"You are a very brave man, Tobi."

Kakuzu's face had turned black with a simmering rage. "You are the second person to dare ask me for money since I joined this organization."

Hidan's eyes lit up with a childish curiosity. "Ooh, so cool! Who was the first?"

"She is the second-in-command of this organization, Konan," Kakuzu explained. "I gave her the funds because it was for the purchase of internal supplies and equipment, a reasonable and necessary expense."

"Huh?" Hidan's face was a mask of pure, unadulterated confusion. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

"She was buying explosive tags, you idiot!" Kakuzu bellowed.

"Why are you being so mean to me again?!"

"And what if I am?!"

Seeing the two of them on the verge of another brawl, Kisame sighed with a helpless smile. "Leader, are you sure about pairing these two together? Tsk tsk… they can't go three sentences without trying to kill each other."

Sensing the escalating tension, Obito, in his Tobi persona, quickly intervened. "Kakuzu-senpai, please wait a moment! I have already received permission from Konan-senpai. The child next to me needs money, and it was her idea to have you provide it."

"...Oh?" Kakuzu looked at Obito, his eyes filled with suspicion. "Is that so?"

"Hello! What he said is true. I can vouch for it," White Zetsu said, emerging from the ground. "Kakuzu, Tobi, the boy, and I went back to the base looking for you, just to ask for the money. But you weren't there. Later, we heard from the leader that you were in the Land of Hot Water, and so, here we are."

After hearing White Zetsu's explanation, Kakuzu finally noticed the small child standing beside Tobi.

"Kid, I've seen you before. You've been to the Akatsuki base." Kakuzu's tone was noticeably softer now. He had always hated children, but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to hate the boy standing before him. The realization surprised him.

Shiro looked up, his smile as bright and innocent as an angel's. "Hello, Uncle Kakuzu."

"Uncle?" Kakuzu was stunned. He immediately turned his head away, closing his eyes. "Hmph. Who is your uncle? Don't try to get close to me!"

"Hahahaha! Why is your face so red, Kakuzu?"

"Nonsense! How could I be blushing?! If you don't shut your mouth, I'll kill you!" Kakuzu didn't seem to notice that his face was burning hot. It was the first time in his long life that a child had ever called him "uncle." Even a cold-blooded bounty hunter like him was not immune to the shyness and nervousness of a new experience.

Seeing all the other members looking at him with teasing expressions, Kakuzu let out a dry cough and grumbled, "I truly do not understand why Konan would ask me to give money to this brat! I don't believe it. I'm going back to ask her myself!" As he spoke, a thought seemed to strike him, and he quickly looked back at Shiro. "Hey! Could this kid be Konan's illegitimate child?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?! Does he look anything like her?"

"Then why would Konan give him money? And you expect me to believe this? What a joke! In any case, no one is taking my money!" Kakuzu snorted coldly, his attitude firm. He turned and walked away without a second glance.

"Uncle Kakuzu, wait a moment."

Shiro's voice, though quiet, was sharp enough to stop Kakuzu in his tracks.

"You call the money that belongs to the organization your money? Is that right?"

Feeling the sudden, icy shift in Shiro's tone, Kakuzu turned, his eyes burning with a murderous light. "What? Do you have an objection?"

The moment Kakuzu's killing intent flared, Obito, White Zetsu, and even Uchiha Itachi instantly moved to stand in front of Shiro, their own killing intent converging on the bounty hunter. Kisame was stunned. What is going on? he thought. These three, turning on their own comrade for a child? Who is this boy?

Seeing the standoff, the newcomer Hidan's brain buzzed with excitement. "Hehehe! Are we going to have a group fight? Excellent! Kakuzu, I'll help you! Even though I hate your guts, we're in the same group now, so I've got your back!" Hidan, of course, just wanted to make a few more sacrifices. It was a rare opportunity.

Kakuzu himself was surprised by his comrades' reaction. He never expected his old colleagues would turn on him for a mere child. And yet, the newest member was willing to stand with him.

"Hmph. The world is fickle," he growled. "As I have always said… the only thing you can truly trust is money!"