Kizaru defeated Hanzo, severely injuring him, and Amegakure surrendered!
The few words of intelligence made Danzo feel a headache coming on!
Shouldn't Kizaru be serving as the Hokage's escort, following Hiruzen to meet with the Tsuchikage?
Why did he appear in the Amegakure? And he even fought against Hanzo!
Did Kizaru sneak there? He didn't attend the meeting!
With these thoughts, Danzo's headache worsened.
"Bring Kizaru to me immediately!" Danzo said coldly after setting down the intelligence.
But then, considering his nephew's personality, Danzo reluctantly changed his mind.
"Arrange two squads to accompany me to Amegakure!" Danzo stood up, speaking out loud, knowing he probably couldn't call back Kizaru.
"Yes!" came the response as the ANBU ninjas exited the tent.
"That Kizaru always manages to stir up trouble for himself, he's really giving me a headache!"
Balancing between joy at Kizaru's significant achievements and frustration at his insubordination, Danzo walked out of the tent with mixed feelings.
As Danzo and the squads prepared to rush to Amegakure to meet Kizaru, Kizaru had already left with the Two-Tails.
"Kizaru, where are you trying to go this time?" Standing in front of Kizaru, Tsunade put her hands on her hips, asking sternly.
"Sarutobi-sensei is still waiting for me in the village." Kizaru estimated that the squad escorting the Third Raikage should be arriving at the village soon, and with the payment for the mission not yet in hand, Kizaru smiled as he spoke.
"Be safe on your way back to the village!" Tsunade advised Kizaru with concern.
"Don't worry, Tsunade-senpai! I'll leave the rest to you guys."
With that said, Kizaru waved his hand and left with the Two-Tails.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu was still on his way.
Unable to fly with the Two-Tails, Kizaru had to swiftly maneuver through forests and swamps using the Body Flicker Jutsu.
Amegakure was not large, so Kizaru quickly arrived at the border between Amegakure and the Land of Fire, returning to the latter.
"Kizaru isn't here?"
After spending several days following the squad escort, Kakuzu finally returned to Konoha, but received some troubling news.
Could that guy be planning to skip out on paying?
Thinking about it, Kakuzu's clenched his hands, his heart racing even faster.
That was a whopping seventy million!
Facing the reception arranged by the Hokage, Kakuzu, who had no appetite or thirst, citing exhaustion, returned to the lodging assigned by Konoha.
If Kizaru really skips out on the bill, should he pursue the debt?
Thinking about the scene of Kizaru fighting the Third Raikage, Kakuzu reasoned with himself that the risk was too great to pursue it.
But from an emotional standpoint, Kakuzu felt that for such a large sum of money, even if it meant risking his life, he had to get it back.
With the money not in hand and lacking the ability to collect debts, Kakuzu felt a bit anxious, even considering whether he should directly approach the Hokage for the money, feeling it might be easier than dealing with Kizaru.
While Kakuzu worried about Kizaru skipping out on the bill, Kizaru had just returned to the gates of Konoha with the Two-Tails.
After exchanging greetings with the gate guards, Kizaru stepped back into the village.
"Bro, I'm back!" Sitting on the windowsill of the room where Kakuzu was resting, Kizaru smiled and spoke.
Hearing Kizaru's voice, Kakuzu, who was resting with his eyes closed, immediately opened his eyes.
"When will my money be settled?" Looking at Kizaru, Kakuzu's first question was about settling the bill.
"It's really heart-wrenching, Brother!" Laughing, Kizaru jumped into the room. "I thought after such a long time, you'd miss me."
"Yeah! I missed you." Kakuzu replied insincerely, thinking about the money.
"Hehe!" Laughing, Kizaru walked up to Kakuzu. "Since you're in such a hurry, why don't you come with me to collect the money!"
"Let's go!" Getting up from the bed instantly, Kakuzu looked at Kizaru.
With an even broader smile on his face, Kizaru led Kakuzu out of the room.
"Bro, we've known each other for so long, and I still don't know your name," Kizaru initiated the conversation as they walked down the street, knowingly asking.
"It's Kakuzu!" Without hesitation, Kakuzu directly revealed his real name.
"Not bad!" Praising him, Kizaru continued, "Let's exchange contact information! There will be more collaborations in the future!"
When it came to making money, Kakuzu immediately became interested and directly told Kizaru the method by which he could contact him through the black market.
In friendly conversation, Kizaru led Kakuzu to the front of the Hokage's building.
Entering the Hokage's building, Kizaru skillfully made his way to the second floor, to the office of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen.
Without knocking, he pushed the door open and greeted with a smile, "I'm back, Sarutobi-sensei!"
In the office, Hiruzen, who was monitoring the village through a crystal ball, immediately picked up a file to cover the crystal ball.
"Cough cough!" Clearing his throat twice, Hiruzen looked at his proud disciple and admonished, "Kizaru, remember to knock before entering next time."
"Knocking is such a hassle," Kizaru said with a smile, casting a meaningful glance at the desk where Hiruzen had his crystal ball.
"I'm monitoring the confinement of the Third Raikage!" Hiruzen, who had dispelled his jutsu, put down the file he had picked up and explained.
"You're working hard, Sensei!" Laughing, Kizaru walked up to Hiruzen and pulled a chair from the side, sitting down.
Glancing at Kizaru and then at Kakuzu behind him, Hiruzen realized he was indeed a strong one!
Feeling the dangerous aura emanating from Kakuzu, Hiruzen's expression became serious.
"Sensei, shouldn't my expenses be settled by now? Kakuzu is waiting for his reward," lounging comfortably, Kizaru said casually.
Indeed, such a strong person couldn't be easily offended. Although he felt a bit distressed about the money, when he thought about Kizaru single-handedly defeating Kumogakure and the military expenses saved as a result, as well as the upcoming negotiations with Kumogakure to redeem the Third Raikage, Hiruzen's distress lessened.
Opening a drawer, Hiruzen took out the pre-approved document and handed it to Kizaru.
"A approval for one hundred and fifty million has been granted. Go directly to Elder Koharu to collect the money!"
One hundred and fifty million!
Surprised, Kakuzu looked at Kizaru expressionlessly.
When it came to making money, it seemed that this guy in front of him was more capable!
He had worked hard on missions, only earning seventy million. Kizaru, on the other hand, just had to speak a few words and he'd pocketed almost twice the amount!
Thinking about the subsequent cooperation mentioned by Kizaru on the way, Kakuzu suddenly felt excited.
Observing Kakuzu's expression secretly, Hiruzen, who had learned about part of the conversation between Kizaru and this bounty hunter from Nagayasu's report, confirmed that Kizaru hadn't profited from it. Seeing Kakuzu's unchanged expression, he realized that his disciple was indeed morally excellent, despite occasionally using public funds for personal use.
Thinking about how he occasionally used public funds for personal matters, Hiruzen suddenly felt a little ashamed.
"Thank you so much, Sarutobi-sensei!" Saying words of gratitude, Kizaru took the documents and stood up.
"Go ahead! Koharu is in the next room." Watching Kizaru, who was about to leave, Hiruzen said.
Raising his right hand with the documents and waving it, Kizaru walked up to Kakuzu, gave him a nod, and then left the office with him.