[Cloud Village]
After Samui led people to reinforce, Killer Bee's noncombat losses were finally kept under control.
Rengoku's clone saw the situation and gave up harassing immediately.
Since the original needed to perform bloodline fusion, he proactively canceled that clone.
He took the freed clone to bring a few kids on a mission.
Killer Bee and the others finally arrived safely at the Cloud Village.
The Raikage and the Akatsuki members were waiting at the gate.
"Big brother," Killer Bee's face showed some guilt.
The Raikage had already received the message bird Samui sent back, so he knew Sasori of the Red Sand had escorted and that the wood puppet was already dead.
But it was not Killer Bee's fault. Rengoku was indeed strong, and now with Akatsuki people here, he also could not lose his temper at Killer Bee.
"Let's talk later," The Raikage stopped Killer Bee mid sentence.
At that moment Sasori had returned to the Akatsuki group and quietly said a few words to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu nodded to show he understood, "Raikage, our people have already ambushed and escorted Killer Bee."
"And the money for repelling the Mizukage should be settled with us."
The Raikage did not speak. His gaze swept across the Akatsuki people.
Kakuzu, Deidara, Sasori of the Red Sand, Senku.
This was not even the full strength of Akatsuki. If you added Pain and Konan, toppling a ninja village would be easy.
The atmosphere around them turned a bit awkward.
A voice broke the stalemate, "The Raikage has already prepared the money."
Dodai stepped out from the crowd.
He carried a huge storage scroll, opened it, and a large number of money chests appeared on the spot.
The Raikage nodded to Kakuzu, "Sorry to trouble the Akatsuki to come."
Seeing the Cloud Village pay, Kakuzu felt pleased and politely said, "Since there was a mission, Akatsuki will of course complete it well."
He extended innumerable threads from his hands, opened all the boxes, and quickly counted the bills.
Senku seemed to be touching his prayer beads and chanting, but he was also observing the Cloud Village people.
Most of the Cloud Village leadership was here, and he marked their chakra one by one.
So later when using Kamui or the Sharingan, they could be recognized instantly.
"Money and goods settled. If you have any Tailed Beast related missions next time, feel free to come to us Akatsuki."
After finishing counting the bills and confirming the money was correct, Kakuzu said this to the Raikage.
The Raikage stayed silent, but Dodai suddenly spoke up, "Could you capture other villages' tailed beasts for us? Price negotiable."
Kakuzu glanced at Senku, who only moved his prayer beads and did not speak.
"Senku will only deal with jinchuriki who invade other countries."
"That is the basic condition to hire Senku."
Dodai looked thoughtful and asked again, "I wonder what price it would take for your leader to step in?"
Kakuzu seemed to know what they were asking and simply held up one hand, indicating a five.
Dodai nodded, "Gentlemen, farewell. Hope we have opportunities to cooperate in the future."
Kakuzu nodded and led everyone away quickly.
After all the Akatsuki people left, the Raikage had Killer Bee in a crook of his arm.
"Tell me in detail the whole encounter with Uchiha Rengoku."
"B… big brother… I… I can't… breathe…", Killer Bee was dragged away by the Raikage's loving arm.
The others showed helpless expressions.
Cloud Village suffered a big loss this time.
Not only did they get nothing, several hundred people died, and a jinchuriki died.
Given Cloud Village's depth, losing a few people was not the main issue. The main problem was the jinchuriki's death.
Besides finding out Rengoku had space-time techniques, they had also updated their estimate of Rengoku's strength ceiling.
The village had a hard time too. Mizukage Yagura bombarded the place.
Cloud Village not only lost money, but also prestige, and only obtained a small amount of Akatsuki intelligence.
A strong village like Cloud would certainly not want to pay, but with so many Akatsuki here, the consequences of fighting were unpredictable.
They had to grit their teeth and accept it.
———
[Land of Fire, Forest]
When Rengoku left with Gaara, Gaara's mood was clearly high.
"I haven't congratulated Lord Rengoku for succeeding as the Fifth Hokage yet."
Gaara felt some regret for being away when Rengoku ascended.
"Heh! Brat," Rengoku reached out and ruffled Gaara's short hair.
"You are becoming polite with me."
"Heh!"
Gaara burst into laughter. In his heart Rengoku was his savior.
That Rengoku could be so close to him made Gaara very happy.
Before, when Rengoku ruffled his hair, sand would block it.
But now Gaara could control the sand so it no longer blocked Rengoku's hand.
"Show me what you have trained recently," Rengoku and Gaara hopped along the treetops.
"Yes, Lord Rengoku," Gaara manipulated the gourd on his back and released a stream of fine sand.
The sand darted rapidly before Rengoku. It was not much different from ordinary thrown tools.
It could also change forms. Of course, the finer the sand, the faster it was.
Originally Gaara had been learning techniques like sand storms, the Sand Coffin, and so on.
But to Rengoku, aside from dealing with certain targets, mobilizing such a large range of sand was just wasting chakra.
Chakra was one thing, sand another.
The Land of Fire's soil could be converted into sand, but it took time.
If Sand Coffin strangles a person to death, you might as well just strangle the neck. It uses far less chakra and sand.
Gaara was only eleven now. He did not have much chakra and should conserve it when possible.
Rengoku reached out, signaling Gaara to bind the sand.
The sand wrapped Rengoku's palm, a huge force gripping his hand.
Rengoku felt the strength, then with a shake of his hand, shook off all the sand.
"Not bad. That neck twisting kill is very quick."
"Next time try mixing various mineral powders into the sand."
"Make the sand tougher."
"If your control is precise enough, your sand will become a very powerful ability."
"Yes, Lord Rengoku," Gaara nodded repeatedly. He enjoyed Rengoku teaching him.
"Is the sand pad ready now?"
Gaara waved his hand, and sand hovered in front of them.
"Lord Rengoku, my sand pad does not fly fast yet."
"That is fine. You will get used to it. Controlling air superiority is important for a shinobi."
"Today I will let you experience high speed flight."
Rengoku reached out and countless sheets of paper flew out.
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