively large denominations; otherwise, Danzo would have had to carry such a large bag.

It undermines his dignity as the Hokage's assistant and the Darkness of the Shinobi!

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he looked at Kakuzu.

Logically speaking, negotiation shouldn't be about letting the other party name their price.

However, Kakuzu nowadays doesn't have the leeway to ask for exorbitant amounts of money.

Furthermore, Hiruzen Sarutobi also wanted to take this opportunity to observe Kakuzu Kakuzu's obsession with money stemmed from a morbid obsession with "equivalent exchange."

Kakuzu remained silent for a long time.

At this moment, he finally believed in Konoha, or rather, in the Hokage standing before him.

They actually came to him to do business.

Even when murder and robbery were clearly possible, choosing a fair trade and letting him name his own price was the better option.

"It depends on how much you want--"

Kakuzu yanked his arm, and a torrent of demonic threads surged out from the gap.

Shimura Danzō squinted.

This form is so grotesque that it can hardly be considered human anymore.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't react much, just observed curiously.

Compared to some of Orochimaru's techniques, Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear, though strange, is still acceptable.

Kakuzu's lips moved slightly, as if he were doing some mental calculations. "Thirteen million taels, about twenty catties, that's the most active part, this is my cost price."

Shimura Danzō coldly retorted, "A catty costs nearly 700,000 taels, and you're worth over 100 million?"

There was something else Danzo to say, but he hesitated and didn't say it aloud.

He was thinking, "Do you think we, Konoha, are selling Sage Land Pill? Making such a huge profit!"

Kakuzu frowned; he deeply disliked Danzo.

Because in the past, the Root often hired bounty hunters without paying them, engaging in double-crossing.

They are disruptors of the underground order.

Those who don't understand business should refrain from interfering.

"First, this is the most viable part; second, I calculated this based on combat losses; third, removing these parts would affect my combat effectiveness and consequently, my ability to secure large orders."

Things have gotten this far, there's no need to hide anything anymore.

Kakuzu ignored Shimura Danzō and instead looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi: "If Your Hokage wishes for a fair trade, this is my bottom line."

"Alright, I'll give you twenty million taels for these Earth Grudge Fear. Business needs to be profitable, Konoha doesn't mistreat its friends."

"You may take the remaining ten million taels as well."

"Three million taels is the deposit for the next round, and the remaining seven million taels is for hiring you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a generous wave of his hand.

Thirty million taels?

Three hundred Sage Pill! That's only a year's supply for seven or eight Nobles.

If this allows the Earth Grudge Fear to be applied to Konoha's war system, the resulting benefits would far exceed what 30 million ryo could possibly provide.

Moreover, aside from the Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu's behavior patterns and his own character are also extremely valuable.

A bounty hunter with shadow-level strength and immense experience who spends his days traveling between various countries without attracting much attention—

It's such a great deal that you can hire them for just a little money.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a discerning person. Upon sensing it, he realized that the Earth Chakra Earth Grudge Fear that Kakuzu had just released contained extremely thick and dense chakra, clearly different from the other parts.

It is an essence similar to "heart's blood" or "core tissue".

Kakuzu was visibly taken aback.

He shared the same sentiment as the daimyo of the Land of Fire, Kujo Gen Daimyo, Nara Clan Akimichi Clan, and the Hyuga Clan.

The Third Hokage was indeed a kind and honest person!

"Hokage, what do you need me to do?" Kakuzu asked earnestly.

"During your employment, do not antagonize Konoha; we know you've done that very well in the past."

"Gather valuable intelligence that you think Konoha would be interested in. As for the price, it should be 10% higher than the Bounty Office price, settled upon arrival in Konoha, with any overpayment refunded and any underpayment collected."

"I know you are a merchant, Kakuzu, who believes in the order and principle of equivalent exchange." Hiruzen Sarutobi deliberately emphasized the second half of the sentence.

Kakuzu remained silent for a moment.

"Hokage, would you be willing to exchange a blow with me? Three million taels will be deducted from the price of the intelligence."

Seemingly fearing Hiruzen Sarutobi might misunderstand, Kakuzu added, "To fully activate the Earth Grudge Fear, Chakra must be mobilized for battle—"

But actually, Kakuzu wanted to confirm one thing.

Was Hiruzen Sarutobi actually stronger than him?

In this dog-eat-dog Shinobi World, rife with betrayal and filth, is there truly anyone who, when stronger than their opponent and in No-Man place, can restrain themselves from violence and uphold the rules?

Kakuzu ever met one person like that: the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

"Then please."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, "I'd love to see the might of the Earth Grudge Fear—"