Kakuzu: You Have to Pay More

In a forest in another direction in the Land of Hot Water.

As space twisted, Obito, Kakuzu, and Hidan appeared from within, landing on a flat piece of ground.

"You two, you're not dead, are you?"

Obito's voice was cold, and it was clear he wasn't in a particularly good mood.

Thinking about it carefully, it was understandable. He had personally witnessed Kakashi activate his Mangekyo Sharingan and use its abilities to counter him.

Such a thing seemed strange no matter how he looked at it, and wrong no matter how he thought about it.

What's more, Kakuzu, whom he intended to recruit and who claimed to have almost assassinated the First Hokage, was beaten so miserably by Takemi, who had ambushed him in the past.

And Hidan, whom the Akatsuki wanted to recruit, was severely beaten by Guy, who had kicked him once before.

With all that pent-up frustration, Obito felt that being able to speak at all was already a calm reaction.

"I won't die, but this time I suffered a huge loss." Kakuzu shakily stood up, his body covered in cuts and bruises, but he had Earth Grudge Fear to help him recover.

But the problem was, he had lost four hearts this time.

One was shattered by that idiot Hidan, and he lost three more fighting that kid?

Such a loss did more than just make his heart bleed, it almost drove him mad.

"Also, didn't you say that kid's strongest technique was the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Turning his head, Kakuzu looked at Obito somewhat weakly, his voice also very low and cold.

"But why does he also know Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and why is its intensity so high?!"

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"

Obito was somewhat puzzled. Wasn't that technique from Kumogakure? How did Takemi know it?

However, as soon as he thought of Takemi's Purple Electricity, he shook his head.

Perhaps he developed it himself. After all, he understood how ruthless that Purple Electricity was.

Obito said, "We don't have information on that, so we couldn't help you, but how did you—"

Kakuzu shook his head indifferently and said, "Hmph, precisely because there was no information, my main defensive focus was on the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"But then, that kid used Lightning Release Chakra Mode to forcefully break through. With that speed, power, and Purple Lightning, I had no good solution for a while."

"But next time..."

This time, he felt extremely unlucky. His main energy was focused on defending against the Flying Thunder God Technique, and it proved that the technique still had an effect.

But the problem was, he was stunned by Takemi's Lightning Release Chakra Mode before a heart was taken out by the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kakuzu wasn't arrogant. If he had known this information, he might have adopted a different strategy.

While the Flying Thunder God Technique was deadly, being overly prepared and distracted was even more so.

"Troublesome brat!"

After much thought, Kakuzu could only curse inwardly, unsure if it was for his lost hearts or for the troublesome Takemi.

"I won't die either."

Hidan had also sat up by now, but his face was filled with displeasure.

"That damned kappa, his taijutsu is really strong, and his speed and power are also exaggerated."

"But he's like a madman, always shouting about youth or something, and constantly breaking my bones."

"Also, he especially likes to kick me in the face. What's wrong with that guy?"

"..."

Obito didn't speak, but a rather unpleasant memory surfaced in his mind.

During the academy assessment back then, he had a candy in his mouth and tried to use Fire Release, but the candy got stuck in his throat. In the end, Guy kicked him in the face.

The candy stuck in his throat flew out, his assessment failed, and he became a true dead last, while Guy, who was second to last, passed...

"He only knows taijutsu, and he has a secret technique called Eight Inner Gates."

Shaking his head, Obito suppressed these negative emotions and began to explain, "It's very disadvantageous to fight him in taijutsu. Even if he was once one of Konoha's dead last, consistently second to last, you can't underestimate his abilities."

"Tch, so he's only good at taijutsu, and he has some secret technique. No wonder his speed and strength increased so much, hmm." Hidan rubbed his chin, muttering unhappily, then looked at Obito with curiosity.

"You know him that well, even knowing he was second to last? But this second to last is quite impressive. Who's that idiot who was dead last, are they strong?"

"..."

Obito was stunned. He felt like Hidan's brain might be Have a problem.

Why was his focus on something like that?

"Prepare to go back."

Ultimately, he could only pretend not to hear, his voice growing even colder as he spoke.

"The losses this time are considerable, and you also need to report the situation, but I hope you remember one thing—"

At this point, Obito's exposed Sharingan coldly swept over the two of them.

"What should be said and what shouldn't, I hope you are both clear. As for how to choose, that's up to you, but I personally hope you make the correct choice."

"After all, there is only one correct path. Once you miss it, it's eternal damnation!"

As Obito's words fell, silence fell upon the three of them.

Hidan was somewhat annoyed. He didn't want to be involved in this kind of nonsense at all.

This Obito has been aggressive all this time. Who the hell does he think he is?!

He looked up coldly at Obito, who frowned, but before he could say anything, Kakuzu spoke, "Okay, but you have to pay more!"

"..."

Obito's breath hitched.

Pay... pay more?

Recalling their first meeting, when Kakuzu looked like he was about to kill him for the bounty, he fell silent.

"Hmm?"

Hidan inexplicably glanced at the two of them, then muttered softly, "What are these two lunatics talking about?"

"..."

.....

"Alright, we're finally back!"

Days later, at the Konoha entrance.

Guy helped the dispirited Kakashi, and vigorously pumped his fist.

"Slower..."

Kakashi mumbled with deadpan eyes, while Takemi followed behind with large and small bags, sighing at the sight of Konoha.

He said, "This time, I didn't even get a chance to go to the hot springs before coming back. What a pity."

Kakashi helplessly said, "Hey, you two, can you be a bit more serious?"

He couldn't hold back anymore. Why did these two seem so unreliable?

He was now even wondering if Takemi had turned out this way because he had trained with Guy when he was a child?

"But he doesn't seem much like Guy..."

Kakashi rubbed his temples, then spoke, "Takemi, you go back and rest first. Guy, take me to Lord Hokage. Our intel should have been delivered."

"No problem, I'll take you right away!"

Guy immediately nodded. He gave Takemi a thumbs-up, and the next moment, he roared.

"I'm speeding up, Kakashi, feel the power of youth!"

"Eh?!"

Before Kakashi could react, Guy hoisted him onto his shoulder and dashed towards the Hokage building.

"..."

Takemi clearly saw Kakashi's eyes rolling. He could only hope that Kakashi wouldn't have an accident.

"Forget it, it's not the first time anyway, he should be fine. I also need to go back and study the new things I've obtained."

After a few days, Takemi's body had recovered, and his rewards had also arrived.

Next was to get some good rest, and in the meantime, carefully study his gains from this trip, and also find time to go see Jiraiya.

"However, this reward is quite interesting."

As he walked back, Takemi opened his panel.

[Side Mission Completed]

[This team cannot be without me!]

[Reward: Uchiha Forbidden Jutsu: Six Paths Technique]