A year slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Throughout that year, Kazuyama Gekkō had been constantly traveling between two villages—managing affairs in Konoha while also training the three kids from Sunagakure. His schedule was packed, yet fulfilling. When he had time to spare, he roamed the ninja world, searching for any trace of Akatsukigakure.
But those guys were true masters of hiding. No matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find a single clue.
He'd even forgotten to ask about them during his visit to Ryūchi Cave. Because of that, he had to cancel his Sage Mode and lost his chance to communicate with the White Snake Sage—an oversight that nearly made him depressed.
Still, he didn't worry much. Over the year, his control over Senjutsu had grown sharper and steadier.
"Sensei, can't you stay?"
"Yeah, Sensei! My Wind Release has improved a lot. Can't you just not leave?"
"Sensei, I made a puppet that looks just like you. Can't you stay?"
Three kids, three comments—Gaara's at least made sense, but the other two were pushing it.
Temari, what does youar improved Wind Release have to do with him leaving or not?
And Kankurō—seriously? A puppet that looks like him? Did you really think that would convince him?
"Enough already, you three. Just go attend your academy classes properly."
"I've already taught you everything you need for now. Your sensei's got missions to do."
"Don't forget, carrying out missions is part of being a ninja."
Over the year, the trio couldn't have been more satisfied with Kazuyama. It wasn't every day you got a teacher this strong and this reliable.
Especially Gaara—Kazuyama had trained him personally countless times. Now, Gaara could partially harness Shukaku's power, his strength rising like a rocket. Combined with the sand defense his mother, Karura, had left behind, his current abilities were already on par with a typical jōnin.
...
When Kazuyama returned to Konoha, he was summoned once again by the Hokage.
"Kazuyama, our cooperation with Sunagakure has gone fairly smoothly this year."
"However, the Daimyō's office isn't pleased. The Daimyō feels we should've informed them before forming an alliance."
"What do you think?"
The Daimyō—the ruler of the Land of Fire—had grown distant from Konoha in recent years. Even though the Guardian Ninja organization wasn't as dominant as before, the Daimyō's office still kept a cautious distance from the village.
Kazuyama had heard plenty about their politics this past year, but he couldn't bring himself to care.
After all, if Konoha's sky ever fell, Minato Namikaze was the one holding it up. Why should he worry?
But Minato wouldn't stop coming to ask for his opinion.
"Hey, Minato, how does this concern a jōnin like me?"
"If you want a strategy, ask Shikaku. If you want to negotiate with the Daimyō's office, go do it yourself."
"I'm just a regular jōnin. You're wasting your breath asking me."
Kazuyama wasn't about to get involved. He put on his best "don't care" face, which nearly made Minato cough up blood.
"Kazuyama, can you be serious for once?"
"It's been years—you've got kids already! How are you still like this as a father?!"
"Shikaku's already given me plenty of advice, but I still want your opinion. You've had more dealings with the Daimyō's office than anyone."
Kazuyama shot Minato a sideways look. The nerve of this guy—he didn't even blush while saying that.
Who was he calling irresponsible? Kazuyama remembered perfectly well who used to drag little Naruto around making trouble.
If it weren't for his status as Hokage, half the village would've scolded him by now.
What kind of father takes his son rooftop-hopping—only to crash through someone's roof?
What kind of father drags his kid door to door scrounging for free meals?
No wonder Naruto stayed cheerful even after all the hostility he faced in the original story. He'd clearly inherited his father's best qualities: shameless, thick-skinned, and always ready to freeload!
"Ugh, just stop talking."
"Wasn't the Daimyō's office supposed to be quiet for a while?"
"Didn't that guy Kazuma calm down after I killed Danzō right in front of him last time?"
"So what's the Daimyō's problem now?"
"I thought he didn't even respect Konoha anymore."
Kazuma had worked with Danzō, which was why the Guardian Shinobi had grown so strong for a time. But with Danzō gone, Kazuma wouldn't dare go head-to-head with Konoha.
So what had changed? Why was the Daimyō suddenly paying attention again?
"A large number of Guardian Ninja have defected. Even with all his tricks, Kazuma couldn't stop it."
"The Guardians are a shadow of what they used to be."
"That's why the Daimyō's focus has shifted back to us—Konoha."
"This whole issue likely stems from that. I think the Daimyō's just using our alliance with Sunagakure as an excuse to pressure us."
Kazuyama snorted, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Oh, so when he doesn't need us, we're tossed aside."
"But now that his own people are falling apart, suddenly he needs us again—and thinks he can order us around?"
"What a joke."
"Still, I didn't realize Kazuma was that pathetic—he can't even handle a bunch of rogue ninja?"
His disdain for Kazuma only deepened. The man wasted time scheming instead of training. A complete failure.
"That's not the main issue," Minato continued. "According to our investigation…"
"The death of the previous Daimyō—Kazuma's name seems to come up in connection."
"That's the key point. If he really participated—or even orchestrated—the assassination, we'll have to act."
That piece of news genuinely shocked Kazuyama.
Kazuma assassinating the Daimyō?
No… something didn't add up.
Then, all at once, Kazuyama's eyes widened. Minato immediately noticed the change and grew serious—he knew that look. Kazuyama had realized something.
He had indeed remembered.
About Kazuma.
In the original timeline, that bastard had tried to assassinate the current Daimyō—not the previous one.
But if he'd done it once, he could've done it before. Some people were just born traitors.
With that, Kazuyama became certain—the death of the previous Daimyō absolutely had Kazuma's fingerprints on it.
Given his connections, if Kazuma really wanted to reach out to Akatsukigakure, it wouldn't be difficult at all.