Kakuzu was still conflicted inside, and he muddled through another day.
They had found a possible location for the Two-Tails Jinchūriki and rushed there at full speed.
When night came, it was another sleepless one.
Inside the dark cave, Kakuzu leaned against the cold rock wall, the hearts beneath his stitches pounding dully and erratically in his chest.
The nightmare clung to him like gangrene, replaying over and over.
The S-rank treasury of the Land of Frost, his proudest achievement—the massive stone door reinforced with ancient Takigakure runes—had burst open with a thunderous crash. What poured inside was not him, but countless fluttering sheets of white paper.
Konan.
That woman's figure always appeared in the final moment before he jolted awake.
Fear, mixed with the fury of watching his life's work about to go up in flames, sent his chakra rampaging through his body.
He had been forced to join Akatsuki because he had failed to defeat Pain's godlike power back then. He would never forget that helplessness for the rest of his life. The price of betrayal might not be as simple as having his treasury emptied.
"Oh, great Chaos God! Your loyal servant has welcomed another morning in which he may offer you sacrifices! The wails of those foolish heretics shall be your sweetest symphony..."
Hidan's prayers rang out right on schedule. His frenzied tone echoed repeatedly through the cave, every word scraping at Kakuzu's nerves.
Irritation.
Boundless irritation.
Kakuzu nearly lost control and sent Earth Grudge Fear's tendrils out to stitch that noisy source shut for good. But he could not.
"Hey, Kakuzu, why do you look so dead today? Dreamed about all your money getting stolen again?" Hidan asked after finishing his prayer, carrying the Triple-Bladed Scythe on his shoulder as he walked over with a