Takigakure.
Outside the home of Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
The two Jonin guarding the Jinchūriki both reached for their sword hilts.
"What is it? What is it? Are there enemies?"
Confusion filled Fū's young face as she watched her two guards brace for battle.
"Fū, stay behind us for now."
Shielding Fū behind him with one arm, the Jonin named Wolfo asked in a low voice.
"Kagen, did you feel that?"
Kagen nodded slightly, his expression grave.
"Someone's watching us from the shadows. It seems they've been there for quite a while..."
The two exchanged a glance, finding the whole thing absurd.
Someone actually dared to target our Jinchūriki inside Takigakure?
They must have a death wish!
A long sword slid from its sheath.
Kagen shouted toward the nearby woods.
"Hey, you hiding in the shadows! Come out! We spotted you ages ago!"
Two figures emerged from the woods at an unhurried pace.
One was a handsome man with slicked-back hair.
He looked at the three of them and spoke in a mocking tone.
"I told you we shouldn't do it this way. We can't even kill them. What a pain!"
Seeing the man's brazen disregard for them, Kagen and Wolfo immediately flew into a rage.
"You bastard!"
"...Huh?"
Hiding behind Kagen and Wolfo, Fū suddenly noticed something.
"Hey, mister over there, did you used to be a ninja from Takigakure?"
The man, whose green eyes were all that showed of his face, nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Fū spoke excitedly.
"I've heard of you!"
"You're Kakuzu, the senior who failed to assassinate the Hokage, then stole the higher-ups' hearts before leaving, right?"
Kagen's expression shifted slightly.
"...Ka-Kakuzu?!"
Wolfo was equally shocked.
"How... how is that possible? How old would he have to be?!"
Fū's voice began to tremble with excitement.
"I've