It must be said, though most of what Kazuyama Gekkō says is fake, the people in the conference room believed him. After all, his strength was undeniable—more than one person had witnessed the Senjutsu from the Ryūchi Cave. Especially on the night of the Nine-Tails attack, that massive crimson serpent had left many people stunned.
"So many powerful people..."
"I really want to fight them!"
"Chiyama, this time, I've caught up to you. I've started learning Senjutsu too, but this stuff is tough."
Minato Namikaze's fighting spirit was reignited. For years, he had compared himself to Kazuyama Gekkō. He never believed he was weaker than him.
"Ah, you're amazing. You're awesome."
"You're the Hokage, I'm just a lowly pawn."
"Alright, you win."
"Anything else?"
"Right now, I just want a bowl of Ramen from Ichiraku and then go home to sleep."
"Oh, right. When I went to the Land of Water, I found a promising prospect—another Kekkei Genkai user, named Haku."
"He'll be registered under my household."
Kazuyama Gekkō always surprised people. A bloodline limit user? To find such talent on a single trip?
Minato nodded. To him, Kazuyama Gekkō was impressive in how he raised children. After all, he had two young ones at home, along with his younger brother, Hayate Gekkō, and Yamato. Such a lineup of young talent made even the Hokage impressed.
Not to mention, Kazuyama Gekkō was also a Jōnin squad leader and a teacher at the Ninja Academy. These titles only added to his prestige.
"Is his background clean?"
"You know the situation in the Land of Water. If there's even the slightest issue with his background, we need to be cautious."
Homura Mitokado voiced his concerns. He didn't oppose Kazuyama Gekkō recruiting geniuses for the village, but it was essential that these geniuses had clean backgrounds.
Originally, these matters were handled by Danzo, but with his defection and disappearance, both he and Koharu Utatane had taken over these duties.
"Rest assured. You know how Kirigakure treats those with Kekkei Genkai."
"Is the Village of Mist a joke?"
"This kid lost his entire family. Saving him was just a coincidence."
"And I ended up killing several Mist ninjas in the process."
Kazuyama Gekkō explained the situation seriously. As his disciple, Haku had to learn from him. This kid was a great prospect. The power of his Ice Shield was formidable in its own right.
"Alright, I'll have the intelligence network keep a closer eye on follow-up matters."
"But, Kazuyama, where do you think Akatsuki might be hiding?"
Minato Namikaze nodded. Most things were now clear—except for Akatsuki. Akatsuki was the key. Such an evil organization had to be eradicated as soon as possible. If he could locate them, he wouldn't hesitate to lead the assault himself.
"Hard to say, but I doubt they'd remain in the Land of Water. After all, the current situation there offers no room for them to recuperate."
"If I had to choose, I'd head for Iwagakure."
Kazuyama Gekkō voiced his thoughts, but when the others heard "Iwagakure," skepticism flickered in their eyes. Traveling from the Land of Water to Iwagakure—wasn't that a bit too much of a leap?
"Don't forget they possess an eye technique that can alter distance."
"If it's purely for travel, then even Minato and I can't match them in that regard."
Muren Uchiha's Dōjutsu was truly bizarre, usable both in combat and for everyday purposes. Kazuyama Gekkō didn't have a particularly effective counter for it either.
"Well, their strength is undeniable."
"Kazuyama, you should rest. You'll have ample time to recuperate in the coming period."
"As for intelligence matters, I'll have the network handle it."
Kazuyama Gekkō shot a satisfied glance at Minato Namikaze—he genuinely needed this rest. Before departing, however, he glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hey, old geezer, when did you get that new pipe? Looks better than your last one."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly spat his smoke right in the other's face.
"Hmph! If it weren't for you, would I even need a new pipe?"
"Can't be bothered arguing with you. Rest up, but report to the Academy in a few days."
"Sakumo's been asking about you for ages."
After all, he was the most suitable sensei for stealth training at the Ninja Academy. Who could blame him? He was the most skilled at concealment in all of Konoha. That much was undeniable.
"Alright, alright, I got it."
"Seriously, can't I even get a moment's rest?"
"I'm outta here. Off to grab some noodles!"
...
The Gekkō residence.
"Pakura, meet Haku."
"Haku, this is your sensei's wife and your older brothers."
During dinner, Kazuyama Gekkō used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Haku to his home. Facing these unfamiliar people, Haku seemed uneasy at first. But with Kazuyama Gekkō by his side, he quickly regained his composure.
"Gekkō, you always come back with something new, huh?"
"Tell us, Haku. What makes you special?"
Pakura understood her husband's nature well. Bringing Haku home meant he possessed extraordinary talent.
"Hahaha, you know me best."
"Haku possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."
"That makes him your polar opposite element, you know."
Pakura's Scorch Release was fundamentally fire, while Haku's Ice Release was its natural counter.
"Ice Release?"
"An impressive Kekkei Genkai."
Over the next few days, Kazuyama Gekkō truly rested, but he also familiarized Haku with the village. Haku was old enough to enter the Ninja Academy, but Kazuyama Gekkō had no such plans. He handed Haku directly to Pakura for private training.
"Why make me train Haku alone?"
"Isn't this the best age for him to attend school?"
Pakura was genuinely puzzled by this. Yet Kazuyama Gekkō held a different perspective.
"Haku's temperament isn't suited for the Academy. He thrives on a solitary existence."
"Eventually, I'll recommend him for the ANBU, making him my direct subordinate."
"If he joined the Ninja Academy, he'd likely become a mission-runner, constantly running errands. That would be a waste of his talent."
Kazuyama Gekkō understood Haku's capabilities well. He wasn't depriving Haku of his childhood. In fact, to ensure Haku had a better life, he had specifically arranged for Yamato and Hayate Gekkō to keep him company. But becoming a genius always came at a price. Ordinary life couldn't be allowed to dull his sharp edges.
"Alright, I understand. My classes are mostly in the mornings. If I'm free in the afternoons, I'll train Haku."