Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 28: The White Fang’s Invitation

"Huh?"

Kakashi blinked, montarily dazed by the announcent.

Obito ran over and slapped him on the back, snapping him out of it. "Kakashi, you did it! You passed!"

Then, with genuine curiosity, Obito added, "By the way, when did you learn the Great Fireball Technique?"

Obito was genuinely happy for Kakashi. After all, Kakashi was the rival he acknowledged—and one he intended to surpass.

"Oh, I saw you use it once, rembered the hand seals, and got it after a few tries. It's not difficult."

Kakashi's response, as casual as ever, belied the excitent in his eyes that he couldn't fully hide.

"Damn it! If you can't talk properly, don't say anything!" Obito snapped, glaring at him. "I'm going to drop dead before I even get my turn!"

Still fuming, Obito turned to the platform where Kazuyama stood. "Sensei, Obito Uchiha, please teach !"

With that declaration, he leapt onto the training ground.

Kazuyama nodded and waved casually. "Co on, Obito, show what you've got."

Nodding firmly, Obito charged straight at him, like a young calf barreling ahead.

No shuriken. No ninjutsu. Just a direct, full-speed Taijutsu assault.

The audience was stunned. Was Obito really this reckless?

Even Kazuyama frowned slightly, watching the unorthodox approach. This guy isn't secretly from Reckless Village, is he?

Flailing his fists and swinging his legs wildly, Obito reminded Kazuyama of soone—Guy?!

"Have you been training in Taijutsu specifically?" Kazuyama asked, deflecting the blows with one hand. "As a Uchiha, this is definitely... unconventional."

Blocking Obito's punches and kicks with ease, Kazuyama finally caught his right leg and flung him away.

But Obito didn't panic. He rolled mid-air and landed firmly, imdiately forming hand seals—the sa hand seals for the Great Fireball Technique.

"Hoo…"

A tiny wisp of fla puffed out of his mouth. The expected fireball never materialized.

The arena fell silent.

Kazuyama sighed helplessly and ran a hand over his head.

"Obito, why don't you go back and practice?"

Kazuyama couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It wasn't that he wanted to block Obito from graduating, but this performance was just too embarrassing.

"Umm, that was a mistake!" Obito stamred, his face flushed with embarrassnt. "Again!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

With all eyes on him, Obito's face turned crimson as he hastily ford the seals again. This ti, a fireball finally erged.

But compared to Kakashi's, this one was... pocket-sized.

"Hey..." Kazuyama let out a weary sigh.

Before he could say more, another examiner suddenly appeared behind Obito using the Body Flicker Technique, placing a firm hand on his head.

"Obito Uchiha, your assessnt is failed. Work hard for another year."

The words hit Obito hard, and his face fell, frustration written all over it.

The examiner quickly declared the assessnt over, signaling the end of the event.

anwhile, Kazuyama felt a familiar presence. Without hesitation, he activated the Body Flicker Technique, disappearing from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was standing beside Orochimaru.

"Sensei, you're back," Kazuyama greeted.

Orochimaru gave him a faint smile. "Kazuyama, your modified Wind Release isn't bad. It seems you've truly grasped the scroll I gave you."

"Tomorrow, co to my laboratory. It's ti for you to assist with so experints."

Kazuyama's eyes lit up. Oh? I can enter the laboratory now? Finally!

He could barely contain his excitent. I wonder what kind of treasures Orochimaru's lab holds. I'll definitely keep an eye out.

Evening, behind Hokage Rock.

Kazuyama sat on a stone, gazing at the sky.

"Kazuyama, do you still have the habit of looking at the scenery?"

A voice suddenly ca from behind him.

"Lord Sakumo, is it really a good idea for you to be so unpredictable?"

Kazuyama had already sensed soone approaching—his keen senses made such things easy. When he heard the voice, he knew it was none other than Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.

"Haha, just a habit left over from the battlefield," Sakumo replied.

Kazuyama turned slightly, his tone shifting to one of curiosity. "I wonder what business Lord Sakumo has with ? Surely, this isn't just a casual visit."

"As they say, no one visits a temple without a reason," he added, his skepticism clear.

"Thank you for what you did today regarding Kakashi. I could tell you held back."Sakumo's tone carried gratitude.

"Kakashi and I are very much alike, and he's ready to graduate. A genius who can use the Shadow Clone Technique and manipulate chakra nature transformations—anyone with eyes can see he's far beyond a Genin's level."

Hearing Kazuyama praise Kakashi, Sakumo gave a small nod. "He still has a long way to go," he said, shaking his head lightly.

After a mont, Sakumo shifted gears. "Kazuyama, what's your opinion of Sunagakure?"

Here it cos, Kazuyama thought. This must be the main reason he's here.

"Sunagakure? A village in decline, always coveting the fertile lands of Konohagakure," Kazuyama began. "Weren't they the ones who tried to invade us in the last two Shinobi World Wars?"

Sakumo nodded in agreent. Kazuyama's analysis was spot on. The Land of Wind's harsh environnt and lack of fertile land created a difficult living situation. It was no surprise that Sunagakure sought war to gain better territory for survival.

"You handled Kumogakure well," Sakumo said. "But today, I've co to discuss a matter regarding Suna."

"In the near future, the Third Shinobi World War may break out. Before that happens, we need to gather intelligence on Suna. I'd like to invite you to join my team for this mission."

Kazuyama frowned slightly. He wasn't against the mission itself; rather, he was thinking about Sakumo's fate.

In the original tiline, this mission led to his downfall. He abandoned the mission to save his comrades, was blad by the village, and eventually took his own life. Judging by the timing, this must be the mission.

Sakumo noticed Kazuyama's hesitation and assud it was due to concerns about the mission's difficulty. He offered reassurance.

"Don't worry, this mission is primarily about intelligence gathering, so it won't be too dangerous. Besides, with your concealnt skills and my presence, are you really concerned?"

Kazuyama chuckled, masking his unease. "Ah, it's not that. I'm just worried my little brother might have trouble without around for too long, haha."

He straightened and nodded. "Since you, Lord Sakumo, have personally invited , how could I refuse? When the mission begins, just let know, and I'll rejoin the team imdiately."

He paused briefly before adding, "Though for now, I'm under Lord Orochimaru's tutelage and need to assist him. I'll coordinate with him in the anti."

I've never been to Sunagakure, Kazuyama mused. Let's see if I can find so side opportunities there. Kumogakure was generous with provisions and money last ti.

Too bad I missed out on anything valuable in Takigakure because I was busy stealing the Seven-Tails. What a waste!