"Kazuyama, the last time you returned from the Daimyō's Manor, you reported that they were forming a ninja force."
"What's your take on it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, his voice laced with helplessness. He knew all too well what kind of man this Daimyō was.
Ambitious—dangerously so. And that wasn't good news for them.
If he was allowed to keep pushing forward unchecked, it could seriously damage Konohagakure.
Even though Hiruzen was no longer Hokage, he was still a village advisor. He couldn't just stand by while the Daimyō made moves against the village.
That was the main reason they had kept Kazuyama behind.
"What else is there to think?"
"The Daimyō's Manor has always looked at Konoha this way."
"The fact that he waited until the war ended before acting is already him giving the village face."
"Now the war is over, and there's been a change in Hokage—this is the perfect window for him to make his move."
Kazuyama had a head full of doubts about this Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
Because this wasn't the one from the original timeline. Could it be that in the original version, the Daimyō had retired due to how grim things looked during the Third Shinobi World War?
Now, thanks to his own presence, the whole storyline was veering off course.
Wasn't the Daimyō supposed to be some spineless figure?
"Yeah, relations with the Daimyō's Manor have definitely gotten tense."
"Kazuyama, when you head over this time, I want you to stand firmly on the village's side and gather whatever intel you can."
"Last time, the Daimyō's attitude toward you wasn't bad."
"And with your stellar performance during the Third Shinobi World War, I'm confident he'll trust you."
Hiruzen placed high hopes on Kazuyama, just like he had once placed on Minato.
If not for Kazuyama's long-standing reputation for being unreliable, maybe he really could have become Hokage.
After all, based on several past meetings, this brat clearly had a unique perspective.
"Oh? And you're not afraid I'll actually join the Daimyō's side?"
"Come on, the conditions they're offering are ridiculous. For a simple guy like me? Tsk, tsk… that's deadly tempting."
"Money, power—whatever I want. Sounds like paradise."
Kazuyama didn't buy a single word from the smoking old man in front of him. These old geezers were all sly devils, and Danzō sitting beside him? Ugh, even sneakier than an octopus.
"Hmph. If you were the kind of guy who'd sell out for a fat check, I'd eat this pipe right now."
Hiruzen flicked the ash off his pipe and looked at Kazuyama with pure disdain.
"You might be crooked, greedy, and a total skirt-chaser, but deep down, you're still a worthy successor to the Will of Fire."
"I'd bet my life on it."
"So stop testing me."
Kazuyama rolled his eyes and shot back without mercy.
"Yeah, right. After Minato and Fugaku threw me under the bus like that?"
"Who knows—maybe I'll take my wife and little brother and head straight for the Daimyō's side."
"I—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, a thunderous slam on the table cut him off.
Shimura Danzō had smacked the table so hard it nearly flipped.
"Bastard! Kazuyama Gekkō, this is an official meeting—what the hell do you think you're saying?!"
"Hmph. Hiruzen, this is what you get for spoiling him."
"This punk's getting more out of control by the day!"
Even Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were visibly displeased.
After all, this was a formal setting. What Kazuyama had just said was way out of line.
But Minato and Hiruzen?
They didn't bat an eye.
Because if Kazuyama wasn't acting like that—he wouldn't be Kazuyama.
"Hey, Lord Danzō, what's your problem? You expect me to just sit here like a good little soldier and wait for you to hand me a mission?"
"I'm a person, alright? I have emotions. Just like you flew into a rage the moment I opened my mouth."
"Tsk tsk, look at old man Hiruzen. Sigh… you really can't compare."
Kazuyama didn't give Danzō Shimura the slightest bit of respect.
After all, this old fossil had already sent people after him—if Kazuyama still played nice, he'd be an idiot.
A newcomer and an old war hawk clashing in front of two Hokage and two advisors—neither giving an inch.
In the end, it was Minato Namikaze who stepped in to mediate.
"Kazuyama, that's enough."
"Counselor Danzō, you too."
With his interruption, the two finally sat back down, though they continued glaring at each other, clearly unwilling to let it go.
"Kazuyama, be cautious on your trip to the Daimyō's Manor."
"Even if the Daimyō treats you decently, there's no telling what he might do."
"From what I've heard, his ninja force is already fairly sizable."
Kazuyama crossed his arms and shook his head, his voice full of confidence.
"The Daimyō isn't a fool—he won't start an open war with the village."
"Undermining us from the inside is the smarter move."
"Who knows, I might just be treated to fine meals and five-star accommodations."
"As for those he's recruited? I'll handle them accordingly. Hehehehe..."
That sly laugh sent a clear signal. Everyone who knew him understood—when he laughed like that, nothing good would follow.
"Alright then, let's wrap it up here. Meeting adjourned."
The meeting ended, and wouldn't you know it—Kazuyama and Danzō both stood up at the same time.
"Hmph!"
"Ugh, what bad luck."
Kazuyama spat in disgust, stepped back, and vanished on the spot with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Danzō's face went completely dark.
Minato, Hiruzen, and the others could only watch the scene unfold, full of helplessness.
...
After leaving the Hokage Building, Kazuyama returned to the Ninja Academy, where a young boy was already waiting at the gate.
"Kazuyama-sensei, hello. I'm Shisui Uchiha."
"The Clan Head asked me to find you and join you on the upcoming mission."
Kazuyama looked at the boy—neither tall nor brawny, but with an unmistakable energy about him.
The corners of his mouth curled into a grin.
Shisui Uchiha—now this kid was something else.
No, not just a genius. A prodigy.
Because as the saying goes: the heavens envy prodigies.
"Alright, let's go. Before we set off, let me get a read on your strength—see if Fugaku's praise was over the top."
Kazuyama placed one hand on Shisui's shoulder, and in the next instant, the two disappeared from sight.
They reappeared deep within a forest.
It was Shisui's first time experiencing the Flying Thunder God Technique, and surprise flickered across his face.
Not that anyone could blame him. This space-jumping ninjutsu was nothing short of miraculous.
"So this is the Flying Thunder God Technique..."
"Incredible. We're already this far from the village?"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake