Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 204 Convincing Kakuzu to Become the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki

A month later.

An alliance of several small countries, including the Land of Grass, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Sky, plus the Land of Wind, officially declared war on Konoha.

With a single explosion, the war officially began.

News of the large-scale war spread like wildfire, reaching even the Bear Country, which was far from the main battlefield and close to the coast.

In the restaurant, some people who had returned from other countries shared their experiences with the locals.

In a secluded corner, Aokiji, who was eating, was so shocked by these words that he choked on his food, his eyes rolled back, and he almost passed out.

Aokiji clenched his fists and pounded his chest, then swallowed a mouthful of tea before he could barely recover.

What's going on? Why did a war suddenly start?

According to the original storyline, at this point it should have been nothing more than a minor skirmish, so how could such a large-scale war have suddenly broken out?

Sitting opposite him, Kakuzu remained composed upon hearing that the war had begun. He merely lifted his eyelids slightly, watching Aokiji leave his seat, chatter away at another table for a while, and then return before finally moving his lips slightly: "Finished asking?"

Aokiji returned to his seat, looking shaken: "That was war, weren't you surprised?"

"In our time, this was just an everyday occurrence."

Kakuzu was born in the Warring States period, and war was nothing more than commonplace for him.

He was only slightly surprised when he heard the news. Since he was no longer serving the village, he naturally adopted an attitude of indifference.

"Your era?"

Aokiji seemed to have grasped some key word, his eyes widening as he feigned surprise.

Kakuzu: ...

A look of curiosity appeared in Aokiji's eyes: "Speaking of which, until now, I don't even know your age. How old are you exactly?"

He was well aware of Kakuzu's age, and he asked the question to test Kakuzu's level of trust in him.

When Kakuzu finally reveals his true intentions, it will signify that the two have taken a substantial step closer to each other.

Kakuzu realized he had let something slip. Perhaps because they had spent a relatively long time together, this time he didn't directly refuse to answer as he had before, but gave a relatively ambiguous answer:

"I once fought against your First Hokage."

This answer allows for a range of possible ages.

A fleeting hint of joy crossed Aokiji's eyes as he feigned disbelief: "Really? You actually fought that person?"

"Believe it or not," Kakuzu said coldly.

"Could it be one of those shuriken thrown from 800 miles away?"

Upon hearing Aokiji's teasing remark, Kakuzu was visibly enraged, his voice becoming deep and gruff: "If you want to die, I can grant your wish."

Aokiji apologized with a forced smile, "Just kidding, don't get worked up."

After that, I quickly changed the subject: "Uh, why did you fight him?"

"I received orders from the village..." Kakuzu paused deliberately, letting out a cold laugh, "to kill him."

As he spoke, he looked at Aokiji with a meaningful gaze, wanting to see his reaction.

I saw that the other party was buried in his head, silent, and lost in thought for a while, but it's no wonder that a normal Konoha ninja would react more or less when he heard this.

After a long silence, Aokiji hesitated before speaking: "Um, may I ask you a question?"

"You think I'm lying?"

Aokiji shook his head, saying, "I was wondering if the higher-ups in your village back then were idiots?"

Kakuzu's slightly closed eyes revealed a confused expression, as if he were saying, "What does this mean?"

"Isn't it obvious? How could a ninja of the First Hokage's caliber be assassinated? If he could really be assassinated, why would your higher-ups give the order?" Aokiji looked at Kakuzu's masked face, revealing only his eyes, and smiled, "Don't you think so, Brother Kakuzu?"

After saying that, he seemed to remember something, and changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat teasing: "Grandpa Kakuzu..."

Kakuzu's face immediately darkened. That wasn't entirely wrong; in terms of age, he was indeed that age. However, he was still a little unaccustomed to being addressed like that, especially by this Uchiha brat who always acted like an adult.

Before he could get angry, Aokiji spoke again: "Of course, this kind of thing can be explained if you look at it from a different perspective."

