Naruto : Rage

Chapter 20: The Land of Stone

The Land of Stone was a harsh, unforgiving place. Towering cliffs of jagged rock stretched endlessly into the horizon, their surfaces weathered by centuries of wind and rain. 

The air was dry and carried a faint metallic tang, a reminder of the mineral-rich soil that made the region both valuable and inhospitable. 

Villages were sparse, clinging to the edges of cliffs or hidden within narrow valleys, their inhabitants hardened by the relentless environment.

Kai moved through the rugged terrain with ease, his enhanced stamina and agility allowing him to navigate the treacherous paths with little effort. 

His cloak billowed behind him, the fabric catching the occasional gust of wind as he descended into a small settlement nestled at the base of a massive cliff. 

This was his destination—a place rumored to be frequented by bounty hunters, mercenaries, and other unsavory types.

The village was a stark contrast to the Hidden Mist Village he had left behind. 

Where the Mist Village had been shrouded in fog and mystery, this place was open and exposed, its buildings constructed from rough-hewn stone and timber. 

The streets were quiet, save for the occasional clatter of tools or the murmur of conversation from a nearby tavern. Kai's sharp eyes scanned the area, taking in the details as he approached the heart of the settlement.

His target was a man known only by reputation—a bounty hunter of unparalleled skill and ruthlessness. The man's name was Kakuzu, and he was said to be one of the most dangerous individuals in the shinobi world. 

Kai had heard tales of his exploits: how he had survived battles that should have killed him, how he had amassed a fortune through assassination and bounty hunting, and how he had no loyalty to anyone but himself. 

If Kai was to succeed in his plans for the Land of Fire, he would need someone like Kakuzu by his side.

Kai entered the tavern, the dimly lit interior a welcome respite from the harsh sunlight outside. 

The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat, the patrons a mix of rough-looking mercenaries and weary travelers. He made his way to the bar, his presence drawing a few curious glances but nothing more. 

In a place like this, strangers were common, and questions were rarely asked.

The bartender, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, approached Kai as he took a seat. "What'll it be?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.

"Information," Kai replied, placing a few coins on the counter. "I'm looking for someone."

The bartender's eyes flicked to the coins, then back to Kai. "Depends on who you're looking for."

"A bounty hunter," Kai said, his voice low. "Goes by the name Kakuzu. I heard he's been seen around here."

The bartender's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of unease crossing his features. "Kakuzu, huh? You're not the first to come asking about him. What's your business with him?"

"That's between me and him," Kai said, his tone firm but not threatening. "Do you know where I can find him?"

The bartender hesitated, then nodded toward a table in the corner. "See that man over there? The one in the green cloak? He might know something. But be careful—he's not the kind of man you want to cross."

Kai glanced in the direction the bartender had indicated. 

The man in question was seated alone, his face obscured by the hood of his cloak. 

His posture was relaxed, but there was an air of danger about him, a quiet intensity that set him apart from the other patrons. Kai nodded to the bartender, then made his way over to the table.

As Kai approached, the man looked up, his piercing green eyes visible even in the dim light. "You're looking for Kakuzu," the man said, his voice calm but laced with authority. It wasn't a question.

Kai paused, studying the man for a moment before replying. "That's right. Do you know where I can find him?"

The man leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving Kai's. "Why do you want to find him?"

Kai considered his response carefully. This man was clearly no ordinary mercenary, and Kai sensed that honesty might be the best approach. "I'm putting together a team," he said. "For a business venture. I need someone with Kakuzu's skills."

The man's lips curled into a faint smile. "A business venture, you say? And what makes you think Kakuzu would be interested in such a thing?"

"Because I'm offering him something he can't get on his own," Kai replied. "Opportunity. Wealth. And the chance to work with someone who shares his ambition."

The man's smile widened, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You're an interesting one," he said. "Most people who come looking for Kakuzu are either fools or dead men. But you… you're different."

Kai met the man's gaze, his expression unwavering. "And you're not just a passerby, are you?"

The man chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "No, I'm not." He reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing a face that was both striking and intimidating. His skin was a pale green, and his eyes glowed with an almost unnatural light. "I am Kakuzu."

Kai didn't show any outward reaction, though inwardly he was pleased. He had found his target far sooner than expected. "Kai," he said, introducing himself. "I've heard a lot about you."

"And I've heard of you," Kakuzu replied. "The Red Demon. A rising star in the world of mercenaries and assassins. You've made quite a name for yourself in a short amount of time."

"I aim to make an even bigger one," Kai said. "That's why I'm here. I want you to join me."

Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Join you? And what exactly do you have in mind?"

"The Land of Fire," Kai said. "It's ripe for the taking. The nobles are wealthy, and their security is lax. With the right team, we could exploit their weaknesses and amass a fortune. But I need someone with your experience and skills to make it happen."

Kakuzu leaned back again, his expression thoughtful. "You're ambitious, I'll give you that. But why should I trust you? For all I know, this could be a trap."

"You don't have to trust me," Kai said. "All you have to do is decide if the opportunity is worth the risk. I'm offering you a chance to expand your reach and increase your wealth. If you're not interested, I'll find someone else."

Kakuzu studied Kai for a long moment, then nodded. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Alright, I'll hear you out. But if this turns out to be a waste of my time, you'll regret it."

Kai allowed himself a small smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

The two men spent the next hour discussing Kai's plans, their conversation punctuated by the occasional clink of glasses or burst of laughter from the other patrons. 

By the time they finished, Kakuzu had agreed to join Kai's venture—for now. Their partnership was tentative, built on mutual interest rather than trust, but it was a start.

As they left the tavern together, Kai felt a sense of satisfaction. With Kakuzu by his side, his plans for the Land of Fire were one step closer to becoming a reality. 

But he knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger, and that their alliance could easily turn into a rivalry if either of them let their guard down.

For now, though, Kai was content to focus on the task at hand. The Land of Fire awaited, and with it, the opportunity to carve out a new legacy.