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

In the direction connecting the Land of Grass to the Land of Earth, a figure sped toward the Land of Grass with incredible swiftness.

This person had a stern face, crimson hair and beard, and wore a forehead protector shaped like a mountain peak, bearing the symbol of Iwagakure. It was Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, renowned as "Rōshi of the Lava Release," sent from his village to intercept the Konoha ninja.

However, upon entering the Land of Grass, Rōshi's mood soured.

"Why drag the Land of Grass into this just to start a war with Konoha?" he muttered. "Ōnoki is really getting desperate..."

Rōshi, a warrior of integrity known for earning his reputation on the battlefield, despised underhanded tactics. He believed in defeating opponents through raw strength, head-on. Yet now, under the Tsuchikage's orders, Iwagakure was forcefully invading the neutral Land of Grass, using it as a staging ground for their war against the Land of Fire.

This is completely unnecessary, he thought, his irritation mounting.

And then there was Kumogakure, recruiting former ninjas from Yugakure in the Land of Hot Water. The thought disgusted him. How despicable!

"Hmph!" With a disgruntled expression, Rōshi increased his speed.

Meanwhile, Han, another Jinchūriki, began to move as well. He was heading out to capture the Konoha infiltrators directly. From now on, all foreign ninjas entering the Land of Grass were to be killed. Nothing could be allowed to jeopardize the Tsuchikage's plans.

As soon as Han moved, Kazuyama followed, using his Transparent Escape Technique to trail the Iwa forces. He crept silently, observing them. Even he had to begrudgingly admire how efficiently Iwagakure's ninjas were mobilized.

Within a short time, the group of two had swelled to fifteen.

"Chōmei," Kazuyama whispered, "look at how many of them there are. If he blows up in front of a crowd like this, wouldn't it be something to see?"

Chōmei chuckled in response. "You bet! But this isn't enough. Get more people. Fifty would be ideal. When Kokuō goes berserk, ta-da—the aesthetics of violence will really shine!"

The two of them, scheming as always, watched as the number of Iwagakure ninja continued to grow.

After moving a bit further, Kazuyama froze, his pupils narrowing as he spotted something in the distance.

"Shit! Why are those two idiots here? Have they recovered from their injuries?!"

His frustration grew as he realized what this meant. "What's the point of scouting out the enemy if these two jerks are here to arrest me?!"

Through the eyes of an insect he had placed earlier, Kazuyama could clearly see the scene unfold: Fugaku, with a dark, brooding expression, and Minato, as carefree as ever. One dark, one light, walking through the Land of Grass like grim reapers. It was obvious—they were here to take his life.

"Hahahaha, Kazuyama, they've chased you all the way to the Land of Grass! Think you can still get away?" Chōmei taunted, laughing uproariously.

"If that's really the case," he continued mockingly, "just go back and take two beatings. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, you won't die!"

Chōmei had completely switched to spectator mode, thoroughly enjoying the unfolding chaos. This chase scene was pure entertainment!

"Chōmei, you've been getting pretty bold lately. Are you trying to get me beaten up?"

"Okay, fine! You're amazing!"

"If I get beaten up, you'll be starving for a month, and I'll make sure to block your vision too."

"You want to watch a show? Keep dreaming!"

Melon seeds scattered all over the floor as Chōmei instantly clamped his mouth shut.

"No! No! No! I'm a good, honest person!"

"As your brother, how could I ever let you get beaten up? Don't worry, I'll give you wings so you can fly wherever you want! I promise to help you run away!"

His current pleasures—eating and watching dramas—were his entire life. If these were taken away, his world would go dark.

No, this couldn't happen.

"Humph!"

Kazuyama let out a cold snort and shifted his gaze to the two figures pursuing the murderer in the distance. Relief washed over him as he observed them. He had been concerned that the visitors wouldn't be strong enough to force Han to unleash his full power. But now, his concerns felt unnecessary.

Although Fugaku and Minato hadn't yet reached their peak, the Uchiha's Sharingan and Minato's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique were more than enough to overwhelm the Iwagakure ninja. These two represented the pinnacle of Konohagakure's youth.

"Chōmei, get ready. If it's them, Kokuō's rampage might already be counting down."

Chōmei nodded excitedly. Those two—Fugaku Uchiha and Minato Namikaze—were remarkable. He didn't know much about Fugaku, but Minato was a genius who mastered spatial ninjutsu like Kazuyama. Their strength was undeniable.

"I see them! Everyone, surround them!"

"Kill them as soon as you get the information!"

Han's eyes locked onto Minato and Fugaku, and he immediately gave the order to attack. Reinforcements had joined his team along the way, bringing their numbers to 33. But to Kazuyama, they all looked like cannon fodder.

At Han's command, over 30 ninja surged forward, activating their Body Flicker Techniques as they charged toward Minato and Fugaku.

"We've been spotted, Fugaku."

"Good. Let's fight—I've been itching for a real challenge!"

Both reacted instantly. Minato reached into his hip pouch with both hands and pulled out eight kunai engraved with his signature seal technique: the Sword of Love. Meanwhile, Fugaku's crimson three-tomoe Sharingan flared to life as he opened his eyes.

"Fire Release! Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Fugaku's hands moved at an incredible speed, forming seals so rapidly that it left onlookers breathless. In an instant, he unleashed dozens of fireballs in all directions, scattering them in a perfect 360-degree pattern.

"Damn it, Fugaku, pay attention! I'm still here!"

Minato yelled angrily as a fireball whizzed past, narrowly missing his head.

Fugaku ignored him, maintaining focus on his ninjutsu. His crimson Sharingan spun hypnotically as he scanned the battlefield.

"Not good! It's an Uchiha! Don't make eye contact with him!"

The Iwagakure ninja, experienced and skilled, immediately recognized the danger they were in. They froze, clearly unnerved by the formidable opponent before them. Over 30 of them halted their advance simultaneously, several quickly forming hand seals to defend against the oncoming fireballs.

"Earth Release! Earth-Style Wall!"

The ground trembled as a massive earthen wall erupted before them, intercepting the fireballs mid-air. The flames struck the wall, scattering into sparks that fizzled out harmlessly.

The Iwagakure counterattack began immediately.

"Earth Release! Earth-Style Spear!"

"Earth Release! Hiding Like a Mole Technique!"

The ninja moved in perfect coordination. Some sank into the ground, blending seamlessly with the terrain to prepare an ambush, while others launched sharp earthen projectiles at the two Konoha shinobi. The remaining fighters charged head-on with kunai and ninja blades in hand, ready to engage in close combat.