26-30

*Chapter 26: Parents Attacked, Tsukuyomi Unleashed*

Just as Kazama had everything set and was about to head back to Konoha with Kakashi and the others, they ran into an Anbu team rushing from the village.

“Sanada Kazama, Hokage-sama requests your immediate return to Konoha.”

“What’s wrong?”

Hearing the Anbu ninja’s words, Kazama felt a sinking dread.

“The hospital where your parents were recovering was attacked. Their old wounds hadn’t even healed, and now with new injuries, I’m afraid…”

Before the Anbu could finish, Kazama vanished.

His speed was like lightning, his movement like a thunderclap.

Even the Anbu, renowned for their speed, were stunned.

“We need to hurry back to Konoha and find out what’s going on!”

With Kakashi’s command, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura quickly followed.

Kazama pushed his Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to the limit, his form blurring into a streak of light.

In just half a day, he reached Konoha.

To put that in perspective, even Anbu ninja needed a full day to cover that distance.

“How are my parents?”

Seeing Kazama arrive so quickly, the Sandaime Hokage, who was at the hospital, couldn’t help but marvel quietly.

“They’re not doing well,” the Sandaime said with a heavy sigh.

“I never imagined someone would dare attack Konoha’s hospital. It’s caused your parents’ conditions to worsen. But don’t worry, I’ve asked the Daimyō of the Land of Fire to send his personal physician. They’ll arrive in Konoha in three days.”

“Three days? With the state my parents are in, they won’t last one!”

Though Kazama wasn’t a medical ninja, he could see his parents’ faces pale as gold leaf, their breaths shallow and fading. They were clearly on the brink of death!

“Insolent! How dare you speak to Hokage-sama in that tone!”

At that moment, Konoha’s senior advisors, Koharu and Homura, arrived at the hospital.

They were there to discuss matters with the Sandaime regarding the upcoming Chūnin Exams.

“You don’t even trust the Daimyō’s physician? What, do you think you can save your parents?”

“I couldn’t before, but now I can!”

Without hesitation, Kazama channeled the power of Yōka (Yang Flame) into his parents’ bodies.

In just a few breaths, their faces visibly regained color at an astonishing rate.

Even their wounds healed completely.

Witnessing this miraculous sight, not only were Koharu and Homura stunned, but even the Sandaime, known as the “Professor of Ninjutsu,” could hardly believe his eyes.

He had never seen a flame capable of bringing people back from the brink of death.

“This kid Kazama… it’s only been a few days, and his power has grown this much!”

As the Sandaime marveled to himself, Koharu and Homura felt their faces burn with embarrassment.

It was the first time they’d been so swiftly put in their place by a mere Genin.

“Have you found the ones who attacked the hospital?”

At Kazama’s question, the Sandaime nodded.

“The Anbu captured one of them, but despite extensive questioning, we haven’t been able to uncover the mastermind. They’re currently in Ibiki’s interrogation room.”

“I want to interrogate them myself!”

“Hmph! The interrogation room is one of Konoha’s most critical facilities. You think a kid like you can just waltz in?”

Koharu and Homura, itching for a chance to reprimand Kazama, sneered at the idea of a Genin entering the interrogation room.

“Tsukuyomi!”

Kazama had no time for their nonsense. Plus, these two were closely tied to Danzō, and he’d been itching to teach them a lesson.

With a single cast of Tsukuyomi, Koharu and Homura were plunged into darkness.

Then came the excruciating, soul-tearing pain, stretching on for three days and nights in their minds.

Yet, in the real world, only a few breaths had passed.

That was the terrifying power of Tsukuyomi.

*Chapter 27: An Interrogator Even More Badass Than Ibiki*

The situation caught the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, completely off guard. His eyes snapped to Kazama in shock.

“Those are… Mangekyō Sharingan!?”

To think that Kazama, from the Sanada clan, had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, a power exclusive to the Uchiha clan.

The Third Hokage was utterly floored, his jaw practically hitting the ground.

“Don’t worry,” Kazama said calmly. “Their five senses were just overwhelmed. They’ll recover in a few days—no life-threatening injuries.”

With that, Kazama vanished in a flash, using the Body Flicker Technique. In the next instant, he appeared in Ibiki’s interrogation room.

“Sanada Kazama!” Ibiki muttered, startled by the sudden arrival.

Kazama’s reputation had spread like wildfire through the Anbu after he took down three Root ninjas in a row. Naturally, Ibiki, head of the Anbu’s interrogation unit, had heard of him.

But while Ibiki knew Kazama was strong, he never imagined the guy could slip into his interrogation room without a sound.

