Naruto: Shinobi Payday
Chapter 75: Do You Think I’m a Pushover?

Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Do You Think I’m a Pushover?

As Onoki’s words fell, both Sasori and Uchiha Itachi felt a ripple of unease stir in their hearts.

Could the three Tsuchikages really have something deeper planned?

They exchanged glances, then subtly shifted their eyes toward Zeldris, who remained calm.

Even Deidara, who usually shrugged off most things with a scoff, furrowed his brows.

What is the old man playing at this time?

Onoki’s expression had turned serious—sinister, even. A faint smirk curled at the edge of his lips. It was that look that made Deidara’s stomach twist with a sudden sense of dread.

Despite the confused look on Zeldris’s face, he had more or less anticipated this. Onoki wasn’t someone who invited mercenaries for a simple favor.

A heavy silence settled in the room.

It was too quiet. Tense. The kind of quiet that always came before something dangerous.

After a long pause, Onoki narrowed his eyes at the four mercenaries seated before him. His tone was sharp but measured.

"I wonder what your opinions are?"

Zeldris smiled. His eyes flicked over to Sasori and Itachi, then back to the old Tsuchikage. Calm, collected.

"As I’ve said before, if Tsuchikage-sama has a request, we’ll gladly listen. Helping is our pleasure."

Then, as if remembering something important, he added with a smirk, "But let’s be clear—business is business. Extra work means extra payment."

Onoki chuckled at the answer, visibly pleased. His eyes lit up with something between amusement and calculation.

"You don’t need to remind me. I understand the rules," he said. "And don’t worry—money won’t be an issue."

Bai Yu smiled slightly and leaned back in his chair. "Then let’s get to the point. What exactly does Tsuchikage-sama need from our humble group of mercenaries?"

Sasori and Itachi leaned in ever so slightly, clearly interested now.

Onoki’s smile faded. His gaze settled firmly on Zeldris, and his voice lowered with gravity.

"I want your organization to... cause chaos."

"...Excuse me?" Zeldris raised an eyebrow.

Onoki didn’t flinch. "What I mean is—I want you to create conflict across the entire ninja world. Spark small wars, disputes. Agitate the balance."

Everyone in the room froze. _{fre(e)webnove.l.c.om}

Even Itachi’s calm demeanor cracked slightly. Sasori narrowed his eyes. Deidara’s jaw dropped.

"...What the hell are you planning, old man?" Deidara muttered, not even bothering to hide his shock.

"That’s insane," he said louder, standing up. "You’re seriously thinking of causing wars at your age?!"

Onoki’s gaze turned sharp.

"Sit down, brat," he snapped.

Deidara flinched but didn’t move.

"If you hadn’t been wasting your time chasing explosions in the name of ’art’, maybe you’d understand what I’m doing!"

The room trembled with Onoki’s sudden anger.

Deidara clenched his fists, but the moment he met Onoki’s glare, the fire in him flickered out. He dropped his gaze and sat back down, teeth gritted.

He hated him—but he feared him more.

Onoki’s Dust Release was no joke. Anything it touched vanished into nothing. Even Deidara, with all his arrogance, knew better than to test that kind of power.

Onoki slowly calmed himself, adjusted his robe, and gave a polite cough.

"Forgive me for the outburst. Let’s move on."

The tension dropped slightly, but the air remained heavy.

Zeldris said nothing, though his thoughts churned.

He wasn’t surprised. He’d guessed it the moment Onoki summoned them.

After all, Onoki had a history. He liked to stir the pot—especially when it came to Konoha. It wasn’t just about weakening other villages. It was personal.

Years ago, he and the Second Tsuchikage had gone to Konoha to propose an alliance.

And they had been humiliated—rejected directly by Uchiha Madara himself.

That kind of insult stayed with a man like Onoki.

In the original timeline, he’d even hired the Akatsuki to wreak havoc across nations. Zeldris remembered all of it.

And now, here he was again—still playing games with fire.

Onoki’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"So, what do you say, Mr. Zeldris?"

Zeldris looked up and smiled faintly. He already understood the old man’s intentions. It wasn’t about money or power.

It was about weakening the competition. Sabotaging other villages without lifting Iwagakure’s hands directly.

And for Zeldris? That was fine.

He didn’t care who won or lost.

He only cared about the payday.

After a short pause, he replied:

"So this is a long-term job, then?"

Onoki nodded. "Exactly. And for that, I’m offering 500 million."

The room stirred again.

Even Itachi’s expression shifted. Sasori raised a brow. Deidara blinked in disbelief.

"Five hundred million?" Itachi murmured.

Is this guy serious?

Zeldris was stunned, too.

This old man really doesn’t mess around...

With just this offer, it meant he’d already planned to invest nearly seven hundred million on them alone.

A rich client, to say the least.

Zeldris leaned forward slightly, studying the old Tsuchikage with renewed interest.

How deep are your pockets, old man?

Zeldris hadn’t even responded yet when Deidara suddenly blurted out:

"Old man, isn’t five hundred million a bit too cheap? I thought you were loaded!"

The room fell into a brief silence.

Even Onoki was stunned—and then immediately furious.

This little brat...

Right here, right now, he was throwing him under the bus?

Onoki shot a sharp glare at Deidara, who wore an expression of clueless innocence. He could hardly resist the urge to blast him with a Dust Release technique right there.

If only this problem child had listened years ago—let go of his obsession with "art" and focused on preparing to inherit the Tsuchikage title—things wouldn’t have reached this point.

Iwagakure was full of talent, but none with enough potential to take the reins—except for Deidara. And yet, the idiot had no interest in leadership.

That was why Onoki was still in charge, bearing the burden of leadership far longer than he wanted.

The more he thought about it, the more his blood pressure spiked.

