Chapter 248 : Kakuzu Interested?

At this moment, Kazuhiko stood beside the window, gazing out at the bustling citizens below.

Mealtime had arrived, and the grand dining hall was overseen by a group of elder ladies from Red Republic, or some elderly individuals unable to manage heavy labor. 

They were entrusted with providing three meals a day for the people of Red Republic, signaling the designated times for dining, prompting citizens from across the nation to gather and partake.

Thanks to the implementation of the communal cooking policy, everyone had assigned duties unless under special circumstances. 

As lunch commenced, people set aside their tasks, swiftly washing their hands before joining the orderly procession towards their designated spots. 

Smiles adorned most faces as they conversed with companions, contributing to the serene atmosphere without any signs of chaos.

Observing this scene, Kazuhiko nodded with satisfaction. It appeared that the adjustment period had passed; people had grown accustomed to the routine, showcasing remarkable adaptability to their surroundings.

Kazuhiko himself didn't engage in any special activities during mealtime. Instead, along with a group of elders, he dined in the office directly after the meal was prepared. Not out of embarrassment, but due to the overwhelming workload, leaving no time to join the communal feast every day.

Given the large number of individuals, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique proved invaluable once again. Many elders and ninjas from the Red Republic employed Shadow Clones to manage various tasks, resulting in a day filled with exhaustion for everyone, including Kazuhiko.

After finishing their meal, Kazuhiko was suddenly alerted as one of his clones returned.

"Excellent, finally a lead!" Kazuhiko's face lit up with a smile. The responsibility of contacting Kakuzu had been delegated to Gatō.

As a seasoned businessman traversing various countries, Gatō frequently interacted with the underground black market. The latest update suggested that Gatō had successfully relayed a message to Kakuzu.

In fact, Gatō expressed confidence, mentioning that he had arranged for a messenger to deliver a letter to the corner, ensuring its immediate reception by Red Republic.

Meanwhile, in an unknown forest...

Even though he was alone in the vicinity, Kakuzu remained shrouded in a black cloak, with a black veil concealing his face.

Leaning against a tree, he scowled at the letter in his hand, muttering, "What in the world are the Uzumki clan and the others trying to accomplish?"

Ever since the Land of Whirlpools had officially been renamed the Red Republic, outsiders now referred to the country as his own, and its inhabitants were naturally known as the Red Citizena.

Kakuzu couldn't help but feel dumbfounded by the fact that the Uzumaki had traced him through the Hidden Waterfall Village.

It was truly baffling; he had been hiding in the village for decades. And now, they had even sent a messenger from the Hidden Waterfall Village to him. If it weren't for the fact that the man had spoken up just in time, saying, "I'm here to deliver a letter!"

Kakuzu would have killed him on the spot.

Rubbing his forehead, Kakuzu glanced at the letter that the Hidden Waterfall shinobi had hastily thrown to him. It was giving him a headache!

All he saw were the clear words written on it,

"The Red Republic Treasurer Recruitment Letter!"

Even though he was well-informed, he found himself a little perplexed at the moment. What exactly did this mean? He was truly at a loss.

Opening the letter, he discovered that they were now recruiting him as the financial manager of the Red Republic, and offering him a handsome salary...

What in the world was this Red Republic up to? If it weren't for the recent news about their master, Kazuhiko, turning the underground black market into chaos.

Known as the new God of the ninja world, there were rumors that on his journey from Konoha back to the Land of Red, he had single-handedly defeated hundreds of elite Konoha ninjas.

Now, any information about him could fetch a high price on the black market.

The notion of one man taking down hundreds of Konoha elites was a bit far-fetched, but Kakuzu knew that Kazuhiko had indeed defeated the Third Mizukage and the Third Hokage on his own.

His strength was undoubtedly that of a Kage, and he was the strongest among them!

Glancing at the recruitment letter before him, he noticed Kazuhiko's signature at the bottom.

What did the Land of Red intend by this? Did they want Kakuzu to work for them?

But relying solely on such a letter? It seemed improbable. After all, he was a formidable individual who had confronted the God of the Ninja World head-on!!

Even Kazuhiko, the so-called new God of the ninja world...

But the thought of Kazuhiko's strength, particularly the title "God of the Ninja World," still left Kakuzu feeling somewhat hollow.

Kakuzu sneered, shaking his head. A nation without even a ninja village, even with a formidable individual like Kazuhiko, was destined to fall.

"I'm not returning!" Kakuzu declared, casting a disdainful glance at the recruitment notice in his hand.

It was absurd. A village as hopeless as that one still sought to recruit someone like him? What a joke!

Gripping the recruitment notice tightly, Kakuzu exhaled sharply, gazing up at the sky as the weather grew colder once more.

The cold weather stirred memories of his past.

Just like then, Kakuzu had once been someone willing to give his all for the village. A mere Jōnin at the time, he had been tasked by the village with assassinating the ninja god.

Despite knowing the slim chances of success, he hadn't hesitated, even willing to sacrifice himself for the village's future.

As anticipated, the plan had failed miserably, facing a formidable adversary.

By virtue of his unique heart, he narrowly escaped a fatal blow.

Upon returning to the village, he never expected the village chief to brand him a traitor out of fear of betrayal.

Not only that, the village had dispatched assassins after him.

In a fit of fury, Kakuzu dispatched them all once he'd recovered from his injuries, discovering a secret technique that suited him - Earth Resentment.

This true secret technique naturally suited someone with an unconventional heart like his, and he swiftly mastered its cultivation.

Relying on this secret technique, he thrived in the underground black market for many years.

Now that his reputation had spread through the underground black market, how could he find a place and give his life at will?

With a sneer curling his lips, Kakuzu glanced at the recruitment information in his hand, poised to discard it. He didn't fancy the idea of aligning himself with just any country.

But then his eyes caught a line of text: "Oversee all financial matters of the Red Republic!"

Kakuzu paused, momentarily stunned.

Oversee all finances... Well, perhaps this Red Republic isn't so bad after all. And it's not as though he's one to turn down an opportunity.

Stroking his chin, Kakuzu pondered the recent significant transactions between the Red Republic and other nations. A flicker of interest sparked within him. "Why not pay them a visit and see what they have to offer?"

*****

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