bookrebus Chapter 721 Good! I'll take this deal!
Chapter 721 Good! I'll take this deal!
He recalled his battle with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, his devastating Wood Release ninjutsu, and the immense pressure he had endured during that battle.
He stared at the necklace in his hand, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He hadn't expected that this Uchiha brat would be able to produce a relic belonging to the First Hokage!
"Alright! I'll take this deal!" Kakuzu said in a deep voice, a hint of excitement in his tone. He knew that the necklace was worth far more than thirty million.
Zhang Hai breathed a sigh of relief when Kakuzu confirmed the necklace's value. He knew his lie had worked. However, he began to worry again. If Tsunade knew he had pawned her family heirloom, wouldn't she skin him alive?!
“Lord Kakuzu, you see…” Zhang Hai said hesitantly, “This is, after all, a relic of the First Hokage, and it holds great significance for me. I hope to have the opportunity to redeem it.”
Kakuzu glanced at Zhang Hai, his eyes filled with disdain. "Ranking him back? Do you think I, Kakuzu, am a philanthropist?! The ransom isn't cheap!"
"Of course! Of course!" Zhang Hai quickly assured him, "I'm willing to pay interest! Ten million a year! As long as you can give me a year, I will definitely redeem it!" He gritted his teeth and decided to make a huge sacrifice.
Upon hearing this, Kakuzu's eyes flashed with a greedy light. Ten million in interest a year? That's a considerable sum!
"Deal!" Kakuzu replied simply, then put the necklace away. He knew nothing about the necklace's origin or the crisis Zhang Hai had experienced; he was simply lost in memories of the past.
Looking at Kakuzu's greedy expression, Zhang Hai couldn't help but smile bitterly. He knew that he was now completely "tied" by Kakuzu.
"Lord Kakuzu, you mentioned before that you once fought against Konoha ninjas," Zhang Hai suddenly asked curiously. "The ninja you mentioned, could it be the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju?"
Upon hearing this, Kakuzu's body trembled violently. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
“That’s right…” Kakuzu’s voice was low and hoarse, a trace of pain and memory flashing in his eyes, “I once fought against the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. That battle… changed my life.”
He paused, a hint of emotion in his voice, "I was once an elite ninja of Takigakure, sent by the village to assassinate the First Hokage. However, the First Hokage's strength far exceeded my expectations. I was defeated by him, and I was also shocked by the power he displayed."
He shook his head, his eyes filled with helplessness. "After that battle, I saw the true nature of the ninja world. So-called villages and missions are just tools. Only power is eternal. So I chose to betray the village and embark on the path of a rogue ninja."
As Zhang Hai listened to Kakuzu's recollections, he was filled with deep emotion. He knew that Kakuzu's current state was all due to the battle with the First Hokage. Although the First Hokage was a hero, he had also unknowingly changed the fates of many people.
"Lord Kakuzu, what exactly was your battle with the First Hokage like?" Zhang Hai was very interested in the details of Kakuzu's fight with the First Hokage and wanted to know more. "Was the First Hokage's Wood Release ninjutsu really that powerful?"
Upon hearing this, Kakuzu's eyes flashed with a mixture of pain and apprehension. He shook his head, remaining silent and unwilling to elaborate. That experience was a wound that would forever remain in his heart.
"What? Lord Kakuzu, are you afraid?" Seeing Kakuzu remain silent, Zhang Hai immediately tried to provoke him. "Legend has it that the First Hokage was incredibly powerful, and even the combined might not have been able to defeat him. It's a miracle you survived him. Are you afraid to even mention this past event?"
Upon hearing Zhang Hai's provocation, Kakuzu's eyes flashed with anger. He abruptly opened his eyes, his tone laced with disdain, "Hmph! The mere First Hokage, what do I have to fear?! He was just a clone. The target I painstakingly defeated turned out to be just a clone!" He ultimately revealed some information about the battle, his tone filled with resentment and anger, also hinting at his defeat in the fight against the First Hokage.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hai was startled. A clone?! The First Hokage's clone was able to force Kakuzu to this point?! The First Hokage's strength was indeed unfathomable!
Just as Zhang Hai was deep in thought, Kakuzu suddenly glanced outside the cave, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.
"Hey! You Uchiha brat, your little sweetheart has been following us the whole time!" Kakuzu said with a disdainful tone. "She's been following us ever since I carried you out of the village."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hai's body stiffened abruptly; even his chakra manipulation was somewhat unstable. He had long suspected that Mei Terumi might catch up, but he hadn't expected her to follow them all the way.
He felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He knew that Mei Terumi must have seen him being carried by Kakuzu, and she must have seen Shiro. She must have thought that he had run away with Shiro.
“Lord Zhang Hai…” Bai’s voice rang in Zhang Hai’s ears, her tone gentle yet firm, “What are you hesitating about? Don’t you want to see her? Your hesitation and struggle show that deep down you want to solve this problem.”
Looking into Bai's encouraging eyes, Zhang Hai felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew that Bai was encouraging him and giving him courage.
He took a deep breath and clenched his teeth. He knew he could no longer run away. He had to face Mei Mei and explain everything to her.
"Lord Kakuzu!" Zhang Hai said in a deep voice, "Please use your wind-attribute mask to take me to see Mei Terumi!"
Kakuzu glanced at Zhang Hai, his eyes filled with disdain. "Go see her? Fine. But if you're going to take action, there'll be an extra charge! I know you're broke right now!" He knew Zhang Hai had no money left.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hai's lips twitched involuntarily. He knew that Kakuzu was taking advantage of the situation.
"Don't worry, Lord Kakuzu!" Zhang Hai quickly assured him, "If it requires action, I will definitely go to the gold exchange to complete the mission and then return the money to you!"
Kakuzu snorted coldly and said nothing more. He knew that Zhang Hai was a man of his word.
"Hmph! You're smart enough to know what's good for you!" Kakuzu sneered, and with a sudden wave of his hand, a gigantic wind-attribute monster instantly surged from his body. The monster was enveloped in green chakra and exuded a powerful aura.