"Yes, that's the answer I wanted to hear."
Shin'yu nodded in satisfaction, withdrawing from the Third Gate of Life state. As the azure steam dissipated, the terrifying pressure vanished completely.
Kakuzu had the illusion that, for that instant, even the air seemed to flow more freely.
Shin'yu held Kakuzu's head, swinging it like a pocket watch, back and forth in front of him. "Become my subordinate."
"Subordinate?" Kakuzu said indignantly, "This is absurd. You schemed to lure me out just to make me your subordinate?"
"That's right." Shin'yu smiled lightly. "Maybe we'll even establish an organization in the future. If you join now, you can be considered a founding member."
"Hmph, aside from money, I have no interest in anything else in this world," Kakuzu said subconsciously.
Then he saw Shin'yu walking towards his body, his slender hand reaching for the last mask on his back.
"But... if it's an organization established by a strong person like you, there should be plenty of opportunities to fight high-priced bounty targets, right? Being your subordinate... is ultimately a path filled with the scent of money..."
Shin'yu paused his movement. "Decided?"
"Yes, decided." Kakuzu's voice was muffled. "I will become your assistant."
"Yes, good that you've figured it out." Shin'yu didn't remove the mask. Instead, he flipped his hand and used Wind Release to blow away the dust for him. "Being my subordinate won't be a bad deal for you."
Shin'yu instantly became much more polite, his smile radiating a warm sunlight as he helped Kakuzu straighten his head. Then, he politely took two steps back, watching him stitch his body back together bit by bit.
"It's best not to have any thoughts of running away, or else, even if you hide at the ends of the earth, I'll find you and crush your hearts one by one."
Kakuzu snorted coldly. "The most important quality of a businessman is integrity. Since I've agreed, I'll never go back on my word."
"Four hearts were destroyed by you, I need to replenish them as soon as possible..."
He turned his head, his cold, gloomy gaze cast towards a distant bush.
"You little brats over there, come out!"
Uchiha Nen's eyes widened suddenly, his heart pounding wildly. The moment that cold gaze swept over, he felt a chill run down his spine, and his legs were shaking.
Just as he was hesitating whether to run away, Orochimaru actually stood up and walked out frankly.
"Hey, Orochimaru!" Nen wanted to reach out and pull him back, but he heard Tong Ren behind him sigh softly and also stand up from the bushes.
"They discovered us long ago. Now that we're trapped in a Barrier, there's no other way," Tong Ren said helplessly.
Hearing this, Nen felt utterly hopeless, his face gloomy as he walked out with the two of them.
"Three hearts, not a bad harvest."
Kakuzu smiled grimly, thin black threads seeping out from the gaps in his wrist. With each step he took closer, Nen's face paled a little more.
"Esteemed sir..." Orochimaru raised his head, looking directly into Kakuzu's eerie gaze. "May I ask, are you immortal?"
"Hmm?" Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the little brat's courage. "This old man is as old as the heavens and the earth, undying and immortal."
Orochimaru was stunned. Recalling the scenes of Kakuzu constantly dying and being resurrected, his eyes actually flickered with excitement, with absolutely no fear of impending death, as if he had given all his timidity to Uchiha Nen behind him.
"So... there really is such a Ninjutsu in this world that can grant immortality!"
Kakuzu raised his hand high, aiming at Orochimaru's heart.
"Tsk, you really aren't picky."
Shin'yu walked over with his hands behind his back, his tone slightly disdainful, "These three kids aren't even Genin. Even if you take their hearts, you'll only be prolonging your life. Your strength will probably decrease quite a bit, right?"
Kakuzu responded in a muffled voice, "It can't be helped. These three kids witnessed our entire battle just now and have already grasped information about you and me. We can't let them live!"
"What's the rush?"
Shin'yu pushed Kakuzu aside and crouched down in front of Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, you wouldn't reveal what happened here, would you?"
"Oh? You know my name?" Orochimaru was somewhat surprised, unconsciously staring at the youth's black ribbon, as if he could see his eyes.
Shin'yu smiled slightly, "Not just you, but also Tong Ren behind you, and... what's-his-name, you should be called Uchiha Nen, right?"
"This..." Tong Ren and Nen were both shocked. The former frowned and pondered, wondering if he had ever met such a person, while the latter was full of doubts because he was very sure that he had never met this youth since he could remember.
"Tong Ren, I know your sister."
"You know my sister?" Tong Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief, and his admiration for his older sister rose to another level.
"Yes, I even treated her to cake back then." Shin'yu's tone was gentle, like a friendly big brother from next door recounting everyday life, completely different from the ruthless indifference he showed during the battle just now.
"But well, even if we're acquainted, for your own good, don't spread what happened here..."
Tong Ren blinked nervously, nodding like a pecking chicken, "Of course, we didn't see anything."
Kakuzu asked suspiciously, "Hey, you're not really going to let these kids go, are you?"
"Otherwise? Even if they know the information, so what?" Shin'yu stood up and patted Kakuzu on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll personally take you to hunt down a few strong people's hearts later. They're all high-bounty criminals."
The sudden action stunned Kakuzu. The impression Shin'yu left on him during the battle was too deep, and he was still not used to having physical contact with him.
"Okay, since you've said so." He sullenly withdrew his hand and fell silent, not knowing what he was thinking.
Shin'yu ignored him and said to Orochimaru on his own, "It seems you're very interested in the power of immortality?"
Orochimaru didn't deny it, frankly saying, "Human life is too fragile, but seeing the battle between you two today made me understand that the human body seems to contain power that humans can't use in their entire lives. If we can break this shackle..."
"Looks like this experience has benefited you a lot." Shin'yu smiled and touched Orochimaru's head.
He leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "If one day you feel that you can't obtain the power of immortality in the Hidden Leaf Village, you can come here to find me at any time..."
After saying that, he stood up. As his hands formed seals, it was as if a breeze blew through the forest, the plants and trees swayed gently, and the flow of air became much lighter.
"Alright, the Barrier has been released, you can leave."
"Oh, right, what's-his-name..." Shin'yu seemed to suddenly remember something, took out a scroll from his bosom, and threw it to Uchiha Nen.
Nen hurriedly reached out and barely managed to hold the scroll.
"I find you more pleasing to the eye, so I'm giving you this technique. Whether you practice it yourself or hand it over to the village is up to you." Shin'yu turned around, leaving him with an unattainable, profound back view.
"Ah." Nen's face turned red. He even suspected that he was dreaming. He not only saved his life, but also seemed to have obtained some kind of Secret Technique?
This seems... to be the first time someone has given him something.
It wasn't until Tong Ren nudged him secretly that he woke up as if from a dream.
He hurriedly bowed, flattered and surprised, saying, "Thank you... big brother!"
Instantly, Shin'yu's back seemed to be petrified. The corner of his mouth twitched, and his entire face was swallowed by shadow.
All of this fell into Kakuzu's eyes, and he immediately revealed a thoughtful expression.
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