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

Kazuyama was silent. He was clearly on the Hokage's side, which would inevitably bring misfortune to the opposition.

Although Konoha seemed peaceful and harmonious on the surface, there were always schemers working behind the scenes.

Alright, Danzō, just go ahead and report my ninja registration number already.

"When do you want me to report?"

"Whenever you're ready. The sooner, the better. If the other side really makes a move, things won't look good for her."

Pakura lowered his head, and the still-childlike Kakashi looked at the older woman beside him in surprise. He hadn't expected her to be a ninja from Sunagakure.

Kazuyama is pretty impressive. Did he really just capture a ninja like that?

"What? Surprised? Your brother Kazuyama is very capable."

Kakashi's father said, "Kakashi, you still have a long way to go. I heard you signed up for this year's Chūnin Exams?"

Kakashi nodded. He'd wanted to surprise his father, but it seemed there was no hiding anything from him.

"Very good. It's good to be motivated, but don't take it lightly. You must understand that there are people better than you in every field."

Listening to his father's advice, Kakashi felt a bit helpless. Since when did his old man get so talkative?

"Hey, Kakashi is only six years old. A six-year-old Chūnin! What more do you want?"

"Young man, if you're not a little arrogant, how can you truly be young?"

Kazuyama suddenly came to Kakashi's defense. After all, Kakashi had real strength. If he became an elite Jōnin in the future, he might remember who had been kind to him.

"Haha, you're defending him now."

"Actually, if you don't want to join the ANBU, there's another path—you could become a Jōnin team leader."

"But honestly, I think the ANBU would suit you better."

Jōnin team leader?

Kazuyama couldn't help but picture a few faces—Guy, Genma, and others. Hah, forget it. They were all problem children.

ANBU it is, as long as it's not the Root Division.

"Okay, I'll report to Lord Hokage tomorrow."

"By the way, Lord Sakumo, is there any trick to using your One Thousand Years of Death? Why does it work so much better when you use it?"

Kakashi's eyes lit up at the question, clearly intrigued by the topic.

Pakura, however, rubbed her forehead helplessly. Every single Konohagakure ninja is like this... Ugh. How did a village like this become the number one ninja village?

In the evening, they returned to the Gekkō residence.

Kazuyama smiled as he watched his younger brother crawling around on the floor. "Hayate, you'd better hurry up and grow up. Your big brother's counting on you to make it big so he can live the good life."

Ebisami and Pakura, standing nearby, rolled their eyes simultaneously.

"Kazuyama, are you really going to join the ANBU?" Pakura asked.

Although their villages were different, Sunagakure also had an ANBU. She knew exactly what the ANBU did, and she couldn't help but feel that Kazuyama wasn't cut out for it.

"What else can I do? Give you up?"

"Forget it."

"It's just the ANBU. Even though I don't enjoy fighting, it won't be easy for anyone to take my life," Kazuyama said casually, still focused on teasing his younger brother.

Just then, Chōmei reappeared.

"Kazuyama, that girl just had an emotional outburst. There's a hint of worry there."

Kazuyama paused, momentarily taken aback. Worried? Worried about him?

Before he could figure it out, Ebisami broke the silence.

"Hey, Pakura, what's with that expression? Are you worried about him again?"

"Hahahaha!"

Ebisami, always straightforward and carefree, blurted out Pakura's thoughts without hesitation.

Kazuyama glanced over, following the sound, and sure enough, there was a hint of worry on Pakura's face—clear and undeniable.

"Don't worry. Even without you, I'd still have to face this sooner or later. After all, the Hokage is very sinister. There's no way he'll let me go."

Meanwhile, in the Hokage building, Hiruzen Sarutobi sneezed violently as he worked late into the night. He muttered to himself, "It must be Kazuyama or Jiraiya cursing me again."

Pakura spat in frustration. "Who's worried about you? Don't flatter yourself."

Kazuyama and Ebisami exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

The entire Gekkō household rang with laughter.

…

The next day, after waking up, Kazuyama went straight to the Hokage Building.

Sakumo was right—Pakura was, after all, an enemy ninja. Even though she had been captured and had provided intelligence, her identity was undeniable: an elite Jōnin, a Kekkei Genkai user, and the leader of an assault team.

If Konohagakure found out about her, they would undoubtedly invite her to join the Root Division. Kazuyama had gone to great lengths to capture her and wasn't about to let Konoha have all the benefits.

"Lord Hokage, I request to join the ANBU," he said.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young man before him with a calm smile, taking a long drag from his pipe.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am."

"Good. Tomorrow at this time, I'll take you to report to the ANBU."

Kazuyama nodded. Since he had chosen this path, there would be no hesitation. After all, his motto was clear—if you can't fight, run. And he would definitely be the first to run!

Leaving the Hokage Building, he didn't head home or to the Academy. Instead, he went straight to Orochimaru's house.

"Sensei, I'm here."

"Oh? So Kazuyama still remembers I am his teacher. It's been days since you returned from your mission, and only now do you think of me?"

Orochimaru's sinister voice echoed from within the house as he slowly stepped out, his golden eyes fixed on his student.

"Hey, Sensei, you know I've had to keep an eye on that Sunagakure ninja. I've only just found time to see you," Kazuyama said lightly.

Orochimaru let out a dismissive laugh. As if I'd believe you, you little rascal. You think I don't know the ninja's background?

"You're joining the ANBU, so behave yourself."

Huh? How did Orochimaru know?

"Do you really think it was Sakumo's idea for you to join the ANBU?" Orochimaru asked, his tone sharp.

"Hmph. If you don't join the ANBU, you won't be able to protect that woman. You—on a mission—actually managed to capture a woman. If not for the fact that she has a Kekkei Genkai, I'd have to teach you a lesson."

Kazuyama was stunned. He hadn't expected it was Orochimaru who had recommended him for the ANBU. For a moment, his opinion of his teacher softened slightly.

But the next second, he retracted those thoughts.

"Remember to bring me three portions of her blood. Scorch Release, right? Not a bad research subject. With such a Kekkei Genkai, it's safer to keep it in your own hands."

Well, Kazuyama thought. Orochimaru is still Orochimaru—single-mindedly obsessed with his research.