Transaction

"How could that be? Peach Country had just won a war. Even if that guy was a famous miser, there was no way he'd come to collect a debt at a time like this."

Come to think of it, that made sense. Even debt collection had to wait until the war was over. Coming to demand payment now was practically asking for death.

"If he's not here to collect a debt, then what is he here for?" Shiraishi Yoshijo asked with an odd expression. "Don't tell me he's here to give me money?"

"I'm afraid Your Majesty may actually be right," Oyashiro En said. "I dealt with Kakuzu for a long time. Although he's greedy for money, he possesses an almost beast-like instinct for business opportunities. That guy can smell money."

"Heh, what a talent. Fine, bring him in."

Led by the Anbu, Kakuzu soon appeared in the hall.

Compared to the tattered clothes he used to wear, Kakuzu was far more particular now. He wore a black top hat, a well-fitted black suit, and a pair of leather shoes polished bright as mirrors.

He looked every bit like a medieval gentleman. No one would have guessed that he had once been an outlaw.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty."

Kakuzu removed his hat and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to receive me. I am deeply honored."

To be honest, no matter how many times he saw it, Shiraishi Yoshijo still found this refined version of Kakuzu deeply unsettling.

"Kakuzu, we're all old acquaintances. No need to be so formal. Sit down, quickly. Someone, bring tea!"

Shiraishi Yoshijo rose from the throne and walked down, warmly pulling Kakuzu over to sit on the sofa, the smile on his face blooming like a chrysanthemum.

"You, the