Kazuyama Gekkō emerged slowly in front of the three using the Transparent Escape Technique. He didn't ask about Hayate Gekkō, who was missing.
Who knows, maybe he just went out to have some fun.
After all, back when he was Hayate's age, he was never home either, always running around looking for ways to boost his attributes.
"Whoa! What the hell?!"
"Kazuyama's alive! Back from the dead!"
Ebisu landed cleanly with a backflip, then stared wide-eyed at Kazuyama.
"Back from the dead" earned him a dark look. Kazuyama rolled up his sleeves, ready to lay a beating.
"Ebisu, you little punk, looks like you need some discipline!"
"When did I die?"
"Which bastard said that?"
Suddenly, a figure leapt into his arms, freezing him in place.
He looked down at Pakura, who wasn't much shorter than him, and felt the softness pressed against his chest. For a moment, he felt a bit lightheaded, the corners of his mouth curling up without control.
"Pakura, I'm back, hehe..."
Just as he let out a silly laugh, Pakura jumped out of his arms like a startled bird, darted over to the table, and glared at him fiercely.
Ebisami, standing nearby, also got up, eyes filled with hostility.
"Hmph, you brat, so you finally know how to come back?"
"If it weren't for your teacher and your friends insisting you wouldn't die, the village would've already built you a memorial stone!"
Kazuyama chuckled awkwardly at the familiar scolding.
He'd already expected this. Orochimaru's reaction when he saw him had said it all.
Even his teacher, usually unreadable, had shown something—let alone everyone else.
"Are you an idiot? That was a Tailed Beast!"
"How could you?! You promised me before you left—have you forgotten?"
Pakura joined in, and the two of them nearly blasted Kazuyama out of the room with their barrage.
But his skin was thick. He managed to drag them both back into their seats and began recounting his recent adventures.
With his silver tongue, he barely managed to smooth things over.
He left out a lot—only saying he had escaped death, made it to the Land of Birds, wandered through the Land of Earth, and finally made it back.
Even so, Pakura and Ebisami were listening with furrowed brows.
It was wartime—nowhere was truly safe.
And Kazuyama had escaped from the One-Tail.
Shukaku: Hmph! Escaped? He beat the crap out of me!
Kazuyama didn't notify anyone else of his return. It was the middle of the night, and he didn't want people swarming in.
"Kazuyama, you'd better behave. I'm not holding this against you, but Pakura's been worried sick all this time. You'd better give her some proper comfort."
With that, Ebisami quietly left the room, giving the two some space.
Kazuyama looked at Pakura and smiled softly.
Then he reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Hmph! What are you doing? I haven't forgiven you yet!"
"That was a Tailed Beast! Hey—let go of me!"
Pakura panicked, but Kazuyama had already scooped her up.
In the next moment, the Flying Thunder God Technique activated, and they vanished from the Gekkō residence.
...
When they reappeared, they were in a completely different courtyard.
"Huh? Where is this?"
Pakura looked around the unfamiliar courtyard in confusion.
Kazuyama grinned.
"This is the Land of Birds. I bought this courtyard here."
"How is it? Elegant, right?"
To be fair, the place Kazuyama had purchased was indeed luxurious. He had no shortage of money, and even Yugito had stayed here before.
Pakura stepped further into the courtyard with curiosity. Compared to the Gekkō residence, this place was far more lavish.
Kazuyama just stood there smiling, letting her explore freely.
But it didn't take long for Pakura to snap back to reality.
This was the Land of Birds?
The Land of Birds, located north of the Land of Wind?
How did they arrive here in an instant?
Seeing her shocked and curious expression, Kazuyama laughed.
"My strength now isn't what it used to be. Crossing the Land of Fire is nothing."
"As for how we got here... I'll tell you later."
"But not right now..."
His grin at the end could only be described as sleazy.
Even Chōmei muttered in exasperation,
"Strength? With your chakra, you wouldn't even make it halfway."
"Hmph, you're using my chakra!"
"Kazuyama, I figured you out. You're rotten—using my chakra to pick up girls!"
"I'm warning you, after this, you better treat me to a feast of bugs!"
"I..."
Before Chōmei could finish, Kazuyama forcibly muted him. After all, what was about to happen... wasn't exactly bug-friendly.
Seeing that grin on Kazuyama's face, Pakura's cheeks flushed. She glared at him and spat sharply.
"Hmph! Wipe that look off your face!"
"I never said I agreed!"
Kazuyama slowly walked toward her, voice relaxed, though his expression carried more than a hint of mischief.
"Is that so?"
"This is the Land of Birds. No one will come to help you."
"And you're still under the Five Elements Seal I placed on you. You can't beat me."
"After dancing with death so many times, I've realized one thing—never leave regrets behind!"
"Awoo!"
The tiger pounces, and there's no turning back.
The moon curved like a hook, and Kazuyama devoured Pakura!
Indescribable!
The next few hours were an exclusive VIP segment, the kind you couldn't watch even if you paid. Don't worry—I watched it for you. Yep. Watched it.
...
Later in the night, Kazuyama sat in the courtyard with Pakura nestled in his arms, both gazing up at the moonlight.
"Hehehehe..."
"What are you laughing at? And keep it down, will you?"
You had to admit—these shinobi trained since childhood really had stamina!
Kazuyama looked thoroughly satisfied. Pakura... probably was too.
"Pakura, I've lifted your seal."
"Can you use your Scorch Release now?"
Yes. Just earlier, to maximize the experience, Kazuyama had released the Five Elements Seal on her.
With the chakra interference gone, Pakura finally recovered her full strength.
To Kazuyama, Pakura was already his woman. There was no need to guard against her anymore.
Besides, he had plenty of escape plans in place. If anything went wrong, he'd just bolt.
"Hmm... It's been a while, but it still feels effortless."
With a casual motion, a ball of red flame ignited in Pakura's palm.
It was her Kekkei Genkai—Scorch Release.
A technique purely for offense. The searing heat made Kazuyama's pupils shrink.
He knew full well how dangerous Scorch Release was.
Definitely not something he wanted to touch.
He had no plans on becoming a dried-up corpse.