Chapter 16: It Turns Out to Be Wood Release!

As he entered the meeting hall, he appeared dazed and utterly drained, as if his very essence had been sucked dry. Witnessing this, everyone was struck dumb with shock.

Kakuzu was known for his mastery of the Earth Grudge Fear secret technique; even losing his head posed little problem. Yet now, he seemed on the verge of being completely exhausted. What on earth had happened?

Orochimaru, seeing this scene, couldn’t resist teasing. “Kakuzu, what exactly did Tsuya Uzumaki do to you? Why do you look so utterly overworked? Or does the Earth Grudge Fear technique have its limits after all?”

Kakuzu, in his dazed state, didn’t hear Orochimaru’s jibes. Without a word, upon arriving, he found a spot and sat down immediately to rest. Partnering with Tsuya Uzumaki had utterly worn him out.

After their arrival, Pain spoke calmly, “In this period, the organization’s income has increased tenfold compared to before!”

At these words, the members of Akatsuki couldn’t help but show astonished expressions. This news was truly unexpected—not just a 30 or 40 percent increase, but a tenfold surge! In percentage terms, that was a staggering 1000% increase.

Killer Bee showed his jagged teeth, his voice tinged with curiosity. “Could it be that the organization has found some new source of income?”

Akatsuki’s earnings operated similarly to other ninja villages. Typically, when a ninja completes a mission, the village takes a 50% cut of the bounty. Akatsuki followed a comparable model, drawing about half the mission fees from its members as operational funds.

After Killer Bee’s query, Pain shook his head and explained, “The reason for this is the massive number of missions undertaken by the duo of Kakuzu and Tsuya Uzumaki.”

This revelation caused the expressions of the others to shift again. Their recent performance had been extraordinary. Through their relentless efforts, the organization’s income had soared tenfold—a truly terrifying feat.

As everyone remained stunned, Pain continued, “During this period, more clients have come to Rain Village commissioning missions for ordinary ninjas.”

“More black market missions have also been posted in Rain Village’s underworld.”

“However, the ninjas of Rain Village face a troubling problem.”

“Many of them can’t get any missions.”

“Numerous ninjas complain endlessly that they can barely afford to eat.”

Rain Village was under Nagato’s control. While a better-developed Rain Village would undoubtedly benefit Nagato, the village had yet to see such improvements.

A ninja village could not rely solely on a handful of powerful ninjas for its survival. The mid- and lower-tier ninjas formed the foundation of the village—an essential part.

On one hand, they generated substantial wealth for the village. On the other, many would grow into elite ninjas, becoming the village’s backbone.

If the mid- and lower-tier ninjas struggled to make a living, they were prone to desertion.

Once that happened, the village would be on the verge of collapse.

This was certainly not what Nagato wished to see, nor what Akatsuki needed.

Upon hearing Pain’s words, Jūzō was stunned, his mouth agape. What nonsense was this? More clients posting missions, yet ninjas couldn’t secure any? He asked in confusion, “Why, if more employers are commissioning missions in the village and on the black market, do Rain Village’s ninjas still fail to get missions? Shouldn’t the village develop better, and ninjas have an easier time finding work?”

After voicing his doubts, Pain cast a long, dissatisfied glance at Tsuya Uzumaki and said, “That’s a question for our new member.”

At Pain’s words, all eyes turned toward Tsuya Uzumaki, who was counting money in a corner.

Caught off guard by their inquisitive gazes, Tsuya first paused, then smiled sheepishly, blushing as he said, “It’s only right—I fully embrace the organization’s ideals!”

“To help the organization grow faster and better, continuously undertaking missions is my ninja way!”

“Also, if anyone has hiring missions, come to me! A 5% discount across the board!”

“If you don’t have missions yourself, you can refer employers with missions to me.”

“After I collect the bounty, I’ll give you a 5% cut!”

At first, Tsuya was a bit embarrassed. But as he spoke, his expression grew increasingly earnest.

It was clear he was serious about mission-related matters, not joking at all.

