Be My Subordinate

"Mm, now that's the answer I wanted to hear."

Shin'yu nodded in satisfaction and withdrew from the Third Gate of Life. As the green steam gradually dissipated, the terrifying pressure vanished with it.

Kakuzu had the illusion that, in that instant, even the air began to flow again.

Holding Kakuzu's head, Shin'yu swung it back and forth before him like a pocket watch. "Be my subordinate."

"Your subordinate?" Kakuzu said indignantly. "What nonsense. You lured me out with that scheme just to make me your subordinate?"

"That's right." Shin'yu smiled faintly. "Maybe I'll establish an Organization in the future. If you join now, you can count as one of its founding members."

"Hmph. Other than money, I have no interest in anything in this world," Kakuzu said reflexively.

Then he saw Shin'yu walk toward his body, his slender palm reaching for the last mask on his back.

"But... if it's an Organization founded by a strong man like you, there should be plenty of chances to fight high-bounty targets. Becoming your subordinate... is ultimately a path filled with the scent of money..."

Shin'yu halted. "You've decided?"

"Mm, I've decided." Kakuzu's voice was muffled. "I'll become your assistant."

"Good. It's good that you figured it out." Shin'yu did not remove the mask. Instead, he waved a hand and used Wind Style to blow the dust off him. "You won't be treated poorly as my subordinate."

Shin'yu instantly became much more courteous, warmth like sunlight radiating from his smile. He helped Kakuzu set his head straight, then politely stepped back two paces and watched him stitch his body back together bit by bit.

"You'd best not entertain any thoughts of running away. Otherwise, even if you hide at the ends of the earth, I'll find you and crush your hearts one by one."

Kakuzu let out a cold snort. "The most important quality for a businessman is integrity. Since I agreed, I will never go back on my word."

"Four of my hearts were destroyed by you. I need to replenish them as soon as possible..."

He turned, his cold gaze falling upon a thicket in the distance.

"You little brats over there, get out here!"

Uchiha Nen's eyes flew wide open, his heart pounding wildly. The instant that chilly gaze swept over him, he felt a shiver run down his spine, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Just as he hesitated over whether to run, Orochimaru actually stood up and calmly walked out.

"Hey, Orochimaru!" Nen wanted to reach out and drag him back, but Tong Ren sighed softly behind him and rose from the bushes as well.

"They discovered us long ago. Now that we're trapped inside the Barrier, there's no other way," Tong Ren said helplessly.

Hearing that, Nen felt all hope drain from him. With a gloomy face, he walked out alongside the other two.

"Three hearts. Not a bad haul."

Kakuzu smiled darkly as strands of Black Line seeped from the gaps in his wrists. With every step he took closer, Nen's little face turned a shade paler.

"Sir..." Orochimaru raised his head and stared straight into Kakuzu's chilling eyes. "Are you immortal?"

"Hm?" Kakuzu raised a brow, somewhat surprised by the brat's courage. "This old man lives as long as heaven and earth. I neither age nor die."

Orochimaru froze. Recalling how Kakuzu had repeatedly died and come back to life, excitement actually flickered in his eyes. There was not the slightest fear of impending death, as though he had passed all his cowardice onto Uchiha Nen behind him.

"So... there really is such Ninjutsu in this world, one that grants eternal life!"

Kakuzu raised his hand high, aiming at Orochimaru's heart.

"Tch, you really aren't picky."

Shin'yu walked over with his hands behind his back, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "These three brats aren't even genin. Even if you take their hearts, you'll merely be clinging to life. Your strength would probably weaken considerably, wouldn't it?"

Kakuzu replied in a muffled voice, "There's no helping it. Those three brats witnessed our entire battle just now. They already know both our information. We can't leave them alive!"

"What's the rush?"

Shin'yu squeezed Kakuzu aside and crouched before Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, you won't tell anyone about what happened here, will you?"

"Huh? You know my name?" Orochimaru was somewhat surprised. Unconsciously, he gazed at the Young Man's Black Satin, as though he could see his Eyes behind it.

Shin'yu smiled slightly. "Not just you. I know Tong Ren behind you too, and... what's-his-name, you must be Uchiha Nen, right?"

"This..." Both Tong Ren and Nen were startled. The former frowned in thought, trying to recall whether he had ever met such a person, while the latter was filled with confusion. He was certain that, ever since he could remember, he had never once seen this Young Man.

"Tong Ren, I know your older sister."

"You know my sister?" Tong Ren finally relaxed, and his admiration for his sister rose to another level.

"Yes. I even treated her to cake back then." Shin'yu's tone was gentle, like a friendly Big Brother chatting about everyday matters, utterly different from the ruthless man he had been in battle.

"But familiarity aside, for your own good, don't spread word of what happened here..."

Tong Ren blinked nervously and nodded rapidly. "Of course. We didn't see anything."

Kakuzu asked suspiciously, "Hey, you aren't really going to let these brats go, are you?"

"What else would I do? Even if they know our information, so what?" Shin'yu stood and patted Kakuzu on the shoulder. "Don't worry. In a moment, I'll personally take you to hunt down the hearts of several strong men. They're all heavily wanted criminals with high bounties."

The sudden motion startled Kakuzu stiff. Shin'yu's impression on him during the battle had been far too profound, and he still was not used to physical contact with him.

"Fine, if you say so." He withdrew his hand resentfully and fell silent, no one knew what he was thinking.

Shin'yu ignored him and said to Orochimaru, "It seems you're quite interested in the power of Immortality?"

Orochimaru did not deny it. "Human life is far too fragile. But after witnessing the battle between you two today, I realized that the human body seems to contain power that Humans can never use in their entire lives. If that shackle could be opened..."

"It seems this experience has benefited you greatly." Shin'yu smiled and rubbed Orochimaru's head.

He leaned close and whispered into his ear, "If one day you feel that you cannot obtain the power of Immortality in the Hidden Leaf Village, you can come find me here anytime..."

With that, he stood. As his Hands formed Hand Seals, it was as though a gentle breeze swept through the forest. Grass and trees swayed softly in every direction, and the movement of the air became much lighter.

"All right, the Barrier has been lifted. You can leave now."

"Oh, right, you..." As if suddenly recalling something, Shin'yu took a scroll from his robes and tossed it to Uchiha Nen.

Nen hurriedly reached out and barely managed to catch the scroll.

"I find you rather pleasing to the eye, so this technique is yours. Whether you practice it yourself or hand it over to the village is up to you." Shin'yu turned away, leaving him with a deep, unreachable back.

"Ah." Nen's little face reddened. He even suspected that he was dreaming. Not only had he escaped with his life, but it seemed he had also received some kind of Secret Technique?

This seemed to be... the first time anyone had given him something.

Only when Tong Ren secretly nudged him did he snap out of it.

He hurriedly bowed, overwhelmed by the favor. "Thank you... Big Brother!"

In an instant, Shin'yu's back seemed to turn to stone. His mouth twitched, and Shadows swallowed his entire face.

All of this fell into Kakuzu's Eyes, and he immediately revealed a thoughtful expression.