"The Seven-Tails Jinchūriki is a female ninja from Takigakure named Kaede, and she's coming to the Land of Fire soon!"
"The Land of Fire? Why?"
Kazama was puzzled by Obito's words.
After all, a Jinchūriki is a village's most critical strategic asset, and they rarely leave their village.
"Because the Ninja World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin, and Kaede from Takigakure is one of the participants!"
The so-called Ninja World Martial Arts Tournament was a grand event co-hosted by the five great nations—Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Besides the ninjas from these five nations, smaller countries and ninja villages from the surrounding areas would also join in.
The winner would not only gain fame across the entire ninja world but also receive rewards from all five great nations.
As a result, the number of participants in every tournament was countless.
"Perfect! I'll use this tournament as a chance to absorb the power of the Seven-Tails!"
With this in mind, Kazama immediately decided to participate in the tournament and have his Otogakure (Village Hidden in Sound) join as well.
Otogakure had now grown to rival the strength of the five great ninja villages.
Moreover, the tournament was an all-out, no-holds-barred melee open to all ninjas.
With fighters like Zabuza, Haku, Kimimaro, and the Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Six-Tails, Kazama was confident that Otogakure could take the top spot and make a name for itself across the ninja world.
"Kazama-sama, are you participating in the tournament as a representative of Otogakure or Konoha?"
"Konoha!"
Kazama wasn't ready to reveal to the five great nations that he was the leader of Otogakure.
After all, playing the underdog was one of his core principles.
"Kazama-sama, if you're representing Konoha, we won't stand a chance against you!"
"Yeah, doesn't that mean Otogakure is doomed to lose?"
Zabuza and the others looked glum.
"Don't worry. Even though I'm representing Konoha, I'll secretly help you guys out. Besides, with your current strength, even the five great nations would struggle to match you!"
"Really? That's a relief!"
Hearing that Kazama would support them, Zabuza and the others were overjoyed.
Kazama's main goal for joining the tournament was to absorb the power of the Seven-Tails.
As for the empty glory of winning first place, he couldn't care less.
That said, while he didn't care about it for himself, he wanted Otogakure to claim that honor.
As for Konoha, well, he'd just have to be a loyal soldier on the outside while his heart remained with Otogakure.
---
Konohagakure, Land of Fire
"Tsunade-sama, the Martial Arts Tournament is about to start, but we've been swamped with mission requests lately. All our Jōnin are out on assignments. If we only send Chūnin and Genin, I'm afraid Konoha won't stand a chance of winning."
Seeing Shizune's worried expression, Tsunade shook her head with a smile.
"Have you forgotten we still have a certain super Genin in Konoha?"
"Super Genin? You mean Kazama?"
"Exactly! As long as that kid participates, taking first place in the tournament will be a piece of cake for Konoha!"
"But…"
Shizune gave an awkward smile.
"What's wrong?"
Tsunade was confused by Shizune's reaction.
"Ever since his last mission, Kazama hasn't returned to Konoha!"
"What? Why is it that every time there's a mission, we can't find that kid?!"
"I bet he doesn't even know about the Martial Arts Tournament."
"Very likely!"
"No way I wouldn't know about something this big!"
Just as Tsunade and Shizune were talking, Kazama appeared before them.
"You little brat, always showing up at the last second!"
Seeing Kazama, Tsunade let out a sigh of relief.
"Kazama, since all our Jōnin are tied up with missions, you've got to take the lead and make sure Konoha comes out on top in this tournament!"
"Tsunade-sama, aren't you putting a bit too much faith in me?"
Kazama was speechless, seeing Tsunade pin all her hopes on him.
After all, he was planning to help Otogakure claim first place in the tournament.
"Kid, you think I don't know how strong you are? You're Konoha's hope! You're the future Sixth Hokage! If you lose, not only will Konoha lose face, but you, the future Hokage, will too. Isn't that right?"
Seeing Tsunade dangling the Hokage title in front of him, Kazama gave a helpless nod.
"Fine, I'll do my best!"
Truth be told, Kazama really did want to become the Sixth Hokage.
If he could pull that off, he'd be the leader of both Otogakure and Konoha—how perfect would that be?
"For now, I'll just have to figure out a way to make Otogakure and Konoha tie for first!"
With that thought, Kazama muttered to himself.
"Kazama, with you in the tournament, Konoha's victory is practically guaranteed!"
"Totally! With Kazama on our side, we've got nothing to worry about!"
When Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and the others learned that Kazama had returned to join the tournament, they were thrilled.
They'd all witnessed Kazama's strength firsthand.
"Hmph! A bunch of lowly Genin daring to dream of taking first place in the Martial Arts Tournament?"
Just then, a group of foreign ninjas approached them.