The next day, Kazuyama did not show up for the competition.
He had been summoned by the Hokage early in the morning, along with many others.
At the information center, Kazuyama was stunned by the mountain of scrolls piled up in front of him. He glanced back at Hiruzen Sarutobi behind him.
"Lord Hokage, isn't this work supposed to be done by someone else?"
"What is all this?"
Hiruzen looked at him with a smirk and took a satisfied drag from his cigarette.
"Kazuyama, as the village's recognized intelligence expert, you should be familiar with intelligence work."
"These are all reports sent by the village's elite. Since you don't have to go to the battlefield, it's only right that you and your team handle them."
"This is the village's intelligence center. From now on, this will be your office."
"How about it? I'm being nice to you, aren't I?"
Kazuyama was completely dumbfounded. What kind of job was this? Intelligence center?
Looking at the towering pile of scrolls, he felt his head spinning.
Then he noticed the sly smile at the corner of Hiruzen's mouth. How could he not realize that the old man had set him up?
For his own good? Yeah, right! This was clearly revenge!
Revenge for the crystal ball incident! This old man was really wicked!
"Um... Lord Hokage, do I have any other choices?"
"I think this kind of brain-intensive work is more suited for Shikaku. It doesn't really fit me, does it?"
"What if I mess up? That would be a disaster for the village."
Hiruzen shook his head, suppressing the laughter bubbling in his chest. This was a position he had specially prepared for Kazuyama.
This little brat had the nerve to steal his crystal ball! Did he think an old tiger would just sit quietly?
If he didn't teach him a lesson, this brat would never know who the real ninja boss was!
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a smoke ring and said,
"You have no other choice. This is the job I carefully selected for you."
Kazuyama sighed helplessly and, resigned, walked toward the mountain of scrolls.
Just as he was about to open the first scroll, a sudden commotion erupted outside the door.
It was Shikaku rushing in, his expression serious as he reported to Hiruzen,
"Lord Hokage, latest intelligence from the frontlines—the Four-Tails and Five-Tails have simultaneously appeared at the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire. They've already forced our border troops to retreat."
"Furthermore, according to the reports, the Kamizuru Clan of Iwagakure has launched a large-scale attack."
"Kazuyama had previous encounters with the Kamizuru Clan. I need his help in devising a strategy."
Upon hearing the mention of the Kamizuru Clan, Hiruzen's brow furrowed.
This clan of insect users was as renowned as the Aburame Clan and had shown impressive strength in previous battles.
"How large is the scale?"
"It's hard to estimate," Shikaku replied. "But based on the information we received, the entire clan has been mobilized, and the bees they're using this time are laced with poison."
Poison?
Not only did Hiruzen frown, even Kazuyama's face darkened.
The Kamizuru Clan was skilled at controlling bees, but the toxicity of their bees had always been negligible.
And now, they were bringing poison into the fight?
Something unusual was definitely going on...
"Kazuyama, you fought the Kamizuru Clan before. Are their bees highly poisonous?"
Kazuyama shook his head. Whether on the battlefield or in the Land of Earth, he had never seen the Kamizuru Clan use poisoned bees.
"Something must have happened..."
"What about the Aburame Clan? Have they been dispatched?"
Facing the Hokage's question, Shikaku nodded. Ever since yesterday's meeting ended, he had already started making preparations.
The moment he received the frontline report, he had sent the Aburame Clan to prepare.
"Kazuyama, your work is suspended for now. Go with Shikaku."
Since war matters took priority, Kazuyama smoothly escaped from the nightmare office.
As soon as he stepped outside, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He looked at Shikaku with a gaze full of gratitude.
"Shikaku, you are my second parent!"
"If you ever need my help in the future, just say it. I can't promise I'll be of any real help, but I'll definitely listen to you."
Shikaku: ...How is that any different from not saying anything?
"It's not my doing. It was Suzaku who said it. He's also in the Operations Department."
"If you want to thank someone, thank him."
Kazuyama silently made a note to remember Suzaku Nara, thinking that someday he would find a way to get back at him... No, to repay him.
"Haha, got it. Then I don't need to go with you, right?"
"I think my sensei would have a better idea on how to deal with the bees. I'll go ask him."
Shikaku thought about it and agreed that he was right.
Orochimaru was an expert in dealing with such matters, and as the village's researcher, he might indeed have a solution.
What he didn't know was that Kazuyama had no intention of helping with the Kamizuru Clan.
He was simply heading to Orochimaru to avoid work.
With that, Kazuyama used the Flying Thunder God Technique and disappeared on the spot.
...
Arriving at the research institute, the familiar eerie atmosphere greeted him.
Kazuyama didn't feel uneasy at all—instead, he found it comfortable. Maybe it was the influence of Ryūchi Cave, but he had developed a liking for dark environments.
"Sensei."
Hearing his disciple's call, Orochimaru slowly emerged from the research room, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"The Kamizuru Clan?"
"Yeah, you've already heard?"
"Of course. But bees suddenly becoming poisonous? That's not normal."
Orochimaru took a bottle from a nearby cabinet. Inside was a mass of bees.
Kazuyama immediately recognized them as the same bees controlled by the Kamizuru Clan.
He hadn't expected his sensei to have even these.
"The war has begun..."
"Kazuyama, I don't have much time left..."
A rare hint of helplessness crept into Orochimaru's voice.
Indeed, the only reason he could still remain in the village was because the war was ongoing.
Now that war had broken out again, once it ended, the time for reckoning would come.
"Sensei, the escape route is ready."
"Turtle Island has already reached the North Sea. Even if you're targeted, you can escape immediately."
"There's no need to worry."
Orochimaru nodded, showing no doubt about the escape plan his disciple had arranged.
Instead, a trace of anticipation appeared on his face.
"Do you know the people of Takigakure?"
"Yeah. Some from Amegakure were also on our side before. Now that the village head is dead, I think it's time to bring Takigakure into our fold too."
Kazuyama still trusted Orochimaru very much.
After all, their relationship had been built little by little, growing extremely close.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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