The three ninjas, after returning to Konohagakure Village, headed straight to the Hokage's office. This mission had been assigned by the Third Hokage, and they still needed to deliver their report.
"So, Takigakure still plans to stay isolated from the outside world, and the Seven-Tails is a bit unstable?"
"Is that right, Kazuyama?"
Kazuyama nodded helplessly as he looked at the lecher before him.
Why helpless? Because he noticed the faint, hidden smile playing on the man's lips.
Damn it! He's getting back at me!
"Alright, you can go rest. Head to the mission lobby to collect your payment for this mission."
Suzaku Nara and Shibi Aburame bowed respectfully before turning to leave. As they walked past Kazuyama, they couldn't help but notice him suddenly break into laughter.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, observed the scene with a puzzled expression, wondering if the boy had gone a bit crazy during the mission.
"Lord Hokage, did you know Takigakure has hot springs? And the kunoichi there, surrounded by waterfalls year-round, have the most incredible skin!"
Kazuyama gave an overly dramatic bow. "Thank you, Lord Hokage, for assigning me this mission. I've got plenty of new material now."
He turned and strolled out, leaving Hiruzen frozen in silence.
After a long pause, Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk, shouting, "What a mistake! I knew that kid wouldn't behave!"
Then, letting out a wistful sigh, he muttered to himself, "The hot springs of Takigakure... Ah, I'd like to see them for myself someday."
After collecting his mission pay, Kazuyama stopped Shibi, who was heading home for a well-deserved nap.
"Kazuyama, is there something you need?"
"Hey, Shibi, you don't know—I was all alone in Takigakure, but thanks to your bugs, I wasn't lonely."
Oh? Hearing this, Shibi was intrigued, but more than anything, puzzled. If it was really as Kazuyama claimed, why had all his bugs died in an instant?
"So, Shibi, do you think you could give me some bugs to raise? I'm really interested."
How could he not be? This was about feeding Chōmei, and he couldn't exactly raid the Aburame Clan for bugs. The thought alone was laughable.
"In that case, what kind of bugs do you want to raise? Our clan has a wide variety of insects with different functions. For instance, I cultivate many types of Kikaichū."
Kazuyama, however, didn't fully grasp what he was being told. His understanding of the Aburame Clan began and ended with the fact that they used insects. As for the specifics of insect types, he neither knew nor had any interest in finding out.
"Shibi, hold on a second."
"You see, this is my first time raising insects. Do you have any good ones—big and juicy ones?"
Shibi froze, his mind flooded with question marks. He could understand wanting good insects—no one would choose weak ones. But big and juicy? What was that even supposed to mean?
While Shibi didn't understand, someone else did. Chōmei, lurking in Kazuyama's subconscious, was practically buzzing with excitement.
Good buddy! You get me!
In the end, after relentless pestering, Shibi reluctantly agreed to provide Kazuyama with a few boxes of larvae for experimentation. Though they were common insects, Shibi's careful preparation ensured they would be easy to care for.
Kazuyama was so thrilled he nearly hugged Shibi on the spot.
With his bug problem sorted, Kazuyama wasn't in a hurry to head home. As he walked, he spotted two familiar figures.
"Hey, Duy, training with your son?"
"Huh? Kazuyama, ha ha! You're back from your mission? Youth is wasted on the lazy, so how about joining us for a workout?"
It was Might Duy, a Konoha Genin, alongside his son, Might Guy.
"Yes, we just returned from Takigakure. I remember Guy is starting at the Ninja Academy this year, right?"
Thinking about the Ninja Academy, Kazuyama couldn't help but recall another person—the so-called genius ninja, better known as Kakashi Hatake. He would start this year, graduate the next, and likely be promoted to Chūnin the year after that. Wow, he really lives up to the name genius.
"Hahaha, yes. I have to report for duty in a few days."
"Guy, aren't you going to say hello?"
Guy stopped training, ran excitedly up to Kazuyama, and gave him a bow.
"Brother Kazuyama, I've improved my Taijutsu a lot, and next time I'll definitely be able to outrun you!"
Kazuyama had a good relationship with Might Duy. He understood Duy's unyielding spirit and struck up a rapport with him early on, often lending him a helping hand. Over time, their bond grew into genuine friendship. Might Guy, following his father's example, treated Kazuyama with great kindness as well.
"Hahaha, I'll definitely run with you if I get the chance," Kazuyama replied warmly. Then he turned to Duy with a grin. "Duy, if we get the chance, we can spar in Taijutsu. I'll go back first—I've got a little one at home waiting for me."
Might Duy laughed heartily, his white teeth flashing in the sunlight. After a few more words of farewell, Kazuyama headed home.
At home, Ebisami was watching over Hayate, but there was another child in the courtyard.
"Eh? Ebisu, you're here? How's your training going?" Kazuyama asked, surprised.
Ebisu turned and adjusted his glasses. "Brother Kazuyama, you're back! Yes, I'm going to enter the Ninja Academy soon, so I'm training in advance."
The child was Ebisu, who would later earn a reputation as one of Konoha's eccentric shinobi.
"You're back, Kazuyama. How was the mission?" Ebisami asked as she came over.
"Eh, it was the usual. The village of Taki was relatively peaceful, so I just scouted around. But Suzaku and Shibi gave me a pretty risky mission. Hmph. I squeezed 5,000 ryo out of each of them for their trouble, on top of the mission reward. Here."
Kazuyama casually handed her 30,000 ryo.
She accepted the money without hesitation and began counting it. Meanwhile, Kazuyama turned his attention to Ebisu, offering to help with his training.
Under the pretense of helping him improve, Kazuyama had Ebisu squatting with added weights while dodging small stones he threw at him. With each passing minute, Ebisu's expression grew more strained, his discomfort evident.
Just then, a loud voice called out from outside the house.
"Is Kazuyama home?"
Kazuyama frowned. The voice was familiar. When he opened the door, he saw Minato Namikaze standing there, his golden hair catching the light.
"Hey, Minato, what brings you here?"
"It's not you I'm here to see. I'm looking for my Sensei," Minato said with a polite smile.
"Your Sensei? Oh, Lord Jiraiya. Okay, just give me a second. I'll be right out."
Kazuyama smirked inwardly. Jiraiya wanted to see him? Likely, the Sannin had heard about his trip to Takigakure and wanted some "research material."
Perfect. Opportunities for extortion like this didn't come often. It'd be foolish not to take full advantage of it.