For Kazuyama Gekkō, peaceful days only grew more comfortable. Classes during the day, training at night—though busy, simply being able to stay in the village felt like rest.
In the blink of an eye, Michihito Gekkō turned four. Kazuyama Gekkō and Pakura welcomed their second child, a daughter they named Senko Gekkō. With Michihito first and Senko following, Kazuyama felt his naming skills were only getting sharper.
Soon, he began handing out nicknames to others. Minato Namikaze became the "Yellow-Haired Hokage," while Uchiha Fugaku's son, Noto, at least sounded somewhat normal. But "Hooked Ears" for Shikaku Nara, or "Green Coats" for the Might father and son… the names only got stranger.
Of course, with his second child born, Kazuyama carried on his glorious tradition—taking the whole family on a trip. This time, it wasn't just them. He brought Ebisami, Ebisu, and naturally, his younger brother too.
As he put it: "Training every single day? Not afraid of turning into an idiot?"
They played for a whole month before returning. With two children to care for, Pakura stopped teaching at the Ninja Academy. Even if she wanted to return, it would have to wait until Senko was older. After all, handling one kid who constantly played with fireballs was bad enough. With another little one, Ebisami couldn't manage alone.
It wasn't until the day messengers from Kumogakure arrived that Kazuyama stirred from his blissful routine.
"Kumo shinobi? Hahaha, those schemers coming to Konoha?"
"Minato, you don't actually think they have no hidden motives, do you?"
Inside the Hokage's office, Minato Namikaze stared blankly as the crystal window shattered, only to instantly repair itself. He was left stunned. That crystal window—Kazuyama Gekkō had made it just for him. Only later did he realize the true meaning behind the gift.
Crystal was durable, yes—but only against others. For Kazuyama, master of Crystal Release, the crystal was his to command. How could it ever stop him? The result was simple: the window could never bar Kazuyama Gekkō.
What made it worse was that each time the window broke, it would restore itself. Eventually, Minato grew numb to it, even resigning himself to Kazuyama's habit of crashing through the window.
"The shards! Clean up the shards!"
"Oh, right!"
The crystal fragments—perhaps Minato's final line of insistence. Only after seeing them all dissolve into dust did he finally speak.
"Kumogakure's moves in recent years have been obvious. They've been hunting for secret arts everywhere while increasing their missions."
"They talk peace, but their tricks behind the scenes are endless."
"You think I'd trust them?"
Kazuyama just chuckled. Minato's years as Hokage had gone smoothly, to the point he'd sidelined the three advisers.
Yes, I'm talking about you, Hiruzen Sarutobi! Why not retire quietly like a proper old man?!
Hiruzen Sarutobi: …Kazuyama Gekkō! That's too far! Hand me that crystal ball, we'll watch together!
Kazuyama Gekkō: Tch! You just want to see for yourself!
These days, Hiruzen had fully stepped away from village affairs, enjoying retirement as an elder. The other two, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, still held office. But Minato's skill let him quickly take control of the village's workings and keep order in his own way.
With Kazuyama and Fugaku Uchiha backing him, the advisers' influence only waned, nearing the level of Hiruzen himself—practically forced into retirement.
The only one still active was Danzō Shimura. Though Minato left Root intact, that didn't mean it could act unchecked.
Kazuyama had already clashed with Danzō several times, though each ended without conclusion, mostly thanks to the three old veterans smoothing things over. The village needs Root? What a load of crap!
"I said it already…"
"Kumogakure's been in decline since the Third War. Do you really think such a war-hungry village can stick to peace?"
"From now on, I'll have the ANBU guard every corner of the village."
Now, Kazuyama stood alongside Midori as a leader of ANBU. Midori focused on offense, Kazuyama on defense. Under their joint command, ANBU's strength and discipline had skyrocketed.
ANBU members: …No kidding! With snakes chasing us every day, how could we not improve???
The sudden visit from Kumo gave Kazuyama a sense of opportunity. He immediately used Flying Thunder God and appeared in Takigakure.
"Kazuyama?"
"Yahiko, the time has come…"
"What? You mean…?"
From his desk, Yahiko looked up at Kazuyama's mischievous grin, his words making Yahiko's heart race.
"Now's the time. Gather every available force."
"Kumo's coming to Konoha to sign a peace treaty. They'll stir trouble for sure. Once it happens, there'll be a brief period of chaos."
"That's when we strike!"
"Have Yugito and Terumi stand ready. I'll handle the Land of Iron."
Using Kumo's disruption as cover, they could take down Hanzō of the Salamander in one move. Expand Takigakure's territory even further!
"Got it! No problem! I'll make arrangements right away!"
"I've waited far too long for this day!"
Yahiko radiated intense fighting spirit. Attacking Amegakure was a goal too important for him and Konan!
Leaving Takigakure, Kazuyama rushed to the Land of Iron to find General Mifune.
"General Mifune, the time has come. Takigakure is about to strike Amegakure. I ask for your aid."
Still in his Transformation disguise, Kazuyama delivered the news. Mifune sighed softly, then rose to his feet. In that instant, his sword left its sheath, and a surge of sword intent soared skyward.
"Very well. I will personally lead troops to the Land of Rain to join Takigakure's forces."
"Hanzō of the Salamander… let us fight once more…"
Back in the village, Kazuyama's mind churned with the details of the operation. At the same time, he thought about Kumo's true intentions.
Their goal was never peace—it was the Byakugan of the Hyūga Clan. Though they failed in the original story, they still took the life of a Hyūga Jōnin.
Unconsciously, his steps carried him toward the Hyūga compound. It was time to visit a disciple he hadn't seen in years—the Hyūga Clan's acknowledged prodigy.