Naruto: Starting from the time when the Six Paths of Pain was Kira Yoshikage

Even when faced with a life-or-death situation, Kakuzu stubbornly persisted in his beliefs.

He doesn't care about world peace or the Eye of the Immortal.

He had long since disregarded life and death... His heart may have died decades ago in that betrayal...

All he cares about now is money.

For Kakuzu, money is the most real thing!

Only money will never betray him!

Money was the only thing he possessed!

Pain spoke again, his tone still icy: "What if I hand over the entire organization's finances to you?"

"make a deal!"

Kakuzu suddenly opened his eyes and agreed without hesitation, his firm tone exactly the same as when he had refused.

It was as if they were afraid that Pain would change his mind.

Pain (Tendo): "..."

You never say what you shouldn't, Kakuzu.

Money-grubbing!

Kakuzu, a legendary figure in the bounty hunter world, was thus recruited by Pain and became the second member of the newly formed Akatsuki organization.

However, Pain did not allow Kakuzu to make his own arrangements like Sasori did, but instead took him to the Land of Waterfalls.

As an elite ninja from Takigakure, Kakuzu must have known the exact location of Takigakure, which would save him the time of searching for the location.

Although Zetsu could do it, Nagato didn't really like the two-faced look.

After hearing Pain's plan, Kakuzu asked, "Boss, do you mean to turn Takigakure into the organization's base?"

The isolated way of life and natural seclusion of Takigakure Village make it an ideal hiding place.

"Yes."

Pain nodded, glanced at Kakuzu, and said indifferently, "I know you were once a member of Takigakure. If you mind, then..."

"I agree!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Kaku agreed immediately, showing no remorse whatsoever for his past as a member of that village. He even revealed a cruel, eager smile: "I've long disliked that place. I've always been very curious... why does such a decaying village still exist?"

"Now that I can destroy it with my own hands... I have no objection."

Does Kakuzu have feelings for Takigakure Village?

He only received betrayal there.

And how many years has he been a ninja in Takigakure? How old is he now?

For someone over ninety years old like him, the past of Takigakure Village was just a fleeting moment.

Here's a really lame joke: Kakuzu spent less time in Takigakure than he spent exchanging money at the bounty shop.

Time heals all wounds; the past, whether it's past or not, will eventually pass.

So many years have passed that Kakuzu has long since lost all feeling for Takigakure. In his eyes, Takigakure and Kusagakure are no different.

but...

If you said I could personally destroy this village, Kakuzu would be quite interested, especially...

"I'd be happy to lead the way, and I can even offer to help."

Kakuzu paused here, glanced cautiously at Pain, and seeing that the other party had no objections, he continued, "However, I have one request."

"explain."

Pain said calmly.

His face remained expressionless, as if he had seen through everything and nothing could evoke any other emotions in him.

"All the wealth of Takigakure Village will belong to me after we wipe it out."

Kakuzu looked at Pain with unusual seriousness, his expression resolute.

Thinking about it, it's understandable. No matter how much Takigakure declines, it's still a ninja village, and it was once almost among the sixth largest ninja village. Even though it has fallen into decline, it's still a small ninja village that's considered top-tier in the ninja world.

In addition, the overall financial situation of Takigakure is good, so the village must have accumulated a lot of wealth over the years.

Even if the village is poor, it would still be more profitable than killing a few bounty hunters.

Kakuzu's enthusiasm will be exceptionally high as long as there is money to be made.

Pain (Tendo): "..."

It's true that anyone could say something they shouldn't.

"At most three percent... no, twenty percent."

Nagato's plan to conquer Takigakure was certainly not just for the sake of a small territory. The Akatsuki organization needed money to grow, and he was actually thinking about the same thing as Kakuzu.

What's the most profitable thing to do in this world?

Murder and arson bring wealth and honor.

Actually, robbing the five great nations and the five great ninja villages would be the most profitable thing, but Akatsuki doesn't have that capability yet.

Then we'll have no choice but to target the small ninja village.

Takigakure, a highly secluded place, is the most suitable choice both logically and emotionally.

"make a deal."

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiao agreed immediately, without even haggling.

When it comes to money, Kakuzu's mind works its best.

The Land of Earth and the Land of Waterfalls are not far apart. Pain and Kakunobu arrived in the Land of Waterfalls in no time. As far as the eye could see, there were waterfalls of all sizes, making it a very suitable place for seclusion.

With Kakuzu as their guide, the two quickly arrived at the entrance to Takigakure Village.

Looking at the magnificent waterfall before them, Kakuzu (Pain) asked, "Takigakure is just beyond this waterfall. Shall we go straight in?"

He is now eager for the wealth of Takigakure Village that is within his grasp.

"Wait a mininute."

Pain did not rush into Takigakure, but instead gazed at the setting sun.

"Is there a problem?"

Kakuzu thought Pain had discovered something, so he followed his gaze but saw nothing but the sun.

Unbeknownst to Kakuzu, Pain used a summoning technique.

Those who are not Stand users cannot see Stands. For ninjas in this world, unless special methods are used, all Stand summoning beasts are invisible.

The power system of ninjas in the Naruto world is very strong. Unless it is a bug-level rule-based substitution, most substitutions cannot exert their due power. For example, Popo's silver chariot is almost blank. In a head-on battle, it is at most at the level of a Chunin.

However, the addition of stealth makes all the difference; both stealth and aggression are greatly enhanced.

Pain first summoned two Stand Summoning Beasts—Grey Tower and Dark Blue Moon.

One traveled by air, the other by water.

Their task was to first infiltrate Takigakure Village to scout out the situation within the village.

It is said that the Animal Path's ability is to summon summoning beasts, but this is not accurate, because any ninja can summon summoning beasts as long as they sign a contract.

However, during battles, the Animal Path of Pain mostly summons spirit beasts, which is why people mistakenly believe that his ability is summoning.

In reality, the correct ability of the Animal Path should be to create summoned beasts. Any of the other six paths of Pain should be able to summon the beasts they create.

"Let's wait until evening to go in."

Kakuzu instinctively assumed that Pain planned to sneak in under the cover of night, so he asked, "With your power, do you need to be so cautious?"

From Kakuzu's perspective, Pain, with his godlike power, didn't need to do anything so troublesome.

To this, Pain simply replied, "God is merciful; I will grant them eternal sleep in their dreams tonight."