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

"Ok, you two just take it easy. I still have to report to the Ninja Academy."

"This is the first graduation assessment since the Academy's reform, and Lord Third is paying close attention to it."

Kazuyama grabbed a banana from the fruit basket, peeled it, and handed it toward Fugaku. But before Fugaku, who looked slightly surprised, could take it, Kazuyama ate it in one bite.

"Damn it! You obviously wanted to eat it yourself, so why did you bring it to me?"

Fugaku felt like Kazuyama was his ultimate nemesis—infuriating to the core.

Kazuyama, still chewing on the banana, raised an eyebrow and casually explained, "I just had a cramp in my arm and stretched it out. How could you think I was going to give it to you?"

He glanced at Mikoto and smirked. "Fugaku, don't even think about it. Mikoto's here—she's the one who should be feeding you."

Mikoto's face turned red. Flustered, she pulled a banana from the basket and hesitantly brought it to Fugaku's mouth. Fugaku shot Kazuyama a glare before his expression softened as he looked at Mikoto with tenderness.

Kazuyama smirked. "Tsk, you lovebirds. It's hard to watch. I'm out of here."

As he walked toward the window, he muttered, "The stench of love—it's unbearable."

Before anyone could respond, he leapt out the window, leaving the group behind.

After a moment of silence, Minato and Fugaku exchanged glances and broke into laughter.

"That bastard," Fugaku muttered, shaking his head. "He said he bought that fruit basket for us, but he's eaten half of it already."

Minato chuckled. "Alright, just focus on recovering. This is the first assessment since the Academy reforms—I'm dying to see how it turns out."

…

On the roof of the Ninja Academy, Kazuyama squatted against the wall, gazing out at the playground below.

Two classes were training, one of them focusing on Taijutsu under Chen-sensei's guidance.

"Sakumo's amazing. He actually managed to summon someone that important."

"The Leaf Dragon God… Just imagine if Guy learns it and combines it with the Eight Gates Kick—no one would stand a chance against him."

In Kazuyama's line of sight, a group of students led by Guy was sparring with Chen, who gracefully evaded their attacks. The stick in his hand snapped through the air, correcting the students' uncoordinated movements with remarkable precision.

On the other side of the field, ninjutsu practice was underway. To Kazuyama's surprise, the instructors were Sakumo and Pakura. The surprising part? Pakura was actively teaching ninjutsu, while Sakumo stood to the side, smiling as he observed.

What's going on? Why is Pakura teaching here? How did Sakumo approve this, knowing who she is?

"Aren't you curious about why she's teaching here?"

The familiar voice startled Kazuyama, his pupils contracting momentarily. Without turning, he smirked and replied, "Still relying on clones to teach, Principal Sakumo? That's overkill."

The person behind him, none other than Sakumo, chuckled. "Hahaha, so what if it's a clone? Isn't ninjutsu meant to be used? Otherwise, why learn it?"

Sakumo stepped closer. "Pakura is naturally talented with ninjutsu, making her well-suited for teaching. While you were away, I temporarily took charge of the Academy. With my other responsibilities, I brought her in for the position. She was thrilled to accept."

He gestured toward the training grounds. "Look at her—she's genuinely enjoying it."

Kazuyama fell silent. From this distance, he could clearly see Pakura's slightly upturned lips and her earnest, focused teaching demeanor. Neither seemed fake.

"But… her identity?" Kazuyama finally asked.

"What about it?" Sakumo replied calmly. "She's no longer a Suna ninja. The moment you captured her, that bond was severed."

Can it really be that simple?

"Of course," Sakumo admitted, a faint smile crossing his face. "Don't forget—she's still bound by your Five Elements Seal, isn't she? With that seal, she's just an ordinary ninja. At best, a Jōnin."

Without her Scorch Release, her most devastating technique, Pakura's abilities were limited. Kazuyama nodded slowly. Sakumo was right—Konoha had plenty of Jōnin-level ninja.

"But, Lord Sakumo," Kazuyama began again, hesitating, "she's still a ninja from Sunagakure. That fact doesn't change."

"She hasn't fought in a war yet," Sakumo pointed out, "and you captured her before she ever had the chance to shed Konoha blood."

Kazuyama blinked in surprise. It was true—at this point in time, Pakura was still young and inexperienced. She hadn't been involved in any battles yet. Her infamous title, 'Pakura of the Scorch Release,' wouldn't emerge until the Third Shinobi World War. For now, she was just an unknown rookie.

"I dug a little deeper," Sakumo continued, "and it turns out Pakura was always treated as a hidden ace. Even on missions, she was kept out of sight, unknown to other villages."

"Think about it—the first time you encountered Pakura, even I didn't know anything about her. So how could anyone else?"

"Hatazaemon kept her hidden, saving her as a secret weapon for the war. But thanks to you—hahaha—you threw a wrench in his plans."

Sakumo's tone shifted suddenly, catching Kazuyama off guard.

"Kazuyama, do you know how Konohagakure was built?"

The abrupt question made Kazuyama frown. Though confused, he answered honestly:

"The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan joined forces to establish Konohagakure, later allying with many other ninja clans."

Sakumo nodded. "The Hatake Clan and the Gekkō Clan both played a part."

"It was the alliance of various clans that created the village we know today."

Kazuyama still didn't understand where Sakumo was going with this. Furrowing his brow in confusion, he watched as Sakumo glanced up at the sky.

"Actually," Sakumo said after a pause, "it's not like Konoha has never accepted ninja from other villages before."

"Do you know Kushina Uzumaki? She was originally a Genin from Uzushiogakure, but she joined Konoha, didn't she?"

Kazuyama nodded. He knew that much. After all, he and Kushina had been classmates. She'd transferred to Konoha back then.

"Kazuyama, there's only one way to make her completely join Konoha and sever her ties to Sunagakure forever," Sakumo continued.

"She must join a Konoha clan and fully abandon her past."

Kazuyama's eyes widened as he stared at Sakumo in shock.

"I've already gotten her consent," Sakumo said calmly. "After a period of observation, if everything goes smoothly..."

"I'll apply to the Hokage to have Pakura join the Hatake Clan as my adopted daughter, making her a full member of Konoha."

Kazuyama froze. Wait... join the Hatake Clan? Why not the Gekkō Clan?

Sakumo gave him a faint smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. Kid, take a guess.

Kazuyama's expression darkened. Damn it, old man... You're trying to set me up! You just want to be my father-in-law!

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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