Chapter 54: A Fortunate Day
In the dense forest, Uchiha Kagami had just crossed the Land of Rain and was now within the borders of the Land of Birds.
Since Obito hadn't yet been "prepared," and Nagato's involvement wasn't in motion either, the Land of Rain was still under Hanzo's rule. Passing through had been relatively simple.
Kagami leaned against a plump orange cat, whose hefty frame didn't impede its agility as it darted through the forest. Despite its round appearance, this cat, named Revolver, was astonishingly swift.
His summoning hawk needed rest, so Kagami alternated between his aerial companion and this portly feline.
Revolver wasn't meant for combat; Kagami only needed it for comfortable travel. It was so soft that he could even nap on its back.
Sunlight filtered through the treetops, flickering across his face and the pages of the book he held.
His recent battle with Madara had fulfilled every one of his objectives.
First, he'd used Madara's power to unlock the seal on Sukuna.
This was akin to forging a key and keeping it in his possession. When the time came, he could release Sukuna as he saw fit.
Second, he had extracted a portion of Madara's ocular power, preserving it in his mental space via transcription seals.
Kagami didn't need this energy for himself; it was bait for a certain fiery orange fox.
Enough bait to provoke a rampage.
Third, he had collected some White Zetsu samples.
Initially, Kagami had considered using White Zetsu's Yang Release cells to counterbalance his ocular strain, but that plan was no longer viable.
Both Sukuna and Kagami's Yin Release energy had grown too rapidly.
Sukuna was like a corpse flower thriving on the blood-soaked soil of the ninja world.
Attempting to achieve perfect Mangekyo with his current Yin energy would render White Zetsu's cells ineffective for balancing Yin and Yang.
Moreover, Kagami was reluctant to implant foreign elements into his body.
Instead, he focused on his two proposed solutions: amassing immense ocular power until it naturally balanced Yin and Yang or using the turning point of Yin to produce Yang.
However, the former wasn't perfect. It diverged from Kagami's vision of a flawless evolution.
Returning to the essence of the issue—converting his colossal Yin energy into Yang—was the true solution.
This required mastering Reversed Cursed Energy Techniques.
Implementing this technique using chakra was exponentially more complex than with cursed energy. It was like comparing the Pythagorean theorem to Euler's equations.
But Kagami believed he alone could solve this.
Now, he was headed for a critical piece of his plan: the Dragon Vein of Roran.
The lifeblood of the earth itself, the Dragon Vein was a vast reservoir of energy.
With it, his Perfect Mangekyo Plan would finally be within reach.
As for White Zetsu? Kagami didn't need it, but his little brother Shisui might. He truly spared no effort for his family.
---
"Lord Kagami, Granny Cat asked me to remind you about the last payment for the ninja tools. When will it be settled?"
Revolver's voice was light and crisp, a stark contrast to its hefty figure.
Snap. Kagami shut his book.
"They've raised prices by 30 percent. Tell her to lower it."
"But… Granny Cat said there's a war going on, and she's already prioritizing the Uchiha Clan. Ninja tools are in high demand, and the price is fair…"
"The Uchiha Clan has worked with her for generations. Just because supplies are tight doesn't mean she can raise prices."
"And you, asking me for money—are you my summon or that miserly old hag's?"
"Of course, I'm yours, my lord… but…"
"No buts. Tell her I'll pay the original price. Take it or leave it."
"Oh…" Revolver trudged forward dejectedly. It was only passing along the message, but Kagami's tone had been harsh.
---
Suddenly, Kagami grabbed the scruff of Revolver's neck, lifting the 800-pound feline off the ground.
"Meow…?" Revolver turned its head, its dark eyes filled with confusion and a hint of fear.
"Stupid cat, you almost walked into an explosive tag trap."
---
The faint sound of footsteps emerged from behind a tree.
"Impressive as always, Crimson Eye. A bounty of 90 million ryo—looks like traps are useless against you."
Green eyes, a Takigakure headband, and a masked face.
It was Kakuzu.
Kagami tossed Revolver to the side, the fat cat landing on a branch like a thick blanket.
"Kakuzu the bounty hunter. What a coincidence."
Still, 90 million? That's not even three Asumas. Do they underestimate me?
"It really is a coincidence," Kakuzu replied. "I came to this small country to hunt a 2-million bounty target and stumbled upon you."
Black tendrils extended from Kakuzu's sleeves, writhing ominously.
"Your forehead protector reminds me of my first fight with a Konoha ninja…"
"Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage!"
---
Kagami picked his ear nonchalantly.
"I fought Uchiha Madara just a few days ago."
---
"You're mocking me, kid!"
Kagami chuckled. "You started with the jokes. I'm just telling the truth."
"Enough…" Kakuzu's gaze turned icy.
"Konoha's greatest genius, all alone… this 90 million is mine!"
---
---
Three minutes later.
Kagami had Kakuzu pinned to the ground, one hand gripping his neck.
Kakuzu's hands clawed at Kagami's arm, to no avail. Black threads lay scattered, twitching weakly.
Kagami's crimson Sharingan spun lazily.
"Where's the stash?"
The Uchiha Clan's funds were running low lately, and he'd stumbled upon a fat sheep. What luck.
"Kill me if you dare! I'll never tell you!" Kakuzu roared defiantly.
"Good spirit," Kagami mused, a dangerous glint in his eye.
"But for a ninja, dying is often the easy part. Living—now that's hard."
Kakuzu's green eyes glazed over, caught in Kagami's genjutsu.
Kagami pulled a rope from his sleeve, tying it securely around Kakuzu's neck.
Carrying rope was standard ninja practice, after all.
"Revolver, keep moving."
---
"Lord Kagami, were you about to call me fat just now?"
One end of the rope was tied to Revolver's tail, and Kakuzu bounced along the ground like a discarded rug.
Kagami's expression remained stoic.
"No, you misheard."
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