Within the eerie silence of the western forest, the rustling of leaves gave way to an unexpected confrontation.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze locking onto the two familiar silhouettes ahead. One had spiky yellow hair that seemed to burn like a flame, and the other had the calm presence of a shadow—both of whom he would never forget. His hands trembled slightly as the memory returned unbidden: that humiliating day he lost a staggering amount of ryo to these two figures. He gritted his teeth.
"That yellow-haired bastard… and the black-haired freak," Kakuzu hissed under his breath. "They're here again."
Hidan, chewing his gum and swinging his three-bladed scythe lazily, turned his head in curiosity. "Huh? Kakuzu? You know them?"
"Know them?" Kakuzu's eyes burned. "They're the ones who robbed me last time. They called themselves 'Xiao Hei' and 'Da Huang.' Bastards! They made off with over fifty million ryo!"
Hidan blinked and looked more interested. "Hahahahahahaha... They robbed you? Then they must be really strong, huh?"
"Tch. The yellow one is," Kakuzu muttered, sizing them up. "The black-haired one didn't even need to fight. And now there are two more with them... one looks like Zabuza, that traitor from the Hidden Mist, and the other—what the hell even is that? A boy? A girl? Whatever, this isn't looking good."
Despite the odds, Kakuzu felt a strange hope. With Hidan's help—no matter how annoying the zealot was—he might just have a chance to reclaim what was stolen. After all, Hidan couldn't die. Even if he were sliced into pieces, he'd crawl back, laughing like a lunatic.
Kakuzu cracked his knuckles. "This time… I'm taking it all back."
Meanwhile, on the opposite end, Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Fugaku stood together, deep in quiet conversation. Zabuza and Haku flanked them at a respectful distance, still trying to wrap their heads around the surreal fact that these two legendary figures had returned from the dead.
Kakuzu's voice bellowed through the clearing. "You two! Xiao Hei! Da Huang! You thought I wouldn't find you again?!"
Minato raised an eyebrow and glanced at Fugaku.
"Da Huang? What does he mean by that?"
Fugaku tilted his head slightly. "I think we're Xiao Hei and Da Huang in his mind…"
"That's… surprisingly endearing."
But Kakuzu wasn't done. He jabbed a finger. "You robbed me! I'm here to take my ryo back!"
Hidan stepped forward now, his face twisted with an eerie grin. "Hahahahahaha... Xiao Hei and Da Huang! Interested in becoming believers of the Evil God? Everlasting life, glorious sacrifice, rivers of blood… it's a good deal!"
Fugaku frowned. "Is he insane?"
Minato nodded slowly. "I think that's highly probable."
"I've heard of the cult," Minato added after a pause. "They believe the Evil God grants them immortality or something like that. This guy must be a member."
"You've got to be joking," Fugaku muttered.
"I'm not."
Hidan stepped forward, arms stretched out wide like a preacher. "Believe in the Evil God! Embrace eternity! Immortality for all who sacrifice!"
Minato leaned toward Fugaku. "Do you think he's stronger than Souta?"
Fugaku scratched his chin. "No. Souta would've punched him halfway across the valley by now."
Zabuza and Haku, watching from behind, exchanged worried looks. They had come to respect Minato and Fugaku's quiet strength. To see them confronted so brazenly by madmen was… baffling.
Zabuza muttered, "Do they know who they're messing with?"
"No," Haku said softly. "They truly don't."
Meanwhile, Kakuzu was already preparing his jutsu. "Fire Release: Head Hardening!"
Before the last seal could be completed, Minato vanished. In an instant, he reappeared behind Kakuzu, a kunai still glinting with the seal of the Flying Thunder God. He whispered in Kakuzu's ear, voice calm and chilling.
"You could've just handed over the ryo, you know. Why fight in such a beautiful world?"
Minato spun a glowing Rasengan in his palm.
"See this? It's round, hard, and full of regret."
Boom!
Kakuzu was launched backward, crashing through two trees. Dust rose. Silence reigned.
"Why… why do you always rob me when I'm alone… and again when I have backup!?" Kakuzu coughed out, his body groaning in protest. "I finally saved up over a hundred million ryo!"
Minato tilted his head, flashing his signature innocent smile. "Shouldn't have robbed me first."
But then—black threads began crawling over Kakuzu's body. His wounds began to knit, his cracked bones pulling themselves together. Minato's eyes narrowed with interest.
"Oh… fascinating. You're not dead?"
Kakuzu's face contorted. "Of course not! I have five hearts! You'll have to kill me five times!"
Minato clapped once. "What a cool bloodline trait. Orochimaru would love this."
Kakuzu trembled with a mix of fear and rage. "NO! You're not experimenting on me too!!!"
Meanwhile, Hidan had launched toward Fugaku, scythe raised, only to find himself trapped mid-air. A massive spectral ribcage surrounded Fugaku in an instant—Susanoo.
The scythe bounced off the armor uselessly.
"Hahahahahaha... cool armor! Wanna join the Evil God Cult?! I can give you a discount!"
Fugaku responded with a wordless punch, sending Hidan soaring into the air.
"Never talk to me again."
Minato sighed and turned toward Zabuza. "Take notes. That's how you deal with tax evasion."
"Tax—what?"
Just then, a ripple spread through the atmosphere. Souta Kazuki's chakra signature brushed against them—calm, restrained, but overwhelming. From a hilltop, Homura Mitokado watched in silence, recording everything on a scroll beside him. He didn't intervene—yet. He had his orders from the Council and would only step in if the fight threatened the stability of the area.
But deep down, Homura was impressed. Souta's summoned companions—Minato and Fugaku—were far beyond expectation. And Souta himself… yes, he would soon become a real cornerstone in Konoha's rise.
Back on the battlefield, Minato approached Kakuzu, now buried in a crater but still alive.
"Want to try again?" Minato asked, cheerful as ever. "Or do you want to donate your ryo peacefully this time?"
Kakuzu coughed blood. "You… monster…"
Minato smiled brightly. "Thanks!"