Thirty-six ten-pulls

Zetsu's words left Uzumaki Shixia utterly speechless.

There was plenty of information about Mui that he hadn't shared, nor did he need to.

But anyone who knew Mui well enough would know that he hadn't been putting on an act this time.

After Zetsu voiced his doubts, Pain and the other members of the Akatsuki turned their gazes toward Uzumaki Shixia and Kakuzu.

Uzumaki Shixia smiled faintly and said,

"Mui, the man who actually controls Kusagakure now, came to Amegakure with me."

"I've arranged for this envoy from Kusagakure to stay at an inn here in Amegakure."

"Konan can visit him as a senior official of Amegakure to discuss development and cooperation between the two villages."

"Once both sides have negotiated, you'll know whether Kusagakure has truly submitted to Amegakure."

Hearing this, Zetsu couldn't help looking embarrassed.

If Kusagakure's actual ruler wasn't sincere about submitting to Amegakure, he obviously wouldn't have come here.

Besides, Uzumaki Shixia's earlier account had been detailed and convincing, lending considerable credibility to the matter.

Once Uzumaki Shixia finished, Pain immediately made arrangements.

"Konan, go to the inn where Kusagakure's envoy is staying and discuss development and cooperation between the two villages."

"Also, settle Uzumaki Shixia's payment."

At his words, Konan handed Uzumaki Shixia a check he could cash at a bank.

[Commission mission complete!]

[You have completed the commission mission to bring Kusagakure into submission!]

[Mission reward: 36,000 commission points!]

After receiving such a generous mission reward, Uzumaki Shixia grinned from ear to ear.

Especially since he had a plan to get paid twice for the same job next. He would make another fortune!

After collecting this mission reward, he didn't hesitate.

He went straight into the draws.

[36,000 commission points deducted from the host! Remaining commission points: 302.]

[Drawing...]

A full thirty-six ten-pulls.

Sixia couldn't be bothered to check what he had drawn one by one.

He simply called up his panel.

[Name: Uzumaki Shixia]

[Sex: male]

[Age: 18]

[Commission points: 302]

[Chakra affinities: fire (A-Rank), wind (S-Rank), lightning (SSSS-Rank), water (A-Rank), earth (S-Rank), yang (S-Rank), yin (S-Rank)]

[Total chakra: SSSS-Rank (Your chakra reserves have surpassed those of all the tailed beasts, reaching the level of the Ten-Tails-boundless and inexhaustible.)]

[Physical strength: SSSS-Rank (Ordinary ninjutsu can no longer penetrate your defenses.)]

[Natural energy: A-Rank (Natural energy is like an old friend to you, effortless to control.)]

"Rare attributes"

[World affinity (Shinobi World): S-Rank]

[Unlocked abilities: Wood Release, natural energy affinity, Mayfly Technique]

"Talents"

[Heavenly Thunder: greatly increases Lightning Release affinity and the probability of obtaining lightning-related rewards from draws.]

[Rumble-Rumble Fruit (adapted for the Shinobi World) development level: SSS-Rank]

"Kekkei genkai"

[Wood Release: A-Rank]

"Ninjutsu"

[Wood Release: Wood Clone: A-Rank]

[Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs: A-Rank]

[Wood Release: Connected House Technique: A-Rank]

[Mayfly Technique: S-Rank proficiency]

[Substitution Technique: S-Rank proficiency]

[Lightning Release: Lightning Ball: S-Rank proficiency]

[Lightning Release: Lightning Clone: S-Rank proficiency]

Sixia looked it over.

Natural energy?

Senjutsu?

Increasing world affinity actually had this kind of effect?

And what the hell was the Mayfly Technique?

Increasing affinity could even let me learn White Zetsu's techniques?

Sixia was a little bewildered.

But all that could wait.

He had finally drawn what he wanted most.

Wood Release: Grand Villa Technique.

Seeing it, Uzumaki Shixia rubbed his hands together excitedly, itching to try it out.

But then another thought struck him, and he turned around.

He said to Pain, "Bro Pain, shouldn't we go catch a tailed beast next?"

"???"

Uzumaki Shixia's words left Pain stunned.

The Akatsuki did intend to capture the tailed beasts, but definitely not now.

After a brief silence, Pain shook his head and said, "The organization isn't ready yet. Taking on the Five Great Shinobi Villages now would be unwise."

Uzumaki Shixia wagged his index finger dismissively. "No, no, no. We don't have to take on the Five Great Shinobi Villages."

Then he quietly leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"I know of a tailed beast that's currently roaming wild, all alone."

