On Hokage Rock, Kazuyama Gekkō stood on the office building's terrace, gazing at the four stone statues before him. His thoughts were deep in contemplation.
Two major issues remained unresolved for him: the Akatsuki and Danzō.
"Well, I thought unleashing nearly eighty percent of my power would be enough to take them down," he mused. "Unexpected incidents kept popping up, but eliminating Nagato and Kakuzu was still a gain. We must continue pursuing them."
"Without the Uzumaki clan as a vessel, it's nearly impossible for ordinary individuals to wield the Rinnegan."
His thoughts then turned to Danzō. "As for Danzō…"
Danzō was like a venomous snake to him—never knowing when the bastard might strike. Though immune to poison, getting bitten was still a pain. But the scoundrel had vanished without a trace. Even mobilizing the full force of his intelligence network had yielded nothing.
Danzō's mocking voice echoed in his mind: Heh heh heh. I've hidden myself away in the Daimyō's Manor. Think you can find me???
Kazuyama Gekkō frowned, a hint of irritation flickering in his eyes.
Just then, a soft chuckle sounded from behind him.
"What's this? The famed Konoha's Ghost looking so melancholy?"
The moment he heard the voice, Kazuyama Gekkō knew exactly who had arrived.
"Sakumo Hatake, what brings you to this rooftop?" he asked. "Surely not just to mock me?"
Hatake Sakumo laughed heartily, then walked beside him, gazing at Hokage Rock.
"What? Is it because you want to become Hokage?"
Kazuyama Gekkō turned to him with a look of disbelief. Become Hokage? What kind of ridiculous notion was that?
"What's so great about being Hokage? Who in their right mind would want that job?" he thought. Do they think freedom is shameful? Or that ease feels wrong?
"Not it? Then it must be trouble," Hatake continued. "Knowing you this long, I rarely see you wear this expression."
"Pakura and Michihito both told me—ever since you returned from the Land of Water, you've been down in the dumps."
"If they hadn't told me to check on you, I wouldn't have come."
Kazuyama Gekkō thought about this. Pakura and Michihito had both mentioned his unusual mood. Gone were his usual playful grins, replaced by constant brooding over Danzō and Akatsuki. Had he been neglecting his family?
"You've already reached such formidable strength. Across the entire Ninja World, is there anyone who could reliably defeat you?" Hatake said, his voice carrying a note of concern.
"What exactly are you fretting about?"
"Even when I faced immense pressure back in my day, I never acted like this."
As Hatake Sakumo spoke, he gave off an air of a hero past his prime. Thinking about it, Kazuyama realized it made sense—the once-famous White Fang of Konoha had also stepped down now, hadn't he?
Now, Sakumo had become an educator, teaching and nurturing the next generation. Tsk tsk, Kazuyama thought.
"Old geezer, if you can't offer any guidance, maybe you should just keep quiet," Kazuyama teased.
"Instead of complaining, why not go teach a few more classes?"
Hatake Sakumo showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I knew you'd be like this, kid. So, I invited two old friends. Want to come along and see for yourself?"
"Might just make you feel better."
Old friends? Few people earned that title from this old codger. Master Chen was one. But who was the other?
Kazuyama Gekkō's curiosity was suddenly piqued.
"Come on, I'll see who you can find. Give me the address, and I'll fly you straight there."
"Heh heh heh, the school playground."
What?
The school playground?
The moment Kazuyama Gekkō heard that location, a bad feeling surged within him. He was sure that bastard Sakumo Hatake had set him up.
The Flying Thunder God Technique became their instant travel hack. The moment they landed on the playground, two figures approached them—one tall, one short; one old, one young.
"Well, if it isn't our famed Konoha Phantom, Kazuyama Gekkō!"
"This old man greets you."
The peculiar tone and voice could only belong to Master Chen.
"Ahahaha! This is youth! Qianshan, let's have a youthful showdown!"
The voice was enough to scare anyone, and paired with those White Fang teeth—Might Duy, put on your helmet.
Kazuyama Gekkō, now surrounded by three figures, felt the unease that had been building up explode. He turned his gaze to the nearby Sakumo Hatake, their eyes locking in fury.
"Damn it, again?"
"Cut it out. I'm recovering from an injury. Can't lift a finger."
Two Taijutsu masters, plus Sakumo Hatake? Was he out of his mind?
Sakumo Hatake saw Kazuyama Gekkō's displeasure and immediately chuckled. But his next words froze Kazuyama Gekkō in place.
"This time, it's not me seeking you out. Old Chen wants to talk to you."
"He has something to say."
Master Chen seeking him? Seriously?
Though they were both sensei at the same Academy, they rarely crossed paths.
"Hmph. What? My old man can't come find you?"
"This Wood Leaf Dragon God technique of mine is, after all, one of Konoha's signature skills. I can't let it die out."
"I never intended to pass it on to you, but that idiot Might Duy just couldn't grasp it."
"Ah, I asked everyone around me. When it came to aptitude, they all recommended you."
"The old man knows you dislike Taijutsu, but you have to admit—your physical prowess is exceptional."
Master Chen scrutinized Kazuyama Gekkō, scanning him up and down, left and right, before finally nodding in satisfaction.
Yet his words gave Kazuyama Gekkō an uneasy feeling. But he was used to speaking without restraint, and this time he'd blurted out the old man's secret right away.
"Old man, no way! You think your time is up??? You're not even sixty yet???"
"Get lost! You good-for-nothing brat never has anything decent to say!"
Master Chen's furious retort was his only response.
Yet after the outburst, a faint, resigned smile touched Master Chen's lips.
"Me? I plan to wander this world. At my age, I've grown tired of staying put."
"But once I leave, I likely won't return. That's why I must pass down the Konoha Dragon God."
"Whether you like it or not, you'll have to agree. I don't care how well you kick—just memorize the essentials and help that idiot Might Duy learn it!"
The Konoha Dragon God...
This very technique earned Master Chen his reputation as Konoha's strongest Taijutsu ninja.
By channeling the pinnacle of physical arts into a whirlwind that forms a colossal dragon, this technique transcends conventional Taijutsu. Its power was beyond question.
"Pfft, trying to scare me? I thought you old man was about to kick the bucket first."
"Fine, I agree. But I'll only teach you the basics. Don't expect me to learn Taijutsu myself."