"Tell me what you think is best, and if I'm not satisfied," Kakuzu suppressed his somber mood and glared menacingly, "I might report you and collect the reward."

Aokiji disagreed, expressing his opinion: "They're either stupid or evil."

This word was refreshing to Kakuzu.

"In my opinion, if your former superiors weren't out of their minds, they most likely wanted to use this opportunity to get rid of Brother Kakuzu."

Kakuzu was taken aback. He couldn't understand why the higher-ups would want to eliminate him, given that he had worked diligently and conscientiously all those years.

"I don't believe I've offended them in any way," Kakuzu said in a low voice.

Aokiji stared straight at him: "Really not? You should think about it again."

Kakuzu's voice was firm: "No."

Aokiji cut to the chase: "That's not right. Your biggest problem is that you're too powerful."

A strange look flashed in Kakuzu's eyes.

Aokiji rubbed his chin with his fingers and speculated, "Brother Kakuzu probably isn't a ninja from one of our Five Great Nations, is he?"

Kakuzu responded with silence.

Aokiji said cheerfully, "If you won't say, then I'll take that as a yes."

"snort."

"In this world, ninjas with Kage-level strength are very rare, especially those from small countries. It would be extremely rare for them to appear."

Aokiji's flattery was so skillful and subtle that Kakuzu found it quite effective.

"If things proceed as planned, with your strength, Brother Kakuzu, you will surely make great contributions to the village, become a hero of the village, and eventually be elected as the village chief by everyone."

Kakuzu nodded, not denying it.

He was indeed very famous in the village back then, and was quite popular. If he had followed the established path, it wouldn't have been impossible for him to become the village chief.

Kakuzu asked, "But what does this have to do with the higher-ups wanting to kill me?"

"Of course it matters. If you become the village chief, whose interests will be harmed?"

Kakuzu suddenly realized, and couldn't help but curse, "Foolish! For such a ridiculous reason. I have no feelings for the village chief at all."

Aokiji shook his head: "The point isn't whether you want to, but whether you have the ability."

Kakuzu snorted coldly, his face showing disdain.

Without him, Takigakure's strength was greatly reduced, and it never recovered, becoming a third-rate ninja village.

Back when he was still in the village, Takigakure was not as strong as the five great ninja villages, but it was still close behind.

"If your strength hadn't been so outstanding, I think the village's higher-ups might have been able to use their power to elect their own sons as village chiefs and continue the power structure. But because your strength is too great, it has shattered all of that."

"That's why they resorted to this desperate measure, sending you to assassinate the first one. If you succeed, great; if you fail, it will pave the way for their own descendants."

This isn't just Aokiji making things up. In the original story, the village chief of Takikage Village is just a kid, and his strength doesn't resemble Gaara's absolute power. It's clearly hereditary.

After listening to Aokiji's analysis and recalling that after he killed those high-ranking officials, all the village's successors were the sons of the previous officials, Kakuzu suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun had shone through, and everything became clear.

"In the end, what are heroes? In the face of power, they are nothing more than tools. They are lauded when needed and destroyed when no longer needed."

Aokiji's words deeply moved Kakuzu, and he understood, he understood everything.

He clenched his fists, unable to swallow the thought of becoming a traitorous ninja of the village because of a group of despicable and shameless people.

Kakuzu acted on his thought immediately: "Excuse me, I have some personal matters to attend to."

Seeing his murderous look, Aokiji figured he was probably going back to the village to slaughter the descendants of those high-ranking officials.

"Uh, you don't actually want either of them, do you?"

Aokiji made a throat-slitting gesture.

Kakuzu stood up and said coldly, "This is my private matter, don't meddle in my business."

"If it's purely about revenge, I think that's incredibly stupid."

"What did you say?!"

Kakuzu's eyes were bloodshot.

"Calm down first, let me finish what I have to say," Aokiji said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

"What are you trying to say?"

