Chapter 55: The Gambling Fiend

"Sir, don't underestimate him. He's the Tsuchikage's personal guard. If you can take down that fat man, the commission will be generous," Bai Mu urged Kakuzu constantly, afraid he wouldn't give his all.

"I know. His bounty is ten million ryo," Kakuzu's eyes glinted with greed as he flicked his cloak, black chakra flowing from his body.

"Don't get careless, Akatsuchi. This guy is tough. Among the S-class ninja at the Exchange, he's definitely ranked near the top," Huang Tu said as he patted Akatsuchi's shoulder.

He had already recognized the infamous Kakuzu, but only knew his name—there was no battle intel, since everyone who had fought him was dead.

In fact, Onoki had realized upon seeing this group of mercenary ninja, who looked like bandits, that they were truly capable. Their filthy appearance couldn't hide their powerful aura.

He even spotted a few rogue ninja who had defected from Iwagakure, including one who once belonged to the Explosive Corps—Bakuton Retsu. Because of his dwarf stature, he was often mocked, until one day he blew his own captain sky-high, and from then on carried a bounty as a rogue ninja, always slipping away from capture.

Even so, a test was necessary. Onoki needed to gauge the strength of these mercenaries who had come knocking; it would determine the final outcome of this decisive battle.

"Place your bets! Kakuzu versus the Tsuchikage's guard! Fifty ryo minimum, ten thousand ryo maximum!" Bai Mu's gamblers had already begun setting up the wager.

"One million, I bet I lose," Kakuzu started pulling out cash.

"No fixing the match!" Bai Mu roared.

"Interesting. Since there's betting, I'll join as well," Onoki’s mind turned sly. He had great faith in his personal disciple’s strength.

Specialized in earth-style defense, born with monstrous strength, and earning the nickname 'Peerless Shield,' Akatsuchi stood undefeated.

"If Tsuchikage-sama wants to bet, I’ll gladly participate," Bai Mu knew exactly what this old fox was thinking—he wanted to hire this group at a low price. But Bai Mu had no idea about Kakuzu’s true abilities.

"If my guard Akatsuchi wins, how about the contract for one month at one hundred million ryo?" Onoki squinted, well aware of the market as an experienced employer; one hundred million was high, but for someone of Kakuzu’s caliber, it was barely enough.

A bunch of bumpkins who’d never seen that much money sucked in a breath. "One hundred million a month!"

Bai Mu and his secretary calculated on their fingers—one hundred million sounded like a lot, but split among everyone it was only four hundred thousand apiece, and Kakuzu alone claimed half. It wasn’t actually too high.

"Does it include room and board?" Bai Mu asked.

"No," Onoki shook his head.

"And if Kakuzu wins?" Bai Mu pressed.

"Name your terms."

"Include room and board, plus the one hundred million. Sound good?" Bai Mu wasn’t there for the money anyway and didn’t raise the stakes.

"That's it?" Onoki was stunned—even room and board would suffice? Was that all these bumpkins dreamed of?

"Our people eat well, every meal needs meat and wine. As for lodging, any tavern in the city will do," Bai Mu scratched his head sheepishly. Logistics had been a nightmare all the way; they devoured everything like locusts wherever they went.

"Then it’s settled—room and board, one hundred million." Onoki felt as though he’d struck a bargain. Even if Akatsuchi lost, these terms were excellent.

"Let’s begin," Bai Mu nodded; all he wanted was formal entry into this stronghold.

"Akatsuchi, go on. Don’t disgrace Iwagakure," Onoki’s hands hid in his sleeves, forming two seals out of sight, then he patted Akatsuchi’s massive thigh.

He believed Akatsuchi wouldn’t lose, but to actually defeat someone like Kakuzu, he still lacked a little edge.

Akatsuchi felt his body suddenly lighten and immediately understood what had happened. His round face flushed crimson.

"Old man..." Cheating in a fair fight was truly shameful.

"Enough whining! Get in there!" Onoki erupted, kicking Akatsuchi’s backside. The disciple had all the right qualities—talent, loyalty—but was far too honest.

Huang Tu was too upright, Akatsuchi too honest; neither had inherited his cunning. When he was gone, whoever became Tsuchikage, Iwagakure would surely suffer! He needed to take on more disciples—perhaps that three-mouthed brat from the Deilian Swamp family!

Anything odd must have a trick behind it. Bai Mu immediately noticed Akatsuchi’s bashful demeanor, walking as if ready for marriage.

He glanced at the footprints—Akatsuchi, over two meters tall and weighing more than four hundred pounds, usually left deep tracks. Now, after two steps, only a thin layer of dust remained.

It was the Tsuchikage’s secret technique: Light-Heavy Rock, a jutsu that altered gravity to make the body float. For Akatsuchi, strong but heavy, it was a speed boost.

"Such lack of sportsmanship!" Bai Mu shot Onoki a look of disdain.

"Before entering the fight, a little encouragement from an elder is perfectly normal. If you have elders, feel free to show them some care!" Onoki’s face remained untroubled, hands clasped behind him, not the least bit embarrassed.

A Tsuchikage caught cheating, called out openly, yet brazenly unfazed—if he didn’t feel awkward, only others could.

Kakuzu’s elders were probably so long gone even Black Zetsu couldn’t find their graves—where would he find any to show him care?

"In that case, Accountant, step aside. I'll handle this myself," Bai Mu waved grandly, benching Kakuzu.

He didn’t doubt Kakuzu could beat Akatsuchi, even if crippled, but wanted to stand atop Kakuzu’s shoulders and show off.

"Hmm?" Onoki frowned. He had assumed this young leader had only rallied a group of rogue ninja with his smooth tongue. Could he really be stronger than Kakuzu?

"Are you sure?" Even Kakuzu doubted him.

"A man can never say he’s not up to the task," Bai Mu shed his ostentatious cloak and looked to Onoki. "Switching contestants on the spot—is that acceptable, Tsuchikage-sama?"

"No problem," Onoki was eager to see Bai Mu’s real ability.

"With the leader himself stepping in, all bets reset—ten to one odds!" The gamblers showed Bai Mu no respect, setting astonishing odds.

"The leader’s jutsu is unmatched; I bet the leader loses!"

"Go, leader! I bet the leader loses!"

"Mighty leader! I bet the leader loses!"

In an instant, everyone placed their bets on Bai Mu’s defeat.

...

"Damn it! You have no faith in me at all?" Bai Mu cursed at the heartless bunch.

"It’s not that we don’t believe in you; we just all want to make a little money."

One was the Tsuchikage’s personal disciple.

The other was a random brat from who-knows-where.

Anyone could guess who to bet on.

Sanji squeezed out from the crowd of gamblers.

"Sanji-chan... Surely you bet on me to win?" Bai Mu’s gaze burned.

"Ah ha ha ha..." Sanji scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.

"Don’t worry! Mama always stands behind you!" Only Afei supported Bai Mu unconditionally.

"In that case... I’ll show you what it means to be a betting fiend!" Bai Mu strode up to the betting table.

"Fifty ryo, I bet on myself to win!"