Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 493 493: Worries

The original Chidori was hard to control due to the unstable nature of lightning and its extre speed, making it nearly impossible to use flexibly. Kakashi had to put in a trendous amount of effort to refine the technique.

Much of the credit went to the ninja blade in his hand—Lightning Blade: Kiba. Each of the Seven Ninja Swordsn's blades possessed unique abilities, and Kiba's was simple but powerful—it transford into lightning itself.

With lightning in one hand and Chidori in the other, who said a person couldn't be faster than lightning? Why not just launch both together?

"Damn, this kid really found a new path."

"Using lightning stimulation like the Raikage to activate physical potential... Tsk, what a warrior, Kakashi."

The shadow clone took it all in, his face filled with admiration.

No doubt about it—Kakashi was a genius. Inventing Chidori made him talented, but perfecting it without the Sharingan made him exceptional.

In this life, he had no Sharingan to rely on—everything was built on his own ideas and effort.

Impressive. Truly impressive.

Suddenly, the clone glanced off into the distance, then dissipated into a puff of smoke.

Standing at the entrance to the Forest of Death, Kazuyama's expression shifted in surprise.

The clone's release gave him full insight into what had happened—Kakashi's explosive power was just part of it. In the past two days, there had also been Shisui's Phantom Flicker and the desperate resistance of the others.

"Hm?"

"What's wrong?"

Kazuyama shook his head and bit his finger.

"Summoning Technique!"

A second later, snakes burst forth—more than a dozen anacondas surged back into the forest.

"These snakes mark the final day of the trial."

"I'm heading out."

With that, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique again, vanishing and leaving Midori alone in the wind.

...

When the trial ended, Kazuyama and Midori looked at the eight remaining recruits.

"Not bad. For ANBU, strength and stamina are key."

"Don't end up like the others—falling before you've even proven yourselves. You're lucky it was one of our own running the trial. If it hadn't been, you'd be recorded as casualties."

Kazuyama snapped his fingers, and all twenty-two crystallized bodies instantly cracked with a sharp shatter. The chakra flowing within the crystal had kept them in suspended animation—alive, but frozen.

As the crystal fell away, the ANBU began to stir awake.

...

In the days that followed, Kazuyama and Midori began their specialized training.

Kazuyama focused on stealth and survival skills. Midori concentrated on raw combat ability.

Both were elite shinobi of the village. Under their dual guidance, the thirty recruits improved steadily.

Of course, Kakashi and Shisui showed the most dramatic progress.

Three months later, when Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi ca to inspect them, their performance left both n stunned.

"Minato, didn't I tell you? This kid makes a fine sensei."

"True, and the quality of this ANBU batch is excellent too. Hahaha!"

Hiruzen looked over the thirty energetic ANBU recruits. After three months of intense training, he could tell their strength had taken a massive leap forward.

Minato gave Kazuyama a smile and a nod.

Kazuyama could only smile back helplessly. He knew nothing good ever ca from seeing these two together.

Sure enough...

...

Inside the Hokage's office.

Kazuyama listened to Minato explaining his plans for Kushina.

"If you've already arranged everything, then just go ahead with it."

"Kazuyama, I'm counting on you."

Kazuyama rolled his eyes at him and casually asked an odd question.

"But due dates are rarely accurate. You're not expecting to stand guard for a whole month, are you?"

Minato chuckled, and so did Hiruzen.

Seeing them laugh, Kazuyama glared at both.

"Minato, you've gone bad. I knew hanging around the old man wouldn't teach you anything good."

"Oh, right, old man Sarutobi, do you still have that crystal ball?"

"My son smashed the last one."

Hiruzen stopped laughing instantly, pulling his pipe from his mouth.

"You little brat! That crystal ball was a treasure—how could you!"

"Hmph, what do you an 'how'? It was mine once I got it."

Watching Hiruzen fu with smoke practically pouring from his ears, Kazuyama felt a surge of satisfaction.

Always scheming against him—this was payback.

The old man and the younger shinobi launched into another round of verbal sparring.

But now that Hiruzen was no longer Hokage, Kazuyama had no reason to hold back.

...

Soon, Kushina's due date arrived.

Minato was growing more anxious by the day, and Kazuyama had his hands full.

Standing in a tree, eyes fixed on a wooden house deep in the forest, he didn't move an inch.

Suddenly, he sensed soone approaching.

In the next mont, he vanished—and reappeared with his arms wrapped around Pakura.

"What are you doing here?"

"You disappeared in the middle of the night. I knew you'd co here."

Pakura opened the basket in her hand—it was filled with Kazuyama's favorite late-night snacks.

He chuckled and the two of them sat quietly on the tree trunk, gazing into the distance.

"There might be so changes in the village soon."

"I want to send you away for a few days. Go stay with my sensei."

A soft spot was the deadliest thing for any shinobi. Kazuyama used to be alone—he had no vulnerabilities.

But not anymore.

Pakura and their son were now his weakness. Add a few brats to the list... and his troubleso little brother.

Pakura was montarily stunned, but said nothing—just nodded gently.

"You're not going to ask why?"

"No. I trust you. Besides, the Land of Waterfalls isn't bad. It'll be good to take Michihito there for a while."

Kazuyama gently pulled her closer, completely at ease.

See? This was the kind of woman he chose—understanding to the core.

Pakura didn't ask any questions, but there was a faint worry between her brows. Kazuyama noticed and playfully pinched her cheek.

"Relax. If anything goes wrong, I'll run. I may not be good at much else—but when it cos to escaping..."

"No one's better than ."

...

Land of Waterfalls.

"So, you think there'll be trouble with the Nine-Tails transfer?"

"Madara Uchiha?"

Orochimaru and Kazuyama were deep in discussion.

Pakura had already been sent to Takigakure, where Orochimaru, Konan, and the others would take care of her. She'd be safe there.

It was the most secure option.

With Kushina's due date drawing near, Kazuyama had decided to tell Orochimaru about Uchiha Madara.

Orochimaru's interest was imdiately piqued.

"If what you're saying is true, then Kirigakure should already be under full control."

"And on the night Kushina gives birth... he'll probably appear."