Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 205: Yamato of the Wood Release

That night, Kazuyama went alone to the forest behind the Hokage Rock.

"Oy, Orochimaru-sensei, why did we have to et here? Can't we just go to a tavern, sit down, and chat?"

Yes, Orochimaru had insisted on eting here. As for why behind Hokage Rock—according to him, the most dangerous place was often the safest.

"Heh heh heh... Kazuyama, what can I say about you?" Orochimaru chuckled. "I always thought you wouldn't take the initiative, but I never expected you to flee to the enemy's country during the war."

His expression grew serious, his gaze sharp and commanding. "Rember, life is the most important thing. The only way to survive is to stay alive."

Kazuyama had never seen this look on Orochimaru's face before. It caught him off guard, and he unconsciously nodded.

For over ten years since arriving in this world, he had focused solely on survival—slowly improving his abilities through the System, using the Transparent Escape Technique to secretly learn forbidden jutsu for self-preservation. Yet tonight, his so-called "cheap sensei" was actually giving him a lesson. It felt... novel.

And as for Orochimaru, Kazuyama knew him well. A genius, a man who valued his own life above all else, and rebellious to the core. But one undeniable truth remained—he took care of his own, especially his disciples.

Tonight's exchange proved that Kazuyama held a certain significance in Orochimaru's eyes. That realization strengthened his resolve to side with him. After all, the man before him had defied ti itself. Others aged and withered, but Orochimaru only grew younger.

"I know, I know. This ti was just an accident," Kazuyama said dismissively. Then, with a sly grin, he added, "But Sensei, on this trip to the Land of Lightning, I managed to get my hands on sothing pretty interesting."

Seeing his mischievous smirk, Orochimaru was montarily surprised. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his own face.

"It seems that sensei and disciple are quite similar in this regard, though my results are a bit more significant."

"Let's go, I'll show you my research results."

Research results?

Kazuyama's eyes narrowed slightly. If his guess was right, this "result" referred to a person...

Yamato—a Wood Release user who had inherited the bloodline of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

They followed Orochimaru for about half an hour, moving from the village center to its outermost edge. Hidden within the forest was an underground research facility.

"This is my new research lab, provided by the Root Division."

Root Division... Kazuyama's eyebrows shot up. So it really is that research...

Inside, Orochimaru led him into an empty room.

A young boy was running around, sweating profusely.

"Kazuyama, et my research result—code na Tenzō."

Tenzō... so it really was Yamato.

Kazuyama looked at the boy, who appeared to be around the sa age as his younger brother. A glint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

Yamato, noticing Orochimaru's return, imdiately ran toward him.

"Lord Orochimaru... you're back..."

"Tenzō, this is my disciple and assistant, Kazuyama."

Yamato's gaze shifted to Kazuyama. He had heard Orochimaru ntion him many tis, and now, seeing him in person, his eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Sensei, is he the result of your research?"

"What research?" Kazuyama feigned ignorance despite knowing the full story. He was a professional when it ca to acting.

Orochimaru's expression lit up with excitent.

"Tenzō is the only child who has successfully fused the cells of the First Hokage. He has the ability to use Wood Release!"

"Tenzō, co and show us."

Yamato nodded and ran to the side. Only then did Kazuyama notice another section of the room, seemingly designed specifically for Wood Release training.

Yamato clenched his hands, a serious expression appearing on his young face.

"Hey!"

With a loud shout, a branch sprouted from the ground, growing in a crooked and uneven manner.

Strange as it looked, it was undeniably Wood Release.

"Wonderful, it really is Wood Release... But... is this supposed to be the legendary Wood Release of the fearso First Hokage, Senju Hashirama?"

"Why does it look a bit... well... abstract?"

It was really the twisted little branch Yamato had created. Kazuyama suppressed a smile, feeling his face twitch.

Orochimaru sighed helplessly and glanced at him.

"It's fine, laugh if you want."

"Tenzō is still too young. While he can use Wood Release, he's still in the early learning stage."

"Wood Release is, after all, the result of scientific experintation. It takes ti to fully master."

Yamato looked a little embarrassed. This was the best he could do at the mont.

"Ahem, it's fine, really. I think it's pretty good," Kazuyama said. "The beginning is always the hardest. Now that you have Wood Release, if you work hard, you can definitely beco a true Wood Release user in the future!"

"Tenzō... Um... Tenzō, right? Oops, Sensei, should I change this na?"

"Tenzō? He's not ANBU, so what's with the code na?"

Orochimaru's face twitched slightly at Kazuyama's criticism, but he quickly returned to his usual composure.

"So what do you suggest?"

"Why don't you give him a proper na?"

Kazuyama smiled inwardly. This was exactly what he wanted.

"A Wood Release user? How about Yamato?"

"Yamato? Alright, we'll call him Yamato, and Tenzō will remain his code na."

After so thought, Orochimaru agreed.

Yamato's face lit up with joy. He trotted over to Kazuyama and bowed deeply.

"Thank you! I really like that na!"

"From now on, I'll be called Yamato!"

"Kazuyama-senpai, I look forward to working with you in the future!"

Kazuyama laughed, but before he could respond, a familiar system prompt rang in his mind.

[Ding! You've preemptively nad Yamato. The impact may be small, but your knack for seizing every little opportunity is truly baffling! Special reward: 2 Ninjutsu!]

An unexpected surprise—completely unexpected.

"Keep working hard, Yamato."

"Sensei, there's sothing I want to talk to you about. Shall we take a walk?"

Orochimaru didn't refuse. Even if Kazuyama hadn't spoken up, he had already planned to have a conversation.

The two of them made their way to a separate research room.

It was clearly Orochimaru's personal workspace, filled with his research materials and equipnt.

As he took in his surroundings, Kazuyama's deanor subtly shifted—sothing Orochimaru didn't fail to notice.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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