Within the Land of Fire.
Dressed as travelers, Kakuzu and Hidan walked slowly along a forest path, carrying black cloth bags. Ever since becoming public enemies of the major shinobi villages, the Akatsuki had stopped openly wearing its signature black robes with red clouds.
Hidan, who possessed an immortal body, thought little of the matter.
Kakuzu, however, disagreed. Having once undertaken a mission to assassinate the First Hokage, he knew all too well how treacherous the shinobi world was. In this cold world, only brea... money could warm the heart.
Money was precisely why Kakuzu had joined the Akatsuki, allowing him to manage the finances of a vast mercenary organization, though all those accumulated funds would ultimately become materials for Konan's Explosive Tags.
Before long, the two arrived at a remote town.
The remote town seemed utterly unremarkable, but it was actually one of the Land of Fire's many black markets. Not only could people accept bounty missions there, they could also trade low-level ninjutsu and even secret techniques.
Blood slowly seeped from the black cloth bag in his hand as Hidan placed a treated head before the black market boss.
"Master Kakuzu, here's your payment!"
The black market boss adjusted his glasses and handed Kakuzu the money he had prepared.
Kakuzu weighed it in his hand, then nodded in satisfaction. The black market bosses had all heard his name. They would never dare cheat him out of his money.
After a pause, Kakuzu asked, "Any other missions lately?"
The black market boss nodded and pulled out a bounty roster. After leafing through a few pages, Kakuzu frowned. "These bounties aren't worth much. And why are Hidan and I listed here?!"
Before he had even finished speaking, Kakuzu stepped back and stared at the black market boss. "No. You're not