When Kazuyama met Jiraiya, the latter was overflowing with enthusiasm.
"Kazuyama, I heard you went to Takigakure this time?" Jiraiya asked casually, though his eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Did you gather any good material to help with my writing?"
"When Icha Icha Paradise is released, you'll be the first to get a copy!"
As a ninja, Jiraiya was also a writer. Icha Icha Paradise was one of his signature works, crafted from observations and experiences he gathered during his travels. To ensure the authenticity of his stories, Jiraiya would use his spare time to collect material from various places, and Kazuyama was one of his most reliable sources for this purpose.
"Come on, Lord Jiraiya, you must be joking. I was on a mission—where would I find the time to gather material?" Kazuyama replied, feigning exasperation.
Jiraiya froze, his hope crushed in an instant. He knew getting any material from Kazuyama would be a challenge. Takigakure, in particular, was an enigma—entirely secluded and resistant to any communication with the outside world. Post-war security had made infiltration nearly impossible. Only someone with Kazuyama's unique skills and his Transparent Escape technique could even dream of slipping in undetected.
Jiraiya, unwilling to give up, tried a different tactic. "Hey, Kazuyama, look, my disciple Minato has recently learned a new technique. Why don't you let him teach you? We're all friends from the same generation—we should help each other."
Minato Namikaze blinked in confusion. Huh? Sensei, what are you talking about? He hadn't even fully mastered the technique yet, and here his teacher was already offering it up.
Kazuyama smirked, seizing the moment. "Oh? Minato, you've learned a new jutsu and didn't even bother to tell me? Keeping secrets now, are we?"
Kazuyama had a pretty good idea of what Jutsu Jiraiya was referring to. It had to be the Flying Thunder God Technique. Considering Minato's progress and his likely access to the Scroll of Seals, it made perfect sense.
Minato scratched the back of his head awkwardly, looking at his master with mild exasperation. "Actually, it's not really a technique yet… just a rudimentary form."
"Haha, Minato, don't be so modest! That technique of yours is an incredibly powerful ninjutsu." Jiraiya grinned, nudging him. "Go on, show Kazuyama a little of it. Did you know I originally wanted to take Kazuyama as my disciple? If things had worked out differently, he could've been your senior!"
Jiraiya had a love-hate relationship with Kazuyama. He admired Kazuyama's natural talent for gathering materials and his Transparent Escape technique—a gift that made him a born collector. However, what drove Jiraiya mad was the boy's lack of propriety, especially since Kazuyama somehow managed to embarrass him every time.
Jiraiya sighed, recalling the indignity of having even his underwear stolen.
"Hey, that's right, Minato. Logically, since I'm older than you, and we both studied under Lord Jiraiya, you should still call me Senior Brother," Kazuyama declared boldly, with no trace of shame.
Kazuyama had long since discarded any sense of propriety. After all, he thought, a tree without its bark dies, but a man without any shame becomes invincible.
"Okay, fine," Minato replied with a helpless smile before extending his right hand. In an instant, a specially crafted kunai appeared.
"Wow, what a complicated technique. Is this some kind of spatial ninjutsu?" Kazuyama remarked.
His casual words landed like a shockwave. Both Jiraiya and Minato froze, stunned by his unexpected insight. Minato, in particular, was floored—he had only just mastered the technique, and it did, in fact, involve spatial manipulation. He never imagined anyone would figure it out so quickly.
"Kazuyama, that's incredible. You figured out the essence of my technique at a glance?" Minato asked, astonished.
"Kazuyama, you're impressive," Jiraiya chimed in. "Even I didn't fully grasp his technique at first. Amazing!"
Their unrestrained praise made Kazuyama feel slightly embarrassed—but only slightly.
Pfft, he thought smugly. It's just the Flying Thunder God Technique. Man, you're so slow—I mastered that ages ago!
Just as Kazuyama was about to boast further, a figure in red suddenly appeared before the group.
"Minato, there you are. I've been looking all over for you."
The newcomer's sudden appearance caused Chōmei within Kazuyama to let out a soft exclamation.
"Kazuyama, this girl has red hair."
"She's from the Uzumaki Clan, isn't she? And at such a young age, she already has this level of chakra?"
Kazuyama responded silently in his heart:
Well, this is Uzumaki Kushina. She's from the Uzumaki Clan. She'll probably be the next Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
Upon hearing that the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails was such a young girl, Chōmei almost laughed out loud.
Meanwhile, Kushina also glanced at Kazuyama, her aura sensitivity sharp as ever. Unfortunately, while Chōmei is the weakest of the Tailed Beasts, he excels at concealing his presence. A single mouthful of Hiding in Scale Powder can mask his aura, not to mention the fact that Kushina is not yet the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. Without that level of chakra, sensing him would be impossible.
"Senior Kushina, good afternoon."
Seeing her, Kazuyama greeted her politely. After all, they were in the same year, and knowing the future gave him a unique perspective. Naturally, he didn't share the same hesitation or resistance toward her that others seemed to have. This made Kushina's attitude toward him notably friendly—though, of course, not as friendly as toward Minato. After all, Minato had famously rescued her in the past.
"Eh? Kazuyama, didn't you go on a mission?"
"Forget it, I'm here to find Minato."
"Minato, let's go! You promised to go shopping with me."
Her words prompted Jiraiya and Kazuyama to exchange amused glances, their curiosity instantly piqued. Both started laughing, while Minato looked flustered but didn't deny it.
"What are you two laughing at? Lord Jiraiya, you can laugh all you want, but Kazuyama, what are you laughing at?"
As the wind blew Kushina's red hair, Kazuyama immediately stopped laughing. Stop it! he thought. Kushina's called the Red-Hot Habanero for a reason—her temper's like an atomic bomb, ready to explode. I don't want to get on her bad side.
Chōmei, observing this scene, couldn't help but snicker.
"That arrogant Nine-Tails Fox has finally met his match in a Jinchūriki like her. Hahaha!"
...
During the few days after returning from his mission, Kazuyama had a rare moment of leisure, tending to his insects while continuing his old job to support himself.
Until one day, the Anbu showed up at his door.
"Kazuyama, this is a mission from the Third. The Ninja Academy is currently short-staffed and needs you to take up the role of Assistant Sensei."
Kazuyama was baffled. Huh? Me? They're sending me to be a Sensei? Teach what? Peeping? Stealing? What is the Old Man Third even thinking?
"No, I'm just a Chūnin, and I'm only a few years older than the students…"
"This is an order from the Third. You are to teach ninja stealth techniques. Report for duty tomorrow."
With that, the Anbu vanished, leaving Kazuyama speechless.
They actually want me to teach? What's going on here?
But then, a sly grin spread across his face.
Teaching, huh? If I remember correctly, this generation of students includes some big names—Kakashi, Might Guy…
This is a golden opportunity for them to remember the name Kazuyama Gekkō forever.
Suddenly, a flood of thoughts began racing through his mind.