Still, a part of him clung to hope—that Deidara would one day return and take up the mantle of Tsuchikage.

Across the room, Sasori and Uchiha Itachi observed Zeldris closely.

They’d worked with him long enough to know: he wasn’t one to turn down a big paycheck.

Zeldris gave a casual smile, then turned to Onoki.

"Lord Tsuchikage," he said, voice smooth, "you want us to serve you exclusively... for five hundred million? Isn’t that a bit too generous of us?"

A subtle grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

Internally, he scoffed.

This old man really thinks he’s clever.

Zeldris could already see through the layers of Onoki’s strategy.

This wasn’t just about hiring muscle. Onoki wanted to monopolize Zeldris’s power—so no other village could use him.

That way, Iwagakure’s own forces stayed untouched, while Zeldris did the dirty work, weakening other villages with no direct ties back to Onoki.

Even if something went wrong, no one would have solid proof Iwagakure was involved.

Cunning.

Very Danzo Shimura-like.

Sasori and Itachi exchanged glances, reading the same thing in Zeldris’s words.

He thinks five hundred million isn’t enough.

Onoki narrowed his eyes, his tone calm but edged with expectation.

"Then what would you consider a reasonable price?"

He didn’t mind the negotiation.

So long as Zeldris hadn’t rejected him outright, there was room to talk.

And from the way he spoke, he seemed open—as long as the deal made sense.

Onoki smiled inwardly.

If money can solve the problem, then it’s not really a problem. And money? I’ve got plenty.

The room was silent now, everyone’s eyes fixed on Zeldris.

Deidara looked conflicted.

Wait... is he actually considering it?

Didn’t he ask me to join his group? Why hasn’t he brought that up at all since this started?

No way... did he lie to me?

Zeldris finally broke the silence, his voice low and deliberate.

"One price," he said. "One billion."

He raised two fingers.

"Two missions. No matter the task. That’s the limit. What do you say, Tsuchikage-sama?"

His signature smile returned, calm and confident.

The room froze.

Sasori blinked.

Itachi’s expression darkened slightly.

Deidara’s mouth parted slightly in disbelief.

One billion? For two jobs?!

Did this guy think Onoki was an idiot?

Even Onoki’s face twitched at the outrageous demand.

Is he being serious?

Yes, Onoki had money—but that much?

He took a long breath, forcing himself to stay composed.

"Your price... is a bit high, don’t you think?" he said slowly.

Should’ve hired the Akatsuki when they offered, he thought, teeth grinding with regret.

Back then, he’d passed on them—because he wanted Zeldris instead.

Now he wasn’t so sure he’d made the right call.

Before he could speak again, Zeldris calmly added:

"Don’t be too quick to refuse."

His gaze was steady, his tone casual—but there was confidence behind it.

"For those two jobs, I’ll solve any problem. And if I fail—even once—you don’t pay a single ryo."

His smile widened.

"How about that? Take your time to consider."

Onoki studied him in silence.

Any problem?

Was this kid really that confident?

That arrogant?

He had yet to see Zeldris’s full strength with his own eyes.

But if what he said was true... if he really could destroy Konoha or Kumogakure in a single strike...

Then one billion might not be so outrageous after all.

"Are you certain... you can really solve this?"

Zeldris nodded casually, a faint smile playing on his lips. His voice remained light, yet confident:

"I told you before—if I fail, I won’t take a single ryo."

Before Ohnoki could respond, Zeldris added calmly:

"But—"

Ohnoki’s expression stiffened.

"But"?

His suspicion flared instantly. Was this brat trying to back out? Or worse... renegotiate the price?

The old Tsuchikage’s eyes narrowed. His patience was wearing thin. If Zeldris dared pull any tricks now, he’d make sure he never left Iwagakure.

Zeldris paused, then calmly said:

"I have one condition."

Ohnoki’s expression darkened.

So the kid was trying to bargain!

He held back his anger, reminding himself to listen first. If this "condition" crossed the line, he’d crush it right then and there.

Cold killing intent flickered behind his aged eyes as he locked gazes with Zeldris.

But to his surprise, Zeldris turned—not to him—but to Deidara.

He looked at the younger ninja calmly and said:

"Deidara... it’s your decision."

"Huh?"

Ohnoki blinked, confused.

What did this have to do with Deidara?

Before he could ask, Deidara stepped forward. His heart was racing. For someone like him, who lived for the thrill of art and battle, this moment was everything.

Without hesitation, he clenched his fists and shouted:

"Tsk... I’ve had enough of sitting around, old man!"

"I want to follow this guy—Zeldris. I want to learn his art!"

"I’m not wasting another day in Iwagakure!"

His voice echoed across the chamber, filled with fire and conviction.

Ohnoki’s face darkened.

What nonsense was his pupil spouting now?

Learn art? From this guy?

They had just met!

Was Deidara so easily swayed by flashy techniques?

But then... Ohnoki remembered.

That overwhelming pressure earlier. The sheer destructive beauty of Zeldris’s technique. The sensation had lingered, even now.

Could that be it?

Did Deidara see something in Zeldris—something that struck the core of his obsession with art?

As his thoughts churned, Zeldris’s voice broke through once more, calm and unbothered:

"That’s my condition."

"If you agree to let Deidara come with me, then we have a deal."

"Well, Lord Tsuchikage..."

Zeldris smiled slightly, folding his arms.

"What do you say?"

Ohnoki stared at him for a long moment.

Then he chuckled coldly, though his eyes remained sharp as a blade.

"Boy... did you come here just to piss me off?"

A surge of chakra burst from Ohnoki, warping the air around him with its pressure.

The Third Tsuchikage—

Was no longer amused.

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

Support me at /Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters!