Chapter 77: Even the Best Students Get Led Astray!

Chakra nature transformations are divided into seven types: fire, wind, lightning, earth, water, yin, and yang. When two chakra natures are combined, they create a new form of ninjutsu classified as a Kekkei Genkai.

While many ninjas can use multiple nature transformations, only a few can master a Kekkei Genkai. This suggests that the ability to produce Kekkei Genkai is linked to one's bloodline and even their DNA. This was one of the topics Kazuyama and Orochimaru had studied in the past.

Kazuyama inherently possessed four major chakra attributes—fire, earth, water, and wind—giving him the potential to master multiple Kekkei Genkai. However, despite his potential, he only knew one technique: the Transparent Escape Technique. This ability, rooted in the Gekkō Clan's bloodline, was encoded into his genetic chain.

Now, this limitation could finally change. Although Kazuyama wasn't certain how the system would grant him a second Kekkei Genkai, he trusted that, being a product of the system, it would undoubtedly be of exceptional quality.

As he mulled things over, a small smile crept across Kazuyama's face—one that instantly set off a certain "red-eyed man."

"Damn it! You saw me fall, and you have the audacity to smile so smugly!"

"Ahhh! I swear, I'll kill you!"

Fugaku Uchiha, completely ignoring Minato's attempts to calm him down, yelled with absolute determination to take Kazuyama's life.

"Huh? Fugaku, why did you fall? I wasn't paying attention just now. My bad," Kazuyama said, feigning innocence.

"Bullshit! You did it on purpose!" Fugaku snapped.

Kazuyama, clearly in a good mood, dismissed Fugaku's anger entirely. Alongside Minato, he helped Fugaku up, and the group continued on their way.

Because they had an injured companion, their journey back to the village took half a day. To make matters worse, Kazuyama frequently used the Flying Thunder God Technique for short hops, slowing their progress even further.

"Minato, you and Fugaku head to the hospital for treatment. I'll go to the Hokage Building to report the situation," Kazuyama said, his tone solemn.

"After all, this was my mission outside the village. With such a major incident in the Land of Grass, Lord Hokage must be informed immediately."

Kazuyama's expression was serious, embodying the image of a dedicated shinobi fulfilling his duties.

"Okay, go ahead. Fugaku and I really need to get to the hospital," Minato replied.

Both men were severely injured, and prompt medical attention was critical—especially for Fugaku, who had nearly half his body gravely damaged.

After parting ways, Kazuyama headed straight for the Hokage Building.

What he didn't know was that the commotion in the Land of Grass had already reached Hiruzen. At that moment, the Hokage was preoccupied, dealing with a familiar source of agitation: Danzō.

"Hiruzen! The two Tailed Beasts in the Land of Grass have erupted into battle. This is no trivial matter!" Danzō declared, his voice pressing and stern.

"You know the terror of the Tailed Beasts! We must use the power of the Nine-Tails now! If Iwagakure's Tailed Beast attacks us, the damage to the village will be catastrophic!"

The Tailed Beasts were a village's ultimate trump card—unleashed only in dire circumstances. Konoha's Nine-Tails was the most fearsome of them all, yet it had never been utilized in combat.

"Leave the Jinchūriki to me," Danzō urged. "The Root Division will use every resource to teach her how to control the Nine-Tails quickly. This isn't for offense, but for defense!"

His words rang with righteousness, but Hiruzen knew Danzō all too well. If the Jinchūriki, Kushina, fell under Danzō's influence, she would undoubtedly be transformed into a weapon of destruction. His manipulative tactics and shadowy methods would break her, turning her into nothing more than a living war machine.

"Report, Lord Hokage!" a shout suddenly interrupted.

"Kazuyama Gekkō has returned! He has urgent information!"

Hiruzen's face lit up with relief, while Danzō's expression darkened.

That meddlesome boy again, Danzō thought bitterly. He was the reason Danzō had failed to acquire the Scorch Release user. What a waste of such a valuable Kekkei Genkai.

"Let him in!"

Hiruzen's voice carried authority as he anticipated Kazuyama bringing information about the Tailed Beast incident in the Land of Grass.

Danzō, seated nearby on a sofa, adjusted his posture. It was clear he too was interested in whatever Kazuyama had uncovered this time.

As Kazuyama entered, his gaze briefly landed on Danzō, but he said nothing. Of course, Danzō being in the Hokage Building wasn't surprising. He was Hiruzen Sarutobi's senior and one of the Second Hokage's six disciples—Konoha's infamous "Darkness." His presence here was only natural.

"Lord Hokage, I've completed my investigation of the Land of Grass," Kazuyama began.

"Iwagakure has dispatched a large number of shinobi to the Land of Grass. The leader is Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki. He was also the one who started the rampage."

"Oh, and as you may already know, there was a battle between Tailed Beasts in the Land of Grass."

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. The sudden appearance of the Tailed Beasts had been impossible to ignore—their overwhelming chakra had even struck fear into the border guards.

"For that, you should thank Minato and Fugaku," Kazuyama said with a small smile, casually dropping the names of the two who had been chasing him.

His comment immediately caught the attention of both Hiruzen and Danzō.

"What do you mean by that?" Danzō asked sharply, his tone cutting. "Did Minato and the Uchiha somehow cause the Tailed Beasts to go berserk?"

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Danzō, I am the Hokage. You are here to observe, not to interrogate. Keep that in mind and listen."

Danzō's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, silently cursing him. Damn you, Hiruzen.

Hiruzen's unspoken thoughts weren't far behind: This is my subordinate reporting to me. What business is it of yours?

Kazuyama continued, unfazed by the tension in the room. "I was secretly tracking Iwagakure shinobi in the Land of Grass. Minato and Fugaku also entered the area, but..." He paused slightly. "Although they're incredibly strong, their stealth skills leave much to be desired."

"They openly crossed into the Land of Grass from the Land of Fire border. I'm not sure what they were thinking, but from what I observed, they were discovered almost immediately."

If Minato and Fugaku were here, their reactions would be:

Minato: "Uh... this is totally Fugaku's fault! He's the one who insisted we dive right in!"

Fugaku: "Kazuyama, you moron! Why are you making us look bad?!"

Hiruzen's face twitched slightly as he processed the report. He understood why Minato and Fugaku were in the Land of Grass, but he hadn't expected such a glaring mistake from two of Konoha's brightest talents.

These two are supposed to be the strongest of the younger generation—the future pillars of the village. How could they have been so reckless?

Disappointment surged through his mind. This is arrogance! This is stupidity! Especially you, Minato—you're Jiraiya's disciple! That fool must've been a terrible influence.

When I see him again, I'll need to set Minato straight. Such a brilliant student, and yet he's picking up Jiraiya's recklessness!

Hiruzen sighed to himself. Look at Orochimaru's disciple—so precise, so disciplined. That's what a proper shinobi should be.

If they were present:

Jiraiya: "Why am I getting blamed for this again?!"

Orochimaru: "Heh, Kazuyama, you sure know how to cause a scene."

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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