"Fine, I'll take the penalty."
"I'll pay the fine shortly."
With things as they were, Kazuyama Gekkō accepted the punishment without fuss. But what he really thought inside, no one could say.
"Good. Once you've paid, prepare to depart."
"As for the Kumo matter, study it carefully and draft a plan for me. I must be kept informed."
"Fugaku, Shikaku, you two stay."
Both men were long used to being kept behind for extra work. Their Hokage truly had inherited the Third's habits—once he found capable assistants, he worked them to the bone.
Just look at Fugaku—the poor Uchiha clan head already had dark circles under his eyes.
...
Leaving the Hokage Building, Kazuyama Gekkō created a shadow clone and ordered, "Find Root's base. That fifty million ryō—Danzō has to cough it up."
"Don't worry, if he took our money, he'll spit it back out!"
Though shadow clones had their own thinking, they mostly reflected their original. Kazuyama's love of money was etched into his bones—even his clones shared it. Just look back at the Amegakure raid.
Those clones had gone straight for the expensive stuff—money, valuables, even clothes. They didn't need orders. Already, one clone slipped into Transparent Escape and shadowed Danzō.
Back home, Kazuyama did nothing but sit with his son and daughter, soothing them while turning the Kumo situation over in his mind.
Seeing this, Ebisami went out to shop for groceries.
...
"Kazuyama."
"Hm? Why aren't you at the Academy?"
Pakura suddenly appeared at his side. Seeing her, Kazuyama was surprised—at this hour, she was normally teaching class.
"Lord Sakumo gave me leave."
"ANBU are already stationed around our home."
"Have you worked out your plan? I'll go with you."
Only then did Kazuyama notice Pakura's fitted combat gear. He froze for a moment—damn, this was just like when Pakura had been at her fiercest.
Not revealing, but striking all the same.
"What are you staring at, idiot!"
"Just admiring the beauty…"
Pakura's temper flared instantly, and she smacked him.
Kazuyama just laughed, pulling her close before explaining seriously.
"I've already arranged everything. You'll stay home."
"Kumo's move this time will be large and drawn-out. I've asked Minato for my most reliable subordinates."
Kazuyama knew this would take real effort. He had no intention of working himself to death doing it alone.
"But—"
"Enough. You'll stay in the village."
Seeing his resolve, Pakura understood he truly wouldn't let her be involved. She had no choice but to accept it.
For a short while, the family of four enjoyed peace.
But that quiet was shattered by loud knocking—and Obito Uchiha's booming voice.
"Sensei! We're here!"
"This demands revenge!"
"Let's go! Now! Right this instant!"
The torrent of shouting made Kazuyama's mouth twitch. At that moment, he regretted ever choosing Obito as a disciple.
Never touched by darkness, Obito blazed like the sun itself. No wonder someone like him could later be swayed by Naruto—both were suns. Even cloaked in shadows, Obito's essence was light. How could he not be moved by Naruto, another blazing sun?
Opening the door, Kazuyama found Kakashi, Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha, and Shisui Uchiha, already geared up.
Seeing how much the three had matured, shedding their childishness, Kazuyama felt a surge of pride.
As for Shisui… well, he was still a little kid.
"You all know the situation, but aren't you moving a little too fast?"
"The mission was just assigned. Don't I get time to think?"
Kakashi answered first.
"Sensei, don't act. I bet you had your plan for revenge against Kumo figured out that very night."
"So we can just move now."
"Besides, I heard you already sent a Black Snake ahead to the Land of Lightning. That must have been to deliver Flying Thunder God markers."
His time in ANBU had sharpened Kakashi—his perception and vigilance far surpassed what they once were. His strength went without saying.
"Heh, not bad, kid."
"Shisui, from this moment, you're my disciple too. You don't object, do you?"
Kazuyama looked at Shisui. After all, he had already called him his disciple during the council meeting—he still needed the boy's consent.
Shisui shook his head, respect clear in his eyes, and spoke solemnly:
"Kazuyama-sensei, you've already taught me so much. To be your disciple is my honor."
"Heh, good."
"Come in. Let's go over the mission."
Once they were inside, Kazuyama produced several crystals and tossed them to the four corners of the courtyard.
Forming seals rapidly, he called out:
"Four-Direction Sealing Array: Sound Suppression!"
As the crystals settled into place, a transparent barrier began to spread.
The four disciples stared in surprise.
"Sensei, you know barrier techniques?"
"It's not especially powerful. If you want to learn, I'll teach you. This one's meant for four users."
Though he said four, Kazuyama alone had set it up. His crystals were perfect chakra conductors, more than enough to anchor the barrier.
"Awesome! Barrier techniques! I've never learned one before."
"Yeah, at school we only learned one—what was it, Single-Thread Lamp Array?"
"That thing's useless. Even when it works, it's like it's not even there."
The three chattered away, leaving Shisui wide-eyed.
Kazuyama chuckled, patting his shoulder.
"Shisui, you'll need to adapt quickly. Our teacher-student bond is pretty loose."
Shisui nodded. Honestly, it felt nice.
"The Four-Direction Sealing Array isn't rare. It can be adapted as needed. One form is Search—to locate a target. Another is Bind—to restrain. A third is Seal—to trap."
"I used it here to suppress sound."
"Let's see… ah, this. Take it and study."
With the barrier set, Kazuyama went inside, rummaged through drawers, and tossed a scroll to Kakashi.