This instantly sent Kazama into a rage. You see, Kazama valued loyalty above all else.
Now, Tsuchikage, out of nowhere, attacked his comrades from Otogakure. How could Kazama let that slide?
"Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku!" (Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame)
With Kazama's powerful Katon jutsu, he not only blocked Tsuchikage's attack and those of his subordinates but also freed the four Jinchūriki from Otogakure.
"Brat! You're just a lowly Genin, and you dare raise a hand against me, the great Tsuchikage?!"
"Hmph! You're the great Tsuchikage, yet you attack Otogakure's ninja. If anyone's the brat here, it's you!"
"You're infuriating me!" Tsuchikage hadn't expected Kazama to talk back, and his face burned with humiliated fury.
Without hesitation, he charged at Kazama.
But to everyone's shock, Kazama landed a single punch that sent Tsuchikage stumbling backward.
The crowd around them gasped in disbelief.
"This Kazama kid has strength on par with Tsuchikage?!"
Tsuchikage, knocked back by the blow, was equally stunned.
He'd heard Kazama was strong, a once-in-a-century genius from Konoha, but he never imagined Kazama could be his match.
"Kazama!" Tsunade, seeing the fight about to escalate and worried about sparking conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure, stepped between them to stop the brawl.
"Tsunade! Is this the genius of Konoha? So undisciplined, meddling in Iwagakure's affairs!"
"Iwagakure's affairs?" Kazama paused, realizing the issue. His subordinate, the Yonbi Jinchūriki Rōshi, used to be an Iwagakure ninja.
But due to a falling out with Tsuchikage, Rōshi had left the village.
From Tsuchikage's words, it was clear he was upset that Rōshi had joined Otogakure.
Sure enough, Tsunade leaned in and whispered to Kazama, "Kazama, according to Tsuchikage, this Yonbi Jinchūriki from Otogakure was originally from Iwagakure. Tsuchikage wants to take him back, but the other Jinchūriki objected, which led to this conflict. This is technically Iwagakure's business, so it's best if you don't get involved."
"Tsunade-sama, I'm sorry, but I can't agree with that!" Kazama shook his head firmly. As the true leader of Otogakure, how could he let Tsuchikage take the Yonbi Jinchūriki he'd worked so hard to recruit?
"From what you said, Hokage-sama, I understand why you're clashing with Otogakure's Jinchūriki. But Rōshi left Iwagakure before joining Otogakure, so he's not a missing-nin. You have no right to take him back…"
"Enough of your nonsense! You're just a lowly Konoha Genin. Who gave you the right to speak here?" Before Kazama could finish, Tsuchikage's son, Kōtsuchi, stepped forward.
"Kid, I've heard you're Konoha's genius, saving the village single-handedly twice. Well, let's see what you're really made of!"
Before anyone could react, Kōtsuchi launched an attack at Kazama.
"Doton: Ganken!" (Earth Release: Rock Fist)
Kōtsuchi's right hand transformed into a hardened rock fist, swinging straight at Kazama's face.
"That's Kōtsuchi's signature move!"
"Yeah! He's defeated countless enemies with that rock fist. Kazama's got no chance!"
"Serves him right for sticking his nose in Iwagakure's business as a mere Konoha Genin!"
The Iwagakure ninja muttered curses under their breath, eagerly waiting to see Kazama get pummeled.