"If you don't think highly of the Akatsuki that Yahiko and the others established, why did you choose to cooperate with them?" Jiraiya asked curiously.
"Because they're more worth investing in, of course. That Konan's Paper Release technique could beco a significant economic pillar for the future Technology Developnt Departnt," Kagetsu answered openly, showing no hesitation about his motives.
"You and Orochimaru are practical as ever," Jiraiya muttered, then looked at Kagetsu and asked, "So, in your view, conflict between the Akatsuki and Agakure is inevitable?"
"That depends on whether the Akatsuki know when to restrain themselves," Kagetsu replied.
They lacked a stable source of inco yet provided food to the citizens of the Land of Rain.
During tis thick with the smoke of war, they even tried to stop every single instance of bloodshed.
The fact that the Akatsuki managed to grow and survive without collapsing is already beyond Kagetsu's expectations. Then again, considering the chaotic nature of this world, it made sense in a way.
After all, there were plenty of people whose ideologies had gone astray from a young age.
He had a pri example right beside him—soone he had painstakingly influenced and guided back to the right path over ti.
Convincing soone as stubborn and deeply entrenched in their beliefs as a radical Uchiha, who clung to a single ideal or belief to the bitter end, to shift toward rational thinking was no small feat.
"The solution is actually very simple," Nara Kagetsu said, noticing the troubled look on Jiraiya's face.
"How so?" Jiraiya's eyes narrowed at Kagetsu, and he tightened his grip on the young shinobi's arm.
"Eliminate Hanzō and let Yahiko or Nagato beco the leader of Agakure," Kagetsu suggested with a casual tone. "That way, the question of legitimacy won't be an issue anymore."
"Your way of thinking is dangerous!" Jiraiya groaned, feeling a headache coming on. He was convinced that Orochimaru had corrupted Kagetsu's mindset.
"This is the most effective solution. If you could convince Hanzō to step down and hand over the leadership of Agakure to Yahiko, that would be ideal," Kagetsu continued.
"You might as well suggest I take over as Hokage," Jiraiya muttered, releasing Kagetsu's arm. He didn't believe for a second that he could "convince" Hanzō of anything.
"Then there's no other way," Kagetsu said with a shrug. "When the ti cos, just make sure to protect Konan. Her ninjutsu is currently vital for the Technology Developnt Departnt."
"Is there really no other way for Yahiko and the others to coexist peacefully with Agakure?" Jiraiya leaned in closer to Kagetsu, still convinced that the young Nara must have another idea.
"In that case, make the Akatsuki an indispensable part of Agakure and even the Land of Rain," Kagetsu replied.
"And how do we do that?" Jiraiya asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Protect Konan and guide her well," Kagetsu explained. "She needs to quickly start mass-producing Healing Tags. Then, figure out how to sell them to the other ninja villages. Once she can generate significant profits for Agakure and the Land of Rain, while also having enough power around her to ensure her safety, it will be possible to maintain a balance.
At the very least, the villages that rely on Healing Tags won't allow Agakure to harm the Akatsuki due to their own mutual distrust," Kagetsu said, laying his plan bare.
"When you go to Agakure, rember to bring a batch of materials for making Healing Tags. Once they're sold, make sure they settle the paynt according to the contract," Kagetsu added.
Jiraiya fell silent, lost in thought. He felt as though Kagetsu was scheming against both him and Yahiko's group, but he couldn't deny that the plan held so rit.
...
In the laboratory of the Technology Developnt Departnt, the first surgery Kagetsu had prepared for Kakuzu had just concluded.
"These are newly cultivated Earth Grudge Fear tendrils," Kagetsu explained. "Since they were grown from your own body, there won't be any issues with rejection."
Watching the black tendrils, alive and writhing as though they had their own will, successfully integrate into Kakuzu's body, Kagetsu let out a relieved sigh and stepped back a couple of paces.
"Wait! What are they doing?!" Kakuzu, bound tightly by sealing jutsu on the operating table, glared with bulging eyes. He could feel the searing pain coursing through his body and cried out hoarsely.
"Relax. They're eliminating the incompatible parts, breaking them down to serve as nourishnt for the rest," Kagetsu explained calmly, his eyes fixed on the streams of data about Kakuzu's body displayed on the instrunt. As he monitored, he used dical ninjutsu to fine-tune Kakuzu's condition.
But Kakuzu could no longer hear Kagetsu's words. At that mont, all his senses vanished—sight, hearing, touch, everything gone—leaving only his consciousness intact, alert, and active.
This clarity, however, was its own kind of tornt. Waves of excruciating pain, like relentless tsunamis, battered his mind without pause, threatening to tear his sanity apart.
He could feel his chakra being rapidly drained, consud in vast quantities. He could also sense that so profound transformation was taking place within his body—a monuntal change far beyond his control.
Lying helpless on the operating table, Kakuzu realized he was nothing more than raw material to be molded, incapable of even the faintest resistance.
He lost track of ti. When his consciousness began to blur, his chakra dangerously close to being depleted, a gentle surge of foreign chakra flowed into his body through the experint table.
This process of "evolution" felt like death by a thousand cuts.
Kakuzu's awareness drifted between sharp clarity and faint obscurity over and over again. Eventually, he opened his eyes, regaining control over his body. Relief washed over him, like a man who had survived the brink of death.
"Congratulations, Kakuzu. The procedure was a success."
A familiar voice spoke beside him. Though Kakuzu normally loathed its owner, in this mont, the voice felt like heavenly music to his ears.
"What… happened to ?" Kakuzu asked hoarsely, his movents stiff as he sat up on the operating table. The sealing jutsu binding him had been removed. He could once again command his body, though it felt like a soul adapting to a new body—awkward yet strangely exhilarating.
Several black tendrils erged from beneath the skin of his right hand, moving nimbly in front of him as though obeying his will.
He carefully examined his body and noticed that at least a fifth of his size had shrunk. He now appeared shorter than the person in front of him, Kagetsu.
Looking at Kagetsu, who seed completely unguarded, Kakuzu's eyes flashed with a cold glint.
"Don't be hasty. Your body is far from perfect now," Kagetsu said, glancing up at Kakuzu, who seed ready to make a move. He waved the docunt in his hand. "I have both good and bad news. I'll tell you both."
"The good news is, you can use Kekkei Genkai techniques now."
"The bad news is, you won't be able to change your body parts freely anymore."
"What do you an?" Kakuzu froze, stunned.
"Did I not explain it clearly?" Kagetsu asked, looking puzzled. "Because of the upgrade to the Earth Grudge Fear, a regular ninja's heart can no longer support it."
"In the future, if you want to replace your heart, it must undergo the necessary treatnt. Otherwise, no matter how many hearts you change, they will only serve as nourishnt for Earth Grudge Fear."
"So you an, if I want to replace my heart from now on, I'll have to co to you?" Kakuzu asked, already accepting the situation. After hearing Kagetsu's explanation, it seed that he would still have so freedom in the future.
"That's right. I can process any type of heart for you, but of course, you'll have to pay the price. Are you willing to work for it, Mr. Kakuzu?"
****
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