Naruto: The Sage Body of Konoha

At the Golden Exchange in the Land of Fire.

Black Zetsu walked through a hidden door inside the restroom.

The underground hall was bustling with noise. Hundreds of bounty hunters, Ronin, and warriors crowded around the counters where missions were posted and completed—so packed it was almost suffocating.

It was even more chaotic than the mission assignment desk at Konoha's Hokage Tower.

After all, in the cutthroat world of ninja, shady dealings always found a way to flourish.

Soon enough, a brand-new wanted notice was freshly posted up for display.

In an instant, bounty hunters surged forward like sharks scenting prey in bloodied waters, each trying to read it first.

On the poster read:

"Name: Heiyan

Age: Fourteen

Identity: Jonin of Konoha Village

Nicknames: Little Tobirama, Konoha's Number One Prodigy, Omen of Misfortune

Bounty: ¥100,000,000"

Beside the text was a drawing of Heiyan.

"Did I get something in my eye, or is this poster actually showing an extra zero?"

One bounty hunter stared at the number for a long time, rubbed his eyes, and asked uncertainly.

"One hundred million? That can't be right. Must've been a mistake. For just a Jonin, ten million would make more sense."

Another more experienced bounty hunter insisted firmly.

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

Indeed, if the bounty was truly one hundred million ryo, it would break all previous records set by the Golden Exchange—higher than any Kage or Jinchuriki in history.

How could that be possible?

However, they were about to be proven wrong—fast.

The manager of the Golden Exchange himself stepped forward and excitedly announced that this mission had been personally issued by an unnamed high-ranking patron behind the scenes—who specifically demanded Heiyan's corpse.

This was a personal vendetta.

For this reason alone, that mysterious benefactor was willing to pay an outrageous sum of one hundred million ryo!

The moment the manager finished speaking, every hunter's eyes turned crimson with greed, and their breaths came fast and heavy.

They'd come across plenty of jaw-dropping bounties before.

Take the Third Hokage for example. His head was worth eighty million ryo, which was still extremely high. Yet no one ever seriously thought about assassinating him. Everyone knew how impossible it would be.

To collect that eighty million, you'd have to bypass multiple layers of Anbu defense, kill the Hokage head-on, then escape endless pursuit from Konoha.

A near-impossible feat.

But Heiyan was different.

He wasn't a Kage, nor a Jinchuriki. His strength probably wouldn't be too extreme, and he didn't have any guards watching over him.

He was practically walking around carrying one hundred million ryo on his body.

"Pull this off, and we're set for life."

Someone murmured softly.

For these bounty hunters, nobody chose this bloody lifestyle willingly unless forced by necessity.

Now though, their chance had finally come.

Slay Heiyan and you'd be set for life—king status guaranteed.

Everyone present understood that instantly.

So whether they were already in small groups or standing alone, they all sprang into action without hesitation, rushing out of the Golden Exchange in a frenzy, all heading toward Konoha.

"Don't let someone else steal your kill!" This was the thought of certain powerful, experienced bounty hunters.

"While it's a long shot, maybe with some luck, I might get lucky." Such were the thoughts of weaker bounty ninja.

In short, bounty hunters from the Golden Exchange poured out in unprecedented numbers.

At this moment, a tall ninja approached the wanted poster.

He wore a gray hitai-ate and a black mask. A slashed forehead protector from the Village Hidden in the Waterfall adorned his head. His age was impossible to tell, but his very presence radiated danger. Most unsettling, however, were his eyes—blood-red whites with eerily green pupils. He didn't seem human at all.

He was Kakuzu, the Golden Exchange's top-tier bounty hunter.

"One hundred million ryo..."

Kakuzu murmured as his pupils contracted upon seeing the reward amount. Without hesitation, he turned to leave immediately.

"Mr. Kakuzu, please wait a moment."

The manager of the Golden Exchange quickly called him back, motioning for him to wait.

Five minutes later.

Guided by the manager, Kakuzu arrived at the VIP room, where he immediately spotted Black Zetsu wearing his large triangular straw hat.

"It's been years—Mr. Kakuzu seems even livelier than before. You're aging gracefully; truly admirable," Black Zetsu spoke first, lavishing praise.

"Compared to you, I'm nothing special."

Kakuzu's voice was low and reserved, and though he spoke little, his every movement showed alert caution toward Black Zetsu.

That was because he knew this mysterious figure beneath the hat was the real mastermind behind the Golden Exchange. A man of immeasurable wealth and unfathomable power.

"I believe Mr. Kakuzu has already seen the latest wanted poster. I eagerly anticipate you bringing that brat's corpse to the Golden Exchange and claiming that one-hundred-million ryo reward."

Still flattering, Black Zetsu reminded Kakuzu, "However, that kid named Heiyan is formidable—one strong enough to qualify as a village Kage. Please be cautious, Mr. Kakuzu."

When mentioning this, he instinctively touched his head, recalling how Heiyan had sliced off part of his skull with Sage Art.

This humiliation must be avenged.

"Thank you for this valuable information."

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, growing increasingly intrigued by his next target.

"Additionally, there is another more important task I wish to entrust to you, Mr. Kakuzu."

Seeing their pleasantries concluded, Black Zetsu finally addressed the real matter.

"May I ask... what kind of mission is it?"

Kakuzu hesitated slightly.

Someone of Black Zetsu's caliber personally requesting his help meant this couldn't possibly be trivial. Still, curiosity stirred within him—what could be more important to Black Zetsu than assassinating Heiyan?

"This will be your target for this assignment."

Without further ado, Black Zetsu handed Kakuzu a file.

"Hmm?"

Kakuzu glanced over it briefly, then frowned.

Fugaku Uchiha, age 14, with an active triple-tomoe Sharingan, possessing elite Jonin-level strength.

