Hearing Shiro's proposition, Kakuzu was silent for a long moment. Shiro smiled mysteriously, leaned in close to Kakuzu's ear, and whispered his plan. As he listened, Kakuzu's mismatched eyes gradually widened, his initial skepticism replaced by a look of sheer, unadulterated astonishment. He was completely captivated by the boy's words.

"And what do you think, Uncle Kakuzu?"

"Listening to you… it feels as if I have discovered an entirely new world," Kakuzu admitted, a rare note of genuine awe in his voice. "Kid, you have a mind for money. A brilliant one. Not bad. You're very much my type. We should have a proper exchange of ideas when we have the time."

"It's a promise, then," Shiro said, a serious expression on his young face. He stretched out his hand, his small pinky finger raised.

Kakuzu hesitated for a fraction of a second, then a low, rumbling chuckle escaped his lips. He hooked his own finger around Shiro's. "What an interesting child. Your name is Shiro, correct? Alright, I will remember you."

"Same here."

"Very well. I will leave this Gouhachi in your hands," Kakuzu said, kicking the whimpering innkeeper over to Shiro. "When you are finished, come find me at the Akatsuki base. I will have the money for you."

"Of course. Thank you very much, Uncle Kakuzu."

"Hmph. Don't thank me yet," Kakuzu growled. "I just hope you can turn your words into reality. Otherwise… even if you are protected by the entire world, I will hunt you down and kill you, even if it costs me my own life!"

Shiro responded with unshakable confidence , not very scared of the threat because kakuzu would never be able to do that because of who was my daddy."Don't worry, Uncle Kakuzu."

"Good." Kakuzu nodded, then turned and began to leave without another word.

Obito and White Zetsu immediately came to Shiro's side. White Zetsu asked, its voice full of curiosity, "Shiro, what kind of spell did you cast on him? That's the first time I have ever heard Kakuzu praise someone! To hear a genuine laugh from that cold-blooded, black-hearted devil… it's not easy."

Obito, in his Tobi persona, added, "Yes, I am also very curious! What did you say to him?"

"Hehe," Shiro smiled mysteriously. "I just told him some new ways to make money. You'll understand soon enough."

On the other side of the room, Kakuzu had already reached the door. He glanced at Kisame and Itachi, who were waiting silently. "The mission is complete. We should be going."

Kisame pointed at Hidan, who was still lying in the center of his bloody ritual circle. "And what about him? Aren't we supposed to take him with us? What in the world is he doing?"

"Huh?" Kakuzu seemed to have completely forgotten about his new partner's existence. He turned and shouted, "Hey! It's time to go!"

"Just a minute! I have to finish my ritual! To do otherwise would be disrespectful to Lord Jashin!"

"And how long will that take?"

"Thirty minutes in total."

"What?!" Kakuzu roared impatiently. "Don't tell me you have to perform this tedious ritual every time you kill someone?!"

Hidan laughed loudly. "Hahahaha, you're smarter than you look! You guessed it!"

"...!" Hearing this, Kakuzu's face turned several shades darker. He spun around and whispered to Itachi and Kisame, "I am never partnering with this man again!"

"Hehehe," Kisame sneered with undisguised glee. "Just bear with it, Kakuzu-senpai. This was the leader's decision."

"Besides," he added, "he's the only one truly suited to be your partner. After all, you can't kill him, no matter how hard you try."

"Hmph!" Kakuzu raised his head, a look of pure arrogance on his face, though his heart was filled with a deep, weary helplessness. "Today, I happen to be in a good mood. Otherwise, I would disregard the leader's orders and kill him myself!"