“I need to see the ninja who attacked the hospital,” Kazama said, his voice icy.

Ibiki could tell Kazama was furious—beyond furious, even. He quickly had the suspect brought in.

“You little punk! You think you can get me to spill about the mastermind?” the culprit snarled before Kazama could even open his mouth.

“There’s a seal in his mind,” Ibiki explained. “Figuring out who’s behind this will probably take some time.”

“Fine,” Kazama replied. “In my Tsukuyomi world, I’ve got all the time I need.”

With that, Kazama locked eyes with the suspect and cast Tsukuyomi, the ultimate genjutsu.

In the world of Tsukuyomi, time and space bend to the caster’s will. The victim could be tortured for years, even decades, within moments—until their mind shatters.

A few minutes later, the once-arrogant culprit was a broken mess, eyes vacant, slumped on the floor.

“Did you find the mastermind?” Ibiki asked.

“I did,” Kazama answered.

“What?! That fast?!”

Ibiki had spent hours interrogating the guy and gotten nowhere. Yet Kazama cracked him in mere minutes, digging up every detail. In that moment, Ibiki felt like a complete failure compared to Kazama.

“Hey! Who’s the mastermind?” Ibiki shouted as Kazama turned to leave.

But Kazama was already gone, vanishing with another Body Flicker Technique.

The mastermind was Danzō.

Kazama saw no point in sharing that with anyone. Danzō’s influence in Konoha was too deep-rooted; even if Kazama spoke up, it wouldn’t change a thing. Worse, it might tip Danzō off, making him wary of Kazama’s strength.

So Kazama kept it to himself.

“The Chūnin Exams are coming up,” he thought. “That means Orochimaru will invade Konoha. When the village falls into chaos, I’ll settle my old and new grudges with Danzō all at once.”

As Kazama headed back to the hospital, his vision suddenly blurred.

“Damn it… is this the backlash from overusing the Mangekyō Sharingan?”

Kazama knew the more he used the Mangekyō, the closer he edged toward blindness.

“I need to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan soon. But where am I supposed to find another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan to fuse with mine?”

He posed the question to the System.

“If the host lacks a suitable pair of Mangekyō Sharingan for fusion,” the System replied, “you can also collect ten ordinary Sharingan to create an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.”

“Ten, huh?” Kazama mused. “Danzō’s right arm has exactly ten Sharingan, doesn’t it? Plus, his right eye is Uchiha Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan, with the strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami. If I can take Danzō down and claim those eyes, I’ll not only get the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan but maybe even Kotoamatsukami. Looks like I need to speed up my revenge plan.”

“Oi, kid! Watch where you’re going!”

Lost in thought, Kazama was jolted by a sudden angry shout.

*Chapter 28: Starting Off by Snatching Kankuro's Karasu*

“So, it’s Kankuro from Sunagakure!”

Kazama only realized who was yelling at him after spotting the guy.

With the Chunin Exams coming up, shinobi from Sunagakure, an ally of Konoha, along with genin from smaller nations, were already trickling into the village.

Of course, among them were Orochimaru’s lackeys and some Sunagakure shinobi secretly working with him. They were here under the guise of competing in the Chunin Exams, but their real plan was to attack Konoha.

“I can’t stop Orochimaru just yet,” Kazama thought. “But since I’ve run into Kankuro, and this guy’s trying to show off in front of me, why not teach him a lesson? Maybe I can draw out Gaara and clue him in on what’s going on.”

Kazama knew Gaara was a key part of Orochimaru’s plan to destroy Konoha. If he could talk to Gaara and explain the situation, Orochimaru’s scheme would fall apart.

“Kazama-kun!” Sakura called out, rushing to his side. “This jerk was picking a fight earlier and even knocked Naruto to the ground!”

“No way!” Naruto protested, waving his fist. “I tripped on my own! No way this guy could take me down!”

Still fuming, Naruto charged at Kankuro again, clearly still sore from getting knocked around before.

“Hmph!” Kankuro sneered. “Guess I went too easy on you last time. This time, you’re not getting back up!”

With a cold laugh, Kankuro flung dozens of shuriken straight at Naruto’s face.

“Damn it!” Naruto tried to dodge, but he’d rushed in too fast and lost his balance.

Just as the shuriken were about to hit, Kazama unleashed the Yin Fire of his Yinyang Twin Flames. A wall of black flames shot up in front of Naruto, instantly reducing the incoming shuriken to nothing.

“Who used that Katon jutsu?!” Kankuro gasped. “That power’s insane!”

Since Kazama no longer needed hand signs to perform his techniques, Kankuro hadn’t even noticed him move.