That's it?

Kakuzu felt confused—not because the target seemed too strong, but because the opponent hadn't even reached Kage level. Someone like that wasn't even worth his time.

"Someone at this level shouldn't require someone like me."

Kakuzu placed the file on Fugaku Uchiha back onto the table.

"Mr. Kakuzu, I believe there's been a misunderstanding," Black Zetsu said slowly, tapping his fingers on the coffee table. "I'm not asking you to hunt down Fugaku Uchiha—I want you to serve as his bodyguard and protect him discreetly."

"Impossible!"

Without hesitation or a moment's thought, Kakuzu flatly refused.

"Why not?" Black Zetsu asked in confusion.

"Kill someone and claim the bounty for their corpse—that is my way of survival," Kakuzu declared coldly, laying bare his philosophy on life. "The word 'protect' has never existed in my dictionary. I won't protect anyone. Ever."

"Is that so?" Black Zetsu remained unfazed, continuing matter-of-factly, "Nevertheless, not only do I expect you to secretly guard Fugaku Uchiha, but I also want you to thoroughly investigate his relationships and identify the people most precious to him. Then report back to me."

"I respectfully decline." Kakuzu stood immediately, turning to leave.

Though he held deep caution toward this powerful figure, no one in this world could force him to accept a task he refused.

"One hundred million per year."

Black Zetsu suddenly raised his voice, tossing a bankbook onto the coffee table. "This contains the advance payment for a year's salary. There'll also be a year-end bonus if you perform well."

Silence—utter, deathlike silence.

In the private suite, Kakuzu had his back to Black Zetsu, frozen like a statue.

After a long silence, he began to turn—slowly, hesitantly.

Yet at the sight of that absurd number of zeroes printed on the bankbook…

He relaxed.

The reward posted on the wanted poster might have been his target, but there were always risks involved.

But here it was—one hundred million ryo, right within his grasp.

"What do you think?"

Black Zetsu asked again. "If it's not enough, we can negotiate higher."

"It would be an honor, sir."

Kakuzu dropped to one knee with a thud and carefully picked up the little book in both hands.

This… was the irresistible power of money.

And money never lied—it was eternal and undying.

At this moment, a purely fanatical gleam shone from Kakuzu's green eyes.

Half an hour later,

Kakuzu exited the Golden Exchange and stepped outside.

A sudden gust of wind helped clear his head slightly. Once more, he looked down at the bankbook in his hand, confirming everything was real—this wasn't some dream.

After a while, Kakuzu let out a soft sigh.

He had originally intended to refuse—but how could he say no to such an offer?

...

Kakuzu, age 55—a class S Bounty Hunter at the Golden Exchange, devoted follower of materialism, connoisseur of classical literature, wise old sage with vast knowledge, master of the Five Elemental Ninjutsu (Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning), collector of human hearts, twisted immortal stitched creature, a man whose life span rivals that of Heaven and Earth—and holder of the [Longest Shuriken Throw Ever Recorded] in the history of the shinobi world.

Black Zetsu reviewed Kakuzu's personal file, believing this man could become the perfect tool.

Years ago, Kakuzu had served as an elite member of Takigakure's assassination unit, sent specifically to assassinate Hashirama Senju—the First Hokage.

As expected, the operation failed. Fortunately, Hashirama Senju showed mercy and did not completely annihilate Kakuzu. However, after barely surviving and returning to his village, Kakuzu faced betrayal—he was imprisoned and tortured relentlessly.

Later, he rose in rebellion, slaughtered all high-ranking elders of the Village Hidden in the Waterfall, stole the forbidden technique [Earth Grudge Fear], and since then became a solitary wandering ninja.

For Kakuzu, having risked his life for the village only to be betrayed, such an experience stripped him of any trust in others. He now placed his sole faith in money—the one thing he believed could never deceive him.

"Now *that* was a pitiful man."

Black Zetsu closed Kakuzu's file with a mix of pity and disdain.

In his eyes, Kakuzu was an immortal being who could've ruled over everything—yet chose to sink low and become nothing more than a money-hungry wretch. Such a man had no drive to live at all, clinging desperately to money as the only thing that kept his eternal loneliness at bay.

Money? Hmph. Nothing more than useless scraps of paper.

As far as eternal beings went, Kakuzu was nothing but a lifeless shell—a pale shadow compared to the depth of Black Zetsu's purpose and vision.

On him rested the great mission—to revive his mother, oppose the Otsutsuki, and ultimately save the world.

"With Kakuzu watching over things, Fugaku Uchiha can grow up as planned, without dying unexpectedly. And when the time comes, I'll have Kakuzu strike, killing someone dear to Fugaku right before his eyes. That should successfully trigger Fugaku's Mangekyou Sharingan..."

Black Zetsu muttered to himself, secretly pleased with his plans.

In one sentence: Kakuzu handling matters? He had full confidence.

"In that case, I can set aside Fugaku Uchiha's matter for now. On the Konoha side, Danzo Shimura and Orochimaru are fully devoted to researching Hashirama cells. As for that brat Heiyan, carrying Gamamaru's [death prophecy] along with my issued [wanted poster], he will eventually become nothing but a cold corpse sooner or later."

Black Zetsu summarized his recent affairs aloud, then murmured:

"It's been a while since I last checked in on him. Sigh, I've been neglecting him lately. How careless of me—to ignore an old ally for newer ones."

After some self-reflection, he walked out of the Golden Exchange heading straight toward Konoha.

The "old friend" he mentioned naturally referred to Madara Uchiha.

To Black Zetsu, so long as Madara Uchiha still lived, he still held onto his greatest hope. Only when Madara awakened the Rinnegan would he see the altered content on the stone tablet; only then could he help fulfill—

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