Compensation and a New Recruit

Rain Ninja Village. Kakuzu was holding a calculator, excitedly punching away at it with rapid clacks.

Across from him, Nara Shikaku’s face had gone a little pale. Konoha might have deep pockets, but money did not grow on trees. If this calculation continued, they would go bankrupt.

If anyone was to blame, it was Yota’s overwhelming strength and Kumogakure’s sheer fragility. He had smashed the entire Kumogakure Ninja force to pieces with ridiculous ease.

Although Konoha had signed an agreement with Yota, they had never expected him to be so efficient, nearly taking down the entire Kumogakure Ninja force! Once all those heads were counted, the total became utterly outrageous.

"Alright, calculations complete. The total is 14.3689 billion ryo. I’ll round it down for you—let’s call it 14.369 billion ryo!"

Upon hearing that, Koharu Utatane, standing behind Nara Shikaku, clutched her chest and nearly fainted. Homura Mitokado did not even have the presence of mind to ask why rounding down had somehow increased the payment. He merely wiped the sweat from his forehead with trembling hands.

"Could we… pay in installments?"

Refusing to pay was out of the question. Looking at the string of achievements Yota had left behind in Kumogakure, no one present believed Konoha could withstand such a monstrous individual.

Besides, though the price was steep, it might not have cost more than fighting Kumogakure head-on. More importantly, there would be no casualties.

However, if they fought Kumogakure, the Land of Fire would foot most of the bill, and payments would be spread out over several years.

This time, though, Konoha itself was the employer. While they could still ask the Land of Fire for money, since Konoha had not actually fought a war, the amount they could obtain would certainly be limited.

On top of that, taking out such an enormous sum all at once would immediately sever Konoha’s cash flow. It was like companies worth hundreds of millions going bankrupt in a chain reaction because their cash flow broke over a mere ten million. Konoha could scrape together the money if they sold everything they had, but afterward, they probably would not even be able to pay their ninja.

"Installments, huh~~" Kakuzu tapped away at his calculator again. "That can be arranged, but the interest…"

Nara Shikaku might have been Konoha’s famed strategist, and Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were both well-versed in government finances, but when it came to accounting and negotiation, they were still a notch below Kakuzu, the Naruto World’s greatest money-grubber. By the time the discussion ended, all three of them left with their legs trembling.

"Boss, the mission is complete. Konoha gave us 18 billion this time, to be paid in three installments over the next three years." When Kakuzu came over to report, if his whole body had not been modified and his face hidden behind a mask, he would probably have grinned himself stupid. Yota could likely see every one of his molars right now—this was the biggest job Kakuzu had ever taken. Even adding up decades of savings, he had never possessed this much money!

Of course, Kakuzu had not gotten carried away. He knew this result was entirely due to Yota’s military deterrence. Otherwise, asking for money? This was nearly the price of five thousand Asumas. Even if Kakuzu had five hundred hearts, Konoha would still tear him apart.

There was no need to think too highly of ninja villages. At the end of the day, they were just groups of mercenaries. Back when the Sand Ninja Village had been driven mad by poverty, they had still dared to launch a surprise attack on Konoha. Did they not know their odds of victory were slim? Yet they did it anyway, which showed just how important money was to a ninja village.

As for why he called Yota boss? If you could earn 18 billion for the entire organization, Kakuzu would not mind calling you boss either!

At that moment, in Akatsuki’s secret base, everyone wore different expressions after hearing Kakuzu’s report, and all eyes turned toward Yota and Deva Path Pain.

Yota’s accomplishments this time had truly frightened them. In the eyes of these rogue ninja, if Yota wanted to become Akatsuki’s leader now, it was entirely possible that he could.

However, Yota remained where he was, showing no sign of overstepping his bounds. The Naruto World was full of schemers, and Yota had no intention of being as active as he had been in the Pirate World, putting himself directly in the crosshairs.

"Alright, it looks like the funds we earned this time will be enough to keep us running for ten years." Deva Path Pain, who had been standing at the head of the room, finally spoke. "Our members should be more or less fully assembled by now, right?"

Yota turned and looked around. Yota, Sara, Obito Uchiha, Black-and-White Zetsu, Deva Path Pain, Konan, Sasori, Orochimaru, and Kakuzu—there were already nine people.

Obito was silent for a moment before speaking. "I found another one. He can join us too."

As he spoke, a silver-haired young man with slicked-back hair and a large scythe strapped to his back walked out from behind him.

"So this is the organization you brought me to join? It looks pretty good. By the way, does anyone here want to join Jashinism?"

So it’s Hidan, that crazy cultist. I thought the honest shark-faced Kisame would be the one arriving, Yota thought to himself.

It seemed Yota had indeed put a great deal of pressure on him. Obito appeared to be much more serious about recruiting people now. Aside from the still-young Itachi Uchiha and Deidara, he had gathered nearly all of Akatsuki’s other members.

"But he did not bring Kisame over… It looks like Obito Uchiha has started paying more attention to the Mist Ninja Village. Perhaps he has also sensed that Akatsuki is starting to slip beyond his control."

Yota held the other Kamui Mangekyo in his hand. When facing Obito Uchiha, he had complete confidence and was not afraid of whatever tricks Obito might try.

But Obito Uchiha was different. Yota’s existence was like a thorn in his throat. Combined with the battle power Yota had displayed this time—strength almost comparable to Madara Uchiha’s—it was no wonder Obito was under such immense pressure. He was desperately recruiting people to bolster his presence, both to demonstrate his usefulness and to cultivate his own influence within Akatsuki.

This was completely different from the original story, where he had hidden behind the scenes as the true mastermind.

Unfortunately, these rogue ninja had no loyalty to speak of. Obito’s approach could only make him look more imposing.

"So, what do you think? Believe in Lord Jashin! In this world, only Lord Jashin is the final destination!"

While Yota was thinking, Hidan had already delivered an impassioned and fervent declaration. At the same time, his eyes darted around, searching for a few potential fellow believers.

But to no avail. Everyone in Akatsuki was a problem child, and not a single one of them cared about Jashinism. Most of them treated his words like the buzzing of flies.

"What ability does this guy have that allows him to stand alongside us?" Kakuzu glanced at Hidan and spoke coldly.

"Can I sew his mouth shut?" Sasori of the Red Sand was even more direct.

"Hey, what the hell do you mean by that? Want me to send you to meet Lord Jashin?" Hidan swung his massive scythe twice and snapped irritably.

"Heh heh, this guy’s ability is anything but ordinary. He possesses a truly immortal body!" Obito Uchiha said with narrowed eyes.

"An immortal body!" Orochimaru licked his lips, clearly intrigued.