"Hey, Kazuyama, what's wrong?"
"It's just a Seven-Leaves-One-Branch Flower. Why are you so stunned?"
Chōmei looked utterly perplexed as Kazuyama held the flower in his hands. Back when Kazuyama went to Ryūchi Cave, he had cut off his connection with Chōmei since he hadn't known what awaited him there. Because of that, Chōmei had no idea what this flower meant.
"Nothing. Just... thinking about how fast time flies."
"How many years have passed in the blink of an eye? Ah, ah, ah, life is so unpredictable~~"
"But hey, robbing people still makes me the happiest~"
Sentimentality aside, Kazuyama once again transformed into a whirlwind of theft, charging toward the next shop.
But just as he reached the door, someone interrupted him.
"Over there! Damn pirates!"
"Water Release: Water Whip!"
A whip of water lashed out toward him. Kazuyama didn't even think dodging it with the Flying Thunder God Technique was worth it—it would be an insult to his skills. With just a slight twist of his body, he effortlessly evaded the strike.
Turning around, he saw several Kirigakure ninja glaring at him, weapons already aimed his way.
"Reinforcements from the Mist Village?"
"That was fast. I haven't even enjoyed myself yet!"
Kazuyama's mood soured—his good time ruined. He had completely forgotten about the layout of the Northern Three Islands. The islands were arranged in a triangular formation, and their support systems were incredibly fast.
But still, that didn't give them the right to ruin his fun.
"Hmph! You Kumo scum, daring to disguise yourselves as pirates and cause havoc!"
"Today, none of you are getting away alive!"
"Attack!"
Clearly, both sides were already on edge.
As the Mist ninja charged at him, Kazuyama grinned. Dealing with shinobi of this level? Even lifting a finger for them felt like a waste of effort.
"Ah, poor souls. Next time, at least make sure you're picking the right opponent."
With that, Kazuyama didn't even glance at them and stepped casually into the shop.
A second later, the charging Mist ninja all collapsed to the ground as if they had choreographed the fall together.
"Tsk tsk, Kazuyama, admit it—this Scale Powder is way more powerful than before, huh?"
"Deadly poison. Colorless, odorless, and spreads like wildfire!"
"Who's still saying I'm the weakest Tailed Beast now? Oh wait—I've never been the weakest. That Three-Tails, Isobu? Trash! Ahahahaha!"
Of course Kazuyama had acted. The moment the Mist ninja showed up, he'd had Chōmei release a lethal cloud of Scale Powder.
In short: deadly toxin.
As the saying goes—if the Grim Reaper wants you dead by midnight, who dares keep you till dawn?
With this poison, staying still might save you, but move too much and it floods your body with toxins. Instant death. A living nightmare.
The poor Mist ninja didn't even know what hit them. But who told them to charge in like that?
"Let's clean out this shop and get out of here. Know when to quit while you're ahead!"
"Perfect!"
Kazuyama knew very well what happened to people who got greedy. That's why he always stopped while he was ahead.
And this time, he'd made a killing. Kumo would take the fall, Kirigakure would suffer the loss, and he—Kazuyama—would walk away the winner.
With that thought, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and instantly returned to the inn.
His island wasn't the northernmost one, so although the place was under lockdown, it hadn't seen any real damage.
"Sensei, you're back?"
"Kazuyama, you're back! So? Were they Kumo ninja?"
Haku and Tagitsuhime greeted him the moment he returned.
Kazuyama recounted everything he had seen. But as he finished, he suddenly froze.
Tagitsuhime, who had been eager to head out after hearing how intense the battle was, immediately noticed his silence.
"Hey, Kazuyama, what's wrong with you?"
"Did the trip shake you up?"
Her words brought Kazuyama back to reality, and a sly grin spread across his face.
"Tagitsuhime, I just had a thought."
"That island up north is such a mess... and it's so calm over here."
"How about I stir things up a bit?"
His meaning couldn't be clearer. It was the perfect moment—strike from the shadows and create chaos.
After all, this kind of chance doesn't come twice.
"My god, Kazuyama, you really are crazy."
"Even though some of the shinobi guarding this island went north, there are still nearly a hundred left here."
"You're planning to take them all out?"
Tagitsuhime's snake eyes widened in disbelief. It wasn't that she thought he couldn't do it—she knew full well that for Kazuyama, it would be easy.
But if he was caught, that would mean outright war with Kirigakure.
"Tch. Those weaklings? Spot me? What a joke."
"Even if the Mizukage shows up himself, he won't find me."
He wasn't bluffing. With his skills, even if the Fourth Mizukage led the team personally, Kazuyama wouldn't flinch.
Activate Transparent Escape Technique, teleport with Flying Thunder God—what could they possibly do?
If he wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
"Tagitsuhime, keep an eye on Haku. Heh heh, I've got a job to pull."
"I don't like either the Mist or Kumo anyway."
"Haku, stay close to Tagitsuhime. No matter what sounds you hear, don't go poking your head around."
With that, Kazuyama vanished once again from the room.
Tagitsuhime and Haku were left staring at each other.
"Sister Tagitsuhime... what's Sensei doing?"
"Uh... your idiot teacher went to rob someone."
"Huh?"
Tagitsuhime shook her snake head helplessly. She didn't really approve of Kazuyama's antics—but she knew it was just who he was.
And honestly, neither Kirigakure nor Kumogakure were exactly saints in his book.
...
Kazuyama had returned to the island.
"Heh heh, time for a little party."
He made his way to a hidden spot outside the town, didn't hesitate for a second, and formed a cross sign with his hands.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—lethal in combat, essential for robbery.
Puffs of white smoke erupted in rapid succession. When it all cleared, over a hundred black-clad pirates stood ready.
"Hehehe..."
"Half of you—hold off the Mist ninja. Only use Water Release, Wind Release, or basic ninjutsu. Don't give yourselves away."
"The rest of you, same old rule—grab anything valuable!"