The border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rice Fields.
At this moment, numerous Iwagakure ninja lay collapsed on the ground. The weaker ones twitched uncontrollably, while the stronger ones leaned against tree trunks, stunned and disoriented.
"What's going on?"
Iwagakure Jōnin Shibito Azuma stood at a distance, surveying the scene before him, hesitant to take a step forward.
A Chūnin beside him quickly reported, "Lord Shibito, I'm not sure what's happening in this area. The moment you step inside, your body goes numb. In severe cases, it leads to convulsions."
He continued, "To enter safely, you must be fully equipped with protective gear and a gas mask. Any exposure to the air is dangerous."
"But our unit is moving quickly, and the gas masks are still behind, in the Land of Grass. They haven't arrived yet."
Shibito frowned in confusion. "Has there been a battle here? Who was the enemy?"
The Chūnin relayed the gathered intelligence. "According to those who rushed here earlier, Team Kube of the Kamizuru Clan sent a distress signal from this location. However, everyone who responded was also affected by the unknown condition."
"Only a handful of those wearing gas masks managed to escape."
"Team Kube has been completely wiped out. The cause of death was a combination of blade wounds and Fire Release. The assailant remains unknown."
Shibito nodded grimly and immediately arranged for rescue efforts. With Iwagakure's forces thinning, there was no time to waste. Higher-ups had already planned significant military actions to follow.
"What's Konoha's situation?"
"Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Three Sannin, is stationed at the southern base of the Land of Grass. He previously clashed with Lord Rōshi and Lord Han, but no large-scale conflict has erupted yet."
Shibito was set to take command of the battlefield in the Land of Fire once he withdrew from the Land of Rice Fields. Hearing his subordinate's report, he narrowed his eyes in thought.
Was Konoha involved in this?
With the entire eyewitness team wiped out, there was no clear answer. Even if Konoha was responsible, both sides were already teetering on the edge of war, and a large-scale battle could break out at any moment.
"Alright," Shibito ordered, "begin the rescue operation. Also, set up a perimeter outside the forest and instruct anyone returning from the Land of Rice Fields to avoid entering at all costs."
Kazuyama's Scale Powder operation had been a resounding success—hundreds of Iwagakure shinobi lay paralyzed in the forest. With no other choice, Iwa's forces were forced to alter their course.
…
Konohagakure Village Garrison.
Jiraiya shot a fierce glare at Kazuyama while Minato silently drank the medicine prepared by the medic. If one looked closely, they would notice both men's calves trembling.
"Kazuyama boy, I originally thought you were just a little messed up."
"But it seems I underestimated you!"
"You're rotten to the core! When you lose it, you even take down your own allies…"
"I've dominated the ninja world for years, but this time, I've fallen at your hands!"
As Jiraiya grew more agitated, Kazuyama simply laughed, though there wasn't a trace of guilt in his expression—just self-acknowledgment.
"Lord Jiraiya, this isn't my fault."
"Didn't I warn you and Minato not to come in until I was done?"
"I have to say, your timing was impeccable. Just as I released the poison into the air, you two walked right into it."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. It was fate that you suffered this misfortune."
Jiraiya nearly passed out from sheer frustration but quickly pulled himself together, speaking in an oddly serious tone.
"Kazuyama boy, since you made me suffer so badly…"
"Shouldn't you compensate me?"
"Hand over some of the material you've collected! If you do, I'll let this slide—how about it?"
By the end of his sentence, there was… a certain suggestiveness to his voice.
Minato, standing nearby, immediately covered his face at his sensei's shamelessness. Yet, through the gaps between his fingers, the faint curl of his lips was visible.
Kazuyama, on the other hand, maintained a relaxed expression before letting out a soft chuckle. Then, in a deliberately sleazy tone, he teased Jiraiya:
"Material?"
"Mm-hm!"
"Yes, this is a must."
"Haha! Hand it over, and I won't hold this poisoning incident against you!"
Seeing Jiraiya's hopeful expression, Kazuyama laughed even harder.
"Some time ago, I was in a northern town in the Land of Fire and saw a breathtaking beauty. I guarantee she's an absolute rarity."
"Completely incomparable to ordinary materials."
"Given how miserable Lord Jiraiya is right now, I've decided—I'll hand it over to you."
Jiraiya beamed with joy, already preparing to shower Kazuyama with praise—only to have his weak legs give out, sending him right back onto the ground.
"Kazuyama! I knew you supported my cause!"
Kazuyama nodded, then spoke with complete seriousness.
"I'll give you Lady Tsunade's bath photos when I get back."
"Don't worry, you can boldly include them in your book! I guarantee they'll be a hit!"
"To avoid wasting time, I'll lead the team back now! Don't worry, Lord Jiraiya, I'll return soon!"
Jiraiya's joyful expression froze in place, turning him into a statue.
Whose bath photos…?
Tsunade?
His mind instantly drifted back to that moment—when he was fortunate enough to sneak into the bathhouse to, er… no, to gather material.
And what did he witness? The most breathtaking sight of his life—Tsunade bathing.
But the result…
How many bones did he break that day? He lost count. All he remembered was lying bedridden for nearly a month.
Jiraiya trembled as he watched Kazuyama heading for the door and instinctively grabbed his arm. His voice was unsteady.
"Kazuyama boy, I don't want this material anymore…"
"I… I want to live a few more years…"
Kazuyama forcibly held back a smirk, putting on a puzzled expression as he turned back to Jiraiya.
"How can this be?"
"A real man keeps his word! It's just some material—just Lady Tsunade's material!"
"I'll give it to you! What are friends for?"
"Lord Jiraiya, don't worry, I'll keep your secret!"
Jiraiya was nearly moved to tears.
Did he want Tsunade's material? Of course.
Could he have it? Not a chance.
And even if he did, could he actually include it in his book? If Tsunade found out, he wouldn't just break a few bones—he'd be lucky to survive.
"No, Kazuyama boy, I was careless this time—it's not your fault!"
"Keep the material safe. I suddenly feel that in the future, I should collect it myself—otherwise, it just won't be as fun!"
"I appreciate your kindness!"
Then he quickly turned to Minato.
"Right, Minato?"
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake