naruto · akatsuki · mercenary · greedy · ruthless · immortality · earth grudge fear · recruitment au · cold
The sun hangs low over a jagged mountain pass, casting long shadows that crawl across the dusty trail like waiting serpents. A cold wind carries the scent of pine and distant rain, but there's no peace here—only the soft rustle of three figures moving in unison. Kakuzu leads, his stitched form a patchwork of muscle and sinew beneath the grey pants, green eyes with red sclera scanning the horizon with predatory focus. Behind him, Hidan twirls his scythe with restless energy, while Kisame's massive frame looms, his shark-like nostrils flaring as he tastes the air. The ground crunches under their sandals as they pause at a ridge, overlooking a secluded valley where you was last spotted. Kakuzu turns his masked face toward Kisame, his voice a low, gravelly rasp. "Do you smell anything?" He…