The one shouting was none other than Minato Namikaze's sensei, Jiraiya of the Three Sannin.
"Minato! Get out here!"
"Huh? Why won't this door open!? Minato, open up!"
Before Minato could respond, Jiraiya had already begun pounding on the door. And the reason he couldn't push it open was simple—Kazuyama had locked it from the inside the moment he entered.
The Konoha Twin Stars couldn't afford interruptions while they were discussing business.
Kazuyama stepped forward and opened the door. Jiraiya, with his shock of white hair, charged straight in.
But this was Kazuyama—someone who lived to cause trouble. Seeing Jiraiya this frantic, he didn't even think before sticking out his foot.
Smack!
"Arrgh!"
"Who's the little—Kazuyama! You brat! That was too much!"
"You tripped me! I could've died!"
Watching the frantic Jiraiya topple over, Kazuyama's earlier gloom evaporated instantly, replaced by unrestrained laughter.
[Ding! Detected that the host's improper treatment of Jiraiya has continued since childhood. Such long-term dedication deeply moves this system!]
[Ding! Special reward for host: Six Paths Resistance +10%]
Whoa. That reward was rich enough to make Kazuyama want to jump up.
Ever since maxing out most of his attributes, the rewards he received had dwindled. Aside from monetary gains, only Six Paths Resistance and Ninjutsu Amplification offered significant improvement.
He had a feeling that once both reached their peak, something great would happen.
"Sensei, get up."
"Kazuyama, honestly… Ever since I've known Sensei, you've always enjoyed tormenting him."
"You're already the father of two—how are you still so hyper?"
Minato helped Jiraiya up, though he was puzzled. Who was his teacher again?
This was Jiraiya, a legendary Sannin known across the ninja world. How could he fall so easily just because Kazuyama tripped him? Strange.
"Kazuyama, kid! Forget it. I have something more important."
"Minato, I found Orochimaru's trail!"
Kazuyama: ?????
Minato: ?????
The name Orochimaru hadn't surfaced in Konoha for a long time. After all, there was no point keeping tabs on someone who had already left the village.
And ever since Orochimaru left, he had scarcely appeared in the ninja world. Eventually, people stopped mentioning him entirely.
Except for one person—Jiraiya.
"Mm! A few days ago, I was wandering around the Land of Waterfalls gathering materials, and I finally found Orochimaru's trail."
"Minato, what do you say? Should we bring Orochimaru back?"
"I want to ask him why he left the village!"
Kazuyama stared at Jiraiya's serious expression and felt a surge of helplessness. He sighed. "Senior Jiraiya… is this an obsession?"
"My sensei—Orochimaru… yes, he left the village, but he never harmed anyone inside it."
"And after leaving, he hasn't done anything that endangered the ninja world or anyone else. Why go after him…?"
This instantly set Jiraiya off.
He brushed aside Minato's hand and took one large step toward Kazuyama, eyes wide.
"Kazuyama! How can you talk like that!?"
"Orochimaru is your sensei! He left the village—don't you want to bring him back!?"
"He's one of Konoha's Sannin! How can he just leave and that's it!?"
"I need to ask him face-to-face why he left!"
"If it was because of Danzō—well, now that you've taken care of Danzō, the village can bring him back!"
Well, fantastic. Saying it only made him more agitated.
What could Kazuyama say? What else could he say?
One thought filled his mind: Ridiculous.
No wonder Naruto could chase Sasuke for hundreds of episodes—he inherited that from his teacher!
"Sensei, this is a critical period. We have a much clearer enemy to face right now."
"Orochimaru can wait."
"But I'm curious—after being silent for so many years, why would Orochimaru suddenly appear on your radar now?"
Minato's intervention finally snapped Jiraiya back to reality.
Right. Why now of all times?
No—there was something very wrong about this.
"Minato, no—I have to check."
"I already heard about the Five Kage Summit. There's nothing I can help with there."
"I'm going to look for Orochimaru."
Jiraiya acted immediately, not giving Minato or Kazuyama even a second to stop him before bolting out the door.
A streak of white disappeared, leaving the two staring at each other.
"Minato… your teacher—tsk. Still so hotheaded even past fifty."
"...Sensei really cares about Orochimaru."
What else could they say? The man was already gone.
...
Land of Iron, central castle.
"Brother Mifune, we'll have to trouble you for hospitality again this time."
"No problem at all. But Kazuyama, is the enemy truly that terrifying? It's made the Five Great Ninja Villages hold a Five Kage Summit."
General Mifune of the Iron Country was an old acquaintance of Kazuyama, so he was delighted when Kazuyama arrived. He immediately pulled him to a banquet.
And for good reason—Kazuyama's sake brewery business in the Land of Iron was beloved by the samurai.
"Ah… a dangerous enemy indeed. Whether it's us in Konoha or the other four great villages, we've all suffered at their hands."
"They've even seized several Tailed Beasts. If this continues, the ninja world might collapse."
Kazuyama took a sip of sake and explained the recent developments.
Mifune nodded solemnly. Even as samurai, they were still part of the ninja world. Faced with a threat of this scale, they couldn't just stand aside.
"In ten days, representatives from the Five Great Ninja Villages, as well as from Takigakure and Amegakure, will arrive here."
"Don't worry. I'll handle the arrangements. But Kazuyama, something I'm curious about—if an alliance is truly formed, the coalition will need a commander. Do you have someone in mind?"
It was an important issue. Uniting so many villages meant appointing a supreme commander—a general.
Not an easy decision.
"Who cares? That's not my problem. At least it won't be me."
"Drink, drink!"
Kazuyama didn't seem concerned. With five Kage present, why would he worry?