Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 404: Walking the Path of Minato

Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and the others unconsciously shook their heads. The pile of stuff on the table left them speechless.

"Alright, put it all away. What kind of behavior is this?"

"You're part of the village's younger generation. At least try to maintain your image."

Kazuyama Gekkō, still sniffling and wiping away tears, gathered up everything on the table. He couldn't care less about their disapproval.

All he knew was—his plan had worked.

He had perfectly distanced himself from Orochimaru. Whatever Orochimaru did from now on had nothing to do with him.

"Hmph. Even if you didn't take part in Orochimaru's experints, you're still his disciple."

"I stand by my recomndation—Kazuyama Gekkō is to remain in the village for now and undergo investigation by the ANBU."

"If necessary, we'll employ Mind Reading."

Danzō couldn't care less about what was on the table. What he wanted was Kazuyama himself.

Mind Reading would open his mind completely. Once that happened, planting sothing of his own inside Kazuyama's psyche would beco much easier.

His Root Division also had mbers of the Yamanaka Clan. As long as Kazuyama agreed to the technique, the rest would go smoothly.

The so-called Twin Stars of Konoha—hmph—they would eventually beco the sharpest blades in his hand.

It was a solid plan—except for one problem.

Danzō wasn't the Hokage.

"Hmph. Danzō, what are you trying to pull?"

"Using Mind Reading on one of the village's own loyal shinobi? Don't you think that's a little too twisted?"

"Kazuyama Gekkō is a Jōnin of Konoha. That fact doesn't change."

"Still, Kazuyama—you'll remain in the village for the ti being."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the final word. He wouldn't allow Danzō to lay a hand on Kazuyama, but he also wasn't going to let him leave the village freely. Under the current circumstances, he had to go through the formalities.

"Sure, that works. I actually picked up a few insights during the latest battle."

"Might as well stay put and work on developing a new technique. Sounds good to ."

Kazuyama cradled his haul and smiled through his tear-streaked face. That little spark of joy in his voice only reinforced what everyone else had already decided—he really hadn't been involved in Orochimaru's business.

With Kazuyama's matter handled for now, Hiruzen turned his gaze to Jiraiya. The weight behind that look made Jiraiya's heart tighten.

"Jiraiya, the only people in the village who truly understand Orochimaru are and... well, not Kazuyama Gekkō. He clearly doesn't understand him at all."

"That leaves you and Tsunade. But you know Tsunade's role—Konoha's dical system can't function without her. She's still on the front lines. I need your help to pursue Orochimaru."

"If possible, bring him back."

Hiruzen's voice was low and heavy. Jiraiya gave a nod in response.

"I'll head out imdiately to track down Orochimaru."

"I'll also gather intel along the way. Old man, I'm off."

Jiraiya's mind was already far from the eting. He just wanted to find Orochimaru and ask him directly what he was thinking.

Whether or not those illegal experints were truly his doing...

With Jiraiya gone, the eting continued, shifting focus back to battlefield matters.

An ANBU agent stepped up and delivered the latest intelligence—including Iwagakure's temporary retreat.

Kirigakure's offensive had also been suppressed. All signs pointed to Konoha gaining the upper hand in the war.

Minato Namikaze and Kazuyama stood to the side—Minato listening carefully, while Kazuyama had completely zoned out.

He had zero interest in etings like this. Honestly, he'd rather go ho and make atballs.

atballs... The thought suddenly sparked his curiosity.

Kazuyama leaned in and quietly asked Minato about them.

"Minato, you fought the Four-Tails for quite a while. Did you see a Tailed Beast Ball?"

Minato nodded, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"Of course I did. That kind of chakra—enough to destroy everything in its path—is terrifying."

"And actually, Kazuyama, after seeing it, I had an idea. I want to develop a jutsu inspired by the Tailed Beast Ball."

"What do you say? Want to try it out with after the eting?"

Minato was clearly excited. After all, creating new jutsu was his favorite thing. He already had a rough prototype in mind—what remained was testing and refining it.

Kazuyama grinned, his voice carrying a cheerful tone.

"Of course! I've got a pretty good idea too."

"I guarantee it'll blow your mind."

It had to. This was his plan—to walk Minato's path and leave Minato with no path at all!

Use Minato's own technique to farm Minato's attribute points. Hahaha! How clever was he?

"You bastard! Kazuyama Gekkō, what the hell are you laughing at?!"

"If you can't keep quiet, then get out!"

The Hokage's furious shout exploded through the room. Kazuyama flinched, and Minato, standing beside him, could only cover his face helplessly.

Turns out Kazuyama had been laughing way too smugly and gleefully. Even when Minato tried to warn him, he didn't hear it.

He'd been so caught up in his own amusent that it disrupted the entire eting.

In the end, Kazuyama was kicked out of the eting room.

Not that he minded—he was thrilled. With a quick Flying Thunder God teleport, he returned ho. The familiar surroundings imdiately put him at ease.

"Hm? You're back?"

A voice rang out beside him—it was Pakura.

She hadn't gone to class today. With the war going on, school had been suspended.

She was enjoying the downti, especially since she hadn't had ti to bask in the joy of their newlywed life.

"Yeah, I'm back. Sothing ca up."

"My sensei defected. That's why I was summoned."

Pakura looked surprised. Orochimaru defected?

One of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha—defecting from the village? That was...

"Will this affect you? I an... he was your sensei, after all."

Seeing the worry between her brows, Kazuyama laughed and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't worry, it won't affect us."

"For now, I get to stay ho and spend ti with you."

"So—have you thought about where we should go on vacation?"

Pakura gave him a blank stare. Vacation? Given his connection to Orochimaru, their house was probably already surrounded by ANBU, tracking their every move.

"Hehehe... you forgetting who I am?"

"A few ANBU? Please. If we want to go out, we'll go out in broad daylight—and no one will even notice."

That was Kazuyama's confidence. With the Flying Thunder God Technique and Senjutsu-enhanced Genjutsu, he didn't believe any ANBU could track him.

Ryūchi Cave's illusions weren't so easily broken. Unless Danzō showed up personally, he had absolutely nothing to worry about.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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