On the muddy path leading to the Hidden Leaf Village of the Land of Fire, two figures clad in black robes walked, each occupying one side of the road, leaving a space of one person's width between them.
Kisame Hoshigaki cautiously guarded against an ambush from Kakuzu, as his bounty was enough to tempt the latter.
Although he was sent by the leader to support Kakuzu, Kakuzu had become obsessed with money, and who knew if he would suddenly attack his teammate in a fit of madness.
"Don't worry, I won't make a move on you until this plan is completed."
As if sensing Kisame's apprehension, Kakuzu's voice rumbled from beneath his mask, his emerald eyes filled with disdain.
Kisame Hoshigaki sneered, "I have no trust in you. If the leader hadn't ordered it, I wouldn't bother coming on this trip with you!"
In fact, Kisame Hoshigaki was secretly delighted. He had wanted to visit the Hidden Leaf Village for some shopping anyway, and now even his travel expenses could be reimbursed by the organization.
He could save a huge sum of money!
"Hmph..."
Kakuzu snorted and ignored Kisame Hoshigaki, slowly walking towards the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Tch! A sucker, even Itachi with his poker face is better than him!"
Kisame Hoshigaki compared Kakuzu and Itachi and found that Itachi was actually quite good; at least he wouldn't have thoughts of killing him for no reason.
"But, are we sure we're going for the Fourth Hokage's bounty? Won't I get killed by Itachi?"
Kisame Hoshigaki was still confused why the leader would agree to Kakuzu's decision, always feeling like the leader was using Kakuzu to kill him.
Then why call him along? Was he, Kisame Hoshigaki, also abandoned?
Ah well, he'd play it by ear when the time came!
If he couldn't win, he'd join them!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Karura had gathered the information she wanted and was discussing countermeasures with her teammates.
"Kisame Hoshigaki and Kakuzu? Karura, are you feeling alright? Aren't those members of the Akatsuki?"
Suigetsu Hozuki pouted, doubting if Karura had lost her mind in her eagerness for revenge!
She actually wanted to take the heads of Akatsuki members for bounties, and then hire Akatsuki members? Wasn't that problematic?
Not only the Hozuki brothers but even Kimimaro took a slight step back, fearing contagion.
Women were indeed as terrifying as the master had said!
"What do you brats know!"
Karura said with her hands on her hips, "This is a countermeasure that Mei Terumi and I decided on after thinking all night!"
Mei Terumi also chimed in, "That's right. Although I stayed in that organization for a while, I have no good feelings for those people!"
Mei Terumi seemed to recall some scenes, her breathing becoming rapid. Her time in the Akatsuki was a shadow in her life, and she had to regain her pride!
The Hozuki brothers hesitated. Honestly, Kisame Hoshigaki had treated them well when they were in the Akatsuki and had even guided them in their training.
Now, being asked to capture Kisame Hoshigaki, they truly found it hard to strike.
Mangetsu Hozuki asked, "With just us few, can we deal with the combination of Kisame Hoshigaki and Kakuzu?"
Kimimaro said coldly, "It's likely a fifty-fifty situation. That is, if Mei Terumi can hold off Kisame Hoshigaki, and then the rest of us focus our attacks on Kakuzu, we might have a slim chance."
Suigetsu Hozuki grinned, "That this woman can go one-on-one with Senior Kisame, I don't..."
*Slap!*
A fair hand slapped forward, and Suigetsu's head scattered like water droplets. Mei Terumi furiously exclaimed, "I can easily defeat that little shark Kisame Hoshigaki!"
Suigetsu Hozuki transformed into a puddle of water and hid behind his brother, slowly reforming into human shape with a fearful expression.
This woman is truly violent!
"If it's a fifty-fifty situation, I'm not very supportive of this mission."
Mangetsu Hozuki apologized apologetically. On one hand, it was because of Kisame Hoshigaki, and on the other hand, their side had no comeback potential, and his brother's safety was not guaranteed.
"It's not too late to decide after you hear me out."
Karura said with her arms crossed confidently, "Perhaps they'll surrender themselves and let us kill them?"
"We just need to do this... this... and then this... and finally..."
The Hozuki brothers listened with shining eyes, as if they could already see piles of green banknotes waving at them, and a luxurious swimming pool was no longer a dream!
Suigetsu Hozuki clenched his fist, baring his sharp teeth, and said, "Charge! Let's kill that Kisame Hoshigaki!"
Mangetsu Hozuki also apologized in his heart: Sorry, Senior Kisame, it's not that I disregard our village bond, but the other side is simply offering too much!
Mei Terumi already knew the plan and was watching with amusement.
"Hey, where did you get the information about them? It's so detailed, you even know their objective clearly."
Mei Terumi was surprised by Karura's ability to obtain such detailed intelligence. This ability seemed to be something only Zetsu, who always smelled of rot, could do.
Karura spread her hands, "I bought it from that masked man for one hundred thousand ryo. I felt it was worth the price."
"..."
Everyone present fell silent for a moment. So, their own people were betraying them!
It seemed that organizations with salaries were full of intrigue, and their own organization, which had no salary, was better. Everything depended on themselves, and no one could blame anyone else.
The Hozuki brothers felt a little less guilty upon hearing this.
Senior Kisame, even your own people want you dead, so we can't be blamed!
...
*Achoo!*
"Who's talking about me?"
Kisame Hoshigaki rubbed his nose. He had no friends, and almost everyone he knew had been killed by his own hands. Only the members of the Akatsuki could have a few words with him.
Was it Itachi? Probably not.
If that emotionless guy could curse me, it would be a miracle from heaven, he's finally awakened!
The Hozuki brothers? Probably not.
Kisame Hoshigaki felt that those two children respected him quite a bit, and he often taught them some combat techniques.
As for others, Kisame Hoshigaki couldn't think of any reason why they would remember him.
So... there was only one possibility!
Kisame Hoshigaki glared at Kakuzu, who was walking slowly ahead, suspecting that the old man was cursing him!
*Achoo!*
Damn it! Still cursing me while my back is turned?
Kisame Hoshigaki stealthily took out Samehada, intending to hit Kakuzu from behind, but then heard Kakuzu say, "Are you catching a cold?"
Kisame Hoshigaki quickly put away Samehada and coughed, saying, "It's nothing, huh?"
"This is cold medicine. When I was a child, I took this and recovered immediately."
Kisame Hoshigaki subconsciously took the dark box from Kakuzu's hand, inside which lay two somewhat aged pills.
"Thanks."
Although Kisame Hoshigaki was surprised by Kakuzu's sudden change in personality, he sniffed and indeed detected a strong herbal scent.
Besides, if Kakuzu wanted to kill him, he wouldn't use such petty tricks; he'd fight head-on.
Seeing Kisame Hoshigaki swallow the pills, Kakuzu's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to walk slowly forward.
"Cough, cough!"
A moment later, Kisame Hoshigaki coughed violently, covering his throat and saying, "When was this medicine made? I feel like..."
"I already told you I took it when I was a child, what do you think?"
"I'll be damned..."