After dealing with Chikusho, Kazuku faced no more Kumogakure ninja.
If he guessed right, the Raikage sent only two squads to kidnap Uzumaki Yuna.
By the time they realized Chikusho failed, Kazuku would be back in Konohagakure.
With Hashirama as the peace treaty's overseer…
The Raikage could only swallow this loss.
What Kazuku didn't expect…
Was Yuna, initially hostile, transforming after his battle with Chikusho.
She called him "Kazuku-nii" and chatted constantly.
Kazuku didn't mind, but didn't love it either.
With no more enemies, the remaining days were easy.
Before long, they reached Uzushiogakure in the Land of Whirlpools.
Clan leader Uzumaki Ashina planned to host Kazuku's group, hoping they'd stay longer to show gratitude.
Sarutobi declined.
In the end, Kazuku ate lunch in Uzushiogakure, rested an afternoon, and returned to Konohagakure with Sarutobi.
On the way, Kazuku grumbled, "No need to rush back, right?"
But Sarutobi was Team 7's captain. Kazuku and Sakumo followed his lead.
Tobirama had stressed this.
After all…
Kazuku was only seven.
Despite his monstrous talent, shocking Tobirama repeatedly…
Tobirama's preconceptions held that Kazuku's judgment needed maturing.
Giving him command could cause chaos.
"Haha, Uzushiogakure's nice, but missing the chunin exam means waiting a year."
Sarutobi seized the chance to mention the exam.
Kazuku's learning, combat thinking, experience, and mental fortitude…
Were monstrous.
If Sarutobi were Kazuku's sensei, he wouldn't let him miss this exam.
"I think Tobirama-sama made Kazuku a genin now to join this chunin exam."
Sarutobi marveled inwardly.
With Tobirama's intellect, orchestrating Kazuku's path was easy.
"Chunin exam?" Sakumo blinked, confused. What did that have to do with them?
Weren't he and Kazuku new genin?
Did they qualify?
"Exactly, the chunin exam."
Sarutobi nodded, explaining.
"It's been ten years since the Warring States ended. Clans set aside grudges, forming ninja villages."
"Notably, the first to establish a village was Kazuku's grandfather, Hashirama-sama."
"Don't let Tobirama-sama's dominance fool you—when Hashirama-sama gets serious, he's incredible, the only Ninja God."
Sarutobi boasted.
Sakumo's eyes gleamed with admiration.
Kazuku stayed calm—not disbelief, but the opposite.
Besides Uchiha Madara, no one knew Hashirama's strength better than Kazuku.
Incredible when serious?
Super incredible!
He could flatten a village in minutes!
And that legend was his grandfather!
"But founding a village is step one. Perfecting its system is another challenge."
"For example, the five great villages—Konohagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure…"
"Each trains ninja differently."
"Tobirama-sama's promotion system is exams!"
"All children attend the ninja academy, learn, and become genin after the graduation exam."
Sarutobi paused, teasing.
"Then what?"
Sakumo, eager, pressed.
"After becoming genin, completing eight missions earns chunin exam eligibility, with a sensei's recommendation."
"The exam is twice yearly. The second this year is July 1, a week away. Miss it, wait a year."
"So, want to stay in Uzushiogakure longer?"
Sarutobi teased.
"I see." Sakumo nodded. "We need seven more missions to qualify."
"Only a week left."
Without protecting a client like Yuna, returning to Konohagakure was faster.
At full speed, it'd take two days.
Then…
Five days for seven missions!
"And the fourth check-in."
Kazuku took a deep breath. If he could make the exam, he had no reason to miss it.
Crucially, the fourth check-in was imminent.
He'd shine at the exam!
"My goal is to replace Sarutobi as the Third Hokage. Hiding my strength goes against that."
"I'll show everyone how terrifying my 'talent' is!"
"Let them see I'm the best to inherit the Hokage title!"
With that, Kazuku stretched, saying to Sarutobi and Sakumo, "Let's hurry back!"
Land of Whirlpools.
Uzushiogakure.
Clan leader Uzumaki Ashina met Ashina alone, learning of the journey's events.
"Didn't expect Kumogakure's goons to target our Uzumaki abilities."
Ashina clenched his fists, anger rising.
To him, Kumogakure's audacity tied to Hashirama's illness.
Though Tobirama was exceptional, he wasn't as fearsome.
The ninja world would grow turbulent.
"Thanks to you and Konohagakure's Sarutobi Hiruzen, Yuna didn't fall to Kumogakure!"
"You did well, Ashina."
Ashina praised.
But…
Ashina, kneeling, hesitated.
"The real reason we prevailed… was Kazuku."
He paused, recounting Kazuku's battles with Kumogakure ninja.
At first, Ashina smiled, but as the tale unfolded, his smile turned to shock, then horror…
Then silence.
What did he mean, seven-year-old Kazuku soloed a Kumogakure squad?
Was he under a genjutsu? Hallucinating?
Uzumaki Ashina wanted to retort, badly…
(End of Chapter)