The force sent against Kirigakure returned in triumph, bringing back not only news of victory and the necessary spoils, but also an unexpected extra: Kakuzu.
The rogue ninja from Takigakure, a contemporary of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, who had once attempted to assassinate him, now stood among the crowd in a brand-new Konoha jonin uniform, surveying the prosperous, peaceful Konohagakure before him with a complicated expression.
His green eyes swept over the enormous Hokage Rock and lingered briefly on its newest, youngest face.
It all began with Naruto bringing the Akatsuki under his control after subduing Kumogakure.
Naruto had once sent a clone to accompany Kakuzu to the Land of Hot Water and other places on a special mission.
Kakuzu, a veteran S-rank rogue ninja, would stir up chaos or attack specific targets in those small nations. Naruto's clone would then step in to stop him, providing a natural pretext to intervene in the country's affairs and ultimately bring it under Konoha's influence or control. Meanwhile, they could obtain the hearts Kakuzu needed for Earth Grudge Fear from their targets, along with additional funds.
Their first target was the Land of Hot Water.
The two worked together with remarkable efficiency. Kakuzu felt that working with Naruto's clone earned him money much faster than working alone, and the risks were manageable.
Plans, however, could not keep up with changing circumstances.
When Otohime's Takami Musubi unexpectedly transported Naruto's original body to Another Timeline, the shadow clone closely linked to him naturally vanished the instant its chakra supply was cut off.
Naruto's clone suddenly disappeared into white smoke with a poof, leaving Kakuzu stunned. He thought something terrible might have happened to Naruto.
He felt little satisfaction at Naruto's misfortune. Instead, he felt a faint sense of loss.
After all, his time