Naruto: Reborn as Kakuzu, the Immortal Assassin

The tense confrontation at the village gates reached its inevitable conclusion. With a solemn wave of his hand, Senju Hashirama signaled for the gathered crowd to part ways, allowing Uchiha Madara to stride out of Konohagakure's gates.

In the aftermath, whispers spread among the villagers. Why had the Hokage allowed Madara to leave? When questioned directly, Hashirama's response was simple: "The Nine-Tails was captured by Madara. It stands to reason that he should take responsibility for it."

Yet, many believed there was more to the story. Some speculated that Hashirama's decision stemmed from lingering nostalgia, a refusal to let go of the bond they once shared. His compassionate heart, it seemed, still clung to the hope that Madara might one day return to the village.

Deep down, Hashirama likely understood the slim chances of such a reconciliation, but he persisted anyway. To some, this unwavering faith bordered on foolishness. Yet, it was precisely people like Hashirama—those who dared to dream of peace in a world ruled by strife—who propelled humanity from barbarism toward harmony.

But not everyone shared this idealism.

Inside the lab, Senju Tobirama's expression was frigid. With a loud crack, his hand slammed against the wooden table.

"I don't understand why Brother would let him return!" Tobirama growled.

"When Madara inevitably resurfaces, his vengeance will be aimed squarely at Konoha."

Pragmatic as ever, Tobirama's frustration was plain. Yet, he was not the one in charge, the decisions lay firmly in Hashirama's hands.

"Hey, hey. Easy now." Kakuzu, seated across from Tobirama, leisurely lit a cigarette and gestured toward the children nearby. "Watch yourself. You're setting a bad example for the kids."

The comment drew Tobirama back to his senses. With a deep breath, he straightened his posture, brushing aside his earlier outburst.

"You're right. That was unbecoming of me."

He shifted his gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, who stood nearby.

"You've both worked hard today. Go and rest."

The two bowed respectfully before leaving the lab, their departure plunging the room into an uneasy silence.

Tobirama's sharp mind was already at work. Silence in this space was never idle. Kakuzu, unconcerned, took another drag from his cigarette, watching as the Hokage's younger brother slipped into deep thought.

After a long pause, Tobirama suddenly opened his eyes. A glint of gold flashed in his sharp gaze.

"What do you think? Would sealing techniques work against a threat like Madara?"

Kakuzu's lips curled into a wry smile. "You're overthinking it."

Tobirama was undeniably brilliant—a peak among ordinary mortals in this world. Yet, compared to true monsters like Madara, the gap remained significant.

"You already have a sealing technique, don't you?" Kakuzu asked, casually flicking ash from his cigarette. "Why didn't you use it on Madara today?"

The question wasn't malicious, but Kakuzu couldn't suppress a chuckle. The idea of using the Four Symbols Seal, a technique with catastrophic risks, against someone like Madara was laughable.

Even Tobirama knew better. A poorly executed seal could backfire, leaving the user doomed instead of the target. In Kakuzu's eyes, such techniques were dangerous gambles at best, nothing more than inferior jutsu.

"Do you know of the Uzumaki Clan's Dead Demon Consuming Seal?" Tobirama asked, unfazed by Kakuzu's skepticism.

Kakuzu nodded. "Of course. They're distant relatives of your Senju Clan, aren't they?"

The Dead Demon Consuming Seal was undeniably powerful, far surpassing Tobirama's own creations. However, its use came with steep prerequisites: precise control, immense skill, and the ultimate price—one's life.

"You might have misunderstood my question," Tobirama said, tapping a finger thoughtfully against the table. "I've seen the Shinigami invoked by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal—a force capable of severing souls and dragging them to the Pure Land. Do you think it's possible to draw inspiration from the Pure Land itself?"

Kakuzu's interest was piqued. Extinguishing his cigarette, he leaned forward, his expression one of curiosity.

"Now that's an intriguing idea."

The mention of the Pure Land, summoning souls, and potentially breaking natural laws… It was clear where Tobirama's thoughts were heading.

The dawn of Edo Tensei was on the horizon.

Time passed. Seasons changed.

In the wake of the First Five Kage Summit, life in Konohagakure settled into a steady rhythm. The village thrived, brimming with energy and growth. This era marked Konoha's golden age, its most prosperous and rapidly developing period.

On the bustling main commercial street, businesses flourished. There were sizzling yakiniku restaurants, steaming hot spring inns, ninja tool shops bustling with traffic, and inns with hostesses welcoming patrons at their doors.

Among these, one establishment stood out as the busiest: a newly opened gambling hall.

But don't misunderstand—the gambling hall was entirely legal, operating with proper permits and adhering to regulations. The venue had quickly become the most profitable business in Konoha, drawing in countless patrons with its allure.

In this world, gambling was a lucrative industry. As the saying went: the house always wins. While players might walk away with small winnings, the dealers never lost.

Curiously, this particular gambling hall—"Skies Casino"—had opened only six months ago. Yet in such a short time, it had dominated Konoha's gambling scene, forcing competitors to either merge with it or shut their doors entirely.

If you think that the reason the Skies Casino holds a significant position in Konohagakure is because of its ruthless methods, you couldn't be more wrong. The truth is, this casino excels in every aspect—whether it's the paperwork, the management, or the customer service. Everything is polished to perfection. It's precisely this level of excellence that has allowed the Skies Casino to dominate the gambling market in Konoha, turning it into an enormous money-making machine.

Every day, a steady stream of gamblers flocks to the casino. While chasing thrills, they also can't resist speculating about the mysterious owner behind the operation. How could someone wield such power in Konoha? The rumors run rampant. Theories abound, each more outlandish than the last. Prominent figures from Konoha, and even across the Land of Fire, have been dragged into the gamblers' conversations, their reputations flipped inside out. Yet no one can provide a definitive answer.

Since the true identity of the owner remains elusive, people naturally turn their attention to the casino's staff. One day, a short man with a neatly trimmed mustache, dressed in fine clothes, strode into the depths of the casino. Flanked by two towering bodyguards, his presence drew immediate attention.

This man was known as Little Mustache by some, while others respectfully called him Master Mustache. He managed the day-to-day operations of the casino, overseeing everything big and small. However, everyone knew that he was merely a figurehead, not the real boss. Even so, Little Mustache was meticulous in following the rules laid down by his employer.

The boss's instructions were clear: while handling external affairs, never overstep the boundaries of the established protocols. For a man as seasoned and savvy as Little Mustache, who had navigated the intricacies of human relationships for years, this was hardly a challenge. He only ventured to meet his boss in person on rare occasions when something truly significant occurred.

Today was one such occasion.

He stood before a massive set of doors. Bringing his hands together, he channeled his chakra outward, ensuring there were no unwanted presences nearby. After confirming the area was secure, he nodded to the two guards behind him. They immediately understood. With synchronized effort, the two men gripped the doors, their muscles bulging and veins pulsing as they heaved.

Creak—

The heavy doors finally swung open, revealing the figure seated inside.

Without a doubt, this was the true mastermind of the Skies Casino.

Little Mustache raised his head, his eyes locking onto the person before him. What he saw was far from what anyone might expect. The boss wasn't a menacing figure shrouded in darkness but a refined and scholarly individual...

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