[Ding! The system has detected that the host has stolen Takigakure's Tailed Beast, the Seven-Tails Chōmei. Such an act is the pinnacle of shamelessness! The host is rewarded with a 100% affinity bonus with the Seven-Tails.]
[Ding! The system has detected that the host has teamed up with the Seven-Tails Chōmei to leave a fake Tailed Beast in Takigakure. Such a devious act is highly inappropriate! The host is rewarded with +10 Ninjutsu, +7 Body, and +10 Genjutsu.]
The prompts left Kazuyama stunned for a moment before a wave of joy swept over him.
Wow, what a surprise.
Initially, he had stolen Chōmei purely for personal benefit, but who would have thought this act would perfectly align with his system of shameless and inappropriate behaviors?
He eagerly opened the status list:
Kazuyama Gekkō
Age: 14
Affiliation: Konoha Village, Gekkō Clan Chūnin
Role: Jinchūriki (Seven-Tails)
Kekkei Genkai: Transparent Escape (Perfectly Mastered)
Jutsu Arsenal:
Ninjutsu: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Eight Inner Gates, Flying Thunder God Technique, Fire Release Ninjutsu (Fireball, Phoenix Fire), Earth Release Ninjutsu (Earth-Style Wall, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique)
Tailed Beast: Chōmei (Affinity: 100%)
Attributes:
Strength: 48
Speed: 62
Chakra: 55
Stamina: 70
Ninjutsu: 60
Taijutsu: 40
Genjutsu: 40
Hand Seals: 50
[Note: Setting reference from the Book of Combatants—attribute ratios approximately 1:10.]
Kazuyama couldn't help but grin as he felt his body surging with newfound strength. The increase in chakra and Genjutsu was particularly noticeable, making him feel like he was practically floating.
Inside, Chōmei noticed the sudden shift in Kazuyama's mood. The brat seemed absurdly pleased with himself.
What's he so happy about? Chōmei wondered, baffled.
"Kazuyama kid, what are you smiling about? Hurry up and get moving! I don't want to stay in this cave for another day."
For some reason, Chōmei felt an uncanny sense of compatibility with Kazuyama. It was as if they were meant to work together. Even so, he urged the boy to pick up the pace.
Hearing Chōmei's impatient tone, Kazuyama quickly snapped out of his thoughts. Nodding, he activated his Kekkei Genkai, Transparent Escape.
"Tsk," Chōmei scoffed, watching in amazement. "No wonder you managed to sneak in. I didn't even notice you were here. What kind of technique is that? You're completely invisible—no trace of your presence at all."
Kazuyama couldn't help but let out a proud laugh. "This is my clan's Kekkei Genkai—Transparent Escape. It makes my body invisible and completely hides my presence."
Chōmei snorted. "Cut it out. A Kekkei Genkai like that paired with your wretched personality? Truly a perfect match."
Kazuyama protested, "No, Chōmei! What kind of language is that? You always speak so bluntly. Besides, we're not wretched. We're just... seeking stability, you know?"
Still, Kazuyama couldn't help but admit internally that his behavior wasn't exactly pristine. If it weren't for the troublesome system, he wouldn't bother with these convoluted schemes.
Grumbling aside, Kazuyama activated Transparent Escape and carefully moved toward the cave's entrance.
The scene outside was tense. The area was crawling with Takigakure ninja, all on high alert.
Chōmei's earlier chaotic stunt with the shell clone had put the entire village into a state of emergency. The ninjas were focusing all their efforts on the seal, determined to prevent a disaster if the Seven-Tails were to truly break free.
Kazuyama tread cautiously. Due to the seal's residual effects, he didn't dare to immediately activate the Flying Thunder God Technique. If it caused complications or drew attention to the cave, it would spell trouble.
"Hmph, these idiots! I'm leaving! I'm never coming back!"
