Inside the Uzumaki Compound
Kazuki hadn't expected that being "lazy" would cause so much concern.
But seeing Mito Uzumaki personally invite Shizune to examine him—
His chest warmed slightly.
She truly treated him like family.
"Let me check," Shizune said professionally.
She stepped closer and reached for his wrist.
Kazuki instinctively took half a step back.
"…Eh."
"Kazuki-kun, if you're injured, don't move. I need to examine you properly."
She grabbed his arm firmly.
Kazuki closed his eyes dramatically.
"Well… if Shizune-chan insists on seeing my body, I suppose I'll leave it to you."
"—!"
Shizune's eye twitched.
Kushina covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Hmph! Serves you right!"
Shizune pinched the soft spot at his waist.
Hard.
Kazuki flinched slightly.
But—
"…Ow."
Shizune blinked.
His muscles were incredibly dense.
Even relaxed, they felt reinforced.
She cleared her throat and resumed professional composure.
After circulating medical chakra through his body, her expression changed.
"No injuries."
"Chakra reserves… extremely high."
"For his age, this level is comparable to a jōnin."
Even she was surprised.
After finishing, Shizune reported to Mito:
"Mito-sama, he's perfectly healthy."
"If you're worried, perhaps Tsunade-sama could examine him when possible."
Kazuki's eyelid twitched.
First Shizune.
Now Tsunade?
Mito shook her head.
"Not now. The situation is unstable."
"Kushina was just kidnapped."
"And Kazuki is the last confirmed Senju bloodline."
"We cannot risk travel."
Shizune nodded.
"Understood. I'll inform my teacher."
She bowed politely and departed.
Outside the Compound – Root Surveillance
The wooden child at the gate continued poking ants.
Every branch it held sprouted fresh shoots.
Encoded messages.
"Kushina left."
"Kushina + Shizune returned."
"Shizune exited alone."
Each twig was tossed into the alley.
Each twig was collected.
Each twig delivered to Root headquarters.
Root Headquarters
Danzo Shimura studied the updates.
"Kazuki hasn't left the compound in two days?"
Orochimaru stood nearby, amused.
"Perhaps he truly enjoys staying inside."
Danzo frowned.
"Shizune visited."
"Is he injured?"
Orochimaru shrugged.
"Not by me."
"If anything, he injured me."
Danzo narrowed his eye.
"Yamato has been relocated."
Orochimaru's lips curved slightly.
"Excellent."
Danzo placed two wooden twigs on the table.
Wood Release residue.
"It's genuine."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed like a predator's.
"Send him to me once you capture him."
Danzo's tone hardened.
"If he comes to you, you will not repeat past mistakes."
"No reckless experimentation."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"I only require a small blood sample."
"Nothing fatal."
He turned and left.
Fools, he thought.
They believed he only wanted blood.
Two More Days
Root rotated surveillance teams.
Yamato was quietly transferred elsewhere.
Still—
Kazuki never left.
Root operatives grew irritated.
"Is he planning to stay inside for a month?"
Even Danzo's patience thinned.
"One more day."
"If he does not appear by 3 a.m. tomorrow, withdraw."
He couldn't tie up his top ten operatives indefinitely.
Kazuki was… absurdly cautious.
Inside Kazuki's Room
Kazuki opened his status panel again.
Name: KazukiRank: GeninStrength Evaluation: Elite JōninCharacter Card: SSS-Rank — Hashirama Senju (Fusion: 20.09%)Kekkei Genkai: Divine Wood ReleaseNinjutsu:
Flying Thunder God — Lv3
Impure World Reincarnation — Lv3
Chidori — Lv3
Leaf Hurricane — Lv3
Fusion: 20%.
With stacked multipliers, his growth had skyrocketed.
At this level—
Even Orochimaru would struggle to pressure him seriously.
And in another few days—
He would surpass standard Kage-tier thresholds.
Kazuki stretched lazily.
"Alright."
"Salted fish mode… temporarily complete."
He could feel it.
The Root operatives outside.
The subtle chakra disturbances.
The waiting.
If he stayed inside forever, they would eventually withdraw.
But that wasn't necessary anymore.
At 20% fusion—
He had enough power to protect himself.
Enough to test the waters.
A faint smile formed.
"It's time to go for a walk."
Outside—
Root operatives adjusted positions.
Unaware.
The prey had just decided—
To step outside willingly.