Zou Hyuga was not the only one who sensed the chakra. The Akatsuki members facing him sensed it too, and delight spread across their faces.
Although infighting and killings were common within the Akatsuki, leaving its teams on poor terms with one another.
At this moment, they undoubtedly breathed a sigh of relief. They had thought at least one of them would have to be left behind.
Whoosh...
After a rush of wind, an Akatsuki member wearing a bamboo hat appeared in front of the two ninja from Kirigakure.
After glancing at Zou Hyuga, he turned toward the pair and snorted. "Two useless idiots, and you still tried to fight me for this mission..."
Then the newly arrived Akatsuki member looked at Zou Hyuga and said, "A bodyguard? Get out of my way. I have no interest in ninja without bounties!"
Zou Hyuga looked at the Akatsuki member before him, with no intention of moving aside.
He recognized this ninja. This was Kakuzu, a missing-nin from Takigakure and one of the Akatsuki's full members. He was a formidable elite jonin, strong enough to lead an ordinary small ninja village.
This was not his first time seeing Kakuzu. A few years ago, while traveling under Jiraiya's leadership, he had encountered him once. Yet despite his love of money, Kakuzu had backed down in the face of Jiraiya's enormous bounty.
They had merely passed each other, neither side intending to fight.
But this encounter was completely different. A battle with Kakuzu seemed inevitable. With an easy target like him standing in the way, how could Kakuzu give up such a tempting bounty?
His gaze settled on Kakuzu before shifting farther into the distance. Zou Hyuga was not afraid of Kakuzu; he was worried that other Akatsuki members might be nearby.
He had