Kaito cheerfully explained the changes that had befallen Kakuzu, dropping phrases like "special benefits of being a Sect elder" and "if that's how you want to see it, I can't help you," leaving Kakuzu utterly crushed on the spot.

Upon learning that all the money he earned from now on would turn into worthless stones, Kakuzu's mental state was beyond shattered.

Even though Kaito insisted the stones were called Spirit Stones, with all sorts of abilities and benefits, Kakuzu didn't hear a single word of it—nor did he care to.

He didn't know, and he didn't want to know.

All he understood was...

The one thing that had never abandoned him—money—had, in Uchiha Kaito's words, now forsaken him too.

What kind of sick joke was this?Although Uchiha Kaito confidently told Kakuzu that spirit stones might very well replace the current currency in the near future, Kakuzu remained unconvinced.

He thought this brat had truly lost his mind, daring to spout such outrageous nonsense.

Utterly ridiculous.

Outer Elder Kakuzu stormed off in anger—he refused to believe that earning money could somehow turn it into stones.

Still, before leaving, Kakuzu made sure to take a few extra glances at Asuma.

A whole sack of money turning into a worthless rock had left him deeply aggrieved, but at least he still had billions in IOUs and a guaranteed 35 million.

Battered by this setback, Kakuzu packed his things and headed straight for the Land of Waves.

At this moment…

Only his old trade could offer him a sliver of security.

"Did he betray you?"

Just moments ago, Kakuzu had been fawning over his "Martial Uncle," but now he was stomping on the "spirit stones" while cursing and wailing in fury.

The sight even stirred a bit of sympathy in Shikamaru.

Was this Sect… perhaps a little too casual?

"No, he's just under too much pressure."

Kaito replied indifferently, seemingly unbothered by Kakuzu's tantrum.

That guy had already been officially recognized by the system as the Sect's Outer Elder—the resource acquisition bonus would take effect whether he worked or not.

Kaito was certain that once Kakuzu suffered enough outside and realized all his earnings would turn into spirit stones, he'd come crawling back.

After all…

Kakuzu was still the creditor for these prospective Sect disciples.

Shikamaru pressed his lips together and stayed silent, trailing behind Kaito as they headed toward the Rain Village school. The entire way, Shikamaru carefully observed the village's surroundings.

He didn't know much about the Hidden Rain Village, but from what he'd gathered from his father and clan…

It was a backward, impoverished place.

Though it had once shone briefly under the reign of the Shinobi World's demigod, Hanzo, that glory had been as fleeting as fireworks. The village's golden age hadn't lasted long, and the Hidden Rain had gradually declined.

But when Shikamaru and the others actually stepped inside the village and stood before the freshly painted school, they couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

The current Hidden Rain Village…

Was very different.

The houses appeared worn but were meticulously clean, and unlike other villages, there were far too many bizarre trees around.

At first glance, one might think they'd wandered into some primeval forest.

"Cultivation Academy…"

Shikamaru murmured, staring up at the school's entrance, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

"Are you the ones here for the examination?"

Suddenly, a voice echoed in the ears of all the outsiders at the school gate.

"?"

Shikamaru immediately whipped his head toward Uchiha Kaito, and the other Konoha ninja who knew him did the same.

Their skeptical, bewildered gazes seemed to scream—

Are we sure we're in the Hidden Rain Village??

Is this not some mental institution???

Kaito shrugged and spread his hands. "Well, the Sect Leader is here."

As soon as he spoke, Pain of the Deva Path stepped to the edge of the rooftop, entering their line of sight. The oppressive aura radiating from his Samsara Eyes made many shiver involuntarily.

To uphold his dignity, the Sect Leader spared no effort—he even employed a minor Divine Sense technique he'd just learned from the library that morning.Shikamaru's sarcastic remark was on the tip of his tongue, but in the next second, he felt an immense force pressing down on his shoulder.

Thud—thud—

The sound of knees hitting the floor echoed throughout the room. Everyone, without exception, was forced to kneel—except for Uchiha Kaito, who stood at the front of the group.

Those who fared better could still lift their heads slightly, while those worse off were pressed flat against the ground, groaning in pain.

The group subjected to this treatment was on the verge of tears.

First, they had been kidnapped by two ruthless bandits and forced to sign exorbitant IOUs. Now, just as they arrived at the school, they were being pinned to the ground again.

Even the most determined among them, eager to learn Wood Release, were close to breaking.

"Mere mortals should know their place."

"Discard your shinobi arrogance."

Ever since these people arrived in Amegakure, Nagato had observed their every move—whether it was secretly studying Wood Release, looking for chances to escape, or gathering intel on the Samsara Eye...

And their condescending remarks about Amegakure only revealed the arrogance ingrained in them from their prestigious hidden villages.

"Relax, everyone." Kaito flashed a smile, signaling for Nagato to stop before kindly helping Shikamaru up. "Come with me. I'll film your enrollment video."

Playing the good cop, Uchiha Kaito earned a small wave of goodwill—until they heard his next words, which left everyone wide-eyed in confusion.

"Huh??"

"Why would we need to film a video for enrollment??"

Kaito's actions were genuinely baffling. Even Shikamaru couldn't figure out the purpose behind it.

"Sect rules."

He smiled faintly, then forcefully directed everyone to line up at the school entrance.

"Wait… it really is just a photo?"

Shikamaru sighed in relief as he watched Kaito adjust the camera. He had half-expected the guy to pull some bizarre stunt again.

Though no one understood what Uchiha Kaito was up to, they had no choice but to obey on his turf.

Besides…

It was just an enrollment video.

Just as everyone forced stiff smiles at the school entrance, Kaito suddenly stepped forward.

He pulled out a burlap sack, rummaged through it, and retrieved a forehead protector. Glancing down, he saw it was from Konoha and casually tossed it toward Shikamaru and the others.

He also threw four kunai at their feet.

A few minutes later…

Team 10 stood expressionless in front of the camera, trembling as they picked up the kunai and hesitantly scratched a line across their forehead protectors.

Asuma cursed through tears, wishing he were dead—or at least strong enough to fight that "inherently evil Uchiha." But the bastard could beat him half to death and then heal him afterward.

Physically unharmed, but mentally scarred.

With hollow eyes, the four of them held their defaced forehead protectors and recited in unison:

"Damn you, Sarutobi Hiruzen…"

"I ******* you, you *******"

"That old *******"

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