With the village rebuilt, everything returned to normal.
Kazuyama Gekkō was clearly enjoying life—his days were spent either teaching students or training the ANBU, tormenting both brats and elites alike. He had truly become the devil teacher of Konohagakure.
Unfortunately, a quiet life is always interrupted by unexpected events.
Kazuyama glanced at the intel in his hand, then at the veteran council members around him and Minato Namikaze. Naturally, Danzō Shimura wasn't present—Kazuyama had just received word that a bookshelf had fallen on him. There was no reward for the news, but it had kept him laughing for half the day.
"The Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire?"
"Sarutobi, old man, your son joined them too?"
"I already beat him down once, yet he still formed his own unit?"
"I really can't figure out what's going on in this Daimyō's head."
Minato said nothing and instead handed him another dossier. Kazuyama's intelligence skills were widely acknowledged.
Kazuyama: ??? Since when do I know about this?
"Hm? Investigating the cause of the previous Daimyō's death?"
"Who assigned this mission?"
The former Daimyō's death was suspicious enough, but there was also the mercenary's identity to consider.
Kazuyama didn't need to think twice—this had to be that bastard Nagato. The technique that could blast everyone away? That was Shinra Tensei, wasn't it?
"Kazuyama, the one who assassinated the Daimyō and the Rinnegan user you fought during Konoha's attack used the same technique."
"So he's most likely that mercenary."
"If that's true, we can conclude that the assassination is closely tied to Madara Uchiha."
"I still don't know what he gains from it, but the mission was commissioned by Old Yanagimura, a senior minister of the former Daimyō's estate."
"I'd like to hear your opinion."
Opinion? What opinion? What could a mere Jōnin like him possibly offer?
"I don't think you should be asking me."
"You should ask Adviser Sarutobi—he sent his own son to go undercover, didn't he?"
"Shouldn't the intel be coming in by the minute?"
Kazuyama's smug smile made the old man seethe.
"You brat! You know exactly what happened with Asuma—are you deliberately trying to rile me up?"
"That fool Asuma… tch!"
Kazuyama burst into laughter. Thinking back to when Hiruzen Sarutobi had piled mission after mission on him every day, was this revenge? Hardly. This wasn't even the beginning.
He suddenly pulled out a pipe and toyed with it, which sent Hiruzen over the edge.
"You little bastard! That's my pipe!"
"Give it back!"
If Minato and Homura Mitokado hadn't stopped him, Hiruzen would have gone for his throat—his fingers were already curled so tightly they nearly broke the skin. Enma was ready to strike.
"Heh, it's mine now. Want it back?"
"Dream on! I'm doing this for your own good. Can't you just smoke? Do you have to use a pipe?"
"Here, try this. Bought it from the Daimyō's estate—good stuff."
Pocketing the pipe, Kazuyama tossed him a pack of cigarettes, lit one for himself, and blew smoke into the air, making Hiruzen's beard quiver with fury.
"All right, Kazuyama, enough."
"I was planning to send you on this mission, but I think we should give the younger generation a chance."
"Who do you think should go?"
Oh? So he wasn't summoned here to take the mission himself—he was here to help pick the team?
"How would I know?"
"But if it's the Daimyō's estate, my so-called useless disciples would be the best choice."
"Kakashi, Rin, Obito, and Shisui. All four have been there before—send them."
"Kakashi's ability speaks for itself, Rin's a medical specialist at the hospital, and Obito and Shisui are both exceptional."
Minato nodded. Those four were already on his list. There weren't many young talents strong enough to act independently.
"Hmph, you might be useless, but your disciples aren't bad. Guess that counts as merit."
Hiruzen smoked irritably, glaring at Kazuyama with open hostility. But even so, he had to acknowledge the results.
"Please, like I need you to tell me."
"Anything else? If not, I'm leaving. I've got plenty to do."
Minato rubbed his temples. The village had just been rebuilt, but the matters piling up were endless. The Daimyō's estate was important, but other pressing issues were just as urgent.
The biggest headache was the movement of other villages.
"Kazuyama, I need your help."
Hearing that, Kazuyama's gut tightened. Whenever someone started like that, it was bound to be trouble.
"Hey now, I'm just a lowly Jōnin. I can't take on anything too big."
"Don't be so quick to refuse. I want you to take over the village's intelligence network. After the war, it's in ruins."
That much was true—during the war, intel had been bought with blood, and now the system was barely functioning.
It needed to be rebuilt fast, or the village would be in real danger.
"We've even had to buy intel from the black market multiple times. This can't go on."
"I'm sick of those profiteers!"
A flash of anger crossed Homura's face. He had always overseen intelligence, but with so many operatives lost, he'd been forced to resort to buying information.
Koharu Utatane sighed.
"Kazuyama Gekkō, you're the best suited for intel work. After discussion, we've decided to make you head of the network."
"We'll provide whatever funds and personnel you need."
"Our only demand is that you restore Konoha's intelligence network as quickly as possible."
"Can you do it?"
Kazuyama actually frowned—a rare sight.
Funding and personnel, both offered up? That was unheard of. Just how bad had the network gotten?
"How much money are we talking?"
"As much as needed for the village."
"And I can pick anyone?"
"Yes, but don't mess around. If your choice isn't fit for the role, we'll reject it."
Kazuyama's grin returned—cunning and sly.
Everyone, even Minato, felt a twinge of unease. Whatever he was plotting, it couldn't be good.
"I'll take the mission."
"Just the intel network? I'll set out tomorrow. Minato, get me ten million ryō to start. If that's not enough, I'll come back for more."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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