Somewhere in a hidden underground black market in the Land of Fire, the damp air was thick with the scent of money, blood, and secrets.
Inside an inconspicuous stone chamber, Kakuzu sat across from a black-market agent codenamed "Crow," having just completed the transfer of a batch of gray assets.
After counting the last stack of bills, Kakuzu's small green eyes remained utterly still as he spoke in a low, hoarse voice:
"The next deal may have to be put on hold for a while."
He tucked away the money pouch, his tone carrying the sharpness of long experience.
"The waters of the Ninja World have gotten far too muddy lately.
The sources of many regular 'black assets' have become unstable. Either the lines have been cut, or the prices have become absurdly high, and the risks have surged.
Reaching in now could easily get us tangled up in unnecessary trouble."
Crow was completely shrouded in a broad black robe, his face covered by a nondescript crow mask that revealed only a pair of calm, unruffled eyes.
He gave a slight nod. His altered voice sounded neutral and indifferent:
"I've indeed sensed an unusual stagnation.
The market is tightening, and the vigilance beneath the currents has risen by more than one level."
He fell silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words, before speaking again. His tone remained flat, but he raised a sensitive subject:
"With your channels and capabilities, if... a batch of 'war supplies' needed to be procured outside conventional markets, how much could you manage?"
"War supplies?"
Kakuzu lightly tapped a finger against the table. A strange gleam flashed through those eyes that had seen through countless acts of greed and betrayal.
After working with Crow for years, he knew the other party was meticulous and possessed