Over the next few days, Kazuyama Gekkō allowed Kakashi and the others to continue resting in the Land of Lightning while he himself headed to the Land of Waterfalls.

Land of Waterfalls, Orochimaru's experimental base.

"Sensei, seriously, how long is this going to take? It's been days and the brainwashing isn't even done yet?"

"Just look at the way they stare at us. Doesn't it get on your nerves?"

Kazuyama Gekkō stood beside Orochimaru, observing the bound Mabui and Samui. He had sent them to Orochimaru specifically to have them brainwashed and made useful to him. But upon arrival, he discovered Orochimaru hadn't made a single move.

"Hehehehe, my research is at a critical juncture lately."

"I've no mind for such matters."

"Since you're here, Kazuyama-kun, care to witness my new technique?"

A new technique? Orochimaru's new technique? Recalling the previous Orochi Summoning Technique, he thought he knew what Orochimaru's new technique might be.

"What? Have you found the path to immortality?"

Hearing Kazuyama Gekkō's words, Orochimaru laughed wildly, his expression bordering on madness. Seeing his state, Kazuyama Gekkō understood. It must be it—the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique.

"Yes, I have."

"And the technique is ready. When the time is right, I'll attempt it."

"But not now."

"However, the technique I wish to discuss isn't this one. It's another—a Kinjutsu created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju."

"The Impure World Reincarnation!"

Well, this technique has surfaced after all. A Kinjutsu that completely corrupts ninjas. Developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, this otherworldly summoning technique extracts a portion of a deceased person's flesh. It uses a living person's body as a vessel for the deceased's soul, summoning the spirit from the Pure Land of the Underworld into the mortal realm. The soul then inhabits this vessel, while the living body is covered in dust, transforming it into the deceased's appearance.

"Sensei, this technique carries immense risk. You must understand—it can be cast, but it can also be undone."

"Take your use of the Impure World Reincarnation to revive the Second Hokage. He could break the seal. What if he undoes the technique while in that state?"

"Then you'd be facing an undead mummy that never dies and has infinite chakra regeneration. That's no easy foe."

Orochimaru paused, slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Kazuyama Gekkō to know so much. But upon reflection, he understood. Kazuyama Gekkō had once read the Scroll of Seals. It documented forbidden Kinjutsu like Impure World Reincarnation. No wonder he possessed this knowledge.

"Hehehehe, Rest assured, I'll craft corresponding talismans to erase the revived ones' minds, making them serve my will."

"Mastering this technique has only deepened my curiosity about the pinnacle of ninjutsu."

"The next step is Senjutsu. Through my experiments in recent years, I've discovered something: Senjutsu isn't exclusive to the Three Great Sage Regions."

"Through your intelligence network, I've obtained certain information, including details about a special energy."

Kazuyama Gekkō nodded. He understood Orochimaru's research well—scattered here and there. The crucial part was that he managed to piece it all together. No wonder they called Orochimaru the Ninja World's foremost scientist.

"Alright, just don't forget about these two."

"I'm counting on them to shine for me."

Orochimaru nodded at Kazuyama Gekkō's arrangement. Wasn't it just brainwashing two people? A piece of cake!

...

Several days later, Kazuyama Gekkō and his group finally returned to the village. But compared to the anger he'd felt when leaving, he was now quite cheerful.

"Alright, you lot go report the mission to the Lord Hokage. I'm heading home first."

"After being gone so long, I need to check on your master's wife and the child."

Saying this, Kazuyama Gekkō vanished before the four kids with a flash of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Of course, the large sum of stolen funds departed with him. This was also why he wasn't rushing to find Minato Namikaze. With so much money, he needed a good excuse to take a larger share. Giving too much would hurt his wallet.

As for giving nothing at all? That was impossible. After all, with his intelligence network, their actions in the Kumo Village were likely already known to the higher-ups.

Returning home, the house was as lively as ever.

"Whoa? Kushina, Mikoto, what are you two up to?"

"Oh my! If it isn't little Naruto and little Sasuke! Come here, let Uncle take a look!"

Appearing before him were a little blond-haired boy and a little black-haired boy Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. The Daimyō's protagonist and Second Pillars.

"Kazuyama, you're back?"

"Didn't Minato say you were undertaking major operations in the Land of Lightning?"

"Why did you return so quickly?"

Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha were chatting with Pakura when they saw Kazuyama Gekkō return. Pakura rushed forward eagerly, his face radiant with joy.

"Done with the chaos. I sent Kakashi and the others to report the mission."

"How have things been lately?"

"I see ANBU still stationed around here?"

Upon his return, Kazuyama Gekkō noticed ANBU still guarding his vicinity. Clearly, the recent events had put the entire village on high alert.

"Yeah, heard they're all your students, stationed here voluntarily."

"The higher-ups are turning a blind eye to it."

All current ANBU members had trained under Tsukiyama Gekkō, making them his students. Hearing that the Kumo Village had dared to bully their ANBU instructor? That was unacceptable. After all, one of Tsukiyama Gekkō's core teachings was: "If an enemy dares to trespass, I shall repay them a hundredfold."

Countless volunteers had petitioned to go to the Land of Lightning, but all had been refused by Minato Namikaze. After all, with Kazuyama Gekkō already leading a team to the Land of Lightning, no additional personnel were needed. Thus, these ANBU members organized themselves, sending representatives daily to guard the Gekkō residence.

"Where's Michihito?"

"He's at the Academy, studying under Principal Hatake."

"...Is that old geezer trying to make my son his successor? Taking Michihito to study with him every single day?"

Hearing his son had gone off to study with Sakumo Hatake again, Kazuyama Gekkō felt utterly drained. Couldn't he learn at home? Why must he seek out others?

"Michihito's Kekkei Genkai is well-utilized now, but the fundamentals still need strengthening."

"Michihito adores Principal Hatake. He follows him around daily, saying he wants to become the second White Fang of Konoha."

Kazuyama Gekkō was speechless. The second White Fang of Konoha??? Then Kakashi... Ugh, never mind.

Kazuyama Gekkō almost blurted out, "Isn't Kakashi already the second White Fang of Konoha?" But then he remembered how Kakashi had gone off the rails—bulked up like a bull, his Lightning Release skills completely redefined. Sword techniques were long forgotten. The Hatake Kenjutsu was probably a lost cause.