Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 264: Insect Plague, Ōnoki Explodes

Before long, Chōi's voice echoed in Kazuyama's mind.

"Kazuyama, get ready. The Scale Powder I made is sure to attract plenty of good helpers."

"I even scouted ahead. From what I can sense, there's a particularly nasty poisonous insect in this area—just what you're looking for."

Without hesitation, Chōi passed the Scale Powder to Kazuyama, who imdiately scattered it into the air.

At the sa ti, he warned Tagorihi,

"Tagorihi, step back. Don't get caught in the Scale Powder."

"I have no idea if there are any side effects this ti..."

The real concern was that Chōi had been grinning the entire ti, which sent a chill down Kazuyama's spine.

"Alright..."

"Then I'll just fly up for safety..."

Even Tagorihi sensed sothing was off. Without hesitation, she floated into the air and perched herself on a nearby tree.

The mont the Scale Powder spread, rustling noises filled the surroundings.

Soon, an unsettling sight unfolded—swarms of insects converged at Kazuyama's feet.

His fear of tightly packed clusters of creatures kicked in imdiately.

Centipedes... scorpions... beetles... ants... an overwhelming variety of insects.

And scorpions?!

Kazuyama didn't even want to ask why they were here—he was just as confused as anyone.

"Holy shit, Chōi! What the hell is this?!"

"Ahhh! A centipede touched ! This is horrifying!"

"I can't! I CAN'T! Get out of here—fly up NOW!"

Chōi couldn't take Kazuyama's screaming any longer and finally unfurled his wings, lifting him off the ground. The noise subsided—sowhat.

But even he had underestimated just how badly Kazuyama and Tagorihi would react.

Kazuyama was already losing it, and Tagorihi's expression had turned grim.

After a long silence, she finally muttered,

"I hate insects..."

"Especially swarms of insects..."

Kazuyama nodded furiously in agreent, completely ignoring Chōi's feelings.

Chōi, feeling utterly betrayed, shot back,

"Insects are amazing! If these bugs had any real nutritional value, I'd be feasting right now!"

"You don't get it! Insects are beautiful!"

The Scale Powder kept working, and more insects kept arriving.

Kazuyama realized that if he didn't stop this now, he was going to lose his mind.

"Chōi! STOP! That's enough!!"

Hearing Kazuyama's panicked, hysterical yell, Chōi finally ceased his efforts.

Kazuyama stared at the writhing mass below him, feeling his skin crawl.

"Chōi, hurry up and get these things in position."

"Have them ambush anything that moves. The mont they see soone—bite first, ask later!"

Using insects for ambushes was a crucial part of the plan. Their small size made them difficult to detect, and many of them carried potent venom.

Under Chōi's command, the entranced insects began making their way toward the foot of the mountain, ready to lurk in wait.

However, a few dozen unusual-looking beetles remained behind, standing completely still.

"Huh? Chōi, what's with these beetles?"

"Why are they still here?"

Chōi chuckled and looked down at the beetles before launching into an explanation.

"You don't get it, do you? Let educate you."

"These are tiger beetles, highly venomous insects. Their toxins are lethal—getting bitten causes excruciating pain, muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and if untreated, death."

"I was laughing earlier because I spotted them. These little guys are rare. Even in Takigakure, where insects are plentiful, you don't see many like these."

Kazuyama nodded, then relayed the information to Tagorihi, who raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"That venomous?"

"They don't look that dangerous..."

Chōi then issued a command, and the tiger beetles scurried off, spreading out along both sides of the road.

"Kazuyama, it's done. Everything's in place."

"Good. On to the next one."

Snakes and insect infestations—two disasters orchestrated by Kazuyama—were beginning to take root along the Land of Earth's most critical roads.

For three full days, Kazuyama barely rested, dragging Tagorihi along as they flew from region to region, ensuring everything was set up as quickly as possible.

...

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

In Iwagakure, inside the Tsuchikage's office...

"Lord Tsuchikage, this is the fifth letter from the Daimyō's estate."

"Another rchant caravan in the eastern mountains has fallen victim to the crisis—another snake attack."

"The Daimyō demands we resolve this matter imdiately."

A Jōnin from Iwagakure reported with a grim expression.

Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, was a small elderly man, but despite being over sixty, he radiated the presence of a battle-hardened leader.

His brows furrowed as he listened to the report.

"Snakes, insects... Five incidents in just a week?"

"Is this a natural disaster, or sothing orchestrated?"

"Have we sent anyone?"

At a loss for answers, he could only address the matter as best he could.

The Jōnin nodded but looked troubled.

"We've already deployed personnel, but manpower is stretched thin. We only managed to send Chūnin and—"

"Lord Tsuchikage! Bad news!"

Before he could finish, another Jōnin burst in, holding a report.

"Speak! What happened?"

Ōnoki, sensing trouble, ordered him to explain imdiately.

The next words made his headache intensify.

"The two squads dispatched to deal with the snake and insect infestations have returned."

"Eight operatives in total—two Chūnin, six Genin."

"Five are dead."

"One was poisoned and has been sent to the hospital."

A heavy silence fell over the office. Floating in midair with his hands behind his back, Ōnoki's eyes glead with thought.

"Send word to the front lines—have Kitsuchi bring back a force and handle this personally."

"Make sure this situation is resolved imdiately."

"And find out who's behind this!"

"I'll grind them into dust with my own hands!"

"I don't want to see another letter from the Daimyō on my desk!"

Ōnoki's furious voice echoed through the office.

...

anwhile, in a town sowhere in the Land of Earth, Kazuyama was indulging in a hearty al when a pleasant system notification popped up before him.

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