Since Kazama had been busy taming Orochimaru, he returned to Konoha a few days later than Tsunade and the others.
Upon his arrival, he received a message from the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.
"Gaara from Sunagakure has been kidnapped by the Four Celestial Symbol Men from the Craftsman Village. Shikamaru and the others who went to rescue him are struggling. If possible, Kazama, I hope you can go save Shikamaru and Gaara!"
Despite being the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade's tone with Kazama was polite, even tinged with awe.
She'd already witnessed his strength firsthand.
Even as the Hokage, she wasn't his match. How could she dare order him around?
"Got it! I'm heading out to rescue them now!"
Kazama accepted the mission and left. Deep down, he genuinely respected Tsunade and had no intention of defying her orders.
Besides, Shikamaru and the others were comrades from his village, and Gaara was an ally of Konoha. There was no way he'd leave them hanging.
"Orochimaru!"
As Kazama left the village, he spotted Orochimaru talking with Zabuza and a few others.
"Could Orochimaru have already found the Futen Kyū (Heaven-Burning Bow)?"
Kazama instantly dashed over to Orochimaru.
"Lord Kazama, perfect timing! I've located the Futen Kyū!"
"Really? That's awesome!"
Finding a long-lost sacred artifact like the Futen Kyū in less than half a day? Kazama was thrilled.
"Where's the Futen Kyū now?"
"It's in the hands of the Four Celestial Symbol Men from the Craftsman Village."
"What?! The Four Celestial Symbol Men? That's one hell of a coincidence!"
Orochimaru and the others were puzzled by Kazama's sudden laughter.
"You don't know the half of it. The Four Celestial Symbol Men kidnapped Gaara and took down Shikamaru's rescue team. I was just about to head out to save them. This is perfect—I can kill two birds with one stone: rescue Gaara and snag the Futen Kyū!"
Kazama was ready to set off, but Orochimaru stopped him with a sly grin.
"Lord Kazama, why bother with small fry like the Four Celestial Symbol Men? I can handle them myself."
"Yeah, Lord Kazama, those Craftsman Village ninjas aren't worth your time. We've got this," Zabuza chimed in, stepping forward with the others.
"You've got a point, but it's not a good time for you all to show your faces."
Kazama thought it over and declined Orochimaru, Zabuza, and the others' offer.
"You're all rogue ninjas right now. If you show up in front of Konoha or Suna shinobi, it'll cause trouble. And you, Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune, are supposed to be dead along with Danzō in the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups. It's not safe for you to reappear yet. So, I'll handle this mission solo. You all head to Orochimaru's Otogakure for now and lay low. When the time's right, I'll help you clear your names so you won't have to live as fugitives anymore."
"Thank you, Lord Kazama!"
Zabuza, Haku, Yamanaka Fū, and Aburame Torune were deeply moved by Kazama's concern for their future.
"Orochimaru, you've done a great job tracking down the Futen Kyū. I'll make sure you're rewarded when I get back!"
"Lord Kazama, sparing my life is more than enough. I wouldn't dare ask for a reward."
"Credit deserves reward. No need to argue. Get moving, and I'll head out too!"
With that, Kazama sped off toward the Four Celestial Symbol Men.
"Hmph! A bunch of weaklings!"
At that moment, Temari had been knocked to the ground by Kujaku, one of the Four Celestial Symbol Men.
Shikamaru and Ino, who'd come to help, weren't faring any better against Kujaku's dual swords.
"Konoha and Sunagakure have big names, but your skills are pathetic. Since you're no match, I'll send you to the afterlife! Fūton: Senmen Kaze (Wind Release: Thousand-Faced Wind)!"
Ding! Successfully absorbed Fūton: Senmen Kaze. Congratulations, host, for acquiring Fūton: Senpūzan (Wind Release: Whirlwind Slash)!
Ding! Absorb eleven more ninjutsu to unlock Kyūryū Raigōka (Nine Dragons Thunder Flame). This flame possesses sentience, can amplify the host's Raiton (Lightning Release) to its peak, and can transform into nine lightning-fire dragons for both offense and defense!
"Kazama, you're here!"
"Thanks, Kazama!"
Seeing Kazama appear and block the attack for them, Temari, Shikamaru, and the others let out a collective sigh of relief.
With Kazama here, they had nothing to fear.