"That's enough, Sensei!"
"This is the tenth tube of blood—I'm gonna pass out from anemia!"
Kazuyama sipped the potion, glancing at the needle in his arm. He felt absolutely terrible.
The potion, specially crafted by Orochimaru, was highly effective in replenishing blood. The taste wasn't bad either—he had to admit, his sensei was truly exceptional in pharmacology.
But as he drank, something felt off.
Then Orochimaru spoke.
"Do you like it? I made it just for you. In Konoha, aside from the Uchiha and Hyūga, you're one of the rare few with a Kekkei Genkai."
"To prevent fatigue from blood loss, I added plenty of ingredients to strengthen your body. I even adjusted the taste to suit your preferences."
Kazuyama: This is my own sensei, huh? Going all out to exploit his own disciple.
Orochimaru: Nonsense. It's for science!
"Sensei, can we learn the secret techniques of the Hōzuki Clan?"
Kazuyama glanced at Mangetsu, now submerged in a cultivation tank, fast asleep under Orochimaru's care. His curiosity was piqued.
"Stay still. Just one more vial."
"Heh… the Hydrification Technique, huh? A remarkable technique. While not a Kekkei Genkai, it closely resembles one."
"Whether it's possible to learn it is uncertain, but I'll research it. Of course, if he cooperates, progress will be swift. If he doesn't…"
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out as he licked his lips, a sinister grin spreading across his face. His voice brimmed with confidence—and madness.
"I'll make him cooperate…"
"For the sake of science, sacrifices must be made."
"By the way, Kazuyama, isn't your mission almost complete?"
Kazuyama nodded. This mission had already reduced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to five. Two of the top three were now in Konoha.
His task was practically accomplished. As soon as the time came, he'd return to the village.
"Good. I'm heading to the front lines soon. The threat from Sunagakure is growing."
"If possible, I'd like you to come with me. Against Suna, I need your strength."
Kazuyama was taken aback. He needed his strength?
What did that mean? He had only ever displayed the abilities of a strong Jōnin—why would Orochimaru think that?
"The battlefield in the Land of Rivers is nearing collapse due to the presence of Shukaku. The Hokage's orders are to keep Suna forces outside the Land of Fire's borders."
"Engaging a Tailed Beast head-on isn't ideal. Stealth tactics—assassination—are the best approach."
Kazuyama immediately understood. This was a mission to eliminate Suna's high-ranking officials.
"Sensei, let's be honest… the top figures in Suna right now are Rasa and Chiyo. Do you think either of them is an easy target?"
"This won't be simple."
Orochimaru was well aware of the difficulty, but what choice was there? The alternative was to face Shukaku directly.
Even if it was just One-Tail, a Tailed Beast was still a Tailed Beast.
"Okay, the blood extraction is done. Time to start my research."
"I'll make that scabbard you mentioned earlier when I have some time."
"I have to say, your strength has improved quickly. Raiga Kurosuki, Mangetsu Hōzuki… Heh, they're both formidable Jōnin from Kirigakure."
Kazuyama shrugged at Orochimaru's teasing, then pulled out the needle and walked over to the medicine cabinet.
"Sensei, I'm taking some of your medicine."
"This one strengthens the body—good, I'll take it. Enhances chakra activity? What's the point of that? Eh, I'll take it anyway."
"This one… I'll take it too…"
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't let the snakes bite me!"
"I'm out!"
Activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kazuyama vanished with an armful of medicine, leaving Orochimaru and a group of snakes behind.
"That little brat! My medicine is precious! And he just took so much at once! Hmph!"
"If he hadn't brought me such excellent test subjects, I'd have drained ten more tubes of blood from him!"
...
Back at the Daimyō's manor, Kazuyama couldn't hide his grin.
Every time he visited Orochimaru, he walked away with a haul of good stuff.
Looking at the various medicines in his arms, he was beyond pleased.
"Rin, where are Kakashi and Obito?"
"Kazuyama-sensei, you're back. They went to the forest outside the city to train."
Hearing this, Kazuyama frowned, his tone full of exasperation.
"Those two idiots aren't seriously trying to use the Lightning Blades—Kiba—to temper their bodies with lightning, are they?"
"That's exactly what they said."
Kazuyama was speechless. These two had absolutely no fear of death.
Lightning body forging… What kind of lunatic even comes up with that?
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a deafening crack of thunder exploded in the distance, drawing the attention of the entire city as people turned toward the source.
Kazuyama sighed, shaking his head before sprinting toward the outskirts of town.
...
Time flew by, and with the mission to protect the Daimyō complete, Kazuyama once again stood before him.
"My lord, our mission is over. We'll be returning to the village soon."
"I came to bid you farewell."
The Daimyō gave him a small smile. He was clearly satisfied with Kazuyama's performance.
"Kazuyama, if you ever have free time, come visit the manor. You're always welcome here."
Oh? There was definitely more to that invitation.
Over the past few days, Yanagimura's people had been whispering in his ear, trying to persuade him. Kazuyama hadn't explicitly refused, either.
...
After leaving the manor, Kazuyama took one look at Kakashi and Obito—both pitch black from head to toe—and sighed.
"Kakashi, Obito, you two have had enough. Just look at yourselves—do you still resemble energetic young shinobi?"
"If someone saw you like this, they'd think I've been torturing you."
Kakashi and Obito exchanged glances before bursting into laughter at each other's charred appearances.
This was the result of their attempt at lightning body forging. On the morning of their departure, they had decided to give it a try, only for the lightning to be far too intense. It exploded, leaving both of them completely scorched.
Kazuyama couldn't help but sigh. Every one of his students was a handful.
"For now, both of you should put this lightning training on hold. Just look at yourselves—what kind of mess is this?"
"Especially you, Kakashi."
"Your father told you to take things slowly, not to throw yourself straight into a lightning strike."
"If you want to electrocute yourself, fine. But why drag Obito into it? He doesn't even train in Lightning Release!"
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Kakashi and Obito both jumped up.
"Sensei! There's nothing wrong with this method! I can feel my body getting even stronger!"
Kazuyama: …Hopeless…