In the blink of an eye, another year had passed. The Third Shinobi World War had remained in a lull for quite some time.
The war had come so suddenly and spread so quickly that all five great ninja villages suffered to varying degrees.
Of them, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure took the hardest hits.
The Third Kazekage, the Third Mizukage, and the Third Raikage all vanished—or died—within the same year.
Ironically, Konoha, initially the target of a joint assault, ended up taking the least damage.
During this time, Orochimaru hadn't been pursued either. Just as he had said—until the war officially ended, he would be fine. Though his research had gone to some extremes, much of it had been authorized by both Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And those human experiments? Orochimaru hadn't even started them yet. Even if someone wanted to press charges, there was no evidence.
...
At the Gekkō estate courtyard.
Kazuyama Gekkō, robed and relaxed, sat sipping tea. Beside him sat his wife, Pakura.
They had been married for three months now.
Pakura had officially joined the Gekkō family, despite strong opposition from Danzō and a few others. But with Orochimaru and Hiruzen backing him, Kazuyama feared no one. He even mocked Danzō in one of the meetings, leaving the old man fuming.
The exchange went something like this:
"Tsk tsk, didn't expect this from you, Lord Danzō. Are you planning to oversee everyone's love life in the village now?"
"Turning Root into a matchmaking agency, are you?"
"What's next? Every couple wanting to marry needs to register with Root?"
"Don't say I didn't warn you—your face alone is enough to scare off half the eligible girls!"
Danzō nearly blew a gasket.
In the end, Kazuyama married Pakura with a smile on his face.
To avoid the usual pranks from friends, he grabbed Pakura and teleported off using the Flying Thunder God Technique, vacationing in the Land of Birds and Land of Frost.
They had an absolute blast for several months.
But when they returned, Fugaku and the others almost beat him to death.
After all, the bastard had accepted all their wedding gifts... without holding an actual wedding ceremony. Minato, Fugaku, and the rest had been ready to party and take revenge, only to be met the next morning by little Hayate holding a sign:
"Your Father went on a trip—don't come looking!"
Fugaku's Sharingan practically spun itself into a spiral.
...
"I didn't expect Hayate and Yamato to get along so well."
"Your sensei was generous—giving that sword away. That really is a rare weapon."
Pakura smiled, while Kazuyama clicked his tongue.
Speaking of Hayate and Yamato, ever since he introduced the two, they'd gotten along surprisingly well. Now, they trained together around the village.
Of course, to prevent Danzō from snatching Yamato, he and Orochimaru had already reported the boy's background to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kazuyama had taken on the duty of watching over him.
Well, Orochimaru had secured that right for him.
"They're just two little rookies. But hey, I heard Mikoto is about to give birth?"
"Fugaku, huh? That guy's about to be a dad."
At the word "dad," Pakura shot Kazuyama a sideways glance.
Kazuyama chuckled. He knew exactly what that look meant—but he wasn't fazed in the slightest.
...
Suddenly, a figure appeared on the courtyard wall.
"Kazuyama-sensei, there's a new mission."
"Kakashi, come in."
Pakura quickly waved him inside. Kazuyama shook his head with a sigh.
So much for peace and quiet.
Kakashi stood in the courtyard, looking at his two teachers. Lately, he, Obito, and Rin had resumed routine missions—simple ones that didn't require Kazuyama to lead.
After all, Kakashi's strength had now completely surpassed the Chūnin level, edging closer to becoming a Jōnin.
Even Obito and Rin were progressing fast.
"What's the deal with this mission?"
"Can't the three of you handle it?"
Kazuyama Gekkō, the very picture of chronic laziness—if he didn't absolutely have to move, he'd rather not bother at all.
"This mission isn't particularly difficult, but Lord Hokage personally requested that you lead the team."
"With the Chūnin Exams coming up, he wants to invite several nearby villages to participate."
Chūnin Exams?
Kazuyama nodded. It was typical of Konoha to invite surrounding villages to join the exams.
In previous years, they had extended invitations to Kusagakure, Takigakure, and Yugakure.
"So, where are we headed?"
"Takigakure. Word is, the village has developed quite well recently. Lord Hokage wants us to deliver the invitation."
Takigakure?
Kazuyama couldn't help but laugh inwardly. Of course it's doing well.
In just over half a year, Yahiko and the others had been fast-tracked to Jōnin. The village had fully taken over missions in the Land of Waterfalls and even expanded into neighboring territories.
"Alright, we'll leave tomorrow morning."
"I'll file the mission with the village and have Pakura come with us."
"Let's just treat it like a vacation."
He reached for Pakura's hand—there was no way he'd leave her at home. It was a long journey, and the Land of Waterfalls had stunning scenery.
"Got it. I'll go let Obito and the others know."
"Yeah, go ahead."
...
After Kakashi left, Pakura gave Kazuyama a confused look.
"I still have classes. Why am I going?"
"Classes will probably be canceled."
"!!!"
Kazuyama poured a cup of tea, his expression serious.
Based on the intel he'd recently received, Iwagakure had already resolved its internal issues and was beginning to stir.
Kirigakure too. Only Sunagakure and Kumogakure remained focused on survival, struggling to support their villages.
"Is the war about to start again?"
"Yeah. It might look calm now, but it's far from over."
"...Sigh."
Pakura walked quietly behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kazuyama patted it without turning around, calm as ever.
"Don't worry. Even if I'm sent to the front, I'll be fine."
"You know how strong I am."
Pakura nodded. She was well aware of his strength by now.
Before Kazuyama, no one had ever walked away from Scorch Release unscathed.
Well, not completely unscathed.
When he got hit by Scorch Release, his crimson Tailed Beast chakra burst out of his body and instantly blew away all the flames.
But the price? Kazuyama had gone bald for quite a while.
Sure, his body could withstand the heat—but those searing flames had scorched every last hair off of him.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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