Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 178 Returning to the Village

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like I'm crazy?"

Aokiji's complete lack of self-awareness prompted Kakuzu to mock him mercilessly: "There have always been ambitious people who dream of unifying the world, in every era. But without exception, they all failed. I thought you were a smart man, yet you also have such grand dreams. In the end, you're just a brat who likes to daydream."

Aokiji laughed off Kakuzu's cold mockery, dismissing it as nothing: "If a brat doesn't like daydreaming, what kind of brat is he?"

"When I first met you, you dared to kill the lord of the Land of Fire. The second time we met, you dared to kidnap the son of the daimyo of the Land of Fire and demand a ransom. At that time, I was wondering what kind of things a dangerous brat like you would do. I never expected that you would refresh my understanding again in such a short time. It seems that I underestimated you."

Aokiji chuckled twice: "Now that you mention it, I'll take that as a compliment."

I'm not praising you.

Aokiji's tone became slightly more serious: "Everyone needs to have some aspirations, right?"

Kakuzu said sarcastically, "When strength doesn't match ambition, it's destined to be a disaster."

Aokiji corrected him, "It's not conquest, it's reform."

Kakuzu stared at Aokiji and offered a pointed assessment: "What's the difference? Whether it's conquest or reform, the prerequisite is defeating all those who disagree."

Aokiji didn't refute it: "That's true."

"Why are you suddenly interested in this kind of thing? When I first met you, weren't you only interested in money?"

Kakuzu narrowed his red and green half-eye, quietly waiting for Aokiji's reply.

"To put it simply, it's probably because I've been making money too fast lately, and Brother Kakuzu's remark just now reminded me that my desire for money can no longer satisfy me."

"Don't blame me for your own ambitions," Kakuzu said, indicating he wouldn't take the blame. Even without his warning, the kid might still have designs on it later.

Aokiji paused, organizing his thoughts: "A person who is hungry and cold will first and foremost want to be well-fed and clothed. And a person who is well-fed and clothed will want a warm home. And once a warm home is established, people will have new desires, and these desires will continue to increase layer by layer."

"You're just being lazy and have nothing better to do," Kakuzu replied with utter disdain.

Aokiji shrugged and formally extended an invitation: "Brother Kakuzu, would you be interested in creating a new world with me someday?"

Without a second thought, Kakuzu immediately replied, "I'm not interested in anything except money."

As expected, Aokiji expressed his full understanding; he knew he had to take his time to fool Kakuzu.

Within the Akatsuki organization, Kakuzu, aside from Kisame, is probably the most "honest" person.

Aokiji thought the conversation was over, but little did he know there would be a twist later.

"but……"

Hearing "but" often signifies a turning point. Aokiji looked at Kakuzu, who then gave this reply:

"If you were to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan in the future, I might be interested."

"The Kaleidoscope Sharingan?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Aokiji's eyes.

"That is your clan's highest eye technique. It was with this power that Madara Uchiha, together with Hashirama Senju, ended the era of war."

Kakuzu never fought Uchiha Madara, but considering Senju Hashirama as a reference, his strength was probably not much inferior, and the power possessed by those eyes would naturally interest Kakuzu.

"The Mangekyou Sharingan, huh... I've heard of that."

Aokiji, indulging his natural tendency to be a know-it-all, deliberately inquired about the meaning of the other person's earlier words: "Why did you say that?"

"If you want to achieve your ambitions, then the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan is indispensable," Kakuzu explained. "It's a power that can rival Hashirama Senju's Wood Release. One day, when you truly possess that power, I think you could earn even more money by having it by your side."

Aokiji nodded with an "I see" expression: "Then it's settled."

"I just said I was interested." Kakuzu's attitude was noncommittal as he turned and left.

Aokiji stared at the door that Kakuzu had left through and closed, a smirk playing on his lips. It seemed that in the end, PUA still came down to force.

..............................

In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

During this period, Aokiji and Kakuzu committed a series of crimes, accumulating an astonishing fortune that was beyond measure.

The organization has expanded from two people to about 10 people.

Kakuzu, with his back against the wall and arms crossed, spoke to Aokiji, who was about to leave: "Going back to the village again this time?"

"It's been too long since I've been back. I only go back to visit occasionally."

During the six months, Aokiji would occasionally return to the village.

"How long are you planning to stay this time...?"

Aokiji answered casually, "It depends on my mood."

Kakuzu closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought: "By the time you come back this time, it should be about time to catch that big fish."

He was alluding to the son of the famous man.

Six months is enough time for them to find out everything about Daming's son.

"Let's call it a day after we've done this job," Aokiji suggested.

Now that the organization is famous, continuing will only increase the risks. Besides, Aokiji doesn't trust the other members of the organization.

Ultimately, they are just a group of kidnappers banding together for profit. It is foreseeable that they will clash and betray each other one day for the sake of profit.

Moreover, signs have already emerged that internal discontent is arising from the distribution of spoils within the organization.

Now they can still overpower Kakuzu with their strength, but it's hard to say what will happen in the future.

Aokiji's ideal companion is someone like Orochimaru in the future—someone who was abducted from childhood, adopted as a child, and raised by his own family.

So Aokiji never cultivated relationships with these people properly from the beginning, and after using them this time, they never spoke to each other again.

"That's really a shame."

Kakuzu's deep voice carried a hint of regret; a profession like kidnapping, where money comes quickly, isn't so easy to find.

"Then I'll be going now..."

After leaving his base, Aokiji cautiously reverted to his true form only when he was alone in the next country. He then bought some local specialties on the street and returned to the village.

Aokiji rarely returned to the village, and Jiraiya bumped into him, calling his name. He waved happily.

Aokiji noticed Jiraiya, and even more so the other two beside him, and went to his companion's side: "Looks like I've come back just in time."

Tsunade held out her hand, her tone utterly unceremonious: "Give it to me."

"What will you receive?"

Tsunade replied matter-of-factly, "A gift? Don't you even know what that is?"

Aokiji raised an eyebrow, his expression seeming to say, "Who do you think you are? Why should I buy you a gift?"

Under Tsunade's furrowed brow, Aokiji presented local specialties to Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

Tsunade glanced at him and became annoyed: "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Aokiji solemnly said, "Brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes."

Tsunade looked at her with disdain: "What a chauvinist! No wonder you're still single."

Aokiji, neck stiff, retorted, "You're single yourself, what right do you have to talk to me like that?"

Tsunade smirked: "Not wanting to look and not being able to find are two different things, okay?"

The two started arguing again as soon as they met, leaving Jiraiya and Orochimaru quite helpless.

They were puzzled as to why these two had so many arguments.

Aokiji chuckled twice and retorted sarcastically, "It's been a long time. Your chest doesn't seem to have gotten any bigger, but you've become more and more narcissistic."

(End of this chapter)