Kakuzu sat back down in his original seat and listened to what he had to say.

If it were anyone else, and they dared to say that to him, he would be ready to open his heart completely.

However, Aokiji was quite accomplished.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" he asked.

"If I were you, I would choose to quietly gather evidence, clear my name, and take back everything that belongs to me." Aokiji reached out and grabbed at the air, squeezing hard: "The villagers and the village's ninjas are innocent. They were just deceived. The real guilty ones are those selfish and self-serving high-ranking officials."

Kakuzu paused, gazing into the distance, a strange light flickering in his eyes, and murmured, "Back to the village, huh...?"

Since becoming a rogue ninja, he had never thought of returning to the village one day.

Now that the opportunity is right in front of me, it would be a lie to say I'm not tempted.

You know, he was an idealistic ninja when he was young. If it weren't for that betrayal, he wouldn't have become the way he is now.

During the days when I was a ruthless bandit with the kid in front of me, I don't know if it was because the money came too fast and too much.

To be honest, he's not as obsessed with money as he used to be.

Without the motivation to make money, I suddenly felt a bit empty inside. But now, returning to the village, clearing my name, and becoming the village chief of Taki no Village seems like a good way to fill that void.

Seeing that Kakuzu's attitude had softened, Aokiji pressed on: "If you'd like, I can offer you some advice."

Kakuzu didn't believe Aokiji would do these things for him out of kindness: "What benefits are you trying to get from me this time, you brat?"

"That's really going too far. How could I be such a person in your heart?"

Kakuzu sneered and retorted, "Isn't that so?"

Aokiji chuckled and dropped the pretense: "Fine, I admit it, I do want to get something from you."

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.

Aokiji said, "My village is currently engaged in battle with other countries, and as a member of the village, I need to win over powerful allies for my village."

Kakuzu suddenly realized, but didn't understand: "Someone like you would actually care about the village like this?"

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm still a member of the village." Aokiji said narcissistically, "Although I'm a genius and see things more clearly than ordinary people, this place is still where I was born and raised, so there are bound to be some personal feelings involved."

"As long as the village doesn't do anything to wrong me, or doesn't go beyond what I can handle, I will still be Konoha's Aokiji."

Kakuzu thought about it carefully for a moment, then spoke up: "Your insights always give me a fresh perspective."

Aokiji grinned sheepishly and said with a hearty smile, "Because, I'm a genius."

"Hmph." Jiao remained noncommittal.

Aokiji asked, "How is it?"

"Alright, I promise you. If you can really help me return to the village and make me the village chief, as you say, I'll help you. Of course, this help will cost money."

"It's vulgar to talk about money when we're in a relationship like this."

"Helping you is my personal matter; as for village matters, those are matters between villages."

"Wow, you haven't even become the village chief yet, and you're already acting like one. Impressive, impressive."

Kakuzu: ...

Aokiji stopped teasing Kakuzu, crossed his hands, and rested them on his chin. "Now you can tell me the truth, right?"

Kakuzu hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice: "Takigakure Village."

Aokiji was taken aback: "Takigakure Village?"

"This is my old village."

Aokiji paused, seemingly remembering something, and then teased, "Oh~ no wonder, you were eyeing the Land of Waterfalls back then, so that's what you were up to. You're really wicked."

"So what if it is?" Kakuzu didn't deny it.

Aokiji thought for a moment and said, "Come to think of it, Takigakure seems to have a tailed beast."

Kakuzu exclaimed in surprise, "You even know that?"

Aokiji laughed and said, "Don't underestimate the power of my family."

After saying that, he muttered to himself, "It's really strange. They're not a major country, yet they managed to get a tailed beast, and it wasn't even stolen."

Kakuzu was quite unhappy about this, as the village was able to possess this tailed beast entirely thanks to him.

Aokiji asked, "Does that tailed beast have a Jinchuriki?"

