Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 237 Moral Blackmail? Sorry, I'm desperate for money.

Kakuzu's hand trembled, and the tip of his pen drew a long ink mark on the ledger.

He looked up and saw three young figures appear in front of him.

Yahiko had a big smile on his face, Konan looked calm, and Nagato remained silent.

Kakuzu's face instantly darkened: "How could it be them!"

He slammed the ledger shut and got up to leave. Although he had never met Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato in person, he had seen their photos.

Moreover, before leaving, Aburame Zhicheng repeatedly warned him not to get involved with them, which he kept in mind and avoided them at all times.

Especially after he recently learned that the person who had previously posed a threat to his life was actually the mastermind, he was even less willing to see those three people.

I just didn't expect that even though he was hiding like this, they would still be able to find him.

But if you can't afford to offend them, can't you at least avoid them?

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Yahiko rushed forward and blocked his way: "Lord Kakuzu, please wait! We have something very important to discuss with you!"

Kakuzu looked at him expressionlessly: "I'm busy."

"It will only take you a little while!"

"Not even for a little while. I'm very busy, dealing with tens of millions every minute!"

Kakuzu's refusal was quite obvious. If he weren't afraid of offending the person behind Yahiko, he would have wanted to take action right now.

But once the Rinnegan is awakened, his strength will soar past the Kage level, and his current meager cultivation is no match for him, truly no match for him.

That's filthy shit, you can't hit it, you can't kill it, and now it's stuck to the sole of his shoe, and you can't pry it off.

Yahiko hurriedly pulled out a stack of papers from his pocket and said anxiously, "This is the evidence we collected in Sunagakure that proves you didn't kill the Third Kazekage! If you're willing to come forward and explain, this war might be able to end—"

Kakuzu stopped and turned to look at him. "That's all?"

"right!"

"Not interested." Kakuzu turned and left.

Yahiko was taken aback. He chased after him, and as he sped up, the other man sped up too, just like those tabloid reporters and insurance salesmen, who were incredibly annoying.

"Why? If you were to step forward and clarify the situation, you could stop the war and save countless lives!"

"Why should I listen to you!"

Kakuzu stopped, turned around, sized him up, and then held out a hand: "How much are you paying me to get me to do this?"

Yahiko was stunned.

Xiao Nan was stunned.

Even Nagato, who had been silent all along, raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Money...?" Yahiko thought he had misheard.

"Yes, money."

Kakuzu looked completely at ease: "My fees are very high, including appearance fees, travel expenses, lost wages, and compensation for emotional distress. I'll give you a discount, a flat price of thirty million taels."

Actually, this is already quite affordable, but everyone knows very well that the other party can't afford to spend a single penny.

Besides, asking him to go to Sunagakure to explain, and even going so far as to do a losing business with them, has already failed twice, been humiliated twice, and even been falsely accused.

Are all the characters he plays the kind of despicable people?

It's already quite good that he didn't do it himself.

Even last time, if it weren't for Aburame Shisei's orders, he wouldn't have given the Third Kazekage a second thought.

So what if that desert has gold mines, minerals, and oil fields?

Once they figure out how to navigate the sea fortress, they can take whatever resources are marked on the ocean. He doesn't even have time to care about the resources on the mainland.

Upon hearing this, Yahiko was momentarily at a loss for words; he didn't understand.

Why did Kakuzu's first words not be about peace in the ninja world, but instead ask them for money?

"Lord Kakuzu!" Yahiko took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound more sincere. "We have come for the peace of the ninja world."

Kakuzu raised an eyebrow: "So?"

"So...you shouldn't have done this just for the money!"

Yahiko's eyes shone as he explained his philosophy, attempting to awaken Kakuzu's remaining human conscience through the cruelty of war.

"War has taken too many lives and torn too many families apart. If you are willing to step forward, everyone will be grateful!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, his voice filled with sincerity, and he even began to use his eloquence to explain the pros and cons in a reasoned and well-founded manner.

"Lord Kakuzu, think about it. If the war ends and the Land of Rain and Sunagakure are at peace again, it will benefit everyone. Everyone will know that you brought about the peace, and you will become a hero—"

Kakuzu listened expressionlessly. Seeing that he did not refute him, Yahiko thought he had been persuaded and tried even harder to convince him.

From the disasters brought by war to the beautiful vision of peace, to the reputation and gratitude that Kakuzu can gain after stepping in, and even the fact that his business will be easier and he can make more money after peace, it all comes down to this.

However, no matter how eloquently he spoke, Kakuzu remained unmoved.

"Stop talking nonsense. The future is the future. I'm only concerned with the present, and all I want is money. No money, no deal. Let me leave, let's both go, and stop wasting time!"

Kakuzu was about to push the person away when Yahiko suddenly knelt down on the ground.

"Please, Lord Kakuzu!"

He bowed his head deeply, his forehead hitting the ground. Konan and Nagato exchanged a glance and then knelt down as well.

Kakuzu looked at the three boys kneeling before him, and his lips twitched.

No, why are you suddenly kneeling down and resorting to moral blackmail?

As expected of Jiraiya's disciples, they kneel down at the drop of a hat. This method of moral blackmail is also part of your tradition, isn't it?

Kakuzu was speechless; unfortunately, this trick didn't work on him—he had no morals!

Even if you knelt down, it wouldn't matter if you committed suicide in front of him.

Yahiko looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.

Kakuzu looked down at him and said, word by word, "You have no money, so you make me risk my life? You have no money, so you make me toil? How dare you!"

After saying that, he walked past the three of them and headed straight out. Yahiko wanted to chase after him, but Kakuzu stopped him without turning his head.

"Don't follow me." His figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Yahiko knelt on the spot, looking somewhat bewildered.

"How could this happen..." he muttered to himself.

Konan, standing nearby, softly comforted him, "Yahiko..."

Yahiko remained kneeling: "Why? We were only one step away."

Nagato silently watched the direction Kakuzu had disappeared in. He really wanted to step forward and stop him, but what would be the use?

Just then, Naoto walked in from the other end of the corridor. He looked serious and walked hurriedly, clearly having something urgent to attend to.

He was slightly taken aback when he saw the three people kneeling on the ground, but he quickly looked away and chased after Kakuzu in the direction he had left.

Yahiko and the other two exchanged a glance and quickly followed.