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

Just as Kazuyama was holding back a smile while handing Kushina the bag of medicinal herbs, someone suddenly walked into the shop.

"Kushina, you're here too! Long time no see!"

"Mikoto! You haven't come to see me for such a long time!"

The lively exchange made Kazuyama pause, but when he caught the name "Mikoto," a spark of recognition flickered in his eyes.

Mikoto? Mikoto Uchiha? Isn't this Fugaku's future wife?

Judging by the timeline, these two should be getting close. However, he couldn't help but wonder: Did the incident with Minato and Fugaku affect things? Or was it all just coincidence?

"Oh, it's all that guy Kazuyama's fault—and Minato's too!"

Kazuyama blinked, startled. Huh?

Kushina huffed, folding her arms. "Hmph! It's all Kazuyama's fault!"

"Because of those two, Fugaku ended up completely possessed the other day—sharpening his sword nonstop and muttering about how he was going to cut up Minato and Kazuyama to prove his innocence!"

Hearing this, Pakura's curiosity was piqued. She stepped forward with an eager look on her face.

"Who is this?"

"Oh, Mikoto, let me introduce you. This is Pakura, my friend," Kushina said warmly.

Mikoto quickly bowed to Pakura, who reached out to help her up.

"Please, continue. What's the story about Fugaku, Kazuyama, and Minato?"

Mikoto hesitated for a moment. Logically, the incident had caused quite a stir.

How could she not have heard about it?

Kushina smoothly intervened. "Pakura has been on missions outside the village and only just returned. She wouldn't have heard about this."

Mikoto nodded in understanding.

"Hmph! It's all because Kazuyama made Minato confess his feelings to Fugaku."

"Confess… his feelings?" Pakura asked, raising a brow.

"Yes! Apparently, Minato lost a bet with Kazuyama, and Kazuyama dared him to confess his love to Fugaku."

"That's outrageous! Who would even think to use something like that for a bet?!"

Mikoto's frustration grew as she spoke, leaning closer to Pakura in exasperation.

Meanwhile, Kazuyama, who was standing quietly behind them, suddenly shivered. It's getting colder. Winter must be coming—I should grab an extra layer.

Pakura barely stifled a laugh as she processed the story. She had always found Kazuyama eccentric, but this? This was next-level mischief. Truly, he was as unpredictable as ever.

"Pakura, don't laugh."

"At that time, Minato and Fugaku were practically cuddling together."

"As a result, Fugaku went completely crazy, sharpening his sword every day and talking about beheading the two of them."

"I'm afraid he won't be able to handle it, so I'm going to make him some military ration pills. I came here to buy medicinal herbs."

Oh? Someone else making military ration pills—for Fugaku?

Kazuyama Gekkō's interest was piqued again. It didn't matter if she was making pills for one person or two—it was all a waste of effort in his eyes.

Minato was taking them, Fugaku was taking them; no harm in that. After all, these two families shared such a deep bond. They'd suffered and eaten together—it was perfect!

"Hey, Mikoto, I'm here to buy medicinal herbs for military ration pills too. But I'm making them for Minato."

"And for what happened back then, the main responsibility lies with Kazuyama, not Minato."

Kazuyama heard this clearly, his indignation surging. Damn it! It was obviously Minato who started the whole thing.

He mocked me, saying I'd never have a sensei. When he lost, I couldn't even afford to play anymore. Sure, I set him up—but tell me, Kushina, does Minato bear no responsibility in your eyes at all?

"Huh? Really?"

"So what herbs did you buy? Are they any good?"

"This is my first time making military ration pills with herbs, so I have no experience."

Kushina smiled brightly and, turning to Kazuyama, said confidently, "I bought hemp seed, apricot kernel, and arborvitae seed. The owner said these three herbs are mild and perfect for making military ration pills. Right, boss?"

Kazuyama kept nodding, his mind already calculating. Looking at Mikoto's sparkling eyes, he imagined himself earning dozens of attributes. After all, in his experience, the more important the role, the better the rewards!

"Yes, don't worry. Take them back and try them! The effect will definitely exceed your expectations!"

Hearing this, Mikoto hurriedly paid for the herbs. Under Kushina's guidance, she bought five pounds in one go.

Watching Mikoto carry the massive bundle of herbs, Kazuyama felt his facial muscles twitching.

Hold on, Kazuyama! You must hold on!

Hahahaha!

Pakura noticed the boss's face twitching and couldn't help but feel puzzled. Thinking back to the odd atmosphere when she first arrived, she finally asked aloud, "Boss, what's wrong? Why is your face twitching?"

Kazuyama was secretly startled, thinking to himself, How is this woman so sharp?

Suppressing the laughter bubbling inside, he spoke sorrowfully:

"It's an old problem. When I talk too much, my face twitches."

"It's an incurable condition. I've been relying on medicinal herbs to manage it—that's why I became a pharmacy owner."

"I wanted to use the knowledge I've gained to help free more people from their suffering."

Kazuyama's ability to adapt was truly remarkable. The slight twitch in his expression made him look like he was teetering on the edge of despair. Combined with his downcast, jittery demeanor, the performance was flawless.

Pakura immediately dismissed her earlier suspicions and even felt a pang of guilt.

This boss is so selfless, and I actually doubted him. How could I think such a thing?

It's all that bastard Kazuyama's fault!

If Kazuyama had heard that, he would've thought indignantly, What the hell—how is this my fault?!

In the end, the three of them left the shop, chatting and laughing. Using the Hive Mind to observe as the women walked away, Kazuyama finally cracked. With a Flying Thunder God Technique, he teleported to the surface of Hokage Rock and let out a booming laugh.

Meanwhile, Kushina and Pakura returned home without delay and immediately began making the military ration pills.

"Pakura, how much of the medicinal ingredients should we use?"

"Well... according to the boss, let's use 1 pound at a time. If it's not enough, we can always buy more later."

"Great! Let's get started! Minato should be back in a few days, and I'm determined to make him eat some freshly made military ration pills!"

"Alright, alright, let's get to it."

"Hey, hey, if that bastard Kazuyama found out that Pakura made his military ration pills by hand, he'd probably cry his eyes out."

Oh, he absolutely would cry his eyes out!