"The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki has been successfully captured."
On the outskirts of Takigakure, Kakuzu said in a low voice, his pea-sized eyes narrowed as the black tendrils of Earth Grudge Fear retracted into his body.
Before him stood the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, a beautiful young girl.
Takigakure had done a decent job protecting its Jinchuriki. Beside the girl lay the corpses of two Jonin, both of whom had died at Kakuzu's hands.
Ever since Hidan had been captured by Konoha, Kakuzu's team had been left with only him. No new member had been assigned to fill the vacancy, while Danzo had been placed in Kisame's team.
In truth, even if Danzo had been assigned to his team, Kakuzu would have objected.
Having lived since the Warring States Period, Kakuzu had naturally dealt with Danzo before. They had crossed paths during several Shinobi World Wars, and Kakuzu had even accepted missions issued through Danzo's side—though Danzo had never appeared personally.
Their cooperation could not be called pleasant. Kakuzu had never held much goodwill toward that Konoha higher-up. He still remembered how Root had failed to pay the remaining balance after he killed someone for them, and had even tried to silence him afterward.
Those people had naturally died by his hand in the end, and Danzo's credibility in Kakuzu's eyes had dropped below zero, where it remained to this day.
If the two were teamed up, Kakuzu could not guarantee that he would not try to collect that debt. There was more than a ninety percent chance they would start fighting each other first.
"Now that I've captured the Seven-Tails, my mission is completely finished... Next, I can consider picking up a few jobs in the black market."
Hoisting the young Seven-Tails Jinchuriki over his shoulder, Kakuzu headed toward one of their bases