Suddenly, houses began sprouting up on the distant empty land.
In less time than it takes to burn a stick of incense, the ruins of Konoha had transformed into a village brimming with buildings.
And honestly, it looked even more pleasing to the eye than before the destruction.
"So, what do you think, you two? My rebuilding skills aren't half bad, right?" Kazama said with a smirk.
At his words, Koharu and Homura felt their faces burn with embarrassment, wishing they could crawl into a hole and disappear.
"That's amazing, Kazama! You're Konoha's lucky star!" Tsunade exclaimed, pulling Kazama into a tight hug.
"A whiff of… milk?"
Kazama found himself momentarily lost in Tsunade's embrace, but the next second, he felt a nosebleed coming on and quickly wriggled free.
"Hokage-sama, you're too kind! This is just what I had to do."
"Not bad at all!" Tsunade said, grinning and nodding at him. Then her gaze shifted to Koharu and Homura.
"So, you two lost the bet. Isn't it about time you stepped down and let Kazama take your place?"
"Uh…"
Koharu and Homura exchanged awkward glances at Tsunade's words, then turned to Kazama.
"Look, Kazama, little brother, we were blind to your greatness this time. Could you maybe… show us some mercy?" Koharu pleaded.
"Yeah, we're getting up there in years. If we lose our advisor positions, we'll have no income. We'll be left drinking the northwest wind!" Homura added dramatically.
"Don't worry, I've got new roles in mind for you," Kazama said reassuringly.
"Really? That's great!"
Koharu and Homura's faces lit up, thinking Kazama might let them keep some high-ranking posts.
"Let me think… When I was rebuilding, I left a little house by Konoha's main gate. You two can move there and take up gatekeeping duties. I'll make sure you still get paid. How's that sound?"
At Kazama's words, the crowd burst into laughter.
Koharu and Homura, though reluctant, had no choice but to accept their new jobs as gatekeepers.
After that, Kazama bid a temporary farewell to the group and headed to the outskirts of Konoha.
His meeting with Obito was about to happen.
The moment Kazama arrived, a ripple of spatial distortion appeared, and Obito stepped out from the swirling vortex.
"Greetings, Kazama-sama!" Obito said, bowing.
"Not bad, not bad!"
Seeing Obito fully submit to him, Kazama couldn't help but feel thrilled. With this, the Akatsuki was down to just Kisame and Kurozetsu.
For now, though, Kazama wasn't ready to have Obito take on Kurozetsu. Instead, he wanted Obito to stay in Akatsuki, keeping tabs on Kurozetsu's every move and tracking the tailed beasts.
"Any news on the Four-Tails?" Kazama asked.
"Yes, we've sent Itachi and Kisame to handle it."
"Perfect! Tell me the Four-Tails' location right now!"
"This time, I'm not just going to absorb the Four-Tails—I'm going to bring Kisame under my control too," Kazama thought, letting out a hearty laugh.
Meanwhile…
"Itachi-aniki, you can just sit this one out. I've got the Four-Tails Jinchuriki handled!"
Kisame was already locked in battle with the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi.
Roshi's Yoton (Lava Release) was countered by Kisame's Suiton (Water Release), but Kisame was at a disadvantage. His trusty blade, Samehada, had been taken by Kazama long ago, and Roshi could tap into the Four-Tails' power.
As a result, Kisame wasn't exactly dominating the fight.
"Come on, Kisame, if you can't handle it, let me step in!" Itachi called out.
"What?!"
Just as Kisame and Roshi were locked in a heated stalemate, a mocking laugh rang in Kisame's ears.