Uzumaki Shixia's words greatly surprised Pain.

"A tailed beast on its own?"

Uzumaki Shixia nodded firmly. "Yes, but there's no telling whether it'll get a jinchūriki in the future."

Pain had been somewhat hesitant before.

After hearing Uzumaki Shixia say that, he quickly made up his mind.

"Capture that tailed beast!"

There were only nine tailed beasts they needed to capture in total.

Bringing back this unclaimed tailed beast would complete one-ninth of their mission.

In that case, of course they had to capture it.

Once he saw that Pain had made up his mind,

Uzumaki Shixia looked at him with a grin, extending his thumb and index finger and rubbing them together.

"Bro Pain, you know the drill!"

Seeing Uzumaki Shixia like this gave Pain a headache.

After a moment's thought, he still said, "Ten million. That's the most the organization can offer right now. We'll need funds for our cooperation with Kusagakure afterward."

"You milked us too hard last time!"

[New commission mission detected!]

[Employer: Nagato]

[Mission objective: capture a tailed beast.]

[Payment: 10,000,000 ryō.]

[Mission rank: S-Rank]

[Mission reward: 10,000 commission points]

Once the mission triggered, Uzumaki Shixia beamed.

He had no major objections to the payment this time.

Because he could get paid twice for this tailed beast capture mission.

Wasn't Mui waiting for a tailed beast too?

He could take a commission mission from Pain first, then go to Mui for another.

If Nagato can't afford it, I'll ask Mui!

Still, he would be better off finding a way to get Mui to issue him a long-term commission mission.

After accepting the mission from Pain, Uzumaki Shixia turned and left.

As Pain watched Uzumaki Shixia's retreating back, his gaze grew dark and unreadable.

Why does this guy know so many secrets?

He isn't just familiar with the Akatsuki. He knows the tailed beasts' current situations very well too!

How did he learn all this?

Could there be some special intelligence-gathering ninjutsu in this world?

Naturally, Uzumaki Shixia didn't know that Pain was watching him leave with a somewhat hostile gaze.

He was busy thinking over the information about the Three-Tails.

After a moment's thought, he realized he should bring Kisame along on this operation.

The Three-Tails was in the Land of Water, and Kisame knew that country's situation very well.

To ensure the operation went smoothly and complete the mission as efficiently as possible, bringing Kisame was undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Whoosh-

The next instant, Uzumaki Shixia used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared before Pain.

The dark, unreadable look in Pain's eyes froze instantly.

Awkward.

He truly hadn't expected Uzumaki Shixia to suddenly double back after accepting a commission mission from him.

"Ahem!" Pain cleared his throat a few times before asking, "What is it?"

Uzumaki Shixia said casually, "The tailed beast I want to capture is inside the Land of Water."

"The situation in the Land of Water."

"So I'd like Kisame to come with me on this operation."

Hearing this, Pain thought briefly, then nodded.

"All right."

It would be best to capture the tailed beast successfully on the first attempt, without any mishaps.

Otherwise, once the Five Great Nations were alerted and took precautions, capturing the tailed beasts would become extremely difficult.

After settling things with Pain, Uzumaki Shixia went to find Mui.

When Mui saw Uzumaki Shixia, he asked, "How did it go?"

"When do you plan to investigate the tailed beasts and capture one?"

After Mui asked, Uzumaki Shixia replied casually, "I'm leaving right away!"

"But before I go, I'd like us to sign an employment contract."

Mui: "???"

Uzumaki Shixia's answer greatly surprised Mui.

He hadn't expected Uzumaki Shixia to head straight out to capture a tailed beast so soon, without even stopping to rest.

He really is dedicated!

Mui nodded in agreement.

Seeing Mui agree so readily, Sixia's lips curved upward, and his confidence grew even stronger.

"You know how catching a tailed beast works. It isn't something you can finish overnight. I'd like this to be a long-term contract! As for payment, two million a month!"

"A long-term employment contract?"

He hadn't expected Uzumaki Shixia to ask him to sign a long-term employment contract before setting out.

Hadn't they already settled this?

Still, given his strength, two million wasn't a bad deal.

For the tailed beast I've always dreamed of!

After thinking it over carefully, Mui nodded in the end.

[Congratulations! The host has gained Mui's approval!]

[Mui intends to employ you long-term to capture a tailed beast, until you succeed. Payment will be 2,000,000 ryō per month!]

[Mission objective: capture a tailed beast!]

[Mission reward: one Super Draw upon completing the objective!]

[When the long-term commission mission is settled, commission points earned from the payment will be doubled!]