Upon hearing Muren Uchiha's words, the Kage all frowned.
They knew he was trying to stir trouble, yet every sentence he spoke was undeniably tempting to think about.
First was Takigakure and Amegakure—was Konan and Yahiko truly connected to Kazuyama?
Then Orochimaru. Everyone knew he had once been Kazuyama's sensei. But after Orochimaru left Konoha, he vanished without a trace. So he'd been hiding in the Land of Waterfalls? And his relationship with Kazuyama hadn't been cut?
And lastly, the Jinchūriki and the tailed beasts. From what Muren was implying, were all of them tied to Kazuyama?
Wasn't that a little too much?
"Hehehe. Don't believe me?"
"Kazuyama Gekkō, do you dare say these Jinchūriki and tailed beasts have nothing to do with you?"
"The Two-Tails' jinchūriki—Yugito—has been by your side this whole time, hasn't she? I don't know when you stole her from Kumogakure, but she's been in Amegakure for years. Black Zetsu watched her clearly."
Muren Uchiha forcibly pulled himself free from the crystal blade. Clutching his wound, unable to use chakra, he still spoke through gritted teeth.
In his mind, even if he lost—even if he died—he would never let Kazuyama have it easy.
Sure enough, when the name Yugito was mentioned, the Fourth Raikage—who had already been suspicious—could no longer sit still.
"You bastard! Explain Yugito right now!"
"Or I'll send you to hell with one punch!"
Sparks crackled across the Raikage's body. At this moment, he cared about nothing else. The Two-Tails belonged to Kumo. After Yugito became its jinchūriki, they had kept her confined in the mountains—until she suddenly vanished one day.
That event had shaken Kumogakure, and despite years of searching, not a trace of Yugito was ever found.
"Hmph! Raikage, don't ask me. Ask him!"
"Why did the Two-Tails' jinchūriki appear in Amegakure with him?"
Muren Uchiha glared at Kazuyama with blazing fury. He believed his plan had succeeded—that the wrath of all the Kage would soon fall upon Kazuyama.
What he didn't anticipate… was Kazuyama's absurdly thick skin.
"Hey, Lightning Guy—you believed that?"
"I found Yugito in Amegakure myself. If I wasn't a jinchūriki too, how would I have sensed her?"
"After that, I placed her in Amegakure. She refused to return to Kumo—that's not on me."
"We even fought, and then she asked me to teach her. Later, when the Akatsuki started targeting us, I realized all the Jinchūriki were their targets."
"So how could I not act? And Muren was right about one thing—most Jinchūriki and tailed beasts are connected to me."
"That's why the Akatsuki couldn't find them. I'm the one protecting the Ninja World here."
Kazuyama didn't fear Muren's attempts to redirect blame. He even tapped the air lightly—forming a crystal chair with Crystal Release—and sat down casually, completely relaxed.
He looked at Muren with open disdain. And as the others fell silent, processing his explanation, Kazuyama continued lazily:
"It's not just Yugito. Rasa, your son Gaara is also my disciple."
"Without me, he never would've conquered Shukaku that quickly."
"Kushina, be honest—could you and the Nine-Tails have reached an agreement so quickly without my help?"
"As for the others? Let's just say… we became friends through fighting."
Every word he said was true. For his own safety, Kazuyama had built relationships with many tailed beasts.
For example, Yugito, Rōshi, and the Five-Tails—all fast asleep nearby—weren't they on his side now?
"Hmph. So that's why you went to Sunagakure back then—to take disciples. Specifically my son and daughter. All because of this."
"Fine. It was for the Ninja World's good anyway. And Gaara really did master Shukaku's power just like you said."
"But, Chiyama, when exactly did you become the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki?"
"Don't tell me you stole it from Takigakure?"
If anyone understood Kazuyama's personality, it was Rasa.
He could proudly proclaim: I know this bastard. He has no bottom line whatsoever.
They fought multiple times during the war, later even had civil discussions, and now Kazuyama was the teacher of his children. Their connection was undeniably deep.
Which made one question stand out the most—
How did this brat become the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki?
Feeling the entire crowd's attention on him, Kazuyama remained utterly unfazed. His skin was thicker than a thousand Earth-Style Walls—how could he possibly be intimidated?
"Well, it all starts with Takigakure's previous Village Head, Bobosai."
"We were on a mission when Takigakure was attacked by the rogue ninja Kakuzu. Unfortunately, Chief Bobosai was killed."
"Yahiko was there too. Kakuzu wanted the Seven-Tails. With no options left, Chief Bobosai decided the Seven-Tails needed a Jinchūriki."
"It was supposed to be Yahiko—but the kid refused. What could we do? Chief Bobosai asked if I could do it. I'm a helpful guy, so I agreed."
"It's just the Seven-Tails. Why would I be scared?"
At this, Yahiko nearly rolled his Byakugan into the back of his skull.
He thought: This guy lies without even thinking. Bobosai? Bobosai didn't even get a dying sentence out before he dropped dead. Inheriting the Seven-Tails? Yeah right.
But after rolling his eyes, Yahiko hurried to stand with Kazuyama—because they were on the same side.
"That's exactly how it happened. Takigakure and Amegakure's alliance with Chiyama began from that moment."
"He helped Takigakure shoulder a burden no one else could."
"Muren Uchiha—anything else to say?"
"Hmph. Trying to sow discord with tricks like these? Pathetic."
With Yahiko's endorsement, everyone exhaled in relief—though a few still sensed something was off.
Minato, Rasa, and Ōnoki all felt a lingering doubt.
But none voiced it.
These matters were already established fact. Pursuing them now would accomplish nothing.
And more importantly—
Muren Uchiha was still alive.
They couldn't afford to be distracted now.