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

In the end, Minato couldn't persuade Tsunade to stay.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Kazuyama stood at the gates of Konoha.

"Tsunade, you said you didn't want anyone to see you off—so why call me?"

"I had to get up so early... I'm half dead from sleep."

She was still in her trademark green robe, the bold "Gamble" on the back standing out clearly.

Next to her stood a small girl—Shizune, Dan Katō's niece.

"Hmph, you brat. I didn't ask anyone else in the whole village—only you. And you're still whining?"

"Let me ask you—did you cast Genjutsu on me?"

Kazuyama froze. Tsunade's calm expression made him uneasy.

His mind went into overdrive, racing like a machine. He couldn't afford to stop thinking—if Tsunade lost her temper, he'd be screwed.

"You don't have to think so hard. I'm not here to settle accounts."

"Katsuyu already checked for me. The traces of Senjutsu from the Three Great Sage Regions were too obvious."

"If I'm right, it was probably that Snake Princess you summoned who used Senjutsu on me, wasn't it?"

Her tone was steady, without a hint of blame.

But her gaze held a strange mix of emotion—some nostalgia, some irritation, and a little acceptance.

Kazuyama scratched his head, a sheepish look flashing across his face.

"Ahaha... You caught me. But really, it was all Snake Princess's idea. I was just the middleman, you know?"

"So if you're mad, don't take it out on me. You know how tense things are between the Three Great Sage Lands."

"Ryūchi Cave's been salty toward Shikkotsu Forest for ages. They just saw a chance and took it, heh..."

He laughed slyly, not hesitating for a second to throw Tagitsuhime under the bus.

Tagitsuhime: I @#￥!%#@&#￥!!

Tsunade snorted softly. Yeah, like she'd buy that.

She knew exactly what kind of little bastard Kazuyama was by now.

That silver tongue of his could twist anything, and he never missed a chance to talk nonsense.

"Don't try to sweet-talk your way out of it. I don't know when I'll be back in Konoha again. Honestly, you're the only interesting one left in this village."

"I won't hold the Genjutsu thing against you. After all..."

"Forget it. In the end, I probably owed you one anyway."

Seeing her mood drop, Kazuyama decided not to press her further.

He'd long suspected she wouldn't stay in the village much longer.

The only reason she remained was the war... and maybe him.

Still, he asked quietly,

"Your hemophobia's mostly under control now, right? So why are you really leaving?"

"Is it just that the memories here weigh too heavily on you?"

"You're Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin."

"Or... have you lost faith in someone in this village?"

As he walked alongside her, his voice grew heavier with each word.

Tsunade was quiet for a moment, then said slowly,

"You little brat… some things are better left unknown."

"Give me one of your kunai. A year from now, come find me. Shizune still needs to take the Chūnin Exams."

"Your students all did great this time. If Shizune didn't pass, the fault's on me."

"I'll train her properly."

Shizune stood rigidly at her side, her expression serious—clearly, she was taking Tsunade's words to heart.

But Kazuyama wasn't so convinced.

He couldn't help but recall the original storyline—Tsunade dragging Shizune around to gamble across the country. That lifestyle...

She had so much potential to become a top-tier Medical-nin, but instead, she ended up picking up all of Tsunade's bad habits.

"Man... just don't lead her astray, alright? Otherwise, I'd like to see how you'll face Dan Katō."

"Anyway, here you go."

"I'm heading back now. Sayonara, Lady Tsunade."

He tossed her a marked kunai and vanished on the spot.

Tsunade stared at the spot where Kazuyama had disappeared, then looked down at the kunai in her hand.

The mention of Dan Katō brought a soft smile to her lips. She didn't say anything—just gently patted Shizune's head.

"Let's go, Shizune. It's time for our journey to begin."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

...

Tsunade's departure didn't stir much in the village.

After all, Konoha was thriving now.

But it's often in peaceful times that the most unexpected crises arise.

And this time, the threat didn't come from outside—it came from within.

Exactly a month after Tsunade left, Kazuyama and the other key members were summoned to the Hokage building for a meeting.

It was the largest assembly since Minato Namikaze took office.

Kazuyama entered the conference room and whistled to himself—there were a lot of people.

His seat was no longer on the fringe like before, but right in the center.

But what really caught his attention was that, aside from the senior Jōnin, even the Hokage's advisors were present.

Seeing the Third, dressed in casual clothes and puffing on a cigarette, Kazuyama frowned.

This serious?

What the hell happened?

The meeting began as Minato removed his Hokage cloak and set it on the table—a signal that the discussion was about to get real.

"Everyone, we're facing a serious issue. If we don't handle this properly, the entire village could be affected."

Minato's tone was grave, and his expression even more so.

"We've just received word from the Daimyō's office: our village's funding has been slashed by half."

"Not only that, but the Daimyō has formed his own ninja unit."

"He's demanding we send a certain number of elite ninja to serve under him."

The room went silent.

Shikaku Nara's expression shifted instantly. He rested his chin on one hand, his mind already racing.

"And according to intel, even the Fire Temple has agreed to the Daimyō's request."

"They've sent some of their top talent directly to the Daimyō's camp."

At that, Kazuyama instantly understood.

So that's why this meeting was called.

The Daimyō had been waiting all these years... and now he was finally making his move.

During the war, he couldn't afford to act—he needed Konoha's strength.

But now that peace had returned? Tch... the guy wasted no time.

"Lord Hokage, what the Daimyō is doing is just..."

"Seriously? The war just ended, and this is how we're treated?"

"If the rest of the ninja catch wind of this..."

"It could shake the whole village's morale."

Even Shikaku let out a long sigh, while the others all wore dark, troubled expressions.

They were all clearly unhappy with the Daimyō's move.

Use them when he needs them, discard them when he doesn't?

What kind of nonsense is that?