In the capital of the Land of Hot Water.
"I took care of that cult for you. You can go check for yourselves. My fee is 300 million ryo," Kakuzu said slowly, the child on his back, as he looked at the finance minister before him.
"What? 300 million ryo? We agreed on 80 million with Konoha!" the finance minister roared, his eyes widening.
"That was the price you offered Konoha. My price is 300 million. Feel free to ask around the Black Market about me, Kakuzu," Kakuzu said calmly.
"...300 million... Kakuzu... the Black-Faced Buckle Ghost!! We'll pay! We'll pay!" Cold sweat streamed down the finance minister's face. The instant he heard the name Kakuzu, he shot to his feet.
"Good. You know what's good for you. Oh, right, this is a child I rescued from that cult. He's one of your country's people, isn't he?" Kakuzu took the child off his back and handed him over.
"A child rescued from the cult??! Quick! Someone! Kill this child!" Looking at the child Kakuzu held out, the finance minister shouted urgently to the side.
"What are you doing?" Kakuzu pulled the child back and gave him a puzzled look.
"A child who survived that cult is a successful product of their experiments! He's a crazed, immortal monster, just like them!" the finance minister said anxiously.
"He's just a child," Kakuzu said calmly.
"He's still a monster!"
"All right, I understand. Give me 500 million, and I'll deal with the child for you. I'm quite good at dealing with immortality," Kakuzu said with a nod.
The finance minister hurriedly withdrew 500 million ryo from the national treasury and handed it to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu didn't linger. He turned and left with the money and the child.
Afterward, Kakuzu rode his bike to