"What do you mean, hooked up? Why make it sound so nasty?"
Yoru snatched the secret letter from Kurotsuchi's hand and glanced over its contents.
The paper carried a faint orchid fragrance. The handwriting was elegant, yet it revealed an unconcealable urgency.
"Tch. Mei Terumi looks pretty sharp, so why is she so damn inefficient when it comes to getting things done?"
After reading the letter, Yoru casually crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the wastebasket.
"Hey! You still haven't answered my question!"
Kurotsuchi refused to let it go, planting her hands on her hips like a kitten guarding its food.
"What exactly is your relationship with Mei Terumi? And you're even giving her 'venture capital'? Do you take me for an idiot? I don't understand your coded nonsense!"
"Kids shouldn't meddle in adults' business."
Yoru smacked her forehead and pushed her aside.
"Go play in the dirt. I have serious business to handle."
Yoru walked to his desk and pressed the internal communicator.
"Get Kakuzu and Kisame to my office. Immediately."
Kurotsuchi stumbled from the push and stomped her feet in anger.
But she knew from Yoru's expression that he really was about to discuss serious business.
She could only pout and run over to sulk on the sofa, though her ears were perked up as high as a rabbit's.
Less than two minutes later.
The office door was pushed open.
Kakuzu, that old money-grubber, entered with his precious abacus in his arms, wearing an expression as if five of his hearts had died.
Behind him came Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying the massive Samehada and reeking of fish.
"Boss, what money-burning job is it this time?"
The moment Kakuzu entered, he put on a mournful face and rattled his abacus loudly.
"That spendthrift Orochimaru asked me for