In the finance office of the Akatsuki's secret base, the heavy stone door creaked open. Obito, White Zetsu, and Shiro stepped inside.

"You're quite fast," Kakuzu grunted, gesturing to a cabinet against the wall. "There are ten boxes here, each containing thirty million ryo, for a total of three hundred million."

Shiro smiled. "Hehe, thank you, Uncle Kakuzu. I won't be polite, then."

"Wait a moment!"

Just as Obito was about to use his Kamui to warp the cabinet away, Kakuzu's voice stopped him. "You can take the money, but you must agree to one condition."

"Hmm?" Shiro and Obito frowned simultaneously. Was the old miser having second thoughts? They had just had such a productive conversation.

Even the usually good-natured White Zetsu was losing its patience. "Kakuzu, what is it now?!"

"My request is simple," Kakuzu responded, his voice grave. "Take me to meet the Uchiha clan."

"…"

The three of them instantly understood. He still didn't trust them. It was, perhaps, an understandable suspicion. For a child as young as Shiro to represent the entire Uchiha clan was an extraordinary claim.

"As expected of you, Uncle Kakuzu. You're very thorough," Shiro said with a frank wave of his hand. "Your request is more than reasonable. I have no reason to refuse. Let's go now. I will take you there."

"Hn."

"Aren't you going to bring Hidan with you?"

"Hmph. The sight of that man annoys me. This is not a mission; there is no need to bring him everywhere."

With that, the four of them officially set off. The journey between the Akatsuki base and the Uchiha's territory was not long, but White Zetsu spent nearly the entire time whispering complaints about Kakuzu into Shiro and Obito's ears.

"What a stingy old fool!!"

"They give him the title of Treasurer, and suddenly he thinks he's a king!"

"Obito, when we get back, you must tell Nagato to remove him from his position! Just kick him out of the Akatsuki!"

"I've had enough of him! He always has that sullen look on his face, as if the entire world owes him money!"

Shiro chuckled. "White Zetsu, don't be so angry. Uncle Kakuzu is actually very good. At least when it comes to his work, don't you think he's very responsible?"

Obito nodded. "What Shiro said is exactly what I was thinking. I feel at ease with Kakuzu managing the Akatsuki's funds. And his strength is considerable. He is a rare talent."

"What's this?" White Zetsu said angrily. "Why are you two defending him?"

"We're just discussing the matter at hand," Obito replied. "We can talk about this later. We're about to arrive at the clan's land."

The four of them passed through a dense forest and came to the edge of a high cliff. Shiro hopped down from White Zetsu's shoulders. "Uncle Kakuzu, below this cliff is the new home of the Uchiha clan."

"Hmph." Kakuzu glanced down and snorted coldly. "No wonder the great powers couldn't find a trace of you after you defected from Konoha. So this is where you've been hiding. Come on, take me to meet your people." With that, Kakuzu leaped from the cliff. Obito and the others followed closely behind.

Just as Kakuzu was about to land, a deep, mature voice echoed from below, a voice that sent a chill down his spine.

"Wood Style: Four-Pillar House Jutsu!"

"W-Wood Release?!"

Hearing those words, a cold sweat instantly broke out on Kakuzu's skin. He stumbled upon landing, almost falling to the ground. "Who?!" he shouted, his voice filled with a primal fear. As far as he knew, only one man had ever mastered the legendary Wood Release. He had had the misfortune of fighting that man once, long ago, and had only escaped with his life thanks to his opponent's mercy. The memory had become an indelible shadow on his soul. But that man was long dead. There couldn't be anyone else in the world who could use Wood Release.

Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet began to shake violently. While Kakuzu was still trying to process what was happening, a luxurious villa, made of pure, solid wood, erupted from the earth before him.

"Damn it all!"

"It's real… It's really Wood Release!"