"Heh heh heh, little guy, do you have any idea how much chakra it takes to sustain me?"
"And to use my Senjutsu abilities, regular chakra won't do. But I've heard from the three Snake Princesses that you have some extraordinary abilities."
"You can try—but how exactly do you plan to send the message?"
Korin let out a soft laugh, finding Kazuyama's idea quite acceptable.
Proud as she was, the Snake Princesses were never wrong. If they were so optimistic about the young summoner before her and had even modified his Summoning Technique, then it was proof enough—this boy was no ordinary ninja.
"I think the sound from a rattlesnake's tail should be enough."
"But to keep it hidden, is it possible for you to convert the sound into vibration signals instead?"
Kazuyama's plan was to use the rattlesnake's natural abilities for transmission, but the exact method was up to Korin—after all, she was the one with the expertise.
"Heh, kid, you sure know a lot about snakes."
"Alright, I won't waste your time. Here—take these."
Kazuyama felt a slight tremor as three scales fell to the ground in an instant.
Picking them up, he eyed them with curiosity, but Korin quickly explained.
"These are my scales. They will pick up and transmit the vibrations of my sound, allowing those three kids to receive my messages no matter how far they are."
"At the same time, if I inject chakra into the scales, I can receive signals as well."
"But you'll need to continuously supply me with natural energy. If my energy runs out, I'll have to return to Ryūchi Cave."
Kazuyama was pleased with the explanation.
"Kakashi, Obito, Rin."
"Kakashi, you'll work alone. Obito, you'll pair up with Rin. One team will head north, then west. The other will go south, then east."
"Daimyō's Manor is at the center of the Land of Fire, so Kirigakure's forces could be approaching from any direction. Don't leave any area unchecked."
"Once you spot any signs of the enemy, signal immediately. I'll arrive at your location instantly using the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Understood?"
Kazuyama's tone was serious—this mission was a crucial test for the three of them.
After all, during wartime, nowhere was truly safe. The only way to survive was to grow stronger.
"Got it, Kazuyama-sensei."
"Good! Leave it to me!"
Kakashi and Obito responded separately, while Rin nodded firmly.
Despite their serious expressions, Kazuyama was still worried and gave Rin a specific instruction.
"Rin, keep an eye on that idiot Obito. Don't let him near a casino, and don't let him act recklessly."
"If anything happens, contact me immediately using your scale. Got it?"
Hearing this, Obito couldn't hold back his frustration and shot his sensei a resentful look.
"Kazuyama-sensei, can't you have a little faith in me?"
"Do I look like the kind of person who would delay a mission for gambling?"
Kazuyama nodded without hesitation.
"Damn it! I'm not taking you with me!"
"Alright, enough complaining. Let's go! Stay alert and protect yourselves!"
At Kazuyama's command, Kakashi took the lead, running in classic ninja fashion—arms trailing behind him.
Rin hurriedly patted the still-grumbling Obito before the two set off.
Watching his students depart, Kazuyama smirked slightly. Korin caught the expression and couldn't help but laugh.
"You're a terrible person. You could have done this yourself, but you deliberately made your students go instead."
"You have natural energy, so you can already perceive things over a wide area. Even if you couldn't do it alone, you could have done it with my help."
Korin was right. Natural energy was exceptional for large-scale perception.
And with Korin's expertise in sound, Kazuyama could have handled the situation entirely on his own.
Yet, he still issued the mission.
"You don't get it. Plants sheltered in a greenhouse will never grow strong without facing wind and rain. I'm doing this for their own good."
"Alright, Korin, I'm counting on you now. Help me scan the area. These Kiri shinobi shouldn't be far."
With that, Kazuyama leaped onto Korin's massive head and, in the next instant, sat cross-legged, activating the Transparent Escape Technique.
A surge of magnificent natural energy flowed into his body.
"Kekkei Genkai... I can't even sense it..."
"No wonder the three Snake Princesses think so highly of you. And this energy... wow, kid, you're something else."
Feeling the sheer intensity of natural energy, Korin's eyes flickered with surprise. However, having seen many powerful beings before, she quickly composed herself.
She flicked her tail, and an invisible sound wave spread outward, rippling through the air.
By combining natural energy and sound, Korin could generate a sonar-like perception technique.
Its range was vast, and its accuracy was precise—this was the power of the Senjutsu she had mastered.
As the waves expanded, she soon picked up on various movements.
"Kazuyama, I've found them. Southeast of us—15 people, their chakra is brimming with killing intent."
"Another group due south, 10 in number, but they're weaker than the southeastern squad."
"The other directions are clear—no strong groups detected."
Korin relayed the information to Kazuyama, who was still absorbing natural energy. Slowly, he opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"Korin, estimate how long until Obito and Rin encounter the enemy."
"About half a day. They're not that fast, and the enemy isn't moving right now."
Half a day? That meant there was still time to set things up.
"What about Kakashi's route—west and north?"
"No enemies detected."
"Understood."
Still concealed by his Transparent Escape Technique, Kazuyama slowly brought his hands together, circulating his chakra.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
With two dull thuds, two identical clones materialized beside him.
"Korin, no need to warn them. I'll let the clones continue absorbing natural energy—I'll go myself. Watch over things while I'm gone."
Korin glanced at him before nodding her massive head.
He could have just sent his clones... but instead, he was heading out personally?
How worried was this guy about his students?
Not that he'd admit it—but Kazuyama was doing this for his disciples.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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