money... Money?... MONEY!!!

"Take a look at this. I grabbed it while resupplying."

In the middle of the forest, my partner handed me a small book, his finger standing on a marked page. Opening it, I looked at the marked page.

"Akai Akuma." - Red Demon, well, at least it's not that bad.

[

Name: Red Demon(Akai Akuma)

Threat: S – Class

Real Name: unknown

Age: unknown

Height: 6.5 ft (2m)

Bloodline: Unknown, assumed body enhancing type.

Chakra Abilities: Unknown, presumed body enhancing chakra abilities.

Village: No affiliation known.

Weapon of Choice: Sword/s

Description:

Responsible for the deaths of thousands of Samurai and Shinobi, the Red Demon has shown unparalleled physical prowess. Has no confirmed chakra abilities but is presumed to use them to strengthen his body. He is fast enough to dodge most Ninjutsu, has shown unparalleled skills in Kenjutsu and Taijutsu. Unique armor covers his body, has proven to be highly durable, engagement with normal weapons is not advised. Bounty Hunters are advised to keep their distance.

Notice: Run on-sight order has been issued for every Major Village affiliated Shinobi.]

"Well, it's not that bad honestly. I could think of many, many more useless or worse names to be called."

"heh, I think they should be focusing on other things though." – He said as he looked up at me.

Despite his rather larger-than-average body, he was still shorter than me in full armor. Looking up, 5 shinobi were hanging by their necks, a chain made of chakra iron around their necks as they dangled.

"I think it's a little short, to be honest." – I said to him as we both looked at the dangling bodies.

"Hmm… Well, it was a ridiculous request, to begin with. A chain made of chakra metal is pretty unusual considering normal tools shinobi use. Do you have any idea how much this chain costs?" – He asked with his stoic face, but I know the price tag was eating him from the inside out.

Smirking at him I nodded my head.

"Of course I know it's expensive. If I'm going to join I'm taking full advantage of it."

My partner nodded his head immediately.

"I agree. The problem is that I am on the other side this time… and I'm in charge of finances as well…"

As we talked a little while more, we decided that it was enough resting and continued on our journey once again.

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"So, how many more do we have to hit before reaching the base?" – I asked him

Opening the book, my partner looked through it, stopping only at the marked pages.

"By my count, 5'231'000 Ryo in total worth."

"Business is not so good if that all we have left. Well, money is money, nobody is giving it out for free." – I said as I shrugged.

My partner nodded twice as he closed his eyes.

"Indeed, every coin counts. The more we have the better."

"But it's better when it is in bills right?"

"Indeed."

"But again, couldn't we have some more valuable targets on our way?"

"Actually, we already have made around 4.5 million by just the ones we have so far. Only around 1 mil left to finish."

We both dropped our heads down at that, knowing that after we got back to base, the assigned mission's money would go to the group's funds.

As I started thinking, a clone dispersed and a grin covered my face.

"What is it?" – My partner asked, seeing me stop suddenly.

"Two million is a day's worth of travel in the opposite direction."

As I said that my partner's eyes shined as he looked in the direction of our base and then back at the direction we came from.

"I mean, we have already finished the mission, the group's money will not rot, so we might as well make some for ourselves… right?"

"….Right."

As we said that I got ready to start running before my partner landed a hand on my shoulder.

"The sooner we get there, the sooner we have to get back and hand the money in."

"You're right. Let's just walk. I'm sure they will understand."

"Yes, it is understandable after all." – He said as well, though the glint in his eye after I first mentioned the money still remained… perhaps it got even brighter.

I put my hand on my chin after a moment

"But you know, he might be gone if we just walk, he is a missing-nin after all… so how about we rush towards him and take care of him fast. We'll just take it even slower when returning."

"You're not wrong, we can't let him get away, but we can balance it on our way back."

Indeed, looking at the number that corresponded to your wealth rise was addicting… to me though, it was just a fun hobby… My partner's was stupidly high.

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( One Month later – Akatsuki base)

"YOU TOOK 2 MONTHS!!!!" – Deidara and Hidan screamed at us at the same time.

Admittedly we may have originally been a little late…

But while other members needed money to keep their activities we also needed money for ours…

"Deidara, calm down." – Pain spoke and then turned to us.

"But he is right? Regardless of what complication you might have had, have you retrieved the bounty for the missing-nin?"

Kakuzu responded to the question.

"Yes, 1.5 million."

"It should suffice for our… less than self-sufficient members as well as our monthly intelligence spending. Good work, but next time… be on time." – Pain said as he threw a look at Deidara, who looked away when money was mentioned.

As we turned around to leave Hidan spoke again.

"You're letting them leave with just that? Look at their other briefcases, they clearly were spending five or more weeks hunting bounties and have probably made five times the amount they give. Not to mention they still get paid a cut from the missions." – He all but screamed, probably a little bit sour that I took his almost immortal partner.

But he was wrong…

… we made 15 times the amount.

---------------------------------

As we made our way out, I suddenly stopped and looked at Kakuzu.

"What's wrong?" – He asked.

"Did we… get our 10% from that 1,5 million we left back there?" – I asked as I pointed towards our back.

As I said that, Kakuzu dropped the suitcase he was holding, a dull thud as it touched the ground. His wide eyes answered my question.

"…"

Without a word, Kakuzu suddenly turned back and started heading towards the base once again as I immediately grabbed his shoulder.

"Let me go, that's my money in there… let me go." – Kakuzu said as he squirmed and tried to get free and back to the base

"You know you can't just go back… come on, don't be like this." – I said to him as I dragged him away.

"No…. no, let me go back."

As he continued squirming… an idea came to me.

"I heard that the Land of Earth's Daimyo price is 20 million. Not official, it's a private contract. We have exclusivity as long as we get it done within the month." – I whispered to him as his eyes turned to stare at me.

Then he stared back at the base, and then once again back at me. I let him free as I picked up the briefcase he dropped, making my way further away from the base.

As Kakuzu reluctantly followed, he still turned his eyes to look back at the direction of the base from time to time… even when we arrived in the Land of Earth.

(A/N: It was pretty obvious... or maybe not, who his partner was, so i just continued under the assumption you figured out by that point. Anyway, I wrote this chapter this morning, have been quite busy, finals are just around the corner. Hope you enjoyed it :)