Xuan Yu's monstrous growth and the mysterious abilities he had displayed immediately piqued Orochimaru's interest.
As Xuan Yu and Kakuzu's figures gradually disappeared in the direction of the Black Market, a strange glint flashed in Orochimaru's golden, slit-pupiled eyes. He quietly made up his mind.
This Uchiha brat is rather interesting. I'll find an opportunity to approach him. If he really is an ideal vessel, then I'll gladly take him for myself.
The Akatsuki had an explicit rule against harming fellow members, but neither Orochimaru nor Kakuzu seemed to take that ironclad rule seriously.
Meanwhile, on the way to the Black Market in the Empty District, Xuan Yu suddenly stopped.
Kakuzu had been trudging along in silence, his face dark. When Xuan Yu stopped without warning, Kakuzu's eyes turned cold. "What now?"
A glint flickered in Xuan Yu's eyes. He smiled casually. "I just realized, there are Black Markets all over the Ninja World. Why go all the way to the Empty District? You know every Bounty Exchange around here and what they're like, Kakuzi."
Kakuzu snorted. He couldn't be bothered to explain and simply said, "Follow me," before turning to lead the way.
Only then did Kakuzu belatedly realize that Xuan Yu had nearly led him into a trap.
They had been heading toward the Black Market in the Empty District, and he had assumed that was their destination, never once objecting.
Now that he thought about it, Xuan Yu was right.
There were plenty of Black Markets nearby. There was no need to travel a thousand miles just to take on missions in the Empty District.
Besides, he had spent years working his way through Black Markets of every size across the Ninja World. He knew them all like the back of his hand.
He could choose an unusual one and let the brat hit a wall and learn a hard lesson.
Before long, the two arrived at a Black Market near Amegakure.
Through the misty drizzle, a concealed entrance to an underground Black Market came into view.
Once inside, Xuan Yu looked around. The underground market was dimly lit and filled with shifting silhouettes as all kinds of desperadoes moved through it.
As he and Kakuzu headed toward the Bounty Exchange, Kakuzu casually explained, "The Bounty Exchanges in Black Markets throughout the Ninja World all belong to the same vast, mysterious organization. Their rules are much the same, though their business models differ somewhat."
"This Bounty Exchange near the Land of Fire has strict requirements for mercenaries. Anyone who comes here has to start with D-rank missions. They need to build up enough experience with low-rank missions before they're allowed to take on higher-rank ones."
"To accommodate a newcomer like you, I'll rest in this Black Market for a few days and give you plenty of time to rack up enough low-rank missions."
As Kakuzu spoke, the corner of his mouth curled beneath his mask in a barely perceptible, gloating smile.
He had deliberately chosen this Black Market to make Xuan Yu hit a wall and embarrass himself.
With Xuan Yu's abilities, he could handle A-rank or even S-rank missions without a problem, but this Black Market had its own rules.
Everyone had to complete low-rank missions first and prove their ability before they could qualify for higher-rank ones.
In fact, to ensure that clients' commissions had a high chance of success, most reputable Bounty Exchanges had similar rules.
But plenty of Black Markets didn't care about their reputation and had no such requirements.
Kakuzu had assumed Xuan Yu would be at a loss when he heard the rules.
But the moment he finished speaking, Xuan Yu slung an arm around his neck and said with a grin, "Kakuzi, we're practically family! Your clearance is my clearance. Go in and take all the missions, then we'll split the commissions."
Kakuzu folded his arms and asked coldly, "Why should I share my mission clearance with you?"
Xuan Yu put on a serious face and said earnestly, "Kakuzi, are you stupid? If we team up, won't we tear through missions at twice the speed?"
Xuan Yu's words made Kakuzu frown slightly.
This brat is arrogant, obnoxious, and downright uncouth, just like that Kisame Hoshigaki fellow. They're both failures of character education. Still, he does have a point.
Thinking back on our time together, this brat has shown formidable strength and a terrifying amount of potential. And he's just as obsessed with earning money from missions as I am... I have to admit, he might actually be good at this.
After thinking it over, Kakuzu's voice turned stern. "We can share the mission clearance, but we'll split the money thirty-seventy!"
Xuan Yu flew into a rage and jumped up, shouting, "What? You're only giving me 70 percent?!"
Kakuzu: (O_O)?
Xuan Yu's retort left Kakuzu completely dumbfounded.
After a couple of seconds, Kakuzu roared, "The 70 percent is mine! Whether you get the other 30 depends on my mood!"
Xuan Yu narrowed his eyes and smiled dangerously. "So you're turning me into a beggar?"
"Hmph!" Kakuzu snorted disdainfully. "Be grateful! Plenty of people would love to team up with me for missions, but never get the chance. You should be glad to get 30 percent."
Xuan Yu wasn't having it.
Sure, he didn't plan to put in much effort while Kakuzu was busy grinding through missions, but shouldn't they at least split the commission fifty-fifty?
He smiled and patted Kakuzu on the shoulder. "Kakuzi, you know me. If you don't agree to give me half the commission, I'll just take all of it."
Kakuzu was stunned for a moment. Then he understood what Xuan Yu meant by taking all of it.
Xuan Yu's meaning was clear.
Once Kakuzu killed a bounty target, Xuan Yu would immediately steal the target's corpse and collect the bounty at the Bounty Exchange.
If Xuan Yu had left it at that, it would have been fine. But bringing up that old incident sent a blaze of fury surging through Kakuzu's chest.
"Brat, I'm going to kill you!" Kakuzu roared, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
A violent killing intent crashed over him, but Xuan Yu seemed not to notice.
Unhurriedly, he held out a hand and said lazily, "I'm taking half the commission. Otherwise, I'll take all of it. When it comes to money, I always keep my word."
Kakuzu's killing intent was almost tangible, and he was on the verge of losing control. But remembering how the brat had tricked him several times already, along with the incredible strength he had witnessed not long ago, Kakuzu forced down his towering rage.
After weighing things carefully, he realized that teaming up with Xuan Yu would dramatically increase the number of missions they could complete. Even giving Xuan Yu half would still leave him with far more bounty money than before.
If he refused to work with him, the brat would keep scheming to steal the bodies of his targets, leaving him constantly on guard and giving him a massive headache.
So, though he would have loved to kill Xuan Yu on the spot, he knew he couldn't do it easily right now. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and endure it for the time being.
Working with Xuan Yu to earn more bounty money was the only sensible choice Kakuzu had at the moment. It left him deeply frustrated, but he had no other option.
Kakuzu stopped arguing with Xuan Yu and headed toward the Black Market's Bounty Exchange, his face livid. In doing so, he tacitly accepted Xuan Yu's proposed split.
As soon as he entered the Bounty Exchange hall, Kakuzu strode up to the counter and said coldly to the manager, "Bring me a copy of every mission contract this Bounty Exchange has."
If any other ninja had dared to act so brazenly, the Bounty Exchange's enforcers would have taught him exactly "why flowers are so red."
But this was none other than Kakuzu, the Black Market's famed top earner. The manager naturally wouldn't dare slight him and immediately put on a deferential smile. "Lord Kakuzu, please wait a moment."
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