Everyone, Stand Back

The daimyo didn't even have guards like these, did he?

Kakuzu was confident in his own strength, but facing fifteen Uchiha Clan ninja had made him keep his greed for money in check—for now.

But with a bounty this high, who could say how long Kakuzu, who loved money as much as life itself, would hold on to his self-control...

Ye Ning had badly underestimated their pursuer. He hadn't expected the man hiding in the shadows to be so patient.

If he didn't make a move today, by dusk they'd probably have reached the Capital City of the Land of Fire.

Once they reached the Capital City and returned to the Daimyo Mansion, their pursuer surely wouldn't dare attack.

Otherwise, he'd face an endless manhunt.

"Your Highness, that pursuer is still behind us."

Uchiha Ryu was curious, too.

A ninja had to avoid impatience, and patience was one of the essential qualities of a shinobi. Still, it was rare to find someone as patient as this pursuer.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when a sudden noise came from up ahead.

A figure abruptly appeared before them, blocking their way.

The instant Ye Ning recognized him, his pupils contracted.

"Kakuzu!"

The man before them was none other than the infamous bounty hunter and S-rank rogue ninja from Takigakure, Kakuzu!

At last, Kakuzu had made up his mind. He wasn't about to let the bounty slip away, so he stopped and asked with an odd expression, "Kid, you know who I am?"

His voice came from beneath his mask, muffled but still tinged with surprise.

"Of course I do."

"Kakuzu. You're an old-timer from the same era as the First and Madara Uchiha. You were a ninja from Takigakure, and you once took a mission to assassinate the First. After you failed, the village elders framed you and punished you severely. So you defected, stealing Takigakure's treasure, Earth Grudge Fear, in the process. That secret technique gave you an endless lifespan, and you've survived to this day as an infamous S-rank rogue ninja."

Ye Ning calmly recounted Kakuzu's history, even accurately naming the secret technique he possessed.

Kakuzu suddenly felt a little uneasy.

He was the bounty hunter who'd accepted the job, so why did his prey seem to know him inside and out?

Huh?

Wasn't this a little strange?

Kakuzu instinctively took two steps back, his eyes full of confusion.

"Wondering how I know so much about you?"

Ye Ning smiled, completely unruffled. "You came to kill me. You should know a thing or two about who I am, shouldn't you?"

"Of course. You're the only son of the Land of Fire's daimyo."

Kakuzu had no qualms about hunting the daimyo's only son.

He wouldn't dare kill the daimyo himself, but he had the nerve to kill an heir who hadn't yet become daimyo.

Besides, the man who'd put a price on Ye Ning's head had offered an amount he simply couldn't refuse.

Eighty million!

That was eighty million!

How many people would he have to kill to make that much?

"Since you know who I am and still dared to come after me, I have to say, I admire your courage."

Ye Ning spread his hands, smiling.

"Too bad. As the daimyo's son, I know a lot more than you could imagine."

Faced with a notorious bounty hunter like Kakuzu, Ye Ning wasn't afraid in the slightest. If anything, he was eager to test himself.

If he didn't know Kakuzu's abilities—or that he had five hearts—he'd certainly be at a disadvantage.

But once he knew Kakuzu's secret, the man's strength amounted to little more than the lower end of Kage Level.

At his current level, Ye Ning might well have a chance.

Besides, he was eager to find out exactly how strong he'd become.

Ye Ning wasn't afraid at all, but Uchiha Ryu was on edge. He stepped forward to stand between Kakuzu and Ye Ning, afraid Kakuzu might attack without warning.

To Uchiha Ryu, Ye Ning was just a rich young master. Even if he knew a few jutsu, he'd be no more than a mediocre shinobi. His opponent, however, was a renowned S-rank rogue ninja. Even Uchiha Ryu wasn't sure he could escape a fight with Kakuzu unscathed.

If the daimyo's son came to harm under their protection...

Uchiha Ryu didn't dare imagine what kind of punishment the Uchiha Clan would face!

They might even be wiped out!

The other Uchiha ninja also realized how serious the situation was. They gathered around Ye Ning, shielding him at the center, their stance making it clear that anyone who wanted to reach him would have to step over their dead bodies.

One by one, their Sharingan quietly opened. The atmosphere tightened at once.

Seeing this, Ye Ning could only laugh helplessly.

Come on, he wasn't that precious, was he?

Still, Ye Ning didn't complain. This small gesture showed just how much the Uchiha Clan valued him.

Kakuzu didn't retreat. He was weighing his options.

Across from him stood fifteen Uchiha Clan ninja, with fifteen Sharingan between them.

Even confident in his own strength, Kakuzu had to think carefully.

He could sense that Uchiha Ryu, at the front of the group, wasn't much weaker than he was.

With the other Uchiha ninja backing him up, Kakuzu might not come out ahead.

But he wasn't willing to give up eighty million ryō for nothing, either.

After weighing his options again and again, Kakuzu finally made up his mind.

Kakuzu gave a cold laugh. A hideous mask creature had appeared on his shoulder.

He was taking that eighty million ryō!

Even if the Uchiha ninja's assault cost him a few hearts, killing Ye Ning and claiming the eighty million would make it worthwhile!

He could always replace his hearts, but once the eighty million was gone, it was gone for good!

And if things went badly, he could always escape using his secret technique.

As his chakra surged, a mass of black threads emerged around Kakuzu's body, twitching eerily in the air. Together with the mask creature behind him, they were enough to frighten anyone.

"Your Highness Ye Ning, please step back to avoid getting caught in the crossfire!"

Uchiha Ryu drew the sword at his back and held it across Ye Ning's path.

But Ye Ning shook his head.

I still need to use Kakuzu to test how well my training has paid off. How could I let you steal the spotlight?

"Everyone, stand back."

"Your Highness Ye Ning?"

Uchiha Ryu stared in confusion as Ye Ning stepped out from among his guards, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan full of bewilderment.

No, we're protecting you.

Why are you walking out here?

Are you trying to get yourself killed?

"Everyone, stand back. I'm about to show off."