Outside Konohagakure, on the edge of a cliff.
"Come on. There's plenty of space here. Try the Summoning Technique."
"Let's see who you can summon on your first try."
Kazuyama Gekkō stood to the side, arms folded, smiling as he watched his wife, waiting for her to make her move.
Pakura was excited. Summoning is a useful ninjutsu, and she'd contracted with Ryūchi Cave to boot.
"Summoning Technique!"
She bit her finger, formed the seals, and completed the ritual in one motion.
When Pakura pressed her hand to the ground a thick white smoke swept the area. A massive silhouette formed inside the fog.
"Roar!"
"Who dares summon this lord? If you wish to borrow my power, you must provide at least a hundred living sacrifices!"
"Otherwise this lord will not—"
The voice was coarse and arrogant. Then it cut off abruptly.
Kazuyama watched the serpentine shape in the smoke with amusement. He never expected Pakura's first summon to bring out this one. Ryūchi Cave's most notorious runaway serpent—Manda.
"Well, Manda. Fancy meeting you. I just left Ryūchi Cave and here you are again."
"What? You still want me to accept a hundred living sacrifices?"
"If I actually gave them, would you dare take them?"
Kazuyama's mocking tone made Manda shiver.
As the mist cleared, Manda looked at the two of them, especially Kazuyama, and wished he could punch himself. Why did he have to run into this living hell?
If Kinrin and the others found out, what would happen when he returned? But something was off. The chakra he'd sensed earlier wasn't Kazuyama's.
"Pakura, meet Manda, a serpent from Ryūchi Cave. His specialty? Running away."
"Just remember him. If he misbehaves tell me—well, no need. In a few days Tagorihime will be protecting you. I doubt Manda will do anything."
"As for her, my wife—Manda, understand?"
Pakura looked at the huge purple snake she'd summoned. It was fierce-looking, but Kazuyama's description made her bristle. Running away as a specialty? How is that useful in combat?
"Kazuyama, we can't do this. I didn't know you'd summoned me."
"Pakura, right? Don't worry. From now on if you summon me I won't run."
Manda wanted to die. He never expected to be summoned by Kazuyama's wife. If he'd known this outcome he wouldn't have been first to step forward.
Ah, didn't check the almanac before leaving the house.
"All right, Manda. Go back."
"Got it!"
"Boom!"
White smoke rose again and Manda vanished.
"Kazuyama, am I stuck summoning him forever? A snake whose only trick is running? Can I opt out?"
Pakura felt cheated. Everyone else's first summon was top tier. She'd been assigned this.
Kazuyama nearly laughed, then said very seriously:
"No. I promise. From now on, whenever you summon, this one won't appear."
"He knows your identity now. Unless he wants to end up in my snake stew he won't show up."
"Don't believe me? Summon again. This time think Kinrin's name in your mind."
With that, Pakura felt better and, without hesitation, tried again.
So a world where only Manda silently suffered came into being.
"Summoning Technique!"
"Yo, Kazuyama, I'm here!"
"Pakura, right? I know you—Kazuyama's wife!"
Smoke rose again. This time a golden shape formed.
Kinrin appeared, lazily coiling into a comfortable pose. The giant golden python was larger than Manda and exuded greater presence. Its head came close to Pakura, its slit pupils studying her before it nodded.
"Call me when you need me. If it comes to fighting I'm one of Ryūchi Cave's best."
Kinrin's boast was bold but honest. The golden python existed for battle. Pakura was pleased. A new partnership between woman and serpent began to form.
...
Several days later, on a mountain peak in the Land of Fire, a thatched hut stood here.
"Kazuyama, are you serious???"
"Yes. Why?"
A group had gathered around the hut, watching Kazuyama fix the place up.
Minato Namikaze stared in disbelief. What on earth had possessed him to abandon everything and retreat to a mountain? Not just Minato—Pakura, Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi, and Obito all looked the same.
"Oh, come on. It's for better training."
"Look at the mountain I chose—mountains, water, forest. It's full of natural energy."
"Don't worry. I left coordinates. I won't starve."
Kazuyama looked at them and made an expression that said he'd had an epiphany. The others exchanged baffled looks.
"Sensei, even if you want to train you don't need to leave the village. This mountain isn't far, but—"
"What about the Academy? What about the ANBU?"
Kakashi, now a sturdy young man, couldn't understand his teacher's choice. Beside him, Obito Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, and Rin Nohara stepped forward to plead.
Kazuyama was annoyed.
"Me, a teacher? You lot, teachers?"
"As your teacher I do as I please."
"Aren't you the ones doing the classes? The ANBU and the others can manage. What, can't Konohagakure function without me?"
A torrent of words sprayed back at his four students.
Pakura and Sakumo frowned. Pakura didn't understand her husband's behavior. Sakumo fretted over his hands-off attitude.
"Pakura, don't give me that look. You know my situation."
"Don't worry. I promise I'll be home for every meal."
"As for you, old man, take good care of my son. If he doesn't master his sword technique it's on you."
"All right, now please leave."
"I'm starting my training!"