Chapter 64 — Teasing Kakuzu
The next morning, Yami set out fully prepared.
But instead of heading straight for Hell Valley, he changed direction—toward the Land of Iron.
"Taking the sea route would be dull… and unnecessarily risky."
He gazed toward the distant horizon, calculating.
"The Mist isn't full of fools. It's unlikely they failed to notice I brought the Uzumaki survivors back.
"They probably think I was just a participant—like Uchiha Yashiro does—but there's no need to gamble by brushing against a great nation's bottom line."
---
A small town in the Land of Iron lay shrouded in morning mist.
This neutral country, ruled by samurai rather than shinobi, was one of the rare pockets of relative peace in the world.
Yami had deliberately dressed for the setting—wearing a samurai-style outfit, a simple yet elegant long blade at his waist—the one Tsunade had given him.
He walked leisurely along stone-paved streets, taking in customs so different from the Land of Fire.
Just as he was about to find an inn—
A familiar figure caught his eye.
Inside the town's only tavern, a bounty hunter sat alone in a corner, sipping sake at an unhurried pace.
Kakuzu.
He had not yet donned the black cloak with red clouds. Instead, he wore a plain long robe.
But the stitched seams faintly visible beneath his mask—and those eerie green eyes—were unmistakable.
The moment Yami's gaze lingered—
Kakuzu's eyes lifted sharply.
The strange green pupils locked onto him with precision.
"Still not wearing the Akatsuki uniform… so no invincible buff yet. Advantage: me."
Yami mused inwardly.
Outwardly, he calmly took the seat opposite him.
"There's someone with me here," Kakuzu said coldly, voice low and dismissive.
"I know."
Yami casually waved for another pot of sake.
"Mornings in the Land of Iron are too quiet. Drinking alone is dull. Care to share?"
Kakuzu's gaze flicked briefly to the blade at Yami's waist.
"A samurai?"
"A wandering swordsman," Yami replied lightly.
"My name is Namikaze Minato. And you are?"
He poured himself a cup and drained it in one smooth motion.
As for ninja taboos about using false names?
Please.
If Namikaze Minato commits something, what does it have to do with Namikaze Yami?
Kakuzu did not respond.
The silence stretched long and heavy.
Clearly, he had no interest in some "nobody."
Yami was unbothered.
He continued probing.
"Judging from your attire, you're not from the Land of Iron. A shinobi, perhaps? On… special commission?"
Kakuzu snorted.
"That's none of your concern."
At that moment, the tavern owner approached nervously with a small plate of snacks.
Yami casually flicked a few silver coins across the table. They landed precisely in the man's palm.
The simple display of precision caused Kakuzu's eyes to narrow slightly.
"Seems Mr. Kakuzu just finished a job."
Yami deliberately emphasized the name.
"Any interesting new bounties lately?"
He popped a peanut into his mouth and chased it with sake, silently judging the alcohol as mediocre.
Kakuzu was no fool.
The man across from him clearly recognized him.
After all, Kakuzu was well-known within the bounty houses.
Now he finally looked directly at Yami.
A trace of ridicule flashed in his green eyes.
"The bounty houses aren't places any stray dog can access. And…"
He paused meaningfully.
"You said your surname is Namikaze? There's been a brat with that name added recently. Low bounty, though."
"Oh?"
Yami's heart stirred, though his expression showed only mild curiosity.
"Which unfortunate fellow? Perhaps I know him."
Kakuzu tilted back his head and drained his cup before replying coldly,
"Enough talk. Don't ruin my mood."
The air between them cooled.
Yami acted like a true wandering swordsman, utterly unconcerned by Kakuzu's attitude. He continued to prod casually:
"What if I told you… I have some clues regarding Takigakure's secret treasure?"
Kakuzu's hand paused mid-pour.
The green in his eyes flared with sudden danger.
The temperature in the tavern seemed to drop several degrees.
"Go on," he said slowly.
"Tell me… what exactly do you know?"
To dare mention that forbidden term in front of him—
Kakuzu's voice now carried naked killing intent.
"Just rumors," Yami replied lightly, pouring himself another cup.
"I heard Takigakure has been searching for a lost treasure. The bounty is absurdly high. Something called… Earth Grudge Fear?"
He tilted his head faintly.
"Interested, Mr. Kakuzu? We could cooperate. Once it's done, I'll split half with you."
For a moment, Kakuzu almost laughed from sheer anger.
What did this brat just say?
Take my ability, complete a bounty with it, and split half with me?
He didn't answer.
Black tendrils shot from his sleeves like lightning—straight for Yami's face.
Yami had anticipated it.
He flipped backward smoothly, his blade still sheathed. With a subtle twist of his wrist, the scabbard struck with precise timing—
Every black thread was deflected.
"You see?" Yami said lazily, almost amused.
"We found it already. Seems Mr. Kakuzu isn't fond of conversation."
A flicker of surprise crossed Kakuzu's green eyes.
That strike had not been full strength—but no ordinary samurai could have parried it so effortlessly.
The words only confirmed it.
This man already knew.
He knew Earth Grudge Fear was in Kakuzu's possession.
"Who are you?"
Kakuzu rose slowly, chakra beginning to surge around him.
"I already told you."
Yami leaned casually against the tavern wall, fingers brushing the hilt of his blade.
"A wandering swordsman. Namikaze Minato."
Kakuzu's gaze bored into him.
"Enough with the theatrics. Whoever you are, you should understand—knowing too much gets you killed."
Yami's palm settled fully onto the sword hilt.
A sharp, oppressive aura radiated outward.
"If business fails, at least keep courtesy," he replied calmly.
"Why escalate?"
The two faced each other in the cramped tavern.
The tension was so thick it felt tangible.
Patrons fled in panic.
The killing intent in Kakuzu's eyes intensified.
Yami, meanwhile, remained relaxed—almost smiling.
Then—
At the brink of violence—
Yami suddenly withdrew his aura.
He tossed a coin pouch casually onto the table.
"Drinks are on me. If you change your mind, Mr. Kakuzu, you can find me at the Senbonzakura Inn."
And with that—
He turned and walked away.
His back completely exposed.
Kakuzu did not move.
For once, uncertainty flickered in his gaze.
"Namikaze Minato…"
He stared at the retreating figure until it vanished from sight.
"This one… I'll remember."
The man's strength was unfathomable.
Worse—he knew far too much.
"…Sir," the tavern owner stammered nervously, approaching Kakuzu.
"The money pouch he left…"
He swallowed.
"It's empty."
"…?"
Kakuzu's eye twitched.
Silence filled the tavern.
Somewhere outside, faint footsteps faded into the mist—
And for the first time in a long while—
Kakuzu felt as though he had been played.