Return to Konoha

Kakuzu was greatly alarmed. "Who exactly are you? Why are you robbing me? I don't have any grudge against your Uchiha Clan at all!"

Seeing Kakuzu's panic, Qingcheng said seriously, "Your property is my target. If you want your money back, trade high-level Ninjutsu for it. One A-rank Ninjutsu for one hundred million, one S-rank Ninjutsu for two billion. What do you think?"

As a drifter in the Shinobi World, robbing others of their Ninjutsu and money was as easy for Kakuzu as eating dumplings.

After giving it some thought, Kakuzu nodded and said solemnly, "We have a deal. As long as I steal an S-rank Ninjutsu for you, you'll give me two billion Ryo. Neither of us can go back on our word."

Kakuzu then asked, "What is your name? How am I supposed to contact you?"

Qingcheng took out a Three-pronged Kunai and handed it to Kakuzu. "Once you've obtained an S-rank Ninjutsu or three A-rank Ninjutsu, use this to contact me. Infuse the shuriken with Chakra, and I'll sense it immediately. I can appear at your side."

Taking the Three-pronged Kunai, Kakuzu said seriously, "Your name is Uchiha Shimada, right? Since you're Madara's father, how could you possibly be short on money?"

Qingcheng immediately explained, "That useless son of mine actually tried to kill his own father. He put me through hell. Anyway, don't ask too many questions. Contact me once you find the Ninjutsu, and I'll pay you."

Qingcheng was impersonating Uchiha Shimada specifically to target Obito. That guy had been using Madara's name to swindle people and brag all over the Shinobi World. Qingcheng was determined to use Uchiha Shimada's name to crush him.

Kakuzu's face filled with mockery. "Your family is really a mess. One moment it's brother obsession, the next it's patricide."

Qingcheng barked, "Kakuzu, you've overstepped yourself! Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now and take the eggs from the chicken!"

Kakuzu was instantly horrified. "Mr. Shimada, don't get angry. I misspoke just now. Is there any Ninjutsu you like? I'll go steal it for you right away."

After thinking for a moment, Qingcheng said seriously, "The Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique, Magnet Release, Lightning Release... As long as it's an S-rank Ninjutsu, I want it."

Kakuzu said seriously, "I'll head to the Hidden Sand Village first. Mr. Shimada, get those two billion Ryo ready."

Qingcheng took fifty thousand Ryo from his pocket and handed it to Kakuzu. "Once you get out, buy yourself some decent clothes. Consider this my personal sponsorship."

Kakuzu's face was full of desolation and helplessness. "If I could beat you, I'd risk my life against you no matter what! That was my life's savings, and you robbed it all! You only gave me fifty thousand Ryo, but I had fifteen billion Ryo!"

Hearing that Kakuzu had fifteen billion, Qingcheng was overjoyed. How much land could that buy? I'm already Konoha's number one local tycoon.

Looking at Kakuzu's pained expression, Qingcheng said, "If you don't want it, I'll take it back. You can go to the Hidden Sand Village naked!"

Kakuzu took the fifty thousand Ryo with tears in his eyes, looking utterly lost. "I'll steal every Ninjutsu in the entire Shinobi World and make them pay for my savings."

Seeing that Kakuzu had already fallen into depression, Qingcheng began selling him a dream. "Little Kakuzu, don't be angry. Your savings are only being held by me temporarily. Once you collect seven S-rank Ninjutsu, I'll return your money. Once you collect eight, I'll even give you extra."

Kakuzu looked at Qingcheng's smug face. I can't beat you, but can't I beat Chiyo?

Kakuzu then asked, "Mr. Shimada, do you have any other requests? I'll fulfill all of them. Just have the money ready."

After thinking it over, Qingcheng said seriously, "If you see any girls from the Uzumaki Clan or other shinobi clans, make sure to protect them, then bring them to me."

Kakuzu immediately shook his head. "Mr. Shimada, that's outside my line of work. I can't do that sort of thing. I only know how to steal money, not protect people."

Qingcheng replied, "For each Uzumaki Clan girl, I'll give you a ten-million-Ryo reward. For girls from other clans, I can only offer five million."

Qingcheng emphasized, "Girls with Kekkei Genkai take priority."

The moment Kakuzu heard ten million, he became excited. "This mission isn't hard either. Once I get out, I'll ask around among my contacts and see where there are girls like that who need my protection."

Looking at Kakuzu's sudden change of attitude, Qingcheng said solemnly, "If I didn't push you, you wouldn't know where your potential lies. You could clearly be so outstanding, so why say you can't do it?"

Kakuzu said seriously, "Thank you, Mr. Shimada, for giving me this opportunity. I'll definitely protect girls with Kekkei Genkai for you."

Kakuzu then said seriously, "I'll head to the Hidden Sand Village first. Goodbye, Mr. Shimada." With that, Kakuzu used the Body Flicker Technique and sped toward the Hidden Sand Village.

Watching Kakuzu charge into battle for money, Qingcheng thought, As expected of a guy who'll drop his pants for cash. The title of the Shinobi World's number one workhorse is truly well deserved. The only one comparable to Kakuzu is Kabuto Yakushi. Both can get things done even without being paid.

Qingcheng complained again, "Back then, Kabuto Yakushi received no pay at all, yet still risked his life infiltrating the four great shinobi villages to gather intelligence for Danzo. In the end, Danzo stabbed him in the back and made him personally kill Nonō by mistake."

If Qingcheng met workhorses like that, he would not even have the heart to hurt them. Everyone knew workers like them were literally burning their lives away at work, just like the liver emperors at Buwanja Brick Factory.

Qingcheng entered the Exchange Office's storage room and saw piles of mission bounty orders, more than a dozen boxes of Ryo notes, and several large crates of gold ingots.

Their total value was roughly over seven billion. Qingcheng smiled. "This trip really wasn't for nothing. Not only did I establish an unbreakable friendship with Tsunade, I also obtained several high-level Ninjutsu, another seven billion, and the Flame Kusanagi Sword."

Qingcheng shouted again, "This feels incredible! If we rob a few more rich guys, we'll soon become Konoha's richest!"

Qingcheng took out a Ninjutsu Scroll and stored all the Ryo notes and gold ingots inside a Storage Scroll, then carried the Storage Scroll on him.

Qingcheng said seriously, "It's time to return to Konoha. Kurenai Yuhi and the others should be arriving in Konoha soon, right? That mission was completed long ago."

Qingcheng immediately activated Yomotsu Hirasaka. A black void rift appeared before him, and he leaped into it, entering Yomi Space. Seeing the twenty million Explosive Tags hanging inside Yomi Space, Qingcheng felt utterly delighted.

He then began searching for the Shadow Clone's coordinates and activated Yomotsu Hirasaka with his right eye. A void rift appeared out of thin air within the Uchiha Clan compound.

Qingcheng's Shadow Clone was still reading Icha Icha Paradise. Seeing a void rift appear above the Three-pronged Kunai, it smiled. "The original body is finally back. Take a look at what I've done." With that, it went poof, dispelled the Shadow Clone Jutsu, and turned into a puff of smoke.