When Fenghuo finally found the brothers Inoue, Nakai, and Inozuki, he also encountered the Anbu operatives sent by Hiruzen Sarutobi. There were three of them, all wearing the signature black Anbu masks, their expressions hidden but their breathing somewhat uneven. They must have just come out of a fight.
Fenghuo's mind instantly sparked with excitement.
Could these three Anbu, together with Yuhi Zhenhong, take down Kakuzu?
If Kakuzu were eliminated, the promised reward of five hundred thousand ryō would be theirs.
The thought alone thrilled Fenghuo.
He glanced at Yuhi Zhenhong.
Yuhi seemed to read his thoughts and shook her head slightly. "They're all S-rank missing-nin. Their power is extraordinary and unpredictable. Plus, Danzo's Root operatives could appear at any moment. It's not the right time to split our forces."
"It's too dangerous! We need to return to the Land of Water!" Inoue's wounds had been treated, but his spirit was clearly shaken.
"I appreciate your rescue," Inoue continued grimly, "but the mission reward will not change." The sight of Kakuzu alongside the Anbu operatives weighed heavily on him. He feared they might demand more—something he could ill afford.
"Don't worry," Yuhi replied earnestly. "We'll get you back to the Land of Water safely, and the reward will remain the same. Trust in the honor of the Konoha ninja."
Relieved, the two brothers hurried to prepare for the journey home.
Meanwhile, the Anbu remained vigilant, shadowing the group, while Kakuzu trailed behind Fenghuo, his gaze cold and suspicious.
They had already pushed far toward the Land of Water, and after a grueling battle, continued their nonstop march. Two days later, they finally crossed the border.
Coincidentally, this day marked the third day of Jiaodu's promise. From now on, Fenghuo's reward of 500,000 ryō would increase by 50,000 ryō each day.
"Little devil," Jiaodu smirked, stretching out a finger, "even at the fastest pace, it'll take ten days to reach Konoha. Can you come up with one million ryō by then?"
Fenghuo frowned but gave a dry chuckle. "And what if I say I can't?"
"Then I'll kill you right now!" Jiaodu snarled, anger flaring.
Yuhi quickly stepped in. "Jiaodu, calm down. You will get your one million ryō, but—"
"But what?" Kakuzu snapped impatiently.
"Don't forget who you are: an S-rank rogue ninja! Even if you get the money, I can't guarantee you'll leave Konoha alive," Yuhi said sternly.
Kakuzu laughed harshly. "Even Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage who once tried to kill me, failed. Why would you think you can succeed?"
Nearby, Inoue Nakai saw the tension rising and quickly declared the mission complete. Everyone was to return home, never to cross paths again.
"Then it's settled. Let's head back to Konoha," Kakuzu said with renewed vigor, more eager than Fenghuo.
Without Inoue holding them back, the group abandoned the narrow mountain paths and crossed ridges directly. For skilled ninja, no terrain was a true obstacle.
One day passed, then two, then five, until finally, they reached Muye Village.
Kakuzu looked back at Konoha in the distance. It had changed much in the decades since he'd last been here.
He sneered at Fenghuo. "I'll be waiting here. Remember, if you don't repay me, I'll keep raising the interest until you fall into my hands."
Yuhi entered the village with Fenghuo and led him straight home.
"Uncle Zhenhong, why not stop at the Firefly Pavilion?" Fenghuo's heart pounded.
"Don't worry, we'll get the one million ryō," Yuhi said matter-of-factly, "but since I lent it to you, you owe me. The interest, though... consider it waived."
Fenghuo was so moved he almost teared up.
After Yuhi left to arrange the payment, the Anbu guarding them reported everything immediately to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"What?!" Hiruzen roared at the news of Kakuzu's presence outside the village. "Kakuzu, the one who tried to assassinate the First Hokage, was right outside our gates?!"
Next to him, Hatake Sakumo frowned. "If not for Kakuzu, Danzo and the Uchiha's assassination attempt might have succeeded…"
"It was right to save Fenghuo at such a high price," Hiruzen said grimly, "but that does not absolve him of his crimes. When Zhenhong returns that money to Kakuzu, Shikaku, personally lead a team to eliminate him."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Outside the village, Jiaodu stood atop a small earthen mound, gazing at Muye Village with hungry eyes.
"If I raid a village like this, fifty million ryō in three days isn't impossible."
His ambition surged.
Suddenly, blurry visions surrounded him from every direction.
"Hmph, even Konoha's strength is limited."
Jiaodu snorted disdainfully and waited silently.
Soon, Yuhi Zhenhong and Fenghuo appeared below.
"Jiaodu, here's your one million ryō!"
Yuhi tossed a box into his hands.
Jiaodu caught it, confirmed the amount, sealed the box inside a scroll, and pressed it close to his chest.
"Very good. Our contract is now officially over."
At his words, hidden eyes around him flared with murderous intent.
"Kill!"
In the shadows, Hatake Sakumo's cold voice rang out.
Anbu ninjas launched volley after volley: fire bombs, lightning blades, shuriken, kunai — all flying wildly at Jiaodu.
"Ha ha ha!"
Jiaodu laughed madly, earth chakra erupting violently as tentacles burst forth. Instantly, he split into four masked clones, each wielding Earth Release, Fire Release, Water Release, or Lightning Release techniques, defending themselves expertly.
Using his Wind Release, he combined the five elemental chakra natures into powerful paired ninjutsu, countering the Anbu attacks.
"Konoha's Anbu are only this strong?"
As he laughed, Kakuzu fused the elemental jutsu in pairs, creating devastating combined techniques that overwhelmed the Anbu.
Yuhi Zhenhong quickly retreated with Fenghuo, watching the fierce battle unfold from a distance.
The ground quaked and cracked, winds sliced like blades, fiery light illuminated the sky, torrents of water cascaded down, and thunderclaps shattered the night — the spectacle was breathtaking.
It was Fenghuo's first time witnessing such a large-scale battle. His eyes barely kept up, so he decided to activate his double Sharingan to absorb the jutsu on the spot.
"This is Water Release — Great Waterfall Technique, Wind Release — Great Breakthrough, Lightning Release — False Darkness, Earth Release — Yansu Beng… A combined ninjutsu? Damn, combined ninjutsu requires understanding. I can't just copy it."
Still, Fenghuo was ecstatic.
He drooled at the thought of learning such powerful techniques. The one million ryō was well worth it.
The battle raged from dusk till nightfall, the explosions of fire and lightning illuminating the darkness. Even from inside the village, the tremors were unmistakable.
"What's happening out there?"
"Ninja fighting."
"Somebody brought trouble to the village. Do you think this place has been peaceful for too long?"
Among the crowd, an elderly man bearing the Uchiha clan crest passed by with a grim expression. His steps were brisk as he moved through the streets and into a remote forest.
"Danzo, show yourself!"
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