With trembling hands, Naruto reached down and gently touched the surface of the gold vein. Its warmth seeped into his fingertips, a tangible confirmation of the riches that lay beneath the surface. A wide grin stretched across Naruto's face, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of triumph and astonishment. "Kurama, we found it!" he exclaimed. "You're the greatest!"
"Heh, don't I know it," Kurama replied, amused as he watched the boy's excitement unfold. Naruto's exuberance seemed to fill the entire cavern with energy.
As Naruto's enthusiasm reached its peak, a realization struck him. He surveyed the vastness of the gold mine, the glimmering veins and scattered nuggets that lay before him, and a wave of practicality washed over him. "Wait, how am I going to carry all this?" Naruto paused, his grin fading slightly.
Kurama palmed his face.
Strapped tightly to the chair, Kakuzu watched as the Uzumaki's restless energy filled the dimly lit room. The man's steps grew more frenzied with each passing moment. He paced back and forth, his brow furrowed and his hands clenching and unclenching as if searching for an outlet for his frustration.
"Gah, this doesn't make any sense!" Uzumaki exclaimed, his voice laced with exasperation. The faint glow of light cast deep shadows across the blonde's face, highlighting the lines of frustration etched upon his features. His eyes darted back and forth, as if seeking answers that eluded him.
Raising an eyebrow, Kakuzu wordlessly turned towards Imagawa. Imagawa met his gaze for a brief moment before breaking the silence.
"So?" Imagawa inquired.
Uzumaki turned to face him, his reluctance evident as he begrudgingly admitted, "Yeah, you were right."
"Indeed," Imagawa said. "So, may I ask who you are? And how do you know Kakuzu here?"
Imagawa's amber eyes fixated upon the Uzumaki, their intensity revealing a keen interest in the situation. An Uzumaki, so far away from their secluded island, and possessing such impressive mastery over wind—Kakuzu couldn't help but wonder how this maniac had managed to remain unnoticed until now. His presence was anything but subtle.
"Uzumaki Naruto, and that's none of your business." Naruto retorted sharply before striding towards Kakuzu.
Kakuzu tensed as the madman approached him once again. The Uzumaki's hand forcefully lifted his chin, scrutinizing his features with a furrowed brow.
"So, you've always been this ugly?" Naruto remarked, "I really can't tell the difference."
Insolent fool! Kakuzu's irritation spiked at the insult, and the strange false familiarity of the words only served to grate him even more. He knew for certain that he had never met this man before. He would not forget someone this insufferable.
The Uzumaki pressed on, "Uzumaki Mito, Nine-tails and Senju Hashirama…tell me everything."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, "I've told you all I know," he replied curtly, annoyance seeping into his voice.
"No, you fucking haven't," Naruto retorted, "I need details."
"Maybe you should ask your clansmen." Kakuzu grunted out.
"What clansmen?" The Uzumaki asked.
If Kakuzu's hands weren't bound, he would've instinctively buried his face in them.
"Oh, you mean the Uzumaki!" Naruto's eyes widened momentarily, a flicker of surprise crossing his features, before his glare intensified, fixed on the bounty hunter. "I don't know em. Now answer the question, Kakuzu."
Did this man just spawn out of thin air one day? Kakuzu wondered, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. How was he supposed to answer that? The only reason he possessed any knowledge about Uzumaki Mito and her connection to the Nine-tails was due to his ill-fated mission to assassinate her husband. Not that the intel helped him in any manner.
Before Kakuzu could voice his mounting frustration once again, Imagawa interjected, breaking the tension and redirecting the focus of the conversation.
"I can help you with that. In exchange for my associate's life here, of course.".
Kakuzu recognized the unspoken message in Imagawa's eyes. Imagawa intended to handle the conversation and negotiate on their behalf, and Kakuzu was content with that. It was better to let him navigate the treacherous waters of this idiot's mind.
"And you are?" Naruto raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
The ashen-haired man slightly inclined his head forward while keeping his back straight, imitating a traditional bow. "Imagawa. I am a purveyor of secrets and a conductor of fates."