Chōmei watched with satisfaction as the Takigakure ninja worked tirelessly to stabilize the seal. Meanwhile, the real him, who was supposed to be trapped within, was casually strutting away. A deep, indescribable sense of relief washed over him.
Kazuyama walked slowly but steadily toward the exit. Once he was beyond the sealed area's boundaries, he wasted no time. In a flash, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the world around him transformed.
The sudden shift in scenery left Chōmei stunned.
"Damn it, Kazuyama brat! What did you do? Why did the scene suddenly change? One second, I'm looking at Takigakure and all those stupid houses, and the next, it's a forest? Could it be that you also know how to do magic? Not bad. When you get bored, you can perform for me."
Unfazed by Chōmei's ranting, Kazuyama smirked. "Don't be surprised, Chōmei. This is one of the ninjutsu I've mastered: Flying Thunder God Technique—a Spatial Ninjutsu. It's perfect for running away."
Chōmei blinked in astonishment. Spatial Ninjutsu? This brat knows Spatial Ninjutsu?
The revelation left Chōmei unexpectedly impressed. Not bad. With this ability, his survival chances are much higher. This kid's turning out better than I thought.
Kazuyama continued, "I'll find my partners first, and then we'll head back to Konohagakure together. Oh, and by the way, the bug I gave you earlier is from my companion. He's an Aburame Clan member who specializes in raising bugs."
Bugs? Chōmei's thoughts derailed instantly as his mouth watered. The memory of the delicious bugs from before resurfaced, and suddenly, he felt ravenous.
After leaving Takigakure, Kazuyama headed straight for the prearranged meeting spot. Sure enough, his companions, Suzaku Nara and Shibi Aburame, were already there, lounging and looking up at the sky with obvious boredom.
"Hey, guys, how much longer are you going to rest?"
A voice suddenly broke through the stillness, startling Suzaku and Shibi. They turned sharply toward the sound and saw Kazuyama slowly revealing himself, a faintly melancholic expression on his face.
As a seasoned ninja, Kazuyama knew the importance of setting the right tone. After all, he had just completed a dangerous, aggravating solo mission. It only made sense to exude a little emotional fatigue for effect.
"Kazuyama, you're back!"
"You're back, boy! We were about to lose all our patience!"
Kazuyama's gaze drifted toward Shibi Aburame, specifically the flowers in his hand, now chewed down to bare stems by bugs. He couldn't help but feel speechless, but Chōmei's reaction was entirely different.
"Bugs! Delicious bugs!" Chōmei's voice practically rang with excitement in Kazuyama's mind. "Kazuyama brat, hurry up and get those bugs. I want a feast!"
Kazuyama ignored him, brushing aside Chōmei's growing appetite. He quickly gave his Tailed Beast a firm mental reminder: once they got back to Konoha, there would be plenty of food, but for now, patience was required.
"Hmph! You two seem to be having a good time out here," Kazuyama said with mock indignation. "Let me tell you, I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly in there. All I had to eat when I got hungry were military ration pills. You both owe me 5,000 ryo each!"
Besides his tendency to be a bit lecherous, Kazuyama Gekkō had another rare attribute: greed.
"5,000 ryo? That much?" Suzaku balked, clearly dismayed.
"5,000 ryo? That's fine," Shibi replied nonchalantly. "I'll give it to you when we're back."
Their reactions perfectly reflected their personalities. Suzaku, despite being a member of the Nara Clan, was perpetually short on funds due to his love of drinking and gambling. Shibi, on the other hand, was the head of the Aburame Clan—practically swimming in wealth.
Kazuyama smirked. "That's enough out of both of you. Let's get moving. I'm sick of staring at this waterfall."
Chōmei chimed in eagerly, Yes! Let's go! I'm annoyed too! Hurry up—I want to get to Konoha and eat bugs!
"Oh, by the way, Shibi," Kazuyama added casually, "that bottle of bugs you gave me? I, uh, lost it. Sorry."
Shibi froze for a moment. "…My bugs… No wonder they all died together."