Threads of Immortality

Childhood

"Mamori, Kakuzu." A proctor called sternly, as the crowd of genin cowered in fear. A boy of twelve, darkened in complexion and quite gifted in physicality stepped forward to face the ninja awaiting him. The match was about to begin. Kakuzu immediately studied the demeanor and early mannerisms of his opponent, preparing himself for any sudden movements possibly made.
These matches were much different from ninja exams taken today. There was no preparation, no given information beforehand. It was a battle of life or death. Nothing less than brutality was permitted, and such hesitant mercy would result in disqualification. Only one would leave the battle alive, the other most certainly dead or close enough. This alone was the reason for abundance in children. Families of Takigakure knew to expect deaths and losses. The population was sturdy, as it grew in number at the same rate it dropped.
The proctor looked to see that both were ready for the fight. "Begin." She said finally as the horn sounded.
Kakuzu scoped out the battlefield, quickly becoming familiar with the area. He awaited his opponent's first move - and his opponent was doing just the same. The crowd was watching with anticipation, sure as not to miss anything. A few seconds of fierce eye contact passed before the opponent jumped backward, making quick hand signs. "Fire style: volcanic sludge!!" Lava started flowing towards Kakuzu from the ground, and with considerable speed. It was thick, and covered a wide amount of space. Kakuzu made a strong earth wall emerge from the ground, with no gaps possible for the lava to seep through. His arm became as hard as rock itself, and he punched the wall he had made. Kakuzu's wall suddenly sprouted a mock arm, coming at the opponent unexpectedly. Caught off to guard by his own cockiness, the other boy was hit in the midsection and went flying backwards. The rare shinobi lowered the wall beneath his face as to see his opponent.
"Seems you have underestimated me."
The boy finally caught his breath after a few seconds of wheezing, and looked up in frustration. "You can't be as good as everyone says you are... They're all rumors. No one has the legendary kekkei genkai, it's been genetically wiped out!"

"Heh, this guy is goin' down." A conversation started up in the stands. Seiichi Mamori, Kakuzu's eldest brother, had utmost confidence in the younger. "He's got bigger muscles than you, Ikuto." He laughed, ruffling the middle child's hair. "Ah shut up, and let me watch."

"Not quite." His arms stretched over to the opponent, and before he had a chance to think, he was knocked out cold. Kakuzu retracted himself over to where his arms were, landing on the ninja, crushing his skull.

{ Author's note: Kakuzu's threads are not yet visible, as he has no stitches. Later on when he experiences battle injuries, he then uses his threads inside his body to stitch and separate, proving more convenient for him. Now, while he is young, his arms and any other body parts stretch with the tentacles. }

The proctor had witnessed many victories at the hand of this skilled young boy.
"Once again, the winner is: Kakuzu Mamori!"

The three sons walked home later that night, passing by the executed ninja who were on display as an example. It was normal for them to see this everyday. These victims had either failed on big missions or disobeyed the Village Elders' orders.
"You know, you're such a smartass Kaku, that you may end up here one day." Ikuto said, jokingly, although still as a possible warning.
"Heh, those village elders value me too highly to kill me and let me waste outside." Kakuzu said confidently.
"Don't be too sure of yourself, little brother, you must be careful. These are not easy times..." His wiser brother advised. Kakuzu thought for a while.
"Why do I have this kekkei genkai, and you two don't?"
The two looked at each other, then at him, as if they had been waiting years for him to ask this.
"Little brother... You see, the truth is-"
Ikuto interrupted Seiichi before he could continue. "The truth is we have no idea, we have no idea and we've been trying to find out.."
Seiichi shot a glance at Ikuto, who shot a glance right back.
The eldest brother continued. "Just promise me you won't let the villagers get to you, calling you a monster and running away like the cowards they are..."
"I don't care about them. They have no effect on me at all."
"Good. Keep that mindset, Kakuzu-kun." Ikuto said, proud of his brother's emotional strength. "A ninja must never feel enough to the point of weakness."
They reached their home. It was dark, already past dinner time. Their mother, who was washing dishes, turned around. "Where the hell have you three been? You missed dinner. Whatever, less money for me to spend on your stomachs. Go to bed, you don't get to eat tonight." They groaned.
"What does money have to do with it, ma?" Kakuzu asked, with a slightly bitter tone. His mother constantly ranted and raved about expenses and cash, and he was getting tired of it.
"Money has everything to do with it. Now leave my sight."
On his way to his room, his father passed him in the hallway. "How were the matches today, son? Did you make me proud?" He asked, very expectantly. "Yes, father, I won very easily." Kakuzu replied orderly. "Good. Keep it up." Once Mr. Mamori reached his bedroom, he took off his expensive attire and set it on the dresser.
The next morning, they had vanished.
"Elrasa! Have you seen my valuables? Yet another set disappeared!" He called to his wife, who was wrapped up in a fur blanket. She stuffed the jewelry between her breasts. "No, my sweet, I've been asleep." He paced around the room, soon leaving as not to be late for his day of work. He only worked certain days, because he was quite well off. Elrasa knew he would be out, and she took the valuable gold, silver and gems to be sold. Coming back with a wad of cash that would not even fit in her bra, she hid it quickly. This had been going on for years, and the boys never noticed. Their father was much too infatuated with the woman to ever accuse her of theft.
Kakuzu had learned to tune out her money talk, it didn't matter to him. Neither did - wealth or his own mother. She never treated her sons with care. His first decade growing up he had never thought once about money, and he tried to keep it that way. Oh, how his life would turn.