Naruto stared at Imagawa, his expression blank. "Pur-what?"
"If it's information you seek, I am the man for it," Imagawa clarified. Kakuzu couldn't deny the truth in those words. Imagawa's network was as sturdy as an Iwa shinobi's fortress, and the bounty hunter had benefited from it on numerous occasions. In a world driven by knowledge and secrets, his expertise was not to be underestimated.
The Uzumaki's eyes narrowed dangerously as he considered Imagawa's offer. A flicker of unease crossed Kakuzu's face, almost imperceptible to anyone but himself. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of discomfort as he locked eyes with the Uzumaki, sensing the hostility emanating from Naruto's gaze. The air in the room started feeling heavy.
A beat later, Naruto's voice cut through the charged atmosphere. "You can have him," he said, as he shifted his gaze towards Imagawa.
"Very well then," Imagawa acquiesced. With a steady voice, he began to share the knowledge he possessed about about Konoha, Uzumaki Mito, her mastery of intricate sealing techniques, and the figure that had left an indelible mark on Kakuzu's memory—Senju Hashirama. Imagawa's words held a weighty significance as he delved into the profound impact Hashirama had on both Konoha and the shinobi world.
As the Uzumaki eagerly absorbed Imagawa's revelations, Kakuzu found himself contemplating their fight earlier that day. Kakuzu dwelled on the unnerving familiarity the Uzumaki displayed regarding the intricacies of his jiongu. The jiongu's inner workings were shrouded in secrecy, known only to a select few. And those few who knew of it were dead, by his own hands.
Yet, this man, who did not even know what year it was, seemed to possess an inexplicable understanding of the jiongu, knowing his every move before he could even make it. Kakuzu could not think of a single rational explaination to that, and it drove him up the wall.
"And that covers it," Imagawa finally stated.
The room fell into a brief silence as Imagawa concluded his explaination. The Uzumaki's expression hardened, a strange flicker in his eyes. He turned on his heels, purpose in his stride.
"I assume you're heading to Konoha for the Nine-Tails? Imagawa's question hung in the air as the Uzumaki was leaving.
Naruto paused; his expression guarded. "What is it to you?"
"You're clearly very strong," Imagawa continued, "but I can assure you, Hashirama is not someone to be trifled with."
The Uzumaki's lips curled into a sardonic smirk, his eyes narrowing in a challenging gaze. "We'll see about that."
Kakuzu couldn't help but scoff at that, his amusement evident.
"You want to say something, Kakuzu?" There was an edge to the Uzumaki's tone.
"You're an even bigger fool than I thought," Kakuzu replied with disdain. "You don't stand a chance against Hashirama."
Naruto glared at him. "Just because you got your ass handed to you doesn't mean I will too."
Kakuzu's lips curled into a mocking smile, and a low chuckle escaped his throat. His shoulders shook slightly with amusement as he looked at Naruto, his eyes filled with contemptuous disbelief. He found a bitter irony in the situation—an ironic twist of fate where the very man who had attempted to assassinate him was now destined to meet his own demise at the hands of the one he had failed to kill.
Imagawa interjected. "Even if you were to defeat Hashirama, you'd still have to face the entire might of Konoha. Uzumaki Mito herself is no ordinary adversary. You cannot simply waltz in without facing serious resistance."
Naruto crossed his arms, his expression guarded. "And why do you care?"
Imagawa smiled widely, a subtle spark of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Consider it a gesture of good faith," he said. "I'm simply fulfilling my end of the bargain by providing you with all the information I have at my disposal." He paused for a moment, his gaze steady. "However, if it makes no difference, the Four-Tails might be a more viable option. It hasn't been sealed yet. "
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face as he pondered what Imagawa was playing at. He couldn't help but wonder about his true intentions as he waited for the Uzumaki to respond.
Naruto's face remained locked in deep contemplation for a fleeting moment before a shift occurred, transforming his expression into something altogether different. A wicked smile curled at the corners of his lips, sending a ripple of unease through Kakuzu's senses. He did not like that smile.