"How would I know?" Kakuzu hadn't been back to the village for a long time, so naturally he wouldn't know such things.

Aokiji chuckled, "I have a bold idea. Do you want to hear it?"

Facing that hostile gaze, Kakuzu frowned slightly: "What are you trying to say?"

Aokiji grinned mischievously, "I've heard that if you implant a tailed beast, you can gain immense power. Brother Kakuzu, how about considering becoming the Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki?"

Upon hearing this, even Kakuzu couldn't sit still any longer and glared fiercely at Aokiji.

Aokiji teased, "Anyway, your body already looks weird because of the secret technique, so it wouldn't be surprising if you also have a tailed beast. With your strength, I think controlling the power of a tailed beast shouldn't be too difficult for you."

Joking aside, in reality, the Seven-Tails is arguably the most suitable tailed beast for Kakuzu.

In the original work, the Seven-Tails' performance was very poor, and it was a disgrace to the meaning represented by its tail.

But this thing has an ability that the other eight tailed beasts don't have: it can fly. Combined with the flying minions that Kakuzu created using the Earth Grudge Fear technique, it's incredibly powerful.

Just imagine a Jinchūriki with five lives—it's terrifying.

"If you want to be a Jinchūriki, you should be one yourself," Kakudo said irritably. "If we're talking about being a Jinchūriki, you, with those eyes, are much more suitable than me."

Aokiji chuckled awkwardly, "I think I'll pass..."

Then he seriously analyzed the benefits of being a Jinchūriki for Kakuzu.

Kakuzu initially dismissed it, but later he actually started to seriously consider it. Takigakure is too weak now; if it weren't for the major powers' fear of disrupting the balance, they wouldn't be able to protect this tailed beast at all.

Kakuzu couldn't predict what the world would become after this war, and it was hard to say whether Takigakure would be able to protect the Tailed Beasts.

Therefore, instead of doing that, it's better to focus on yourself, thus creating a super strong person.

He would consider it if he could really return to the village and successfully become the village chief.

Aokiji was quite surprised to see Kakuzu looking like he was seriously thinking. He thought, "He was just talking nonsense. Big brother, you really have some ideas."

Being a Jinchūriki is a double-edged sword, and it varies from person to person.

For Kakuzu, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, but for Aokiji, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Moreover, even if he wanted to be in that position, it wouldn't be his turn; it's a "special honor" reserved only for the Uzumaki clan.

Only a crazy person in the village would stuff a tailed beast into a member of the Uchiha clan.

He thought that if one day he really did possess a tailed beast within him, coupled with his Sharingan, the village's higher-ups would probably want to kill him the most.

With his evil Sharingan and evil tailed beast, it's no wonder the village tolerated his existence.

After the two finished their meal, Aokiji had to abandon his plan to gather intelligence with Kakuzu in the Land of Bears because he suddenly heard news that a major battle was about to break out. Instead, he decided to return to his village.

And if he doesn't go back soon, the village will probably send people to find him.

Aokiji couldn't avoid a war of this magnitude.

Ah, war~

At this age, Aokiji really didn't want to fight; a slight misstep could very well mean his demise.

In the past, he could have been shameless and given up whenever he wanted, but now, because of the bond he has formed with Tsunade, he can no longer give up.

If their relationship were to be accidentally revealed one day, and the villagers knew that Tsunade's boyfriend was a ninja with a serious stain on his reputation, Tsunade would inevitably face some criticism.

Tsunade might not care, but Aokiji, as Tsunade's boyfriend, couldn't afford to be indifferent.

He now truly understands the meaning of the saying, "Once a person has ties, they have weaknesses."

"Kid, don't die in this war."

Before parting, Kakuzu made a special point.

"Of course, with the protagonist's halo, how could I possibly die?"

The protagonist's halo?

Seeing Kakuzu's bewildered expression, Aokiji smiled with pleasure, waved his hand, and then headed towards Konoha.

(End of this chapter)