"No, I was there to observe the battle as well. But with the Tailed Beast's rampage being so widespread, I decided to retreat."
Who is Kazuyama Gekkō? He doesn't even flinch when he lies.
Despite Tsunade's serious expression and commanding presence, she couldn't exert the slightest pressure on Kazuyama.
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
Tsunade wasn't skilled at interrogations, and seeing how composed and unbothered Kazuyama was, she chose to believe him.
If Kazuyama knew what standard Tsunade used to judge him, he would scoff—Superficial. The real Rokudenashi wouldn't even bother acting personally.
Seeing Tsunade sigh slightly, Kazuyama knew he had successfully deceived her.
"With the Eight-Tails rampaging, I doubt Kumo will make a move anytime soon."
"I just don't understand why it went berserk. Could it be related to the battle earlier?"
Hearing Tsunade's words, Kazuyama was unimpressed inwardly, but he feigned a look of agreement.
"During the day, you broke his arm and forced him to flee. Maybe the emotional shock pushed him over the edge."
Even he didn't believe his own words, but what else could he do? Just spout nonsense and get through it.
Tsunade clearly wasn't convinced either, but she had no alternative explanation. After all, she wasn't a Jinchūriki—how could she know what might trigger one into going berserk?
"That's enough. Just focus on recovering from your injuries."
"Um, Lady Tsunade, there's something I want to tell you."
Just as Tsunade was about to leave, Kazuyama called out to her.
"What is it?"
"I plan on leaving the base for a while."
"Huh? Where do you think you're going? We're in the middle of a war."
"I know I'm in no condition to fight, so I plan to head to the Land of Lightning to investigate."
Tsunade was stunned. Investigate the Land of Lightning?
Infiltrating enemy territory and gathering intelligence was standard during wartime, so she didn't overthink it. But after eyeing Kazuyama's battered state, she shook her head.
"You're covered in injuries, and you still want to gather intelligence? Do you have no regard for your life?"
Kazuyama simply laughed.
"Come on, big sister, I'm gathering intelligence, not charging into battle. I've got both the Transparent Escape Technique and the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"If I run into trouble, I'll just disappear, alright?"
Tsunade was left speechless—she had nothing to say to that.
In all of Konoha, when it came to escape techniques, even Tsunade had to admit—Kazuyama was unmatched.
After all, he could teleport and turn invisible. He was the ultimate intelligence officer.
"Are you really determined?"
"Well, my combat effectiveness isn't great, so it's better for me to go behind enemy lines and gather information."
Kazuyama had his own plans—he desperately needed money.
Returning to the village was out of the question. Someone like him, avoiding the battlefield, would never get approval from the higher-ups. In that case, he might as well head straight into enemy territory and stir up trouble.
"Alright, then be careful. For communication, use whatever method works—pigeons, summoned beasts, anything."
"I'll have someone keep an eye on things."
Kazuyama nodded and began pretending to pack his things in front of Tsunade.
Suddenly, she strode over and commanded, "Sit still."
Confused, Kazuyama obediently sat down.
He watched as Tsunade's hands briefly glowed green—the Mystical Palm Technique. A warmth spread through his body, and his still-healing finger rapidly mended.
"Big sister, didn't you say there would be aftereffects…?"
Feeling his body recovering so quickly made him uneasy.
"Excessive chakra output can damage the patient's normal circulatory system… Those were your exact words!"
As the green glow faded, his broken bones and wounds had completely healed.
"Hmph, you're still young—your body can handle it," Tsunade said. "If you weren't heading behind enemy lines, I wouldn't have healed you."
She was showing kindness in her own way, so Kazuyama didn't argue.
Shouldering his backpack, he looked at her seriously.
"I'm off. Take care, Lady Tsunade!"
With that, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.
Tsunade stood there, momentarily speechless, before laughing and shaking her head.
"That little brat… where did he learn to be so devious?"
Relying on the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kazuyama once again returned to the Land of Hot Water.
"Chōmei, from now on, we're on our own."
"Kazuyama, what are you planning to do in the Land of Lightning?"
"Chōmei, do you think I can awaken a second type of Kekkei Genkai?"
Kazuyama didn't answer Chōmei's question and instead asked something completely unrelated.
"Kekkei Genkai? Don't you already have one?"
"Transparent Escape Technique. Are you seriously thinking of getting another Kekkei Genkai in the Land of Lightning? Stop joking—do you think that's something you can just create on your own?"
Despite being a Tailed Beast, Chōmei understood how Kekkei Genkai worked.
"Chōmei, you're thinking too narrowly. Did you expect to meet me back in that cave in Takigakure?"
"Most Kekkei Genkai are inherited through bloodlines, but in the end, they only exist because some genius ancestors created them in the first place."
"Let's go! We're heading to the Land of Lightning."
The thought of obtaining a second Kekkei Genkai filled Kazuyama with excitement.
It's just money! I'll get it soon enough!
Chōmei was still confused, but sensing Kazuyama's enthusiasm, he couldn't help but feel curious.
Could this kid really be trying to create a Kekkei Genkai?
Traveling through the Land of Hot Water, Kazuyama moved northeast.
After three or four days of nonstop travel, he finally arrived in the Land of Lightning. Along the way, he left countless Flying Thunder God coordinates—there was no choice. Being deep in enemy territory, he had to be cautious.
Standing on a tree trunk, he gazed at the town in the distance and smirked.
Since I've made it this far, it's time to get moving.
After all, 500 million ryo is no small sum.
"Chōmei, lend me some of your power."
"Huh? There aren't any enemies here."
"Hurry up!"
"…Oh."
Still confused, Chōmei passed some chakra to Kazuyama.
The moment he received the chakra, Kazuyama formed a cross with his fingers.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Boom!
Eight plumes of white smoke erupted at once.
Now, including Kazuyama, there were nine figures in total.
And that wasn't all. The clones exchanged glances before simultaneously declaring:
"Transformation Technique!"
Once again, white smoke enveloped them.
When it cleared, nine Kumo ninja—led by A, the son of the Raikage—stood in the forest.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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