After a short rest, Kazuyama returned to the village with a report on Orochimaru's battle. The attack on the front lines had gone well, and he could already imagine how pleased the Hokage would be upon hearing the news.
As he traveled, Kazuyama was in an unusually good mood. However, his right eyelid suddenly twitched again, startling him.
Halting on a tree trunk, he glanced around warily.
"Chōmei, I suddenly have a really bad feeling..." he muttered. "I feel like if I go back to the village, something terrible is going to happen. What do you think?"
This wasn't the first time his right eyelid had twitched. The last time it happened, he had suffered a direct hit from Sakumo's One Thousand Years of Death—an experience he would never forget.
Feeling his eyelid twitch repeatedly, Kazuyama grew uneasy.
"Kazuyama, you're overthinking things," Chōmei said. "With your strength, no one in Konohagakure can stand against you unless those old geezers step in. Besides, you're Orochimaru's disciple—no one would dare touch you, even if they don't respect your sensei."
"On top of that, you're bringing good news. Your Hokage will be thrilled. Why would he punish you?"
Then, as if remembering something more important, Chōmei added, "By the way, Kazuyama, I'm out of insects. Grab some when you get back. I've been watching a lot of plays lately, and my snacks are running low. Get me more varieties this time."
Kazuyama's eye twitched again—this time from irritation. Really, Chōmei? Instead of offering reassurance, the glutton was more concerned about food.
Still, Chōmei had a point. He had accomplished a great service—no one would dare lay a hand on him.
With that thought, Kazuyama felt a little more at ease and resumed his journey.
Thanks to his speed, he returned from the Land of Rivers to the village in just one day.
As the village gates came into view, he allowed himself a small smile before dashing toward the Hokage Building.
Little did he know, at that very moment, the Hokage's office was on the verge of exploding.
"Old man! Tell me, which bastard leaked my whereabouts?"
"Don't tell me it was the ANBU? I can smell them from a mile away."
"Hmph! Was it Jiraiya?"
Tsunade sat cross-legged on the chair in front of her office, fuming. Behind her, two ANBU stood silently on either side of the door. In front of her, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rubbed his temples, looking as if he had a headache.
"Tsunade, war has broken out. The village needs your strength," he said calmly. "I understand your situation, but Sunagakure has started the war in the Land of Rivers, and you know what Chiyo is capable of."
"According to Orochimaru's report, Chiyo's grandson is also on the battlefield. He has already surpassed his master and is even more dangerous, using poisons far more vicious than hers. Without you, the village will suffer heavy casualties."
Hiruzen remained patient despite Tsunade's outburst. As her teacher, he knew her temper well—especially given her current struggles.
As expected, the mention of war made Tsunade flinch. Panic flickered in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
"Hmph! Then tell me—who exactly leaked my whereabouts?" she demanded. "Or rather, who found out where I was?"
Tsunade was fixated on this question because she had felt eyes on her that day.
That day... in the bath... Damn it!
Not only had someone spied on her, but they had also reported her location to the Hokage. That grudge had to be settled!
"Well..." Hiruzen hesitated.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Old man, I know even if you don't tell me! It must be that bastard Jiraiya!"
She slammed her palm onto the desk with such force that the entire table trembled, sending scrolls and documents scattering to the floor.
"Fine! Jiraiya, you bastard! I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"
She turned on her heel, striding toward the door.
Hearing her furious declaration, Hiruzen quickly intervened.
"It's not Jiraiya. He's currently monitoring Iwagakure and the Land of Grass battlefield."
Tsunade halted, frowning. "Not Jiraiya?"
Then who could have spied on her without her noticing?
As she paced back and forth, deep in thought, she unknowingly stopped right in front of the ANBU guards at the door. Narrowing her eyes, she shot them a glare before turning back around to continue her interrogation.
Unexpectedly, a knock sounded at the door of the Hokage's office.
"Enter!"
Hiruzen quickly gave permission, hoping to use the distraction to shift Tsunade's focus.
The door opened, and Kazuyama walked in, smiling.
"Lord Hokage, the battle in the Land of Rivers was a victory. This is the battle report my sensei, Orochimaru, ordered me to deliver."
Kazuyama spoke as he walked, completely unaware of Tsunade standing on the other side of the room.
"Oh? A great victory in the Land of Rivers?"
Hiruzen, who had been wondering how to deal with Tsunade, immediately brightened at the news. Taking the report from Kazuyama's hands, he quickly skimmed through it. Orochimaru's report was concise and to the point.
"Good! Well done!"
He slammed his hand on the table in excitement, mimicking Tsunade's earlier outburst, his voice filled with joy.
"Stirring internal conflict and forcing Sunagakure to lose its rear guard—Kazuyama, you've done a great job!"
"It wasn't just me. Sensei and I came up with the plan together," Kazuyama replied humbly. "Back then, the Third Kazekage was the one sending troops to the battlefield in the Second Shinobi World War—he's just as responsible. With a little push, the situation played out as expected."
Despite his accomplishments, Kazuyama had no intention of taking full credit. As both a Jōnin squad leader and an ANBU member, he had enough responsibilities—he didn't need more trouble.
For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted to Sasori, the unfortunate boy caught in the conflict.
Then, remembering something, he spoke again.
"Oh, that's right, Lord Hokage. My sensei asked me to inform you that, for the time being, Lady Tsunade shouldn't be sent to the battlefield. Chiyo's grandson has already disappeared, and Chiyo alone isn't a major threat to our frontline troops."
As he mentioned Tsunade, a particular memory surfaced—blonde hair… super big…
Just as he finished speaking, he noticed Hiruzen blinking at him.
Kazuyama frowned in confusion. "Lord Hokage, what's wrong? Do you have an eye problem?"
Hiruzen remained silent, still blinking rapidly.
"No, I don't think so. I don't remember you having this issue. Or… could it be that Lady Tsunade hasn't been found yet?"
Kazuyama shook his head decisively. "That's impossible. I already told you where Tsunade was. The ANBU should've been able to track her down easily if they followed the route—"
Before he could finish, a chilling sensation crawled up his spine. A suffocating aura of killing intent surged from behind him.
Instinctively, Kazuyama turned his head.
Oh no.
Now he understood why his right eyelid wouldn't stop twitching…
Tsunade was smiling at him. A beautiful smile—one that would have been breathtaking if not for her golden hair floating ominously around her.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake