Chapter 82: A Heavy Blow to Sakumo Hatake's Kidney!

Kazuyama assumed his battle stance, shifting his clenched fists into open palms—one forward, one back—while spreading his feet into a solid, balanced base. His movements were precise and controlled, exuding confidence.

Wow, what an impressive fighting stance!

Sensei Chen's eyes lit up as he watched. As a Taijutsu master, he immediately recognized the brilliance in Kazuyama's positioning.

With his palms ready to strike or defend, his feet perfectly spaced, and his slightly crouched posture supported by bent knees and outward-turned feet, every movement was clearly powered by the strength of his core.

Hm! This kid's a natural at Taijutsu!

"Alright, Old Chen, bring it on! This time, I'm not dodging!"

His stance was solid, his battle cry rang out, and his energy surged like a rising tide.

"Not bad, kid. With that attitude, you've earned my respect. You're a man in my eyes!"

"Konoha Style: Great Whirlwind!"

Chen shot forward with explosive speed, far beyond anything a cheetah could match. In that moment, he was a rocket. His powerful legs lashed out with overwhelming force, ready to strike.

Kazuyama's smile grew sharper as his Hive Mind activated. No matter how fast Chen moved, he could see every detail.

Just as Chen's leg whip was about to strike, Kazuyama moved. His right hand came down in a precise counter to Chen's kick.

Chen was brimming with fighting spirit, but his focus faltered when he caught the look on Kazuyama's face.

Kazuyama smiled—a sly, almost mischievous grin—and his lips formed a word.

If Chen hadn't read it wrong, it was: Take care?

Take care? Chen's mind swirled with confusion. A flood of questions clouded his thoughts.

But in the next instant, everything changed.

The playground vanished. The scenery shifted abruptly, replaced by... a roof?

Kazuyama was gone, and in his place stood a white-haired man with his back to him.

Chen froze. That white hair... that presence…

Holy shit! Isn't this Sakumo?!

"Shit! Move!"

At that moment, Sakumo was still casually watching the commotion, but Chen suddenly disappeared from his view.

As confusion set in, Sakumo felt a chill run down his spine, as if he had plunged into an ice cellar. His instincts screamed danger.

Meanwhile, Kazuyama, still standing on the playground, locked eyes with him, his mocking smile sharper than ever.

Damn brat! He actually used the Flying Thunder God Technique to set this up!

Damn it! Dodge!

Sakumo's reflexes kicked in immediately, but it was too late. Kazuyama had activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Chen was transported to the roof—just one meter behind Sakumo.

For a master, one meter was an uncomfortably close range. There was no chance to dodge.

Chen's Konoha Leaf Whirlwind struck Sakumo square in the lower back.

"Aaah!"

A piercing scream echoed from the roof of the Ninja Academy. Heads turned to the scene, only to witness something that shattered their expectations.

Chen's powerful kick, sharp and swift, landed squarely on Sakumo's kidneys, sending the white-haired swordsman flying off the roof.

As Sakumo soared through the air, clutching his lower back and screaming in pain, the entire academy froze in stunned silence.

Later, someone would ask, "What's the true power of Konoha's strongest Taijutsu master?"

Sakumo, gingerly rubbing his sore back, would reply, "That day, I felt like I'd reunited with my long-lost great-grandma."

Pakura sighed, rubbing her forehead in frustration. She knew Kazuyama couldn't be trusted to play fair—once again, her instincts had been spot-on.

[Ding! Host has successfully used the Flying Thunder God Technique to ambush Sakumo, enabling Chen to land a critical kidney strike. Special reward: +2 Strength.]

Hearing the familiar system notification, Kazuyama burst into laughter.

So, you white-haired bastard Sakumo, you wanted to be my father-in-law, huh? Satisfied now?

So, Sakumo, you wanted to be my father-in-law, huh? How's that working out for you?

…

That evening, at the Gekkō residence, during dinner.

"Kazuyama, you've gone too far today."

"That's Konoha's White Fang!"

Pakura was eating the meal Kazuyama had prepared and had to admit—the guy really knew how to cook.

"Oh? Kazuyama, have you been up to no good again? What did you do to Lord Sakumo?"

Ebisami, curious about his antics, asked while helping him ladle some rice.

"Mom, Brother Kazuyama got Chen-sensei to kick Principal Sakumo today, and now he's in the hospital!"

Upon hearing this, Ebisu eagerly put down his rice bowl and began narrating the afternoon's events with great enthusiasm.

Ebisami was dumbfounded. That was the mighty Lord Sakumo, and this little brat actually ambushed him?

"Hmph, he wanted me to call him father! How could I tolerate that?"

"That was just a little punishment. Just you wait!"

The memory of Sakumo's smug face that afternoon filled Kazuyama with irritation. I'm the one who brought her back. I'm the one taking care of her. And yet, Sakumo tried to swoop in and take her away so easily? Unbelievable!

Noticing Kazuyama's sour expression, Pakura couldn't help but feel a surprising sense of satisfaction.

"Aunt Satsume, one more bowl! I'm in a particularly good mood today!"

"Okay, eat more, so when you two get married, you can have a big, fat baby soon."

Ebisami smiled as she took Pakura's bowl.

Before she could finish speaking—

"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

Both Pakura and Kazuyama spat out their food at the same time. Their faces flushed with embarrassment as they avoided each other's gaze.

"Aunt Ebisami, don't say things like that! Who would want to marry him? He's such a little brat," Pakura huffed.

"Hah! Maybe you want to marry me, but I definitely don't want to marry you," Kazuyama shot back. "My dreams are way bigger—like the stars and the sea!"

Ebisami watched them bicker with a small smile, choosing not to intervene.

After dinner, Kazuyama sat on the roof, gazing at the moonlight.

Pakura suddenly jumped onto the roof and stood beside him.

"Sakumo said that if you want to join Konoha, you'll need to join a clan."

Kazuyama glanced at her. "Have you thought about it, Pakura?"

Pakura lowered her head, her thoughts swirling. Sakumo had mentioned the same thing to her earlier, but she hadn't given an answer. Now, confronted with Kazuyama's question, she felt even more uncertain.

"I…"

She hesitated. Could I really leave Sunagakure behind? As a Suna ninja, who had come to Konoha as a prisoner, the thought weighed heavily on her.

"You don't need to worry about Suna," Kazuyama said. "I just want to know your true thoughts."

"I... I don't know... After all, Suna was the place that raised me."

Kazuyama slowly sat up, an inexplicable twinge of displeasure tightening his chest.

"Raising you wasn't necessarily for your own good," he said, his tone sharp.

"Don't you know what your life there was like? Being used as a weapon isn't where you belong."

"You deserve a better destiny."

He paused, his mind drifting to Pakura's original fate. Betrayed by her village, killed in cold blood, her life ending in bitterness and grievance.

After collecting his thoughts, he continued.

"Join the Hatake Clan. Become a member of Konoha. Even if you don't stay a ninja, this is where you belong."

"And…"

"I hope you'll stay."

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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