Masahiko with Nagato, and Jiraiya with Minato, the four of them saw off Nanako and Kushina together. In the end, Kushina and Minato still had to be apart for a while. After all, Kushina's parents and elders were still in the Land of Whirlpools.
Minato, on the other hand, needed to train with Jiraiya. Because of Kushina, he had already delayed in the Konoha Academy for quite so ti.
"Old Monster, aren't you leaving yet? Still thinking about abducting my disciple?" "Old Monster" had beco Jiraiya's affectionate nickna for Masahiko.
Masahiko glanced at him sideways. "Konan is still learning dical Ninjutsu from Tsunade."
In reality, Masahiko was more worried about Nawaki's situation. Although Nawaki's strength was no longer weak—comparable to Asuma in the original story—Pain wouldn't even need to mobilize; Kakuzu alone could wipe him out.
Nawaki and Fugaku were now having small fights every three days and big fights every five days. Yet, the key person, Mikoto Uchiha, had never stated her position, making both of them feel that the ultimate victor would "win the beauty," intensifying the conflict.
Moreover, it was no longer just a conflict between the two of them, but between the two clans.
One was the heir of the Senju, the other the nephew of the Uchiha clan head. Their status was essentially the sa. Their rivalry was more like a competition between the two clans. At this point, who Mikoto Uchiha married wasn't even important anymore.
"Troubleso, truly troubleso," Masahiko sighed. Ignoring the bewildered Jiraiya, he led Nagato back to the Senju clan.
"Wait..." On the streets of Konoha, Masahiko frowned and stopped Nagato, turning to look back.
Sothing felt wrong about the person who had just brushed past him.
"Covering yourself up so tightly on such a hot day—Kakuzu, aren't you hot?" Masahiko sensed slightly, paused, then spoke with a smile.
The person behind him stopped, turned around, and lifted the heavy cloak, revealing that familiar face... familiar covered face.
"Elder Masahiko Uzumaki, long ti no see. I didn't expect you to be in Konoha too."
Masahiko smiled and waved to Nagato. "You go back first. Sensei t an old friend and needs to catch up."
Sending Nagato off, Masahiko led Kakuzu to a tea house in Konoha Village.
Once seated, Masahiko smiled and asked, "I heard you joined that organization called Akatsuki. Why do you dare to appear in Konoha?"
"I have already quit."
Masahiko was startled. "When did you quit? The Akatsuki leader actually didn't stop you?"
Kakuzu didn't answer that but continued speaking.
"I ca to Konoha this ti to find the Hokage for so business. I have so intelligence I want to sell to him. Since you are here, I can save myself a trip."
Masahiko narrowed his eyes. "Intelligence on the Akatsuki?"
He was very interested in intelligence on the Akatsuki. Bringing Kakuzu to the tea house was precisely to ask about this.
"Correct. Profiles of Akatsuki mbers: 10 million ryo each. Leader profile: 20 million ryo. Their objective: 20 million ryo. Which ones do you need?" Kakuzu spoke slowly.
Masahiko laughed. This money-grubbing nature hadn't changed at all.
"No rush on those. I'm more curious why you left. Did they not pay you?"
Kakuzu paused, then shook his head. "Joining the organization, I earned much more during the previous war than I did before. But in this organization... there are no normal people, and the goals are unclear."
"No normal people?" Masahiko carefully scrutinized Kakuzu in front of him, shaking his head and sighing. You're clearly not a normal person either.
"Then, tell first what's abnormal about them. Don't worry, I'll pay."
Kakuzu hesitated but ultimately trusted Masahiko's integrity. He didn't know that Masahiko had no such thing.
"Every mber in the organization communicates using code nas. I don't know their nas, nor have I seen their faces. My code na was Hokuto (Big Dipper - North Star)."
Masahiko paused. This wasn't unexpected. "What about the ring that signifies your identity? Did you return it?"
"What ring?"
Masahiko didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So it was a high-quality knockoff; they couldn't even make the rings.
Kakuzu didn't understand Masahiko's reaction and continued.
"The one with the code na Santai is a middle-aged man, a crazy weirdo."
"Santai?" Masahiko frowned. At this ti, Hidan might not even be born yet. He really couldn't guess who the crazy person was.
"Besides that, he keeps talking about so Jashinism (Way of Jashin) and wants to kill for disrespecting Jashin."
Masahiko was startled. "Jashinism already exists? Before Hidan? I rember Hidan being the first and only successful experint..."
"It seems you are very satisfied with this intelligence," Kakuzu said slowly, seeing Masahiko's expression, and extended his right hand.
"Are handshakes popular in the Akatsuki?"
"That intelligence just now is 10 million ryo." Kakuzu had no intention of joking.
Masahiko waved his hand. "That person just now—you didn't give any useful information. It's only worth 1 million ryo."
Kakuzu imdiately stood up and turned to leave. Masahiko quickly stopped him.
Actually, he could use force, but over the years, aside from that one assassination attempt on Hashirama, Kakuzu had always stood on Konoha's side. Now he was even offering intelligence on the Akatsuki. Masahiko really felt embarrassed to attack him, not to ntion it was inconvenient to fight inside the village.
"Tell another one, and I'll give you the money."
Kakuzu gave Masahiko a deep look and sat back down.
"The one with the code na Zero (Rei)..."
"Wait..." Kakuzu was interrupted by Masahiko halfway through.
"Tell about a regular mber first. No need to rush to the leader. Save the leader for last."
Kakuzu paused. "Zero isn't the leader. Although I haven't seen him, I've heard Zero's voice. It sounds like just a ten-year-old child who follows the leader."
"The leader's code na isn't Zero? A child... the age matches Sasori, but I haven't heard of Sasori disappearing from the Hidden Sand. Then is it Kisa? Kisa looks old for his age, but he shouldn't be ten yet." Hearing "child," Masahiko's first reaction was these two.
Kakuzu extended his right hand again. Masahiko paused, pulled out 20 million ryo from his chest, and handed it to Kakuzu.
"Tell about the Akatsuki leader."
Kakuzu took the money, and his speech speed increased significantly.
"The leader has no code na. When he appears, he conceals his figure, and his na is unknown. But he always issues strange and troubleso orders. That is why I quit the organization."
"Strange orders... correcting the plot?" Masahiko wasn't surprised.
"For example, previously, the leader asked to incite conflict between the Land of Water and the Land of Earth to prevent the Hidden Rock from attacking the Hidden Cloud," Kakuzu continued.
"So that's why those two countries fought?" Masahiko suddenly realized. He had previously thought the Land of Water attacked the Land of Earth to vent frustration because of the Whirlpool incident.
"Other mbers are also doing these tasks with absolutely no profit to be gained, although the leader provides us with mission funds..."
Masahiko nodded, understanding the situation.
"Being tied down like that, they should be easier to deal with than I imagined." Masahiko pondered for a mont, then pulled out a stack of banknotes.
"So, where is the Akatsuki's hideout?"
☆☆☆
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