Hearing this, Karin could only cover her face helplessly. It was one thing for Tsuya to do business with outsiders, but now he was even hawking deals to his own comrades!

At this moment, the others also turned their puzzled looks toward Kakuzu.

He sat resting in the corner, still appearing utterly drained.

Within Akatsuki, Kakuzu had always been the workhorse.

If Tsuya Uzumaki could wear him out so badly, just how relentless was he?

Jūzō glanced at the slumped Kakuzu, then at Tsuya counting money.

“Could it be that Tsuya is more aggressive in executing missions than even Kakuzu?”

Pain nodded seriously. “Yes, according to the intelligence I’ve gathered.”

“Since joining the organization, Tsuya has been working day and night on missions.”

“He uses clones to complete low and mid-level difficulty tasks.”

“Besides that, he clears the black market three times a day.”

“Once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once at night.”

“This means almost all the black market missions are taken by him and Kakuzu.”

“They are called 'mission slaughter machines' by those in the black market.”

“Their current record is completing 171 missions in a single day.”

“This directly results in the mid- and lower-tier ninjas in Rain Village being unable to secure missions.”

Upon hearing this, the others stared at Tsuya and Kakuzu with shock and disbelief.

Was he even human? Working nonstop for a whole month, using clones to accomplish missions!

It made Uchiha Itachi, who thought using clones to attend school was unbeatable, realize there was always someone stronger.

While the others were stunned, Tsuya smiled shyly and said, “Serving the organization is only right, only right.”

After speaking, he handed a money box to Karin. “Karin, count the mission rewards we just earned.”

“I was rushing to the meeting and didn’t have time to count.”

Karin took the box skillfully and began counting.

Tsuya then pulled out a thick stack of mission sheets, resembling a dictionary.

Seeing these, Killer Bee was dumbfounded, his mouth agape as he asked Uchiha Itachi uncertainly, “Seven-san, is that entire stack of mission sheets in his hands?”

Killer Bee’s heart pounded; Tsuya was holding perhaps fifty or sixty missions!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Tsuya shuffled the mission sheets like playing cards.

Then, with a “click-click-click,” branches sprouted from him, forming his wood clone.

Without hesitation, Tsuya handed one mission sheet to his clone and sent it off to complete the task, then resumed studying the remaining sheets.

“Wood Style?!” Orochimaru stood up in surprise, his mind in turmoil.

Impossible. Besides the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, no one else could master Wood Style.

“And he’s using wood clones to carry out missions?”

Such a scene left everyone speechless with astonishment.

Their sympathetic gazes toward Kakuzu grew even stronger.

It was meeting time, yet Tsuya was still dispatching wood clones to complete missions!

Seeing their pity, Kakuzu suddenly realized something important he needed to say at this meeting.

Wasting no time, he spoke urgently, “I’ve been in poor condition recently. For the foreseeable future, I’m not suitable to take missions from the black market.”

“The organization needs to adjust and assign Tsuya a new partner.”

“If that’s not possible, he can work solo on black market missions.”

Having said this, Kakuzu looked toward Pain and Konan.

He had joined Akatsuki early on and knew Pain’s situation well.

Now, he hoped they would find Tsuya a new partner.

If he continued working with Tsuya, he feared he would break down like Jūzō!

Ideally, Pain the Six Paths and Tsuya should team up.

One was already dead, the other tireless—a perfect match.

However, Kakuzu’s request to change partners was denied.

A blue-haired beauty clad in the black Heavenly Fire Cloud robe shook her head.

Though Kakuzu’s previous partner had been Orochimaru, the pairing of Tsuya and Kakuzu was undoubtedly superior.

Konan’s cold voice soon reached Kakuzu’s ears.

“So far, the duo of you and Tsuya is the most suitable.”

“And your mission completion efficiency is extremely high. No other member in the organization can keep up with your pace.”

“You two have performed outstandingly over the past month. The organization’s income has increased tenfold, never before have we been so prosperous.”

“If you maintain this level of wealth accumulation, our plans can commence ahead of schedule.”

Konan’s words were reasonable.

Kakuzu had no choice but to accept.