Haku shook his head again and again when he heard he was being sent away. These past few days had been the happiest of his life—he didn't want to leave.
Watching his head shake like a rattle drum, Kazuyama nearly burst out laughing.
"You little brat, it's not that I don't want you around."
"It's just that the battle ahead might get a little... intense."
"Take the kunai I gave you—it's marked with my technique. Bring it to Orochimaru and tell him to prepare to receive me."
"That's your mission, got it?"
Kazuyama smiled as he handed over the kunai he'd already prepared long ago. Now, he was simply using the excuse of a "mission" to give it to him again.
When it came to tricking kids, no one in Konoha could outmatch Kazuyama Gekkō.
"A mission?"
"Alright! Sensei, I'll complete this mission perfectly!"
"So... I should head to the Land of Waterfalls now?"
Seriously… this kid, ready to set off the instant he heard the word "mission."
Run there? From Kirigakure all the way to the Land of Waterfalls?
By the time he got there, the battle would be long over.
"Whoa, hold up, Haku. If you try to run all the way there, I'm more worried you'll get lost."
"Come on, I'll take you."
"Tagitsuhime, lend me a little chakra."
The distance from the Hidden Mist Village to the Land of Waterfalls was far too great. And with a fight against Akatsuki looming, Kazuyama wanted to conserve as much of his own chakra as possible.
Upon hearing that, Tagitsuhime almost spat blood. Having known him this long, how could she not see through his schemes?
"You bastard, Kazuyama! You're conserving your chakra and making me do the work?!"
"Is my chakra not chakra too?!"
The red serpent instantly expanded, coiling around Kazuyama in a crushing Death Bind, wrapping him up tightly—leaving only his head exposed.
Facing her furious glare, Kazuyama grinned sheepishly.
"Ah, Tagitsuhime, relax. I'll activate Transparent Escape and help you gather natural energy."
"Little Haku looks up to you so much—adores you, even. For his sake, you'll help me out, won't you?"
Tagitsuhime nearly choked at his words. Was this really something that could come out of a normal human mouth?
Cold. Absolutely freezing! Using Haku as leverage against her—too much!
But when she looked at Haku's innocent, handsome face, she just couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Grinding her teeth, she growled, "Little Haku, when you grow up, you must come to Ryūchi Cave! I'll form a contract with you myself!"
"That way, you can finally get rid of this scoundrel of a sensei!"
"Hmph! Now send the kid off already!"
A torrent of chakra surged from Tagitsuhime into Kazuyama's body, and he grinned broadly.
Sometimes, being a little shameless wasn't such a bad thing, was it?
Activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kazuyama teleported Haku away—while he himself remained behind.
...
Land of Waterfalls — Orochimaru's Laboratory.
Haku's sudden appearance didn't surprise Orochimaru in the slightest, though it did make Kimimaro frown.
He had been following Orochimaru on a new path in life.
"Lord Orochimaru, someone's here."
"Mm, I know. Kimimaro, continue your training."
Hearing the commotion, Orochimaru emerged from deeper within the lab and immediately spotted Haku.
For some reason, every time Haku saw Orochimaru, he felt a strange, unsettling pressure from the man—an aura that sent a faint chill through his heart.
"Haku-kun, your arrival means you've located the target."
"Akatsuki, hmm... Hehehehe. Let's hope Kazuyama-kun has good luck."
"Come along. For now, I'll take care of your stay here. Of course, you'll also begin training with Kimimaro."
"Possessing a Kekkei Genkai—a power granted by the heavens—and not using it properly would be a sin, wouldn't it?"
Orochimaru's tone was light and amused. Teaching Kekkei Genkai users was both a pleasure and a source of inspiration for him.
After all, every Kekkei Genkai was unique.
...
In the Land of Water, Kazuyama didn't rush straight toward Akatsuki's base. Borrowing Tagitsuhime's chakra, he performed another task first.
"Summoning Technique!"
The sea churned violently as countless giant sea serpents emerged from beneath the waves. But this time, their purpose wasn't to claim the waters—they were heading straight toward the isolated island that housed Akatsuki's base.
"Go, my vanguard!"
With a commanding sweep of his arm, Kazuyama sent dozens of massive serpents surging forward.
"Kazuyama, you think they've set an ambush?"
"Can't rule it out. One must never let their guard down—especially against enemies who already know some of my secrets. It's mostly reconnaissance, but if we can cause a little damage along the way, even better."
As he watched the serpents surge across the ocean, Kazuyama quietly adjusted his own breathing and chakra flow, preparing himself.
...
At that very moment, inside Akatsuki's base—
"They're coming..."
"Sea serpents."
Nagato spoke first. His five bodies—the Hungry Ghost Path, Human Path, Hell Path, Animal Path, and Asura Path—were already active.
The Animal Path, master of the Summoning Technique, had summoning beasts stationed around the entire island.
Even the ocean was covered. A moment ago, one of the sea summons had reported back—dozens of giant sea serpents were approaching fast.
"So, they really came."
"Tsk tsk. That brat's got guts, charging into our base alone?"
Muren Uchiha stood to the side. His words were calm, but his Sharingan spun of its own accord, reacting instinctively.
The others rose to their feet as well.
"Overkill. He's just one Konoha ninja."
"Since he's practically bringing the bounty to our door, we might as well collect it."
"I'll go take care of him."
Kakuzu still thought everyone was overreacting.
It was just one man. What was the worst that could happen?
Without another word, he strode out of the cave.
"That brute really thinks he can take on Kazuyama Gekkō?"
"Well, let him. His vitality is absurd anyway."
"The Undying Kakuzu—he's no pushover himself."
Watching Kakuzu head out, Muren spoke again, though he didn't seem worried.
A monster who'd lived that long surely had more than enough battle experience.
"Kabuto, make your preparations as well."
"Understood."
Kabuto turned to ready his puppets, while Nagato and Muren stayed alert.
"BOOM!"
Moments after Kakuzu left, a thunderous impact rocked the entire island.
"It's begun?"
"My summoned beast has been destroyed."
Nagato's expression didn't waver—losing a summon didn't bother him in the slightest.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
Moments later, Kakuzu's enraged roar echoed across the island—followed by a roaring gale that tore through the air.