"You're here, Kakuzu."
"Lord Tsuchikage, a man of your standing agreeing to spare the time to trade with me-I'm deeply grateful!"
Wearing a battered combat outfit, Kakuzu entered the room alone.
At a glance, he saw Ōnoki, Kitsuchi, and several Iwagakure Jonin.
Despite the sizable reception, Kakuzu did not hesitate in the slightest. He straightened his chest, walked right into the room, pulled out the chair opposite the seat of honor, and planted himself in it.
"Lord Tsuchikage, Iwagakure really is a harmonious place! Your Jonin have so little to do that they can all join you personally for our discussion!"
Ōnoki was no spring chicken himself, and he was far too shrewd to take offense at the barbs in Kakuzu's words.
"It never hurts to be cautious. But enough of that. Let's speak frankly."
Kakuzu nodded and took the small Organization Sample out of his pocket.
He held it up and waved it.
"This is flesh from the Eight-Tails. Well? Would you like to inspect the goods?"
Ōnoki signaled to a man in a white lab coat, who stepped forward to begin the inspection.
While the man examined it, Kakuzu spoke again.
"The test will confirm it's genuine soon enough. Before that, I hope your village can understand my situation.
I suffered serious injuries fighting the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and I've only just recovered.
The man who hired me for the job betrayed me, so I killed him.
I'm not asking for much. I just want to learn your village's secret techniques to improve my strength and recoup some of my losses. Does anyone object?"
Ōnoki's large, round eyes remained fixed on Kakuzu without so much as a blink.
"Kakuzu, you must understand that most secret techniques are not shared with outsiders."
"Most? Lord Tsuchikage, since you came here today,