Koharu and Homura Mitokado froze.
"Sarutobi… what did you just say?"
Homura's face twisted as he glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
Glaring at me won't fix this.
Kazuki went too far—yes.
But what you three tried to do?
That was worse.
You targeted Uzumaki Mito.
You targeted Kushina.
That was digging your own grave.
And truthfully—
Hiruzen wasn't even sure he could restrain Kazuki anymore.
The image of that colossal Thousand-Hand Buddha still lingered in his mind.
It covered the sky.
Overwhelming.
For the first time—
He felt old.
Hiruzen looked at Homura calmly.
"What's done is done."
"Homura… focus on being a jinchūriki."
"Konoha won't treat you poorly."
Homura's eyes turned bloodshot.
"Just like that?!"
"Kazuki went too far! Even if I was wrong, I'm still an elder of Konoha!"
Kazuki nodded lightly.
"The Third Hokage is right."
"Everyone does things for Konoha."
"Elder Homura, consider this your contribution."
He turned.
Took Kushina's soft hand.
"Let's go home."
Kushina nodded immediately.
"Grandma Mito, let's go."
Uzumaki Mito glanced at Hiruzen once—
Then left with them.
Behind them—
Danzo, Homura, and Koharu erupted.
"Sarutobi! You're just letting him walk away?!"
"He's arrogant beyond belief!"
"We demand an explanation!"
Hiruzen stopped.
Turned slowly.
"I'd like an explanation too."
"Why didn't you open the Four Purple Flame Formation when Uzumaki-sama ordered it?"
"Why are you still commanding the Administration Department after stepping down?"
"And why was the Two-Tails seal intentionally destabilized?"
Silence.
Hiruzen snorted.
"You always say it's for Konoha."
"Well now, when Konoha requires sacrifice—"
"Don't complain."
Danzo leaned in and whispered coldly.
"I regret nothing."
"If this continues, Konoha won't belong to all of us."
"It'll belong to the Senju."
"And then? Is that still Konoha?"
Hiruzen's eyes turned sharp.
"Don't forget."
"Konoha was founded by the Senju."
"My teachers were Senju."
"Show some gratitude."
Then he left.
On the way back, Anbu reports kept coming in.
Hiruzen's expression grew heavier with each one.
"Kazuki single-handedly resealed the Nine-Tails and the Two-Tails…"
"The Third Mizukage died at his hands… and the body was brought back."
The Three Sannin standing nearby were stunned.
Kazuki had reached this level already?
Back home—
After Uzumaki Mito returned to her room—
Kazuki pulled Kushina into his arms.
This night had shaken her deeply.
Her emotions were a roller coaster.
She lifted her head—
And kissed him.
First soft.
Tentative.
Then fierce.
After a long while—
Her face flushed bright red.
"I—I'm going to sleep!"
She ran into her room and slammed the door.
Then quietly cracked it open a moment later—
Half expecting him to chase her.
He didn't.
"Hmph. Idiot."
"Men are such pigs."
In his room—
Kazuki opened his status panel.
He replaced Uzumaki Ashina's character card.
Now he equipped:
S-Class Character Card — First Mizukage, Byakuren.
His updated status:
Name: KazukiStrength: High Kage LevelPosition: Special Jonin
Character Cards:SSS-Level Hashirama Senju (100% Fusion)S-Class First Mizukage Byakuren (10% Fusion)
Bloodline Limit: Divine Wood Release
Ninjutsu:Flying Thunder God Lv3Impure World Reincarnation Lv3Chidori Lv3Omodaka Lv3Yin Seal Lv3Strength of a Hundred Lv3Four Symbols Seal Lv3Dead Demon Consuming Seal Lv3Harem Technique Lv3Shuriken Shadow Clone Lv3
After switching from Ashina—
His sealing mastery returned to its previous level.
But in exchange—
He now inherited the First Mizukage's Water Release mastery.
And the Mizukage's Water Style was legendary.
Kazuki vanished into the night.
Bang.
Harem Technique.
Not for temptation—
For deception.
His shadow clone transformed into a beautiful woman in tight black clothing.
She appeared near the Utatane clan compound.
Soon—
Koharu approached under escort by several young clan ninja.
"Keep a close eye on Kazuki these next few days…"
The young men suddenly froze.
Their eyes widened.
The seductive figure ahead approached gracefully.
The clone smiled.
Koharu frowned.
"Stay alert."
"Yes, Elder Koharu!"
Suddenly—
The clone struck.
"Water Release — Water Bullet!"
Kazuki formed a pistol shape with his hand.
A high-pressure water round fired from his fingertip—
Piercing straight through Koharu's chest.
Her eyes widened.
She collapsed.
Blood splattered across the ground.
"Assassin!"
The clan ninja attacked instantly.
Kunai and shuriken pierced the clone.
Bang.
Shadow Clone dispelled.
Before they could react—
More black-clad women appeared from all directions.
Finger-gun gestures.
Water bullets rained down.
Koharu's body was shredded like cloth.
The young ninja stood frozen—
Covered in blood.
"She's dead…"
A shadow in the darkness faded away.
Kazuki's voice whispered softly.
"I said I'd kill you."
Moments later—
Minato arrived.
"Koharu-sama was attacked?"
"What happened here?"
The clan ninja described the attacker.
"A woman in black!"
"She used Shadow Clones!"
"Water Style from her fingers—like bullets!"
Minato crouched.
Touched the water residue.
It was pure Water Release chakra.
His first instinct was Kazuki.
But the description didn't match.
A female Water Style assassin…
Revenge from the Hidden Mist?
But why Koharu?
Minato had no answers.
He ordered the body secured.
Then returned immediately to report to the Hokage.
For Hiruzen—
It would be a sleepless night.