Everyone Back Off

Even the Daimyo's Son wouldn't have guards like these, would he?

Although Kakuzu was brimming with confidence in his own strength, facing fifteen ninjas of the Uchiha clan forced him to temporarily suppress his craving for money.

But just how long a man who loved money as much as his own life could maintain his sanity in the face of such a high bounty was anyone's guess...

Ye Ning had completely underestimated this stalker, never imagining that the person hiding in the shadows could be so patient.

If they didn't make a move today, they would likely reach the capital of the Land of Fire by dusk.

Once they arrived at the capital and returned to the Daimyo Mansion, this stalker would certainly not choose to strike.

Otherwise, he would face endless pursuit.

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

Uchiha Ryu felt a sense of curiosity as well.

Although being impatient is the greatest taboo for a ninja and patience is an essential quality, it was rare to see someone as composed as this stalker.

No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than a noise erupted from the front.

An abrupt figure appeared before the group, blocking their path.

The moment he saw the figure, Ye Ning's pupils constricted instantly.

"Kakuzu!"

The person who had arrived was none other than the infamous bounty hunter, the S-rank missing-nin from Takigakure, Kakuzu!

Having finally made up his mind and unwilling to let the bounty slip away, Kakuzu stopped in his tracks, his expression slightly strange:

"Kid, you know me?"

The voice came from beneath his mask, sounding somewhat muffled, yet the surprise in his tone was still evident.

"Of course I do."

"Kakuzu, an old man from the same era as the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha, a ninja of Takigakure who once took on the mission to assassinate the First Hokage. After the mission failed, you were framed and heavily punished by the village elders. So, you simply chose to defect, stealing Takigakure's treasure, Earth Grudge Fear, in the process. By relying on this forbidden technique to possess an endless lifespan, you have survived to this day as a notorious S-rank missing-nin."

Ye Ning recounted Kakuzu's history, even precisely naming the forbidden technique he possessed.

This made Kakuzu feel a sudden sense of panic in his heart.

He was the bounty hunter who had accepted the mission; why did this prey know everything about the hunter?

Huh?

Wasn't this development a bit strange?

Kakuzu subconsciously took two steps back, his eyes filled with bewilderment.

"Surprised that I know you so well?"

Ye Ning smiled slightly, feeling no panic at all: "You came to kill me, so you must have some understanding of my identity, right?"

"Naturally. The only son of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

Kakuzu felt no burden in his heart regarding the assassination of the Daimyo's only son.

He certainly wouldn't dare kill a Daimyo, but he had the guts to kill an heir who wasn't yet the Daimyo.

What's more, the guy who put a price on Ye Ning's head had offered a sum he simply couldn't refuse.

Eighty million!

That was eighty million!

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

"Since you know my identity and still dare to come and assassinate me, honestly, I admire your courage."

Ye Ning spread his hands, a smile appearing on his face:

"It's just a pity that, as the Daimyo's Son, my intelligence network far exceeds your imagination."

Facing a notorious bounty hunter like Kakuzu, Ye Ning felt not a shred of fear; in fact, he felt a sense of eagerness.

If he didn't understand Kakuzu's abilities and didn't know he had a full five lives, he would certainly suffer a great loss.

But once his secret was known, given Kakuzu's strength, he was at best a gatekeeper for Kage-level power.

With his current strength, victory was not out of the question.

Moreover, Ye Ning was also desperate to know just what level his own strength had reached.

Ye Ning was completely unfazed, but Uchiha Ryu, standing to the side, was terrified. He stepped forward twice to stand between Kakuzu and Ye Ning, fearing that Kakuzu might strike suddenly.

In Uchiha Ryu's eyes, Ye Ning was just a wealthy young master; even if he knew a few ninjutsu, he was at best a dabbler. Yet the opponent was a famous S-rank missing-nin—someone even he might not be able to escape from unscathed.

If anything happened to the Daimyo's Son under their protection...

Uchiha Ryu didn't even dare to imagine what kind of reprimand the Uchiha clan would suffer!

It might even lead to the destruction of the Uchiha clan!

The other Uchiha ninjas also realized the gravity of the situation and gathered around Ye Ning, shielding him in the center with a tough stance that suggested anyone wanting to touch him would have to step over their corpses.

Pairs of Sharingan were quietly activated, and in an instant, the atmosphere became tense.

Seeing this, Ye Ning couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

No, he wasn't really that precious, was he?

However, Ye Ning didn't complain; instead, he could see from this small detail just how much the Uchiha clan valued him.

Kakuzu did not retreat, choosing instead to weigh the pros and cons.

Opposite him stood fifteen Uchiha clan ninjas, totaling fifteen pairs of Sharingan.

Even with his confidence in his own strength, Kakuzu had to carefully consider the situation.

He could sense that Uchiha Ryu, standing at the very front of the formation, was seemingly not much weaker than himself.

Coupled with the other Uchiha ninjas, he might not necessarily come out on top.

Yet, if he were to simply give up on those eighty million ryo, Kakuzu would not be reconciled.

After weighing his options repeatedly, Kakuzu finally made up his mind.

Kakuzu let out a cold laugh, and a hideous, terrifying masked monster suddenly emerged from his shoulder.

He wanted those eighty million ryo!

Even if he lost a few hearts under the siege of the Uchiha ninjas, as long as he could kill Ye Ning and take those eighty million ryo, it would be a gain!

After all, hearts could be replenished at any time, but if eighty million ryo were gone, they were truly gone!

Moreover, even if the situation turned sour, he could always use his secret techniques to escape.

Accompanied by a surge of chakra, a large mass of black threads appeared around Kakuzu's body, dancing eerily in the air. Combined with the masked monster behind him, it was easy to instill fear in anyone.

"Your Highness Ye Ning, please step back to avoid being caught in the aftermath of the battle!"

Uchiha Ryu drew the blade from his back, positioning himself in front of Ye Ning.

But Ye Ning shook his head.

He still needed to use Kakuzu to test the results of his training; how could he let them steal his spotlight?

"All of you, fall back."

"Your Highness Ye Ning?"

Uchiha Ryu looked at Ye Ning, who had stepped out from among the guards, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan filled with confusion and bewilderment.

No, we are protecting you.

Why are you running out yourself?

Are you afraid you won't die fast enough?

"All of you, fall back. I'm about to start showing off."