Freelancer in the Ninja World

Kakuzu listened to Uzumaki Senshi brag about his 100% success rate on missions and felt an urge to blast a Fire Style: Searing Migraine right in Senshi's face. If not for this meddlesome punk, Kakuzu's last mission wouldn't have failed.

When Senshi heard that Kakuzu and Orochimaru were not here to hire him, his smile vanished and he straightened up.

"Tch!"

He spat on the ground right in front of Kakuzu.

"If you've got no commission, why the hell are you blocking me?"

He flung Kakuzu's right hand aside, then casually grabbed Orochimaru's sleeve to wipe his own hand.

"Quit wasting my time!"

Seeing this, Orochimaru's mouth twitched a few times, itching to pull out his Kusanagi sword and skewer Senshi on the spot. Kakuzu raised a hand, signaling Orochimaru to keep calm: Uzumaki Senshi wasn't a pushover, and there was no need to start a fight over something so trivial.

Kakuzu addressed Senshi:

"We don't have a job for you, but—"

Senshi didn't wait for the rest. He immediately turned to leave. If they weren't hiring him, why hang around? Every moment counted in picking up more missions. Until he was strong enough to survive an alien invasion in the future, he had to prioritize taking as many commissions as possible, leveling himself up nonstop.

Thanks to his Mercenary System, he could potentially develop ninjutsu infinitely. Many of these jutsu might start off unimpressive, but with the system's help in refining them, they could become incredibly powerful. Moreover, his chakra reserves and physical body could continually be strengthened. He reckoned that if he kept grinding, he'd become a "sage" someday—though not the Mount Myoboku kind.

As he led Karin away, Kakuzu once again stepped forward to block him. Senshi halted, his face growing cold.

"Don't push your luck."

Kakuzu glanced at the red-haired girl Senshi was leading by the hand and said icily:

"You can go, but leave the girl. She's got nothing to do with your mission—she is my target."

Senshi tilted his head.

"Oh?"

The implication was: "You really think you can take her from me with your meager skill?"

Crackle, crackle

In a flash, brilliant blue arcs of lightning danced around Senshi. He was bathed in potent Lightning-Release chakra, ready to strike at any moment.

Clack!

Kakuzu immediately retreated, putting distance between them while forming hand seals, prepared to unleash a jutsu. Their last encounter had taught him that underestimating Senshi was a grave mistake; this time, he'd give everything he had if a fight broke out.

Swoosh—

Orochimaru's hands rose instantly, also starting to form seals. Senshi's blatant disregard for the legendary Sannin had him itching to retaliate. If not for Kakuzu stopping him earlier, he would have already made a move.

Around them, the black market ninjas quickly scattered as soon as they sensed a fight brewing. Anyone who had spent time here knew better than to stay close when these two were involved. Even spectating was risky, let alone getting caught in the crossfire.

Uzumaki Senshi was notorious for constantly taking commissions, successfully completing them one after another without fail. Kakuzu, too, was known for being formidable—each on their own was trouble, but together? Definitely a situation to keep away from.

Sensing Senshi's rising chakra, Kakuzu eyed him with growing apprehension. Though his mask hid his expression, his mind was churning.

"Impossible… It's only been a few days, yet his Lightning-Release chakra has grown this much stronger?"

Feeling the immense lightning power surging from Senshi, both Kakuzu and Orochimaru stiffened slightly. Kakuzu thought frantically:

"This guy is incredibly dangerous. The bounty on this mission isn't even that high—there's no point risking my life for something like this."

Moreover, a sudden brilliant idea popped into his head: Uzumaki Senshi was also a well-known mercenary in the black market, rumored to be obsessed with money. Aren't we actually perfect partners, then?

With that in mind, Kakuzu gave a couple of dry coughs.

"Uzumaki Senshi, I acknowledge your strength. Are you interested in joining our Akatsuki organization? If you do, you'll receive a hefty monthly reward just by completing the missions they assign."

Senshi rolled his eyes. Still holding Karin's hand, he walked away, grumbling:

"I don't care about some small-fry organization or big-fry organization. Don't bother me when I'm trying to grind missions!"

Money didn't matter much to him anymore; he was already earning way more than he could spend. Power was what truly mattered.

Then something happened that Senshi never expected:

[Long-term Commission Detected!]

[Client: Kakuzu]

[Objective: Kakuzu, on behalf of Akatsuki, acknowledges your strength.]

[Reward: Upon accepting, you receive a SUPER DRAW immediately! Commission Points at final settlement will be DOUBLED!]

Just as Senshi lifted his foot to leave, the system bombarded him with prompts. One glimpse at these new rewards stunned him.

No way…a Super Draw?

That was a guaranteed SSS-level prize. His current Heavenly Lightning talent was something he'd drawn from a Super Draw in his newbie gift pack. It had boosted his Lightning Release affinity to S-level and greatly increased his chances of rolling lightning-based jutsu. It was insanely strong.

And now there was a second Super Draw? Plus, at the final settlement for this "long-term mission," the Commission Points would be doubled? Who could refuse that?!

Senshi didn't hesitate; he spun around 180 degrees, grinning broadly as he returned to Kakuzu. Grabbing both Kakuzu's hands, he exclaimed:

"Kakuzu, my man! You're the best! From now on, you're my big bro!"

"Please, let me join Akatsuki—gotta let me in!"

Afraid Kakuzu would change his mind, Senshi gave him a nudge and a wink, patting him on the shoulder in the most ingratiating way possible.

His behavior flipped so drastically that Karin, Kakuzu, and Orochimaru were all stupefied. Karin clutched her forehead, at a loss for words. Kakuzu and Orochimaru were just as puzzled and astonished.

Once again, Kakuzu studied Senshi carefully. This guy was capricious and completely impossible to read. Then again, his abilities were first-rate—even within Akatsuki, he'd be a standout. And his mercenary mindset would fit right in.

After a moment's hesitation, Kakuzu said:

"Follow me. I'll take you to see our leader."

Orochimaru had no objections. He had his own agenda and didn't really care. Kakuzu had worried that Senshi might turn down the offer, but it turned out he was more than happy to join.

However, now Kakuzu faced another headache. Akatsuki's secrecy was a huge part of its power—few outsiders knew the location of its bases, let alone its leader. Yet Uzumaki Senshi was already strolling toward the Amegakure tower, leading a bewildered Karin by the hand as if he knew exactly where to go.

"Wait—who's really the Akatsuki member here, me or him…?"

Kakuzu couldn't help but wonder if there was any secret left in Akatsuki that Senshi didn't already know. The answer was obvious: if anything, Senshi might know even more than Kakuzu did. Orochimaru, witnessing all this, wore an intrigued expression. The ever-mysterious Akatsuki had basically no secrets at all in Senshi's eyes.