Tsunade, worried that the conversation might veer into dangerous territory again with something outrageous coming from Natsuhiko, quickly brought the topic back on track by asking the question she was most curious about.
"So, Natsuhiko, you said I've already met Ryoma. What exactly is going on here?"
Natsuhiko didn't beat around the bush this time and directly explained:
"It's very simple. The Ryoma you've been referring to is actually the same person as Mr. Kakuzu, who just left."
"What... how is that possible?"
Before Natsuhiko's words even finished, Tsunade exclaimed in disbelief, instinctively thinking he must be joking.
"They can't possibly be the same person," Tsunade shook her head repeatedly. "Even though Ryoma mentioned he used to be a bounty hunter and their ages are similar, their height and build are completely..."
She trailed off mid-sentence.
Although the two shared certain similarities, Tsunade had never connected them because, as a medical ninja, she instinctively analyzed others' physiques and skeletal structures. Kakuzu and Ryoma were utterly different in height and build.
However, recalling the brief skirmish earlier, she realized something—Kakuzu wasn't someone you could view through ordinary standards.
"Could it be those black tendrils that came out of his body earlier?" Tsunade asked hesitantly, her expression stiff.
Natsuhiko nodded and elaborated:
"That technique is called Earth Grudge Fear. It's a forbidden jutsu that Kakuzu supposedly stole from the Hidden Waterfall Village."
"Tsunade-sama, you must have noticed that Kakuzu's body has been modified by that jutsu into something inhuman. It's not surprising that he could alter his height and build using it."
"During his long years as a bounty hunter, Kakuzu made many enemies. Coupled with his identity as a rogue ninja from the Waterfall Village, I believe the persona of Ryoma was simply a disguise to avoid unnecessary trouble tied to his real identity."
At this, Natsuhiko couldn't help but chuckle and add:
"But you know, Kakuzu does have a sense of dark humor. He laid the truth bare in plain sight."
Seeing Tsunade still puzzled, Natsuhiko continued his explanation:
"Tsunade-sama, you're aware of the chess piece called the 'Bishop' in shogi, correct?"
"When this piece advances deep into enemy territory, it can flip over and transform into a 'Dragon Horse.'"
"So, from the start, the 'Bishop' and the Dragon Horse were two sides of the same coin."
"To be honest, if it weren't for this connection, I wouldn't have immediately suspected this the moment Kakuzu appeared."
"Using this premise as a foundation, I reverse-engineered the whole situation, and suddenly all the strange elements of this incident made perfect sense..."
Even after Natsuhiko's detailed explanation, Tsunade found it hard to believe.
The kindly Uncle Ryoma, who often lent her money and gambled with her, turned out to be the infamous bounty hunter Kakuzu? The drastic difference was so shocking that her mind went blank for a moment.
Yet, Natsuhiko's reasoning was coherent, leaving her no grounds for rebuttal.
"But... why would he do something like this?" Tsunade eventually couldn't resist voicing her question.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko's eyes turned sharp.
"Tsunade-sama, do you really not see the obvious?"
"It's money. Kakuzu is still a bounty hunter, and his motivation, of course, is money."
Natsuhiko spread his hands as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"Though it's hard to believe, Kakuzu has a particular fondness for money, something that's hardly a secret in the ninja world."
"For money?" Tsunade's disbelief only grew.
Had Kakuzu been secretly plotting some terrifying scheme that could potentially overthrow Konoha, she might have found it easier to accept. But money?
To Tsunade, money was nothing more than a number that fluctuated. If the amount was massive, it might catch her attention, but she couldn't fathom someone like Kakuzu scheming against her over "a little money."
—Wait, maybe it wasn't a "little money" anymore.
Thinking back, Tsunade realized she'd accrued a significant debt to Kakuzu over time. And often, the money she borrowed barely had time to warm her hands before Kakuzu won it back at the gambling table.
It felt like things reset to zero, except she'd accumulated yet another IOU.
Thinking of her massive debt to Kakuzu, a cold sweat broke out on her back.
She knew Kakuzu wasn't an ordinary creditor. Even in her prime, Tsunade wasn't confident she could defeat him in a one-on-one fight. Now, with her hemophobia, she wasn't even sure she could run away.
Who knows what Kakuzu might do to her if she couldn't repay her debt? Especially since that guy had tentacles...
"Thankfully, Dragon—no, Kakuzu, hasn't demanded repayment yet. Does that mean he's waiting for the right moment to strike?" Tsunade muttered, patting her chest in relief.
Moments later, her expression shifted from fear to smug satisfaction. With a serious tone, she declared:
"Who would've thought that lending me money was part of Kakuzu's sinister plans? Who knows what terrible conspiracy lies behind it. To thwart his evil scheme, I've decided... I simply won't repay him!"
Watching Tsunade's righteous proclamation of the most shameless statement imaginable, Natsuhiko resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
After letting her revel in her victory for a moment, Natsuhiko reminded her in a low voice:
"Tsunade-sama, I don't think I've told you why Mito-sensei insisted I bring you back..."
"I heard there've been many people recently bringing IOUs with your handwriting to the Senju estate, demanding repayment. Lady Mito said that if this continues, the Senju clan's legacy might be squandered entirely. That's why she asked me to bring you back at all costs."
"Now that I think about it, someone who knows your true identity and has collected a large number of your IOUs... That can only be Kakuzu."
"So, it's not that he hasn't demanded repayment; he just knew you wouldn't pay. His real target has always been the Senju clan's assets."
Having said everything he needed to, Natsuhiko ignored Tsunade, who had turned to stone in shock, and walked back toward the arcade.
Since Kakuzu, the big boss, had fled, it was time to deal with the remaining small fry.
Moments later, a shrill cry pierced the air outside the arcade, startling a flock of birds into flight:
"KAKUZU, YOU'D BETTER REMEMBER THIS!!!!!!"
(Chapter End)