Zetsu’s e Uzumaki Senshi rather speechless.

  He had plenty of information about Mui that he hadn’t shared—a o. But as long as one uood Mui well enough, they would know he wasn’t putting on an act this time.

  After Zetsu voiced his doubts, Pain and the rest of Akatsuki turheir attention to Senshi and Kakuzu.

  Senshi merely smiled and said calmly:

  “The actual person in charge of Kusagakure now—Mui—came here with me to the Ame. He’s currently staying at an inn in the Amegakure, arranged by me.”

  “Konan, as one of Ame’s top figures, go have a talk with him about how our vilges cooperate and develop. Whether Kusa truly submitted to the Ame will bee clear onegotiations begin.”

  Hearing this, Zetsu’s expression became a bit strained.

  If Kusa’s true leader wasn’t genuinely bowing to the Ame, he obviously wouldn’t have e all the way to the Amegakure. Plus, Senshi’s details were quite ving, so the story seemed pretty credible.

  When Senshi finished speaking, Pain immediately gave orders:

  “Konao the inhe Kusa envoy is staying and discuss the development and cooperatioween our two vilges.

  Also, settle Senshi’s payment.”

  At Pain’s words, Konan handed a check—redeemable at the local money exge—to Senshi.

  [ission pleted!]

  [You have successfully subjugated Kusagakure!]

  [Task Reward: 36,000 ission Points!]

  Receiving such a sizeable reut a huge grin on Senshi’s face.

  Especially since he nning to “double dip” on another profitable venture right away!

  After g his reward, he wasted no time and immediately triggered a lottery draw:

  [36,000 ission Points deducted! Remaining Points: 302.]

  [Drawing…]

  A full 36 times ten-pull.

  Senshi couldn’t be bothered to check every single reward. He simply summoned his status panel:

  [Name: Uzumaki Sensh

  [Gender: Male]

  [Age: 18]

  [ission Points: 302]

  [Chakra Attributes:]

  ? Fire (A)

  ? Wind (S)

  ? Lightning (SSSS)

  ? Water (A)

  ? Earth (S)

  ? Yang (S)

  ? Yin (S)

  [Chakra Reserves: SSSS]

  (“Your chakra reserves have surpassed even all the Tailed Beasts, reag the Ten-Tails’ level—limitless.”)

  [Physical Strength: SSSS]

  (“Ordinary ninjutsu o longer break your defenses.”)

  [Natural Energy: A]

  (“Natural energy is like an old friend to you; trolling it feels pletely natural.”)

  Rare Attributes

  [World Affinity (Shinobi World): S]

  [Unlocked Abilities: Wood Release, Natural Energy Affinity, Mayfly Teique]

  Talents

  [Heavenly Thunder: Greatly increases Lightning Release affinity, raising the ce of drawing lightning-type rewards itery.]

  [Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Shinobi Adaptation) – Development: SSS]

  Kekkei Genkai

  [Wood Release: A]

  Ninjutsu

  ? Wood Release: Wood e (A)

  ? Wood Release: Cutting Teique (A)

  ? Wood Release: “Link-Up House” Teique (A)

  ? Mayfly Teique (S)

  ? Substitution Jutsu (S)

  ? Lightning Release: Lightning Ball (S)

  ? Lightning Release: Lightning e (S)

  …

  Senshi sed it.

  Natural Energy?

  Sage Mode?

  So raising World Affinity unlocked something like that?

  Mayfly Teique?

  Where’d that e from? Did getting more affinity let him learn White Zetsu’s moves?

  He felt a bit baffled. But all of that was minor in parison. He’d finally gotten what he wanted most: Wood Release: “Grand Vil” Teique.

  Seeing that, Senshi eagerly rubbed his hands, keen to test it out. But on sed thought, he turned back to Pain:

  “Yo, Pain-bro—so on the list is catg a Tailed Beast, right?”

  “???”

  Pain was taken aback.

  Indeed, Akatsuki nning to capture Tailed Beasts, but definitely not now.

  After a brief pause, Pain shook his head:

  “The anization isn’t ready. Directly fag the Five Great Nations at this point would be unwise.”

