Fugaku Uchiha's face was full of anger. He only found out later that Kazuyama Gekkō had already returned to the village when his house was being haunted.
Chances were, it was this bastard's doing. Only he would have the guts to pull a stunt like that.
"What toy? I don't know anything about that."
"Fugaku, now that you're Clan Head, why are you acting so distant with us?"
"We're comrades, friends—how could you suspect me!"
Kazuyama clutched his chest, staring sorrowfully at Fugaku, who was glaring at him.
His expression couldn't have been more tragic.
Seeing this, Minato Namikaze shook his head and patted him.
"Enough, Kazuyama. Cut the act. Can't you see Fugaku doesn't buy it at all?"
"Hmph, let him keep going. I want to see just how far he takes it."
As the two bantered, Kazuyama paused. Glancing at Minato's exasperated face and Fugaku's look of disdain, he burst out laughing.
He didn't care one bit about their reactions.
"Hahaha, you've both gotten smarter. Not bad, not bad. Now you won't be so easily fooled when you're out in the world."
"See? This is what a true friend does—always helping you grow."
What does it mean to be shameless?
Kazuyama Gekkō was the perfect definition.
Even now, he could turn black into white, leaving Minato and Fugaku completely speechless. They exchanged a glance, then both let out a long sigh.
"I thought I'd already seen the limits of his shamelessness... but I was wrong."
"This bastard actually has more room to sink. Damn."
Fugaku shut his eyes tight, feeling like he'd been crushed under a mountain. It was too much. Minato nodded immediately in agreement.
The three of them continued toward the meeting room, chatting and laughing as they walked.
...
Today's meeting was especially full. From the Hokage to the advisors, and all the clan heads—everyone with a say in Konohagakure was present.
"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Third Shinobi World War," Hiruzen Sarutobi began directly. "Judging by the current situation, the war has entered its final phase."
"Sunagakure and Kumogakure have already submitted ceasefire agreements."
"As for Iwagakure and Kirigakure, although the fighting continues, it's nothing like before."
The war had progressed rapidly since it began, and combat had been almost constant. It started with Sunagakure, then Kumogakure, followed by Iwagakure and Kirigakure. Konoha had once again faced a siege from four villages—and even Amegakure had joined the fray.
"Hmph, and now they want a ceasefire just like that?"
"What about the ninjas who died in the Land of Rivers and the Land of Hot Water?"
"I'm against a ceasefire. Every time they want to fight, they do, and when they want to retreat, they just walk away?"
"This time, we've held the advantage, pushing back both Sunagakure and Kumogakure. We should be expanding on that victory."
Everyone in the room was stunned by this declaration—not from the usual warmonger Danzō Shimura, but from the other Hokage advisor, Homura Mitokado.
The bespectacled, scholarly-looking advisor was unexpectedly impressive this time. Even Kazuyama had to admit—after such a strong pro-war stance, the guy actually looked a bit cool.
Hearing his words, Hiruzen's expression turned serious. He shot a discreet glance at Danzō. But unfortunately, he didn't spot anything suspicious.
"Lady Mito, I think your words are a little extreme."
"Although we have gained the upper hand in the war, we have sacrificed many of our comrades to do so. Now is the time for us to use our absolute power to suppress the other four ninja villages and enter a period of peace."
"Not to start another battle."
As the representative of Konoha's highest intelligence, Shikaku Nara's scarred face was solemn as he stood directly opposite Homura Mitokado. He was a member of the faction that advocated peace.
A peaceful meeting had turned into another battlefield with both sides trading blows.
Kazuyama Gekkō leaned back in his chair in boredom and stretched comfortably. He had to admit that the chair was well made and quite comfortable.
"Enough!"
"Shikaku, Mito, both of you, say a little less."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward to stop the debate between the two sides, then slowly said, "We have never advocated war, so Mito, let's not start a war."
Homura Mitokado's face flashed with displeasure at these words, and he retorted, "Hmph, even if you don't attack the four great ninja villages, what about Amegakure?"
"Hanzō of the Salamander openly violated the original agreement, joined the battlefield, and slaughtered our people."
"What about that?"
The news of Hanzō of the Salamander leading an attack on Konohagakure had already spread throughout the upper echelons of Konoha. This matter could not be avoided.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi was annoyed. He really didn't expect Hanzō of the Salamander to break the original agreement.
"That's easy. We'll just fight back the way he fights us."
"He's just a stinky fish. I'd be happy to go to Amegakure and cause some trouble for them."
A sudden voice attracted everyone's attention. Kazuyama Gekkō, who had been dozing off, woke up with a cold gleam in his eyes and volunteered to go.
Those who knew him were surprised because he was a lazy guy who rarely took the initiative.
"Kazuyama Gekkō, are you serious?"
"The situation in Amegakure..."
"Old man, stop it. Hanzō of the Salamander openly provoked us and caused us considerable damage on the battlefield. How can we not retaliate? Does he really think we have no temper?"
Kazuyama directly stopped Hiruzen Sarutobi from continuing to speak. His attitude was very firm; he was determined to go to Amegakure and cause trouble.
That damn Hanzō, how dare he hit him and even betray him? It wasn't in his nature not to retaliate.
Seeing the hatred on Kazuyama's face, everyone instantly understood that he had suffered a loss on the battlefield and wanted revenge.
"In that case, I agree with Kazuyama Gekkō's suggestion. Let him lead the team to Amegakure."
"No need, leading the team is too deliberate. I'll go myself, fight, and run away. Even if he's a Demi-God, he can't catch me, so he won't be able to point the finger at the village."
Homura Mitokado wanted to send a small team, but his suggestion was rejected outright.
Kazuyama was used to going alone and didn't want to bring a bunch of dead weight with him.