Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki

"What about Yin–Yang Release?"

Orochimaru was slightly startled by Kazuyama's question. He hadn't expected a 14-year-old to pose such a query.

Interesting. Very interesting.

"Although it's a bit early for you to understand this at your age, since you've asked, I'll explain it to you." Orochimaru's voice carried a rare tone of approval.

"The concept of Yin Release and Yang Release: the power of Yin, derived from spiritual energy, is the ability to create from nothing. Yang, derived from physical energy, gives form to that which exists."

"Take the Uchiha, for example. Their Sharingan is a perfect representation of Yin Release, while the corresponding power of the Senju, the First Hokage's Wood Release, represents Yang Release." Orochimaru gestured subtly as he explained. "One focuses on the spirit; the other on form."

Kazuyama nodded thoughtfully. His understanding of Yin–Yang Release had been basic, limited to what he recalled from the manga in his previous life. Orochimaru's analysis, however, was far more precise.

"Now, I'm going to begin my experiments," Orochimaru continued. "If you're free, go outside and practice your ninjutsu."

He added, "Work on the Wind Release techniques I gave you and the ninjutsu I created. Once you've calmed your mind, I'll consider letting you assist me in the lab."

To Orochimaru, Kazuyama still lacked the discipline necessary for laboratory work. He was too impetuous and needed more tempering.

Kazuyama was content with this. Without delay, he left the lab and began practicing ninjutsu outside.

Time flew by. In the span of a month, Kazuyama had fully mastered several techniques, including Hidden Shadow Snake Hands and advanced Wind Release ninjutsu.

Orochimaru, impressed by his progress, granted him a rare holiday. Orochimaru himself would be leaving the village on a mission assigned by the Third Hokage, and Kazuyama still needed to care for his younger brother. Despite wanting to bring Kazuyama along, Orochimaru chose not to insist.

The Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stared intently at the scroll in front of him, his expression grave as he read every word with care. It was intelligence from the frontlines, obtained at the cost of countless spies' lives.

The information was damning. The villages of Iwagakure (Land of Earth), Sunagakure (Land of Wind), and Kumogakure (Land of Lightning) were making suspicious movements.

Personnel had been redeployed, and every sign pointed to one grim conclusion—war was on the horizon once more.

Hiruzen smoked pipe after pipe, the room growing hazy with smoke. Yet, he seemed oblivious to it, lost in thought.

The Second Shinobi World War ended some time ago, yet the villages were already stirring again.

Is peace really so elusive? he wondered bitterly.

War... It was a word all too familiar to him. Since taking the mantle of Hokage, the world had known little else. First came the war with Kumogakure after the death of his mentor, the Second Hokage. Then, a series of conflicts with Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

"Lord Hokage, you wanted to see me?"

The sudden voice pulled him from his thoughts. A commanding figure entered the room without hesitation—Sakumo Hatake, known throughout the land as Konoha's White Fang.

As the leader of the ANBU, Sakumo was Konohagakure's sharpest weapon, a man whose mere presence inspired confidence.

"Sakumo," Hiruzen said, his tone heavy, "Iwa, Suna, and Kumo are all making moves. I predict war is about to begin again."

He gestured toward the intelligence on the table. Sakumo stepped forward and picked up the scroll, scanning it quickly. As he finished, his demeanor changed—like a blade being drawn from its sheath, his aura turned sharp and unyielding.

"Hmph, I knew these villages wouldn't stay quiet," Sakumo said coldly. "Lord Hokage, I'm ready to head to the frontlines whenever necessary."

Fear was not something Sakumo knew. On the battlefield, as Konoha's White Fang, no enemy could escape the reach of his blade, which struck with the finality of death itself.

"Prepare yourself," Hiruzen instructed. "Have all ANBU on standby. Strengthen intelligence transmissions from the frontlines. We must monitor the movements of all three villages at all times—especially Iwagakure. Ōnoki's ambition is the most dangerous of all."

Hiruzen paused before asking, "Sakumo, do you think sending someone into Iwagakure to gather intelligence again would yield results?"

Sakumo frowned slightly.

The intelligence on the table had come at an enormous cost. Sending operatives into the Land of Earth now would be akin to sending lambs to the slaughter. It was a desperate move, one that risked much. Yet, as the looming war approached, intelligence would prove invaluable.

Sakumo was silent for a while. After a long pause, he spoke slowly.

"We can skip Iwa. Once the war breaks out, Iwa will definitely be the main force. The intelligence that Heichi Yamanaka and Kazuyama brought back from Kumo a while ago gives us some insight. On the other hand, there's no accurate news about Sunagakure at the moment, and the intelligence we do have is very limited. We need to stay on guard against them."

He recalled his experiences fighting Sunagakure in the last war.

Both their sand-based jutsus and puppet techniques were extremely challenging to deal with. The puppet jutsus, in particular, were deadly—not so much for high-level combatants but for ordinary ninjas. The puppets' killing power far exceeded that of most shinobi.

He remembered several extraordinarily skilled puppet masters from Sunagakure. Even he had faced difficulties against them initially. Although he eventually managed to kill a few, the casualties on his side had been severe.

"Well… Chiyo is indeed a tough opponent," he muttered.

He sighed. "If the war starts, I'm afraid we'll face attacks from the other three villages again."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, his worry evident. As the leader of the five great ninja villages, Konohagakure was always the primary target in wars.

"No, I'll lead a team to the Land of Wind myself. It's just reconnaissance—there shouldn't be any issues," Sakumo said with calm confidence. That confidence was something Hiruzen always associated with him.

"Let's wait a bit longer. In a few days, it will be the Ninja Academy's graduation day. We can discuss it further then." Hiruzen decided to postpone the reconnaissance mission. The intelligence was still fresh, and there was time to act.

Changing the topic, Hiruzen smiled and asked, "Sakumo, do you think your son will apply for early graduation?"

Sakumo's expression softened as he gave a small smile. "Maybe he will. Since Kazuyama's concealment class repeatedly frustrated him, Kakashi has been very motivated. His ninjutsu, taijutsu, and physical fitness have improved significantly. Even I have to admit that allowing Kazuyama to teach at the Academy was the right decision."

Hiruzen chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it."

The current curriculum at the Ninja Academy was progressing rapidly, thanks in part to the new courses. Kazuyama's Stealth course, in particular, had been a huge success, earning praise from both instructors and students alike.