The Land of Hot Water, a country renowned for its numerous hot springs.
Legend says that these hot springs possess mysterious powers, but few know the specifics.
Most importantly, its remote location has spared it from frequent wars.
Even during the great ninja wars, this place was rarely affected.
"I really don't like the atmosphere here."
Kakuzu clearly disliked the peaceful atmosphere along the way.
"I think it's great here. The people are very friendly. Just now, when we were eating, the old lady said I was handsome and gave me a plate of grilled saury."
"Hmph, kid, don't be fooled by such small favors. This country has no sense of crisis at all."
"Kakuzu-senpai, could it be that you're jealous?"
Kimimaro dodged an iron fist aimed at him.
"If you talk nonsense again, next time this fist will be on your face."
Kakuzu said with a cold expression.
"Senpai, you know it's not that easy to hit me."
"Hmph, you can try."
Kakuzu retorted stubbornly.
As they were talking, a paper crane flew from a distance and landed on Konan's hand.
"Stop arguing, we found him, let's go."
Kakuzu and Kimimaro immediately stopped bickering and followed behind Konan.
Soon, the three found their target, Hidan.
"That's the person we're looking for. His name is Hidan. He was originally a ninja from Yugakure, but he killed people in the village and defected not long ago."
Konan briefly introduced Hidan.
"He has immortality?"
Kakuzu asked.
Konan nodded and said, "Yes. According to the information we got before, that's true. But we don't know to what extent. You can test him."
"Test? I only know how to kill. If he doesn't have the ability of immortality, he will die directly in my hands. Is that okay?"
Kakuzu looked at Hidan, already treating him as new prey.
"Those without strength are not worthy of joining the Akatsuki. It doesn't matter if they die. You can do it."
"Okay."
With Konan's affirmative reply, Kakuzu flashed and blocked Hidan's path.
"Konan-senpai, the organization is so strict about recruiting people? It seems that I was really lucky to get in."
Kimimaro threw out a topic.
Konan glanced at him and said, "It was Itachi and Kisame who confirmed your strength that Pain agreed to let you join the Akatsuki."
"So that's how it is."
Kimimaro looked suddenly enlightened, then changed the subject.
"Konan-senpai, does the organization allow changing teammates?"
"You want to change teammates?"
"Yes. You also know that Kakuzu-senpai is too murderous. He always wants to kill his teammates, which is really troublesome for me."
"Aren't you still alive and well?"
"That's because I have some skills, but I can't stand Kakuzu-senpai's daily murderous intent. I'm not immortal, I will die.
Maybe one day, I'll accidentally get a hole punched through my heart by Kakuzu-senpai's black fist. I heard that several of Kakuzu-senpai's previous teammates died this way."
Kimimaro complained.
That's right, he wanted to change teammates.
He had almost finished researching Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear. The only ones left in the Akatsuki were Sasori and Hidan.
Hidan was right in front of him, and he should be able to get a sample in the next two days.
So, he needed to find a way to join Sasori and Deidara's team.
Whether it was Sasori's regeneration core or Deidara's explosive clay, they were all things that Kimimaro was interested in.
"I know your request. I'll talk to Pain after we go back."
There were indeed precedents for changing teammates in the Akatsuki.
For example, Orochimaru was originally teamed up with Sasori, then with Kakuzu, and finally with Itachi.
So Kimimaro's request was not excessive.
But Konan didn't agree directly. This matter still needed to be discussed with Pain.
As long as they agreed to change teammates, Kimimaro felt that he was very likely to achieve his goal.
Pain and Konan wouldn't break up their team.
Kisame was someone Obito trusted and was specifically used to monitor Itachi, so Itachi and Kisame's team wouldn't be broken up either.
Zetsu needed to gather intelligence and always acted alone. At other times, he was with Obito and wasn't suitable for having teammates.
The only team left was Sasori and Deidara.
No matter who he teamed up with, it would suit his wishes.
"Thank you, Konan-senpai."
Kimimaro extended his right hand with a smile on his face.
Konan glanced at it but didn't extend her hand.
"You're welcome."
She wouldn't casually have physical contact with people.
Kimimaro could only helplessly retract his right hand.
Handshake failed.
This was the first time.
Sure enough, it wasn't easy to shake a girl's hand, especially a cold one.
On the other side, Kakuzu and Hidan had already started fighting.
"Hey, what are you stopping me for? Do you want to join the Jashin cult and believe in Lord Jashin with me? You have good taste. I've been looking for believers like me recently."
"Idiot, a brainwashed fool."
Kakuzu only believed in money. Any Jashin cult was a liar to him.
"You can insult me! But you absolutely cannot insult Lord Jashin! You will be punished by God!"
Hidan roared.
"I heard you have immortality. I want to see if it's true!"
Kakuzu said, his right fist turning pitch black. He tapped his foot and quickly approached!
Tentacle Fist!
The distance between them was completely within the attack range of the Tentacle Fist, and the punch was extremely fast. Hidan was directly pierced through the chest.
"Bastard! You actually attacked without warning! Too much! It hurts, okay?"
Blood splattered everywhere, and blood overflowed from the corner of Hidan's mouth.
But he still looked lively and energetic, without any weakness that should have appeared after being pierced through the chest.
"It seems that immortality is real, but the strength is too weak. He can't even take one punch from me. He can only be a punching bag when encountering a master."
Kakuzu evaluated Hidan's strength.
Hidan swung the Bloody March Scythe in his hand, cutting off the black tentacles. Blood gushed out, splattering on his left hand.
"You bastard, I will impose God's punishment on you!"
Kakuzu was indifferent to Hidan's shouting.
However, Hidan's right foot, stained with the blood that had just spilled on the ground, drew a strange formation.
"This guy..."
Kimimaro suddenly muttered.
"Do you know what he's going to do?"
Konan asked curiously.
"No, I just want to say, the circle he drew with his foot is so round. He must have drawn it many times."
"???"
Kimimaro's strange train of thought made Konan unable to react for a moment.
(End of Chapter)