“Thanks, Kazama!” Naruto said, letting out a relieved sigh.

“Kazama?” Kankuro’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re the one who pulled off that Katon?”

Hearing Naruto’s thanks, Kankuro realized Kazama had blocked his attack.

“You sneaky little punk, pulling a stunt like that!”

“Sneaky?” Kazama shot back. “Nah, your eyes are just too slow. You didn’t even see who made the move. How’re you supposed to be a shinobi like that?”

“Damn you!” Kankuro growled, clearly pissed. “You’re looking down on me?!”

He ripped off the bandages on his back, revealing his puppet.

“Now we’re talking!” Kazama said with a grin. “If you’re a puppet master, let’s see what your puppet can do!”

“You’ll see, alright,” Kankuro snapped. “But it’s gonna cost you your life! Black Secret Technique: Dagger Wield!”

Kankuro’s puppet, Karasu, sprouted a dagger in its hand and lunged at Kazama with a whistling strike.

“Kid, this dagger’s coated in deadly poison!” Kankuro boasted. “One scratch, and you’re done for. Let’s see you dodge this!”

Just as Kankuro thought he had Kazama cornered, that same powerful, eerie black flame flared up in front of Kazama again. In the blink of an eye, it burned Karasu’s entire arm to nothing.

“Damn it!” Kankuro cursed, realizing Kazama’s Katon was on another level.

He didn’t dare let his puppet take more damage and moved to recall it. But Kazama’s strange flames seemed to have a mind of their own. They sliced through the chakra threads connecting Kankuro to Karasu, leaving the puppet motionless.

Without its master’s control, Karasu fell right into Kazama’s hands.

“Since you’re outclassed, I’ll be taking this puppet!” Kazama said with a smirk.

“You bastard!” Kankuro shouted. “Give me back my Karasu!”

That Karasu puppet was Kankuro’s trump card. All his puppet techniques relied on it. The Chunin Exams hadn’t even started, and Kazama had already snatched it from him. How could he not be freaking out?

---

*Chapter 29: Thrashing Temari and Toying with Gaara*

“What’s so special about a kid who only knows Katon jutsu? I’ll take you on!”

Temari, Kankuro’s older sister, gripped her Sanseisen war fan tightly, ready for action.

“Hey, kid, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I specialize in Fūton, which perfectly counters your Katon. So, you’d better hand over Kankuro’s Karasu puppet right now.”

“And if I don’t?” Kazama shot back.

“Then I’ll make you regret it! Fūton: Kamaitachi!”

A ferocious gust, laced with countless vacuum blades, roared to life, instantly surrounding Kazama.

“My jutsu nullifies Katon, sound, bombs—any ninjutsu! You’re done for!” Temari declared.

“Kazama-kun! Be careful!”

Seeing Temari’s Fūton trap Kazama in a violent whirlwind, Sakura’s heart raced with worry. She shouted his name, unable to stop herself.

Ding! Successfully absorbed C-rank ninjutsu Kamaitachi. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining B-rank ninjutsu Fūton: Dai Kamaitachi no Jutsu!

Ding! Absorb three more ninjutsu to unlock a fourth Strange Flame!

“Haha! Konoha’s genin are pathetic—not even fit to lick the boots of our Suna shinobi!”

Temari and Kankuro smirked, certain Kazama was finished.

But then, the storm of Kamaitachi began to fade.

And there, at the center of the dissipating whirlwind, stood Kazama—completely unharmed.

“No way! You’re supposed to only use Katon! My Fūton should’ve crushed you! How are you standing there like nothing happened?!” Temari gaped, disbelief written all over her face.

“Who said I only use Katon? Let’s see how you like a taste of my Fūton!”

“Fūton: Dai Kamaitachi no Jutsu!”

A windstorm far stronger than Temari’s Kamaitachi tore through the air, sending Temari and Kankuro sprawling face-first into the dirt.

And that was Kazama going easy.

If he’d laced that Fūton with his Strange Flame, the wind-fueled fire would’ve reduced Temari and Kankuro to ashes.

“As punishment for losing, I’ll be taking your Sanseisen fan, too!” Kazama said with a grin.

“You… are you really a genin?!”

Not only had Temari failed to reclaim Kankuro’s Karasu puppet, but she’d also lost her Sanseisen to Kazama.

This guy wasn’t a genin—he was more like a jōnin!

“What a bunch of losers! Getting your own ninja tools stolen like that?”

A chilling voice cut through the air behind Kazama.

“I… Gaara!”

Temari and Kankuro froze, trembling at the sight of their brother.

