Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 145: Cooperation

"If at the beginning I didn't have the qualifications to discuss cooperation with you, I believe I now barely qualify," Tonari admitted frankly.

This world operated on simple principles: two people could only talk as equals if their strengths were comparable.

For a Chūnin to attempt negotiating with a Kage-level powerhouse like Kakuzu would have been laughable—an act courting death. But now, after their fierce battle, even though Tonari hadn't defeated Kakuzu, he had destroyed two of his hearts. This display of strength was enough to demonstrate that he had the capital to propose cooperation.

Kakuzu nodded slightly. "I'll admit, you now possess the qualifications to talk. But what terms do you offer for this cooperation? Just because you know my secrets?

"Let me tell you this: even if you reveal my techniques and information, how many people would truly dare to move against me? If necessary, I can hide, and few would ever find me.

"Besides, with Konoha's current instability and enemies on all sides, how much manpower can your village even spare to deal with me? If I join one of the villages hostile to Konoha, say Iwa or Kumo, as an ally, do you think they would turn me away? A Kage-level defector like me would be a valuable asset."

Kakuzu's tone grew calm, his previous agitation fading. As a man driven by money, he excelled in negotiation and leverage. He wasn't the type to be swayed by a few words.

Tonari smirked, shaking his head. "No, you wouldn't do that. If you hide, you can't earn more bounty money. And if you join another village, you'd lose your personal freedom—something I know you despise.

"Besides, you trust no one. How could someone like you put their faith in another village? Let's be honest, Kakuzu, don't deceive yourself. As I said, I know you far better than you think."

Kakuzu fell silent, his eyes narrowing in thought.

After a long pause, he spoke again. "Tell me your terms. If you expect me to agree, they'd better be compelling. Your knowledge of my secrets isn't enough to seal the deal."

Tonari held up a single finger. "One billion ryō."

"What?" Kakuzu's eyes widened in disbelief.

"One billion ryō," Tonari repeated. "That's the value I'm offering. With my help, you'll earn one billion ryō. Surely, as someone who lives for wealth, you understand what a fortune like that represents."

Kakuzu stared at Tonari, half in disbelief and half in curiosity. "One billion ryō? From a kid like you? You don't even have a fraction of that on you. Why should I believe you?"

Tonari shook his finger. "You underestimate me. Let me explain something, Kakuzu. I understand the value of money better than anyone—even you.

"True, high-paying missions are rare. Even the bounty world only offers a handful of jobs exceeding one million ryō at any given time. But what if I told you I could provide you with continuous opportunities, each more lucrative than the last?

"And think about this—what is your intel worth, Kakuzu? Your secrets, your weaknesses, your techniques… how much would they fetch on the black market?"

Kakuzu said nothing, his expression darkening.

Tonari pressed on. "If you had to put a price on my head based on the strength I just displayed, what would it be?"

Kakuzu hesitated, then replied, "Ten million ryō or more."

Tonari smirked. "Exactly. My bounty alone should be worth more than ten million ryō. And yet, my current bounty is only five million. Can you see the disparity? My intel on you, Kakuzu, is worth far more than ten million. It's easily worth tens of millions—or more—to the right buyer.

"Now, are you still going to claim that one billion ryō is too much to achieve with my help?"

---

Kakuzu remained silent, but his gaze flickered with interest. Tonari's argument had merit. Information was power, and if Tonari's claims about his information network were true, this partnership could be highly profitable.

"And what do you want in return?" Kakuzu finally asked, his tone cautious but intrigued.

Tonari grinned, sensing victory. "Simple. Your cooperation. You're a Kage-level powerhouse, Kakuzu. What could be more valuable than the assistance of someone like you?

"All I ask is that you help me with tasks that match the value of the intel I provide. Think of it as an exchange: information for action. And don't worry—I won't ask for anything unreasonable. You'll always have the choice to accept or decline a mission."

---

Kakuzu mulled over Tonari's proposal, his eyes scrutinizing the young man for any signs of deceit. But Tonari's calm demeanor and confident tone were convincing.

"Fine," Kakuzu said at last. "But if you're lying to me, not even Konoha will be enough to protect you."

Tonari smiled. "I wouldn't dream of deceiving you, Kakuzu. To prove my sincerity, I'll even offer you compensation for the two hearts you lost today."

"Oh?" Kakuzu's interest piqued.

Tonari summoned a small snake from his sleeve. It slithered forward, dropping a scroll at Kakuzu's feet.

"This scroll contains the location of a group highly compatible with water chakra. I believe their hearts will make excellent replacements for what you've lost."

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed as he picked up the scroll and unrolled it. His expression shifted from skepticism to surprise.

"This information… it's real?"

Tonari nodded. "Absolutely. Take this as a gesture of goodwill—a sign of our new partnership."

Kakuzu studied Tonari's face for a long moment before finally nodding. "If this information proves accurate, then we'll talk. For now, consider me… interested."

With that, Kakuzu retrieved his bag of hearts and leapt into the trees, vanishing from sight.

---

Tonari watched Kakuzu disappear, his confident expression finally giving way to exhaustion. He collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath as sweat poured down his face.

The strain of suppressing Hashirama's cells was taking its toll. His left arm, below the elbow, had been completely overtaken by the cells. Above the elbow, black chakra from Two-Tails' yin energy kept the invasion at bay, but only barely.

---

"Little Blue," Tonari called weakly.

The small feline figure emerged from his body, transforming into its larger tiger-like form. It gently nudged Tonari, concern evident in its eyes.

"Take me back to Konoha," Tonari whispered.

Little Blue nodded, carefully lifting Tonari onto its back. With a mighty leap, it dashed into the forest, its speed unmatched as it carried Tonari toward safety.

---

Back in the clearing, a dark shadow emerged from the ground, its glowing eyes scanning the scene.

"Wood Release… It seems that child is far more interesting than I anticipated," the shadow murmured. "Perhaps it's time to accelerate our plans…"

The figure sank back into the ground, leaving the clearing silent once more.

Tonari eventually reached Konoha, sneaking back into the village with the help of his clones and allies. He refused to go to Orochimaru, knowing the snake-like Sannin would seize any opportunity to experiment on him.

Instead, he retreated to his cat shelter, determined to find a way to control the Hashirama cells himself.

End of Chapter

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