Chapter 125: Tsunade's Compensation

"I've told you everything I need to. Can I leave now?"

Kakuzu noticed that Haruki's attitude was quite amiable, so he felt slightly relieved.

Then he remembered Haruki's reputation and image in the ninja world: a gentle and sunny Medical Ninja.

This couldn't be fake, could it?

"Leave? I never said you could leave."

Haruki blew on his tea. The curling smoke made his smile a bit hazy.

In Kakuzu's eyes, he looked like a grinning devil.

His blood pressure skyrocketed instantly.

"You?!"

Kakuzu was furious and sprang to his feet, but his voice suddenly weakened in the second half, even sounding a bit aggrieved. "What... do you mean?"

"Kakuzu, I really dig you."

Haruki put down his teacup. If he hadn't been sitting too far away, he would have patted Kakuzu on the shoulder and said this with a sincere look on his face.

And a question mark appeared on Kakuzu's face.

Your idea of admiring me is to beat me up?

Are you crazy?

Haruki didn't know that Kakuzu was furiously complaining about him. Otherwise, he definitely would have sent a [Wood Clone] to teach him a good lesson in the middle of the night.

"I'm asking you, how many high - profile bounties worth tens of millions of ryo can you get in a month?"

"Rarely. Maybe only one or two on average each month."

Kakuzu was slightly startled and told the truth.

In the black market, those with bounties worth tens of millions are basically important figures from the Five Great Villages of the five countries. Their number is limited.

Moreover, assassinating them is extremely troublesome. They are either extremely powerful or hold high positions.

They also won't just stay in one place waiting for you to kill them. So it takes a lot of time to complete a single bounty.

Haruki nodded.

Asuma Sarutobi only had a bounty of thirty - five million ryo.

Considering status and strength, not many could exceed that.

"How about I hire you for thirty million ryo a month?"

Haruki held up three fingers and named a figure that was hard to refuse.

Kakuzu's heart skipped a beat.

He instinctively wanted to agree, but quickly came to his senses.

Although making money outside might not be as stable and safe, he was free!

Staying by Haruki's side would be like a mouse being a bridesmaid for a cat (meaning taking huge risks). It's risking your life for money.

"Can I decline?" Kakuzu asked, choosing his words carefully.

"Yes." Haruki smiled. "On the condition that you beat me."

"..."

Kakuzu really wanted to jump up and punch him in the face.

What's the difference between this and having no choice?

If I could beat you, I wouldn't be sitting here having a calm conversation with you.

"Is there really no room for negotiation?" Kakuzu asked after a moment of silence.

"This is the negotiation." Haruki shook his head and said.

Tsunade suddenly burst into laughter.

For some reason, seeing Haruki seriously trying to deceive someone made her want to laugh.

Haruki and Kakuzu immediately turned to look at her.

"Ahem, I just remembered something happy. You two go on. Don't mind me." Tsunade said, suppressing her smile.

Haruki couldn't help but pinch her cheek.

And Kakuzu's face grew even more embarrassed.

Except when he faced Hashirama Senju, he hadn't suffered such humiliation in all these years.

"What should I do?"

Kakuzu finally accepted his fate, thinking of going along with it first and then looking for a chance to escape.

"A nanny, oh no, a kindergarten teacher."

Haruki subconsciously blurted out what was on his mind, but then tried to make amends.

"I have three students. They are not very old, about three or four years old. I want to hire you to be their teacher temporarily. In addition, there's Tsunade. She's not very skilled in Wood Release."

"..."

Kakuzu had lived for decades and had never heard such an absurd request.

But then he thought that just by teaching casually and earning thirty million ryo a month, it didn't seem like a bad deal.

"The salary is the thirty million ryo I told you about, but there will be a performance appraisal at the end of the month. If you don't meet the standards, your pay will be docked."

"What the heck is a performance appraisal?" Kakuzu was taken aback.

"Simply put, we'll set assessment criteria for your work to prevent you from slacking off."

"..."

Kakuzu's thoughts had been seen through, but he showed no sign of it on his face. "My reputation in the black market is well - known. I would never do such a thing."

Haruki just smiled and said nothing.

We're both old foxes. Don't try to pull any tricks on me.

Moreover, Kakuzu probably didn't know that the students he was facing were all geniuses.

Haruki reckoned that Kakuzu could get the full salary for a few months, but later his pay would be docked. When Kakashi and Obito grew up, he might even end up owing money.

"Do you have any other objections? If not, from now on, you're the teacher I've hired."

"... No."

"Also, don't even think about running away. If you're caught, it won't be as simple as the first time."

Haruki stood up and casually warned him. Then he booked a room for him next door.

Kakuzu glanced at Haruki and entered the room with mixed feelings.

"Oh, you."

Tsunade laughed again. She had also heard of Kakuzu and didn't expect him to be even more troublesome than the rumors.

But no matter how powerful he was, he couldn't even withstand one move from Haruki.

"What's up?"

Haruki sat down again and pulled Tsunade over, holding her in his arms.

"Humph, you've been lying to me all along, right?"

Since Tsunade was standing, she just happened to hold his head down. Her tone was dissatisfied. "So your real strength is actually..."

"Of course I can't use my full strength when having fun with you in bed."

Haruki leaned against her belly through the clothes. It felt soft, and there seemed to be a faint fragrance.

"Can you just talk seriously?"

Tsunade spat and at the same time kicked Haruki with her foot.

Haruki chuckled. "It would be even better if you weren't wearing shoes."

Tsunade was slightly stunned and then helplessly flicked his forehead.

This guy is truly a lost cause.

"Have you forgotten something?"

Haruki let Tsunade sit on his lap and put his arm around her soft and plump waist, asking.

"Ah, what thing?"

Tsunade leaned in his arms and looked confused when she heard his words.

"Sure enough, you've forgotten. Didn't you say you'd compensate me before entering the casino?"

Haruki reminded her. "And you lost me over thirty - five million ryo."

"Stingy. It's just thirty - five million ryo, what's the big deal."

Tsunade felt guilty, but she wasn't willing to back down in her words.

"Are you trying to welsh on your promise?" Haruki said with a smile.

"Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Tsunade pouted and asked. "What kind of compensation do you want?"

"Why are you asking me? Shouldn't you offer it voluntarily?"

"Um, okay then."

Tsunade also thought it was a bit excessive. She hugged Haruki with both hands. After thinking for a few minutes, she said, "How about going to a hot spring?"

"A hot spring?" Haruki squinted his eyes. "If it's a co - ed hot spring bath, I'll go."

"It's a co - ed hot spring bath." Tsunade blushed and gave him a sidelong glance.

"Really?" Haruki instantly perked up. "Let's go right away!"

"Ah?" Tsunade let out an involuntary exclamation. Then she pointed at the moon outside the window. "It's so late. Let's go some other day."

"No way!" Haruki put his right arm through her legs and stood up in a princess - carry position. "You'll blow me off next time. Now! Right this second! Let's go!"