Minato Namikaze couldn't take it anymore and stopped Kazuyama Gekkō.
"Enough, Gekkō. Don't cause trouble."
"Too much has happened lately."
"Amegakure and Takigakure have allied with us. They said I should have you handle communication between the two villages."
"Right now, relations between the village and the Daimyō's estate are strained. All the major clans are working tirelessly for the village. Kazuyama, you know what I mean?"
Kazuyama Gekkō was speechless. How could he not understand? Who gave those clans their clever business strategies in the first place? Wasn't it him?
Jiraiya burst out laughing when he heard this and quickly added:
"Exactly, Kazuyama Gekkō, you'd better stay in the village and pull your weight."
"I don't hold any official position here, so... let me handle the trip to Kirigakure!"
But before Jiraiya could enjoy his own words, Minato Namikaze doused him with cold reality.
"Sensei, you shouldn't go either."
"I'll have others gather intel on Kirigakure."
"The main issue is, that place may already be on the brink of war."
As he said this, Minato turned toward Kazuyama Gekkō, as if this mess was somehow tied to him.
Kazuyama Gekkō immediately understood from that look. The little bomb he'd planted days ago—was it about to blow?
"What's wrong? From your face, it looks like you've realized something."
"Tell me—what exactly did you do in Kumo? Why is the Kumo Village now blocking Kirigakure ninja at the gates of the Land of Water?"
"And not just ninja—caravans traveling to and from the Land of Water are being stopped too."
"Right now, Kumo and Kirigakure are on the verge of open conflict."
Minato Namikaze felt overwhelmed. Too many things were happening lately—things even the Hokage didn't know about.
When Kazuyama Gekkō heard how serious it had gotten, he almost laughed out loud. That laugh alone made Minato and Jiraiya certain—he was definitely behind this.
"Cut the laughing, Gekkō, tell us what happened!"
"Yeah, out with it!"
Pressed by their demands, Kazuyama Gekkō stifled his laughter and explained what had happened at the Kumo coastline.
"Honestly, nothing major. Remember that mission I took in Kumo?"
"Well, I released a nest of sea snakes into the East Sea, their wealthiest waters. Tsk tsk."
"Turns out I lured the Eight-Tails. So I disguised myself as a Kirigakure ninja and fought it."
"That's all. As for how it ended... heh. I'm still here, aren't I? You figure it out."
His words were vague, but they told the whole story.
Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya exchanged stunned glances. So this brat went to Kumo and fought the Eight-Tails?
Unbelievable. He not only cut off their trade, not only picked a fight—but then pinned the blame on Kirigakure?
"No wonder Kumo keeps provoking the Mist."
"So this was your handiwork. But Kazuyama, you're reckless. The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer Bee, is practically a perfect host."
"He made a huge impact on the battlefield back then."
Minato's eyes grew distant as memories of the war resurfaced.
Jiraiya sighed from the side.
"Truly, the new generation surpasses the old. Minato, Kazuyama, you're both remarkable shinobi."
Kazuyama Gekkō looked at the master and disciple pair, exasperated. How did the conversation drift into nostalgia?
"Alright, enough reminiscing."
"Minato, you have to agree to this Mist matter."
"The Akatsuki Organization is a blade hidden in the shadows. We never know when it'll strike us."
"Waiting passively isn't my style. I need to go."
Kazuyama Gekkō had already made up his mind. The enemy was clear—it was time to act. First he'd scout, and if the chance arose, he'd strike.
"Hmm... let me think it over."
"Sensei, you too. If I recall, your mission isn't just Akatsuki. Don't forget Orochimaru."
"Any word on him?"
Kazuyama Gekkō raised an eyebrow. Why bring up Orochimaru now, after all this time?
"Bah, that guy's like an eel—you never know where he's hiding."
"Not a shred of information."
"That's exactly why I want to check out Kirigakure. Who knows, maybe he's in the Land of Water."
Minato sighed. Too many issues, no time to rest.
"It's not just Orochimaru. Now there's Danzō too... sigh."
Hearing that name made Kazuyama Gekkō irritated as well. The old man had vanished completely, leaving no trace to track. That ticking time bomb couldn't be left unchecked. Until Danzō was dealt with, there could be no peace of mind.
"In that case, leave Danzō's trail to me."
"I've got a feeling he never left the Land of Fire. He might be hiding nearby."
"I'll find him."
Kazuyama Gekkō was determined to eliminate threats at home first. Secure the inside before facing dangers outside. Shimura Danzō had to be handled as a priority.
"Fine. Since you're this determined, I'll leave tracking Danzō to you."
"But Kazuyama, you know his status. If you find him, avoid killing him unless it's absolutely necessary."
"You know where the three advisors stand."
Just thinking of Danzō gave Minato a pounding headache. Once a highly respected elder of the village, now a dangerous liability.
Being Hokage was far from easy.
The three ended their discussion there.
...
At Minato Namikaze's home.
"Tsk tsk, Kushina. The Uzumaki bloodline isn't strong enough. This brat doesn't even have red hair."
As Kushina cooked, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
It was dripping with malice, enough to chill anyone who heard it.
But Kushina didn't even flinch. She only curled her lip in disdain.
"Nine-Tails, what do you want?"
"Silent for a while, and now you start again? Did my chains loosen?"
Her voice was gentle, but in the Nine-Tails' ears it made him tremble uncontrollably.
Nine-Tails: Damn woman. Those chains could kill me! These cursed Uzumaki—how can they bully Tailed Beasts like this???
Kushina: Hmph. Just a little Nine-Tails. Let's see you keep roaring now.