If he hadn't known that Black Zetsu was also a creation of Madara, he would have thought Black Zetsu was a spy among them.
"Understood, I will show him more respect in the future."
"I hope so. Lord Nagato has inherited everything from Lord Madara and is the future savior. We only need to admire that great power."
White Zetsu stared speechlessly at Black Zetsu, thinking, who is he pretending for when no one is here?
He wondered if Black Zetsu had something wrong with him.
"Nevertheless, Lord Madara's body must be retrieved. In the hands of those three, it might cause trouble for Lord Nagato in the future."
Black Zetsu remembered something and said.
White Zetsu responded, "For now, we don't have the power to deal with those three, nor do we know their location in the Ninja Realm. Most importantly, we must not retrieve the body... This was the command Lord Madara gave us before he died."
Although White Zetsu also found this command strange, allowing those three to take the body was indeed a command left by Madara.
Since Madara issued this command, it couldn't be defied.
"What a pity, it will have to be handled by Lord Nagato."
Black Zetsu spoke with a tone of regret.
Soon, Nagato came along the forest path.
"Let's go, I'm ready."
"Yes, Lord Nagato."
Upon seeing Nagato arrive, Black Zetsu silently slipped underground, while White Zetsu began leading the way, sprinting quickly in the alternating patches of light among the leaves.
Target: Land of Tea.
◎
The happiness in life is at the moment you receive your salary.
Kakuzu was engulfed by this happiness at this moment.
Counting money over and over, tirelessly, due to the large amount, he counted from morning to noon, from noon to afternoon.
The exchange workers wisely refrained from disturbing him.
The undead Kakuzu was definitely a perennial evergreen figure in the Underground Black Market, a renowned figure.
This led to many workers at the underground exchange knowing his peculiar habit.
That habit was counting money in public whenever he was exchanging bodies, with fluid motions and unwavering focus, reaching a state unattainable to ordinary people.
This state influenced those nearby, as if drawing them into this happiness of counting money.
Kakuzu counted the bounty of over one billion Ryo three times.
Without pause, without intentionally speeding up, maintaining an incredible steady pace, without the slightest deviation.
The surrounding workers admired Kakuzu for his devotion to money.
To believe in money so deeply, treating money as one's closest friend, not everyone can reach such a devout attitude.
If one had to explain, it was truly treating money as a belief, rather than utilizing its value.
After all, with Kakuzu's decades of ceaseless toil, he's earned enough to retire and live a lavish life, without living on the edge daily.
But he didn't do that, nor did he use money to provide a wealthy life, just holding onto his belief, leaving no other reason.
A lovely yet tragic life.
"The count is accurate."
Kakuzu closed the black suitcase and lifted it with his hand.
The suitcase was slightly larger and heavier than usual.
"Please take care, Mr. Kakuzu, we look forward to your next visit."
The workers bowed to Kakuzu's departing figure, showing the highest respect for this bounty hunter who was closely connected with money.
Kakuzu left carrying the black suitcase full of ten-thousand Ryo bills, as payment exchanged for Hanzou's body.
As for what the underground exchange would do with Hanzou's body, Kakuzu didn't care.
His concern was solely his money.
After completing the exchange, next was to pay off his 'life-buying money'.
Though he didn't adhere to a repay kindness mantra, owing a favor was like a thorn in his heart, making his body uncomfortable.
Coming out from the underground exchange disguised as a roadside convenience store, surrounded by woods, a cool breeze blew by.
Kakuzu stood outside and squinted.
About ten meters from him, a person suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
Red hair, youthful features, but the eyes seemed void of emotion, cold and merciless.
The aura emanating from him was colder than the blowing wind.
Kakuzu wasn't intimidated by the chilling aura; in fact, he had seen this red-haired kid before.
"I remember you, you were at Hanzou's side that day, a Hidden Rain Ninja..."
Kakuzu's green pupils focused on Nagato's face, then moved to Nagato's eyes.
Those eyes... seemed familiar, but Kakuzu couldn't recall when he had seen them.
Next, at Nagato's feet, a White Zetsu emerged from the ground, exposing half of his body.
He laughed smugly.
"Haha, wasn't I right, Lord Nagato? A dog can't stop eating filth; this guy was certainly lost in counting money, only now leaving the exchange."
White Zetsu laughed loudly and mockingly.
Kakuzu's eyes flared with murderous intent, without hesitation, he raised his palm, forming a fist with a black tendril-connected arm, aiming at White Zetsu to silence him forever.