"Crystal Escape, Crystal Prison."
The most decisive factor in a battle is speed. As long as you're fast enough, the enemy won't even have a chance to touch you. If your ninjutsu release speed is quick enough, you can neutralize them before they can do anything.
And right now, Kazuyama was the perfect embodiment of this principle. Thanks to his absolute release speed, he used his Crystal Release to turn Danzō into a crystal statue before Danzō could even activate his Wood Release.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Danzō. As of today, our grievances are settled."
"As for you, I'll be taking you back to Konoha. After all, you're a rogue ninja from my village."
Kazuyama gently patted the crystallized Danzō, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Years. It had taken him years to track him down. Who would've thought that a trip to the Daimyō's Manor would lead to such an unexpected surprise?
He was happy. Very happy indeed.
Just as he was about to take Danzō away, the large gates outside the Root Division headquarters suddenly swung open. A group of people stormed into the sea of crystal.
"Oh? You're not too late, I see."
"Kazuma."
Upon seeing the leader, Kazuyama curled his lip in disdain. That Danzō could still be inside the Daimyō's Manor was clearly the work of either the Daimyō or the person leading this group. Adding in the recent strange activities of the Manor's protective ninja organization, it was clear Danzō had played a significant role in all of this. Kazuyama had no goodwill left for anyone connected to the Daimyō's Manor.
"Kazuyama Gekkō…"
"What are you doing in the Daimyō's Manor? And what's going on here?"
Kazuma had already spotted the crystallized Danzō, but the situation before him clearly went far beyond what he had expected. Kazuyama eliminating Root Division was definitely not something he could ignore.
"Well, you've seen it for yourself. I'm chasing down the rogue ninja from Konoha, Danzō Shimura."
"Since you're here, I'll ask you directly."
"Why is a rogue ninja from my Konoha here in the Daimyō's Manor, and why has he set up a base?"
"If I hadn't accidentally stumbled upon him, would this bastard still be free in the Daimyō's Manor?"
Kazuyama faced Kazuma's questioning without a hint of fear, even boldly retorting. Both of them knew exactly why Danzō and Root Division were in the Daimyō's Manor. With that knowledge, there was no reason to be scared.
"Hmph. I don't care about this 'rogue ninja' nonsense."
"All I know is that you, a Konoha ninja, attacked the heart of the Daimyō's castle district, causing the whole place to shake."
"You owe the Daimyō's Manor an explanation for that."
"If not, I'll personally make sure Lord Daimyō gets involved."
Kazuyama sneered coldly. Why laugh? Because this bastard Kazuma actually had the guts to demand an explanation from him. Fine. Very fine indeed.
"Accountability? I'm merely purging Konoha's Missing-nin."
"As a captain of the Guardian Corps, you not only refuse to assist but dare to come here demanding answers?"
"What? Do you want me to turn you into crystal too?"
"Kazuma, understand this: I'm sparing you only because we're within the Daimyō's Manor."
Annoying. Kazuyama Gekkō was truly irritating. The chakra surging around him began pulsing erratically, and the crystalline substance beneath his feet started spreading.
Seeing this, Kazuma, Hirudo, and the others behind them immediately went on high alert. Some had even drawn the long swords strapped to their backs.
"Hey, Kazuma, Hirudo, what are you doing?"
"Huh? Damn it, why do I keep running into you everywhere!"
A voice tinged with arrogance and curses suddenly echoed from outside the door.
A man with a cigarette dangling from his mouth strode in casually, his gaze fixed on Kazuyama Gekkō.
"Asuma, you know him?"
"Wait, that posture... and this crystal... are you the Konoha's Ghost, Kazuyama Gekkō?"
Another voice chimed in, calmer yet equally vibrant. Bald head, monk's robe—clearly a priest from the Fire Temple.
Jirō, the Fire Temple's Chiriku.
"Asuma, heh heh heh. You've grown quite a bit, kid. Now you dare tease even me?"
"And this gentleman here—Jirō of the Fire Temple, right?"
"I'm quite friendly toward high priests."
"Of course, if not for the situation before us, I'd very much like to make your acquaintance."
Upon seeing the newcomers, Kazuyama Gekkō halted his chakra flow. With reinforcements arriving, the current situation could now be handled properly. His visit to the Daimyō's Manor wasn't meant to provoke war, so avoiding conflict was preferable. As for Danzō... well, that was a completely unexpected surprise.
"But what happened here?"
"Huh? Is that Danzō?"
Asuma removed the cigarette hanging from his lips, staring in utter shock at Danzō, now transformed into crystal. He knew Danzō well. He was his father's lifelong arch-rival, which meant Asuma didn't hold any fondness for him either. Now, seeing him appear in the Daimyō's Manor only to be turned to crystal, Asuma froze.
"A Missing-nin from Konohagakure…"
"Why would he be here in the Daimyō's Manor?"
"Kazuma, Hirudo, what are you two up to?"
Chiriku pressed his palms together, a flicker of gravity crossing his eyes. After all, even having joined the Daimyō's forces, they were still ninjas of the Land of Fire at their core. And the other party was a Missing-nin—such an identity had no place in the Daimyō's Manor.
"Hmph, we just arrived here ourselves."
"But that earthquake earlier was definitely caused by Kazuyama Gekkō. Regardless, this is an act threatening the Daimyō's Manor."
"I have the authority to apprehend him."
Kazuma watched Asuma and Chiriku arrive, knowing this matter now had a proper resolution. After all, he didn't want to fight Kazuyama Gekkō himself; he could only use the Daimyō's Manor to subdue him.
"You saw it yourselves. I'm pursuing a Missing-nin from Konohagakure."
"Though I'm not sure why he'd be in the Daimyō's Manor."
"As for the earlier commotion—it was a bit loud, but if necessary, I can request an audience with His Lordship the Daimyō."
Kazuyama Gekkō reclaimed his smile. Simultaneously, he issued the request for an audience with the daimyo.
"Hmph. Go ahead and meet him. Once you're done, get the hell out of the Daimyō's Manor."
"I've always found you irritating. Don't think being Konoha's Ghost gives you free rein to roam the Daimyō's Manor."
Asuma lit another cigarette, his gaze fixed on Kazuyama Gekkō with palpable displeasure.
Kazuyama Gekkō offered no reply, merely shrugging his shoulders. The next instant, his figure vanished from its spot and materialized behind Asuma.
"Hey, hey, hey, Asuma. Has anyone ever told you that while you've grown considerably—"
"You still remain thoroughly unlikable?"
The crystal flashed again, transforming the cigarette in Asuma's mouth into crystal.