Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 233: Obito, I Believe in You!

The Daimyō's gaze was fixed on the two uniquely shaped swords.

He was secretly astonished.

I didn't expect this kid to surpass my expectations. I originally thought he was just a Jōnin, but I never imagined he could take down mbers of the Seven Ninja Swordsn of the Mist.

It seems I'll have to reassess his strength... But this might work in my favor. If soone with that level of power were to serve ...

Heh heh heh heh...

Kazuyama Gekkō saw the Daimyō's contemplative expression and imdiately knew the man was scheming sothing unpleasant.

Not that he cared. If money was being handed to him, why refuse?

"Not bad. I didn't expect you to be the proactive type, unwilling to stay on the defensive and choosing to strike first. Very good."

"However, until the mission deadline arrives, your team will remain at the Daimyō's castle. No objections, I assu?"

Kazuyama had already anticipated that the Daimyō wouldn't let him leave so easily, so he had no choice but to agree.

After returning to his lodgings with the three kids, he wasn't one to sit around idly.

"Kakashi, Obito, Rin, you guys rest up. I'm heading out to pay the Snake Sisters from Ryūchi Cave."

"Actually, never mind. Obito, you're coming with —you can help carry things."

Originally, he hadn't planned on bringing Obito along, but the kid was having way too much fun playing with the Lightning Blades: Kiba, channeling electricity between his hands. If left unchecked, the brat might actually blow up the house.

As expected, the mont Obito heard Kazuyama's words, his face fell.

"Sensei, can I not go? I'm exhausted—we ran all the way back!"

"Seriously, you have a giant snake! Why didn't we just ride it back?"

"Man, riding that snake felt amazing!"

The next second, Kazuyama made his decision clear through action—he snatched the Lightning Blades: Kiba from Obito's hands and tossed them to Kakashi before grabbing Obito by the collar and dragging him out.

"Ah! My swords!"

"Kakashi, make sure you take good care of them! Don't ss with them!"

"When I get back, those swords are still mine!"

Kazuyama felt a headache coming on and promptly delivered a fist to Obito's head.

Thunk!

"You idiot! Since when were they yours?!"

"Hmph! Now, co with !"

Obito clutched his throbbing head, his face full of despair as he was dragged away.

Kakashi chuckled, gripping both swords as lightning danced between them.

The next mont, however, Kazuyama's voice rang out with a clear warning.

"Kakashi, you better be careful. If I co back and find the house blown up, I'll have Kinrin swallow you whole."

Startled, Kakashi quickly dispersed the lightning between the blades.

...

The Daimyō's castle had everything, and a pharmacy was no exception.

The mont Kazuyama entered, he bought out the store's entire stock of snakeberries.

Obito eyed the small fruits curiously.

"Kazuyama-sensei, are these berries tasty?"

Seeing Obito's curious expression, Kazuyama smirked mischievously.

"Obito, the only way to truly know how sothing tastes is to experience it yourself."

"If I tell you it's delicious but you don't try it, how will you ever know if it's good or not?"

"There's an old saying from my hotown—if you want to know what a plum tastes like, you have to taste it yourself!"

"Co on, Obito, eat up! Take big bites! If one isn't enough, have two!"

Without hesitation, Kazuyama grabbed a handful of snakeberries and shoved them into Obito's hands, smiling as he waited for him to taste the so-called "delicacy."

Despite having "berry" in its na, snakeberries were nothing like strawberries. Their taste was sour and astringent, and the overall flavor was far from pleasant. On top of that, they contained trace amounts of toxins—not enough to cause serious harm in small doses, but still... well, not exactly ideal.

Obito eyed his sensei suspiciously, hesitant to take a bite.

The pharmacist beside them was just about to speak when Kazuyama shot him a sharp glare, instantly silencing him.

All the poor shopkeeper could do was give Obito a look that clearly said, You're on your own, kid.

"Sensei, why do I feel like you're trying to ss with ?"

"Hmph, you little brat, why would I do that? Do you know how much Kinrin loves these? Every ti I bring them back baskets full, it's still not enough for them!"

Kazuyama spoke with a straight face, listing the snakeberries' supposed popularity.

But in his mind, he added, Kid, you're still too young... Do you really think a snake's taste buds are the sa as a human's? Snakes are venomous—are you?

Obito thought back for a mont. When the three giant snakes were around, their eyes lit up at the ntion of snakeberries, looking absolutely eager to eat them. Maybe they really do taste good?

With that thought, he took a snakeberry from Kazuyama and cautiously put it in his mouth.

Before he could even chew, Kazuyama made his move—he shoved the entire handful of snakeberries straight into Obito's mouth.

"Obito! You got this! I'm rooting for you!"

"Chew it up! Hahaha!"

Even Obito, as gullible as he was, realized he'd fallen into his sensei's trap yet again. But with his mouth already stuffed full of berries, there was no way out. Mustering all his courage, he bit down.

The next second, his eyes rolled back.

What the hell is this taste?!

It was overwhelmingly astringent and bitter—not completely inedible, but chewing such a huge amount at once was absolutely unbearable...

Wait... sothing felt... off. There was a strange sensation he couldn't quite describe.

"Well? How is it, Obito? Tastes great, right?"

Kazuyama, still entertained by the show, hadn't noticed the shift in Obito's expression.

But when Obito actually swallowed everything in one go, he froze.

"...Wait, what?! Obito, did you seriously just swallow all of that?!"

"You were supposed to chew a little and spit it out! Damn it, where's my antidote?"

"Hold on, hold on! It's in my bag—I'll get you the dicine when we get back!"

He had only ant to prank Obito a little, but who could've guessed the kid would go full throttle and swallow it all?

"Kazuyama-sensei, I'm fine. It's just a few berries."

"But seriously, you're ruthless—tricking your own student like this!"

"Hmph! Just wait until we get back—I'm going straight to Pakura-sensei to tell on you!"

Obito quickly grabbed the glass of water the pharmacist handed him and rinsed his mouth thoroughly.

Then, he shot his teacher a deadpan look.

"Hahaha! Weren't you curious? I just helped you satisfy that curiosity!"

"Alright, boss, here's the money. Take it. These nine baskets of snakeberries are mine now."

Kazuyama turned to Obito with another grin.

"Obito, this is all on you."

"I'll carry two baskets—the rest are yours!"

"I believe in you!"

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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