Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 101: Kakuzu's New Job

"Loving money, believing money will never betray you... No matter how I look at it, this is a mental illness, isn't it?"

In the psychiatric clinic, Kakuzu—his appearance slightly altered by Hyuga Fuji—sat expressionless, quietly staring at the doctor in front of him.

"Staring at me won't change anything."

The doctor sighed and began writing a diagnosis. "This is classic psychological trauma. Betrayed in the past, weren't you? Well, considering you're a shinobi, it's not exactly uncommon."

"But relying on money as a coping mechanism is a bit... misplaced. After all, money is issued by nations, and not all currencies are interchangeable. Sure, they can be exchanged, but if a small nation collapses, its currency becomes worthless. If you don't exchange it in time, it's just a piece of paper—betraying you in its own way."

"..."

Kakuzu stared at the man, his green eyes as blank and unreadable as ever, like a stubborn patient unwilling to listen.

The doctor, unfazed, continued offering his perspective. He was new to this profession and lacked experience, but results weren't the immediate goal—gaining insight and learning to handle shinobi patients was.

After all, shinobi were known for their unyielding willpower. Patience was key.

A few moments later, Kakuzu left the psychiatric clinic and headed to his new workplace.

He wasn't just a bounty hunter; over decades of life, he'd taken on various tasks. Working for Hyuga Fuji didn't feel all that different—it was just another transaction.

Besides, with the underground black market being purged by those resurrected powerhouses, he needed a stable source of income.

Accounting and debt collection seemed fitting.

Arriving at the Hyuga Fuji-managed business association, Kakuzu handed over his contract to the supervisor before heading to the underground treasury.

"This is the latest revenue from the association."

Looking at the warehouse filled with money, Kakuzu's green eyes gleamed with life. After receiving the corresponding financial records from the supervisor, he methodically began counting the money.

He counted three times, searching for any discrepancies in the books.

This job paid him a base salary of one million ryo per month.

But the real money lay in bonuses. If he uncovered internal corruption or successfully collected overdue payments from delinquent clients, he'd receive a cut of the recovered funds.

Though, given the association's backing by Fuji and its ties to Fire Country merchants, the latter scenario hadn't arisen yet. For now, his job mainly involved rooting out internal embezzlers.

And, of course, counting money.

Counting billions upon billions. Truly, a wonderful occupation.

"Hmm?"

As Kakuzu meticulously counted, he noticed a peculiar transaction.

The numbers seemed to match up, but something felt off.

Who had handled this payment? And why was it destined for... the Land of Demons?

...

In the Land of Demons, within a grand palace, a regal shrine maiden knelt by a wooden table, facing a shinobi disguised by a transformation jutsu. Her ethereal voice carried across the room.

"Lord Yusuke, merchants from the Land of Demons have already begun connecting with your association. I'll soon arrange for them to establish ties with the Land of Snow."

"Thank you, Lady Miroku."

Disguised as a middle-aged man to conceal his Byakugan, Hyuga Yusuke maintained a serious expression. "Someone will be sent to oversee these matters soon."

"It's no trouble; this is simply part of our cooperation." Shrine Maiden Miroku smiled gently. "In the future, I hope to request your organization's aid as well."

Hearing the sincerity in her voice, Yusuke's expression grew complicated. "The rumors are true, then. The Shrine Maiden of the Land of Demons possesses the gift of prophecy."

This brief journey from the Land of Fire to the Land of Snow had been a tremendous eye-opener. The ability to foresee the future—what a terrifying gift.

But prophecy implied fate, which inevitably led his thoughts toward darker possibilities.

"Lady Miroku, when you facilitated our entry into the Land of Demons and supported our mission to the Land of Snow, was it because your prophecy foretold the changes we could bring?"

Miroku shook her head, a hint of melancholy in her gaze. "Lord Yusuke, you misunderstand. My prophetic abilities are not so profound. I can only see others' deaths—their inescapable, unalterable deaths."

"That's why the information I gain is always tied to tragedy. It is not a gift to boast about."

Miroku's gaze shifted to a corner of the room, where Hyuga Miyuki was playing with her infant daughter, Shion.

Though still young, Shion's big, lively eyes sparkled with curiosity, eliciting laughter as Miyuki teased her.

Miroku's expression softened as she observed them, before turning back to Yusuke with a solemn look.

"When you entered the Land of Demons, the future I foresaw changed for the first time."

"People who were destined to perish in the chaos of demonic unrest... their fates shifted."

"And when I saw Lady Miyuki, I knew that the altered future revolved around her. You... have changed destiny."

Hyuga Yusuke narrowed his eyes, and in the corner, Miyuki paused, causing Shiwan to pout in displeasure.

"Me?" Miyuki blinked, pointing at herself. "Are you saying I have the potential to become a shrine maiden?"

She'd heard about the mysterious powers of the Land of Demons' shrine maidens, especially their ability to seal demons.

If the demonic unrest were resolved through such a sealing ritual, it made sense that the shrine maiden would play a central role.

But she didn't know any sealing techniques. If not as a shrine maiden, then how else could she be involved?

"Perhaps."

Miroku extended her hand, scattering a soft glow of spiritual energy over Miyuki, before smiling.

"The demon is formed of humanity's negative emotions, thriving on hatred and malice. To seal it, one must possess a pure and untainted heart."

"Lady Miyuki, your heart is remarkably pure. If you're willing to abandon the shinobi path and train as a shrine maiden, it may be possible."

Pure and untainted? Was that even humanly possible?

The thought alone made Miyuki recoil. She quickly shook her head. "No thanks. I'm happy as I am."

"Is that so? I had hoped to find Shion a good teacher."

Miroku's wistful comment made both Miyuki and Yusuke frown. Before they could process her words further, she continued speaking.

"You didn't come all this way just to discuss the association, did you?"

Momentarily brushing aside his unease, Yusuke replied vaguely, "Indeed, there is one other matter. We hope to enlist your country's help in finding someone."

Miroku responded, "While the shrine maiden is the nominal ruler of the Land of Demons, I typically do not involve myself in political or military affairs."

"Is that so?" Yusuke mused. "Then might I trouble you to arrange a meeting with the person who handles such matters?"

The Land of Demons was unique among nations, its ruler a shrine maiden rather than a daimyo.

Yet the shrine maiden's deliberate choice to delegate authority, combined with her mystical aura, seemed to command respect and deter dissent.

It was an intriguing system, one worth studying.

"Of course." Miroku nodded.

(End of Chapter)