Best Employee Kakuzu

Best Employee—Kakuzu

"It was getting close." Kenichi Amamiya smacked his lips. This "close" definitely did not mean anything else—it meant the night of the Nine-Tails Attack was drawing near.

What was the reason Minato Namikaze died so young?

There were actually many factors when added together. For example, his skin was not as thick as the Third's. For example, he ran into a disciple who had been plotted against and lost his mind—and a darkened version at that.

As everyone knew, people became several times stronger after going dark. Obito, who had not been particularly strong in Minato Namikaze's squad, became practically godlike after darkening. The Mangekyō Sharingan successfully let the Nine-Tails break free.

Kenichi Amamiya remembered that Obito had seemingly watched Rin Nohara die at the hands of his friend Kakashi, then successfully went dark. The violent emotional shock had directly awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Or at least, that was how it seemed? Anyway, that was what the Naruto commentary Kenichi Amamiya had watched said.

But it had to be admitted that the Nine-Tails' appearance was also the final straw that crushed Minato Namikaze. If the Nine-Tails had been restrained again, perhaps Minato Namikaze would not have died, and Konoha would have taken another path.

Minato Namikaze possessed Kage-level strength, and so did the Third. Although Danzo was scum of the Shinobi World, he had strength as well. Faced with such a lineup, Kumogakure would most likely not dare Cause Trouble so casually.

Moreover, Minato Namikaze was not the Third, who always valued peace above all else and tolerated and yielded in every matter. Other ninja villages would need to weigh their options before causing trouble.

"All right, today's experiment is over. Remember to write the experiment report later." Orochimaru wiped his hands. He no longer had much desire to research the First's Cells.

If not for his Cooperation with Root, Orochimaru would not even have wanted to take over this matter. Besides, his disciple had given him a new research direction during this period.

"Yes, Teacher." Kenichi Amamiya had no objections. This was an Underground Laboratory established through Cooperation with Root, with too many eyes and ears around. It was not suitable for working on his own projects.

Once he officially left the village, Kenichi Amamiya could finally focus wholeheartedly on research. However, even with Root's secret funding, it was still not quite enough.

Kenichi Amamiya had his own plans. He thought Akatsuki was a good choice. Nagato's Rinnegan, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and those people who joined Akatsuki—which of them lacked research value?

There was no need to worry about funding either. Wasn't Kakuzu there?

Now that he thought about it, Akatsuki really was a good place to go. He would have research subjects, research funds, and wasn't Nagato always thinking about making the world feel pain and bringing peace to the Shinobi World?

He had a few little things on hand that might move Nagato. Then he could take money from Konan every day to conduct research while also delaying Black Zetsu's plan. Killing several birds with one stone.

"Still, Akatsuki..." Kenichi Amamiya scratched his head. He had not even left Konoha yet, so there was no point thinking about these things for now. Better to consider how to Cause Trouble on the night of the Nine-Tails Attack.

He was definitely leaving Konoha, but that did not mean Kenichi Amamiya planned to leave just like that. It would not hurt to collect a few things before leaving.

For example, Nine-Tails Chakra, blood from the Ino-Shika-Cho Clan, blood from the Hyuga Clan, and so on. He could even try to have his teacher obtain the Forbidden Jutsu Scroll, then copy some jutsu from it for storage.

In any case, he would become a Rogue Ninja in the end. Taking the Forbidden Jutsu Scroll would make him a Rogue Ninja, and not taking it would also make him one. Not taking it would be foolish.

Of course, Kenichi Amamiya would not actually take it away. Recording a few jutsu would be enough. Otherwise, Konoha's pursuit would definitely be on a different level.

After leaving the Lab Base, Kenichi Amamiya returned to the village shops. The Nine-Tails Attack was close at hand. Once it erupted, he and his teacher would more or less need to prepare to leave.

Kenichi Amamiya had no attachment to the Hidden Leaf Village. The only thing he cared about was the food here. Dango and Ichiraku Ramen were both excellent. Unfortunately, once he left, he would not be able to return for a very long time.

So he planned to enjoy a good meal during this period as a reward for all his hard work.

"Kakashi?" The moment Kenichi Amamiya entered Ichiraku Ramen, he saw silver-haired Kakashi. He wore ordinary clothes today, so he probably was not out on a mission.

Kenichi Amamiya found it somewhat surprising, but after thinking about it carefully, it did not seem strange. The Jinchuriki's delivery date was approaching, and that was an absolutely major matter in Konoha.

The Anbu, Root ninja, and Jonin sent out on assignment had basically all been recalled, aside from those who truly could not be contacted or whose missions were at a critical stage.

"The Fourth really was careful, but what a pity." Kenichi Amamiya smacked his lips, ordered a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, and sat down.

Kakashi still looked lifeless. Kenichi Amamiya could tell at a glance that there was no point going over to talk to him, so he did not bother pressing his warm face against a cold shoulder.

What Kenichi Amamiya had not expected was that Kakashi took the initiative to sit beside him.

Kenichi Amamiya gave Kakashi a surprised look. Kakashi remained lifeless and showed no intention of speaking, making Kenichi Amamiya even less able to understand him.

A long silence followed. Only after Kakashi's ramen arrived did he finally speak.

".Teacher told me to make more friends." Kakashi suddenly said this. Kenichi Amamiya's mouth twitched. So sitting silently beside him was Kakashi's idea of making friends?

Who made friends like that? Outside, he would probably get called a lunatic.

"Aren't we already friends? We were before." Kenichi Amamiya put on a suitably "upright" expression. He had learned it from spending time with Might Guy.

Might Guy was the sort of person others found it difficult to be wary of, because all his thoughts were written on his face. Whatever he wanted to do, he said it directly. Put nicely, he treated people sincerely with a childlike heart.

Put harshly...

Forget it. Kenichi Amamiya thought being friends with Might Guy was quite easy. There were not so many schemes involved, just pure friendship. He did not want to say anything bad about his friend.

That was simply how Might Guy was now. Kenichi Amamiya felt his expressions could sometimes be useful, so he had copied them a little. He had not expected them to come in handy now.

Kakashi froze when he heard that. His lifeless eyes inadvertently glanced at Kenichi Amamiya, and then he saw that upright expression.

He was just short of giving Kakashi a thumbs-up and flashing a mouthful of gleaming teeth.

"Mm." Kakashi looked at Kenichi Amamiya. He thought Orochimaru's Disciple was very much like Might Guy. No wonder they got along so well.