  Senshi simply wagged his index finger:

  “No, no, no. There’s o face all five big vilges.”

  Then he leaned in, l his voice:

  “I know a Tailed Beast that’s currently roaming free, with no Jinchūriki at the moment.”

  His words clearly surprised Pain.

  “A wild Tailed Beast?”

  Senshi nodded firmly:

  “That’s right. Although whether it might get a Jinchūriki iure, who knows?”

  Pain had beeant, but hearing that ged his mind swiftly:

  “We’ll capture that Tailed Beast.”

  They needed ailed Beasts in total. Nabbing one now would plete one-ninth of their overall pn, so obviously they’d go for it.

  Once he saw Pain resolve himself, Senshi eyed Pain with a grin, lightly rubbing his thumb and forefiogether:

  “You get what I mean, Pain-bro.”

  At that, Pai a headache brewing. After p a moment, he said:

  “Ten million. That’s the best the anization do at the moment; we still need funds for the Kusa alliance. Last time, you already fleeced us badly!”

  [New issioed!]

  [t: Nagato]

  [Objective: Capture a Tailed Beast.]

  [Reward: 10 million ryō]

  [Difficulty: S-Rank]

  [Task Bonus: 10,000 ission Points]

  Seeing this new mission, Senshi’s face lit up. He erfectly tent with the payment. Why? Because he inteo double-dip.

  Mui was also after a Tailed Beast—so he’d first accept the job from Pain, then approach Mui for another job. If Nagato couldn’t pay more, Mui could foot some of it. And if he could push Mui to make it a long-term tract, so much the better.

  After accepting Pain’s ission, Senshi turo leave. Pain watched him go, his gaze turning somewhat grim:

  “Why does that guy know so mas? He’s not only awfully familiar with Akatsuki, he also seems to know the Tailed Beasts’ status iail! Where’s he getting sutel? Could there be some special iigative ninjutsu out there?”

  Naturally, Senshi had no clue Pain was now viewing him with growing suspi. He was busy mulling over intel ohree-Tails. After a moment’s thought, he realized he should bring Kisame along for maximum efficy. The Three-Tails was in the Land of Water, and Kisame khat territory well. For a smoother, more effit mission, having Kisame was ideal.

  Swish—

  In the instant, Senshi’s body flickered right ba front of Pain.

  Pain’s stern, watchful expression froze for a moment.

  Awkward.

  He truly hadn’t expected Senshi to e back right after accepting the ission.

  Clearing his throat, Pain asked:

  “What is it?”

  Senshi answered casually:

  “The Tailed Beast I’m going after is in the Land of Water. Kisame is well-versed in that area, so I’d like him to join the operation.”

  At that, Pain thought briefly, then nodded:

  “All right.”

  Capturing a Tailed Beast o be a one-shot success with no slip-ups. If the big nations got wind of it, they’d strengthen security, making future captures much harder.

  Having sorted that out with Pain, Senshi went to find Mui.

  On seeing Senshi, Mui asked:

  “How’d it go? When do you pn on scouting out the Tailed Beast and capturing it?”

  Senshi answered straight away:

  “We’re leaving right now! But before that, I’d like us to sign an employment tract.”

  Mui: “???”

  He was quite surprised by Senshi’s reply. He hadn’t expected him to set off for the Tailed Beast hunt so promptly. Truly a diligent man! Still, he nodded in agreement.

  Seeing Mui’s ready acceptance, Senshi smirked, feeling even more fident.

  “Catg a Tailed Beast, you know it won’t be quid easy. I’d prefer a long-term tract—2 million ryō per month.”

  “Long-term employment tract…?” Mui had not anticipated that Senshi would require such a deal right before departing. Hadn’t they already discussed this? But given Senshi’s strength, 2 million a month was hardly unreasonable. For the Tailed Beast he’d been dreaming of…

  After p for a bit, Mui nodded.

  [gratutions! You have earned Mui’s trust!]

  [Mui is now hiring you loo capture a Tailed Beast, paying 2 million ryō per month until you succeed!]

  [Objective: Capture a Tailed Beast!]

  [Reward: A SUPER DRAW ohe goal is achieved!]

  [Wheling this long-term tract, ission Points will be doubled!]