"Alright, everyone go back and carefully study the assessment manual this Elder distributed."
Kakuzu at the back of the group pretended to sneak a glance at Kaito up front. After selling the last assessment manual, he didn't forget to warn everyone.
"Don't say this Elder didn't warn you..."
"Leaking the assessment manual prematurely is a serious crime. You must never reveal it to others in the village... I mean the Sect."
Kakuzu spoke very seriously, and those suckers listened equally seriously.
To be fair, Kakuzu hadn't scammed them with the manuals—the contents were completely genuine. He'd just sold something that should've been free for 500,000 ryo.
The money itself meant nothing to Kakuzu. It was the process of earning it...
That was the real thrill!
This was exactly why Kakuzu had only made them sign 35 million ryo in IOUs earlier instead of directly robbing them—to make these people willingly hand over their money.
And he even got their gratitude in the end.
"Thank you so much! Elder Kakuzu, we'll definitely work hard!"
The Cloud ninjas were quite wealthy. After buying all the manuals, they even pressed their palms together to thank Elder Kakuzu before scurrying off to a corner to study the so-called assessment manuals.
Seeing the Cloud ninjas be the first to obtain small booklets from Kakuzu, the others inexplicably felt a sense of crisis.
"Oh no...""We can't let them get the exam intel first!"
"Let's go! We should ask too!"
Subsequently, Kakuzu reluctantly pulled out the last few copies of the exam manuals amidst sighs, then cheerfully sent off several customers.
After two groups purchased from Kakuzu, the remaining attendees began competing fiercely, each approaching him to buy the "inside information" priced at 500,000 ryo per copy.
The shinobi from Sunagakure, who didn't have much money to begin with, pooled resources with three from Takigakure to afford one manual.
Everyone's mindset was the same—fearing that someone in their team might gain an unfair advantage, complete the final assessment, and successfully learn Wood Release.
After all...
Only ten people could master the powerful Wood Release.
"Hmph!"
Asuma couldn't contain his frustration and let out a cold snort before storming up to Kakuzu.
Already irritated by repeated disruptions, Kakuzu raised an eyebrow mockingly.
"What?"
"Looking for a fight?"
Asuma clenched his teeth, glaring at Kakuzu's infuriating face. "I want four copies!"
"I'll add another 20 million ryo!!"
"Can you stop selling the exam questions to others?!"
Asuma was genuinely appalled by such underhanded tactics.
Earlier, Uchiha Kaito had claimed the assessment relied solely on talent and ability, calling it the fairest test in the world. But after seeing Kakuzu's methods...
So the spots could just be bought with money, huh??
Realizing this, no matter how much he despised it, he had to play by the rules—limiting how many shinobi from other villages could pass.
Kakuzu's expression shifted faster than flipping a page at the sight of money. In a flash, he darted to Asuma's side, eagerly grabbing his hand with feigned emotion.
"Asuma, my brother..."
"I was wrong earlier. From now on, if you need anything, just ask your big brother here. I'll help however I can!"
While speaking, he swiftly tossed the money into his sack, conveniently ignoring how he'd previously called Asuma '35 million.'
The speed of his change left Asuma dumbfounded.
"Hey..." Shikamaru watched helplessly as his teacher Asuma foolishly handed over money. Feeling utterly drained, he finally turned to Kaito beside him.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
He glanced at Kakuzu hauling his sack and darkened his expression again. "Letting Kakuzu run wild like this... it's going to cause problems."
"Shikamaru, don't you think the Shinobi World is too messed up?"
Kaito's sudden remark sent a chill down Shikamaru's spine.
"What are you planning?!"
Shikamaru's first thought was that this guy intended to follow in Uchiha Madara's footsteps—igniting conflict and plunging the currently peaceful Shinobi World into another war.
The thought alone drenched his back in sweat.
Damn...
Could this kid actually be Madara's reincarnation?!
Shikamaru's mind raced with images of Kaito secretly building forces in Amegakure before declaring war on the entire Shinobi World.
"Relax."
Kaito found Shikamaru's reaction amusing but didn't elaborate further. Instead, he glanced at Kakuzu and added,
"Kakuzu is one of our Sect's elders..."
"Don't judge him by appearances. He's contributed a great deal."
Shikamaru: "..."
He truly couldn't imagine how much a guy who lived only for money could possibly contribute.At the very least, he believed that as long as he offered a price too tempting to refuse, that Kakuzu would choose to betray Uchiha Kaito.
As for Kakuzu's love of money, Kaito didn't have much to say about it.
Because...
The dear elder would no longer be able to savor the delightful scent of money in the future, left only to clutch a pile of Spirit Stones in utter bewilderment.
It was precisely at this moment, as the group stepped into the territory of Amegakure, that Kaito heard the system notification in his mind signaling the completion of a task.
"NOOOO!!!"
"MY MONEY!!!"
"Who!? Who the hell took my money!!"
Kakuzu's wails erupted almost simultaneously with Kaito's system notification.
Clutching a burlap sack, his eyes welled up at the sight of a single worthless stone inside.
The 35 million ryo he had painstakingly earned today had vanished without a trace. The sack, once heavy and reassuring on his shoulder, now felt hollow. The moment he realized his money was gone, he was as grief-stricken as if he had lost both his parents.
Now, he eyed everyone with suspicion.
"Speak!! Was it you!?"
Kakuzu instantly appeared before Asuma, gripping his collar tightly and slamming his forehead against Asuma's, radiating murderous intent.
"You bastard...!"
Asuma, wrongfully accused, trembled with rage, his limbs turning cold.
Earlier, Kakuzu had already crossed the line by constantly referring to him by that damn nickname. He had barely suppressed his anger when he went to deliver the money to Kakuzu, and now this baseless accusation...
He couldn't take it anymore!
Swish—
Asuma immediately drew his weapon and aimed for Kakuzu's kidneys.
However, just as he was about to strike, the clang of metal rang out. He felt his weapon knocked away by an immense force, followed by the voice of Uchiha Kaito.
"Enough."
Kaito held the low-grade Spirit Stone in his hand, his expression stern as he looked at the two, signaling that he had something to say to Kakuzu.
"Hmph!"
"35 million! You better come clean! Or don't blame me for taking your head to the bounty station!"
Kakuzu, knowing better, released Asuma and trudged toward Kaito with a face full of despair.
"Boss!!"
"My... my money is gone!! It must've been these filthy-handed bastards!"
Seeing Kakuzu's devastated expression, Kaito pursed his lips before finally speaking.
"Don't be too upset..."
"Maybe your money is just... accompanying you in a different form now."
Kakuzu's sobbing paused for a full three seconds at these words.
"Eh... what!?"
"Boss, what... what are you talking about?"
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