Kakuzu almost let out a sigh of relief as the maniac just turned and left the place. Imagawa took the opportunity to undo Kakuzu's bindings, releasing him.
Kakuzu's voice dripped with skepticism as he questioned Imagawa's actions. "What are you playing at, Imagawa? You should've let the fool run to his death in Konoha."
"That would've been a shame, Kakuzu. A shinobi of his caliber could do a number on Iwa, don't you think?"
"Heh, I wouldn't place my hopes on a madman. He didn't even know what year it was. What do you make of that?"
Imagawa's eyes gleamed with contemplation. "Tampered memories or perhaps a genjutsu? Regardless, his strength is undeniable. There's more to him than meets the eye."
Kakuzu nodded begrudgingly, acknowledging the truth in Imagawa's assessment. Despite the fool's eccentricities, his raw power was irrefutable. "He said he doesn't know his clansmen."
"Indeed. A rogue Uzumaki? You see something new every day," Imagawa replied.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the room once again, alerting Kakuzu. Not again!
"Change of plans, Kakuzu. You're coming with me to Iwa," the Uzumaki declared, walking back in, his voice firm. He then turned his gaze to Imagawa. "And you—can you provide me with the exact location where the Four-Tails is being kept?"
Kakuzu sneered, "And why would I do that?"
Naruto grinned sharply. "Do you want to get back in the chair?"
Kakuzu tensed, readying himself for another fight. Blood trickled down his leg, staining his clothing, but he pushed through the discomfort, drawing upon his inner strength to keep himself steady and focused.
The Uzumaki sighed, his exasperation evident. "Calm down." With a swift motion, he threw his head back and spat out a long scroll, followed by a series of gagging noises. "Ugh, I hate doing that."
Kakuzu and Imagawa watched Naruto with bated breath as he formed a seal, slamming the scroll on the ground. The scroll was engulfed in smoke as they jumped back, anticipating an attack. But no such thing happened.
As the smoke cleared, the contents of the scroll became more visible, and Kakuzu's eyes widened in surprise as he beheld the pile of gold before him.
"Huh," Imagawa whistled in astonishment.
Naruto walked up to the scroll and picked up a bar, dangling it in front of Kakuzu. "How about now?" he asked, a hint of triumph in his voice.
Kakuzu's first thought was to refuse because the last thing he desired was to accompany this fool on a suicide trip to capture a tailed beast. But on the other hand, that was a ridiculous amount of gold. It would take him years, if not decades, of risky jobs to accumulate that amount of wealth. The temptation of securing such riches tugged at his practical side, creating a dilemma within him.
He glanced at Imagawa, who nodded in understanding. With a sigh, Kakuzu turned and nodded briefly toward Naruto, showing his reluctant acceptance.
"Knew I could count on the geezer being greedy," Naruto started.
Kakuzu contemplated the option of swiftly stabbing the bastard and making his escape. Surely, he could find an opportune moment.
"But how about you? Think you could do it?" The Uzumaki turned to Imagawa, seeking his opinion.
Imagawa shook his head. "Finding the location would be impossible. Only the top brass is aware of it. What I could do, though, is make them shift the location. That will be your window to grab it."
Kakuzu could see Imagawa weighing the potential risks, knowing it would compromise his assets, but for the price and the blow it would deal to Iwa, he probably thought it was worth it. If they suceeded that is.
"Good enough," Naruto acknowledged with a nod. He then addressed Kakuzu, "We'll do the rest."
Kakuzu wasn't entirely convinced. This was pure insanity. However, the allure of the gold was too tempting to pass up.
"Are you worried, Kakuzu?" Naruto teased, sensing his apprehension. "Don't worry, you're a natural kidnapper."
"What?"
The lunatic just smiled mysteriously. "Don't worry about it." Kakuzu despised that smile.
"Oh, and also," he continued, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "Do you know any med-nin?" he asked, turning to Imagawa.
Imagawa raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden question. "One or two. Why?"
"Perfect."
Hope you had fun! Also, if you're reading this, please consider reviewing. I would really appreciate it.
