"Kakuzu, a rogue ninja from Takigakure, formerly served in the village's Assassination Unit."
"He once undertook a mission to assassinate the First Hokage, but was defeated by the First's Wood Release secret technique."
"Upon returning to his village, he was imprisoned for failing the assassination mission. Dissatisfied with the verdict, he broke out, stole Takigakure's most powerful forbidden technique, Earth Grudge Fear, and used it to take the hearts of all the village's higher-ups."
"He has spent years frequenting the black market. He worships money above all else, believing it is the only thing that will never betray him. He is unquestionably an S-rank Rogue Ninja."
Chihane's words sent a storm surging through Kakuzu's heart.
He had slaughtered all of Takigakure's leaders back then, and hardly anyone who knew about Earth Grudge Fear remained.
Besides, so many years had passed that most ninja who still knew him had died of old age, even if their missions hadn't killed them.
He had also deliberately avoided the Land of Fire over the years. He had never expected Konoha's intelligence on him to be so detailed. Apparently, Chihane had come prepared today.
"As expected of Konoha's ANBU commander. Your village certainly does its intelligence work well."
Despite his inward shock, Kakuzu's expression remained calm, as though Chihane were talking about someone else.
"But there's something I don't understand. I've never attacked Konoha's ninja. Why have you targeted me?"
That puzzled Kakuzu most of all. He had no quarrel with Konoha, and Chihane had no reason to make a special trip for him.
Wasn't Chihane afraid that if he failed to kill him, Kakuzu would turn around and target Konoha's ninja in retaliation?
At Kakuzu's question, Chihane merely smiled and shook his head without answering.
It really was too much of a coincidence. Even