“Hand over the Sanseisen and Karasu now, or I’ll kill you,” Gaara said, his tone deadly calm.

“I’m not giving back the Sanseisen or the Karasu. And you know what? I’m taking that gourd of yours, too!”

Kazama turned to face Gaara, the Sand Waterfall, with a fearless smirk.

“Saying that to Gaara? This Kazama kid is dead!”

Temari and Kankuro knew just how terrifying Gaara was.

No one—no one—had ever dared to challenge the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, Shukaku, by claiming they’d take his gourd.

If Gaara lost control and unleashed Shukaku’s power, everyone here would be slaughtered.

“Kid!” Temari shouted desperately. “We admit we’re no match for you, and we’re sorry for earlier. We’ll apologize right now! But please don’t provoke Gaara, or you’ll get us all killed!”

“Yeah, Kazama-kun!” Sakura chimed in, sensing Gaara’s murderous aura. “Let’s just drop it. Suna’s our ally, after all. No need to make things worse!”

She was terrified Kazama would get hurt and pleaded with him to back off.

“Did you hear them?” Gaara said, his voice low and menacing. “The moment I appeared behind you, your fate was sealed. Don’t make me act.”

“And I’m still saying it—your gourd is mine.”

Despite Gaara’s death threat, Kazama didn’t flinch. Instead, he burst out laughing.

*Chapter 30: Gaara, I’m Taking Your Gourd*

“If you’re begging to die, don’t blame me!”

With Gaara’s furious shout, the gourd on his back unleashed a massive arm made of sand.

“It’s over! That Kazama kid is done for!”

“Serves him right! Who else would be dumb enough to pick a fight with Gaara?”

Worried Gaara’s attack might catch them in the crossfire, Temari and Kankuro quickly retreated to a nearby tree.

Crack!

But before Temari and Kankuro could even get their footing, something bizarre happened. Gaara’s sand turned on him, smacking him to the ground.

The sudden twist shocked Temari and Kankuro so much they tumbled right off the tree.

“What the hell is going on?!”

Gaara, sprawled on the ground after being hit by his own sand, looked terrified.

As the Jinchuriki of Shukaku, the One-Tail, he’d been controlling sand as a weapon since the day he was born. It was second nature to him. But now, his sand was completely out of control.

“What’s wrong, Gaara?” Kazama taunted. “Weren’t you gonna attack me? Why’d you just slap yourself?”

“You’re dead!”

Gaara’s face burned with humiliation at Kazama’s mockery, and he roared in fury.

“Suna Bakuro!”

“Suna Bakuro is one of Gaara’s trump cards,” Kankuro muttered to himself. “No way it’ll fail this time.”

But to everyone’s shock, while Gaara’s Suna Bakuro activated perfectly, it didn’t trap Kazama—it wrapped Gaara up tight instead, binding him like a mummy.

“No way! Am I dreaming?!”

Temari and Kankuro rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.

“Gaara’s Sunaton has never messed up before. Why’s it going haywire now?”

“Hey, Gaara!” Kazama called out, smirking. “You gonna fight or what? If not, I’m outta here!”

Hearing Kazama’s taunts again, and seeing Naruto, Sakura, and the others doubled over laughing at his failed jutsu, Gaara started to suspect something. His sand going rogue like this—it had to be Kazama’s doing.

“Are you the one messing with me?!” Gaara demanded.

“You’re finally catching on!”

Kazama spread his arms, and waves of sand surged beneath his feet, lifting him into the air.

Seeing his own signature move being used by Kazama, Gaara’s shock turned to outright fear. He realized he’d completely lost his connection to the sand. His chakra could no longer control it.

Gaara’s Sunaton attacks had always drawn on a fraction of Shukaku’s power. But in front of Kazama, who somehow wielded the full might of the One-Tail, Gaara’s sand techniques were useless.

In other words, standing before Kazama, Gaara was no different from an ordinary genin—maybe even weaker.

“You can use Sunaton too?!” Gaara’s voice trembled, a fear he’d never felt before creeping in.

“Not bad, right?” Kazama grinned. “Everything you can do, I can do. And the stuff you can’t do? I can do that too!”

“Suna Soso!”

“Is this it?”

When Kazama unleashed Suna Soso, Gaara, as its original user, knew exactly how devastating it could be.

He braced himself, thinking this was the end.

But then, the sand wrapped around his body suddenly loosened and fell away.

Kazama had just been messing with him. After all, Gaara would one day become a loyal ally to Konoha—Kazama wasn’t about to kill him.

Then, the gourd full of sand on Gaara’s back flew on its own into Kazama’s hands.

In just a few moves, Kazama had completely humiliated Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara.

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