Kazuyama knew Terumi's personality inside and out. Though she was a rare strong female shinobi, she longed for love and marriage. Well, her Updates are released by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
Kazuyama knew Terumi's personality inside and out.
Though she was a rare strong female shinobi, she longed for love and marriage. Well, her marriage had been delayed, which made her a bit pitiful.
But now that she was under his wing, Kazuyama figured—why not arrange a match for her and grant her wish?
"So, how about it? Become my disciple, Terumi."
"I'll tell you this—you're in the Land of Frost."
"It's far from the Land of Water, so you don't need to worry about Kirigakure coming after you."
When he mentioned Kirigakure, Kazuyama gave a disdainful smile, his tone turning mocking.
"Besides, I can guarantee—even if you disappeared, no one from Kirigakure would come looking."
"Under the Bloody Mist policy, do any of the higher-ups even care whether a kid lives or dies?"
"Am I right, Terumi?"
Stick and carrot—always a package deal. He'd already shown her the photo of Kakashi. That meant she had to agree.
If not, Kazuyama was ready to take more... persuasive measures to keep her.
Terumi didn't respond. Deep down, she knew the truth—whether she vanished or even died, her village wouldn't bat an eye.
In Kirigakure, death was just part of everyday life.
"And leaving now doesn't mean you'll never go back. You're still one of them."
"It's just that Kirigakure isn't the right place for you—at least not now."
"Trees may be rooted, but people move. You need to start thinking for yourself."
"You and I both possess two Kekkei Genkai. If we don't sharpen our strength, we're just wasting that gift."
Kazuyama opened a drawer, pulled out a cup, and casually boiled some water.
He placed the hot cup in front of her and gave Tagitsuhime a slight gesture.
She caught the hint and released Terumi's restraints.
As the binding jutsu faded, the numbness in her body began to wear off, though it would take time to fully recover.
Bracing herself, Terumi sat up, stared at the cup of hot water, and fell into thought.
After a long silence, she slowly raised her head, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"Someone like me... I wouldn't think I'd catch the attention of the Ghost of Konoha."
Kazuyama took a sip of water, saying nothing.
Someone else answered for him.
"Hey, brat, enough questions."
"I could smell that special blood of yours from three streets away."
"If Kirigakure doesn't know how to treasure talent, why shouldn't we let Kazuyama dig it up instead?"
Tagitsuhime snapped back, clearly irritated.
Her eyes shifted into vertical snake pupils, and her forked tongue flicked out as she fully revealed her snake aura without restraint.
Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime followed suit. All three Snake Princesses revealed their true forms and presence at once, leaving Terumi stunned and speechless.
That was the unspoken understanding they shared. After so much time together, he was already part of the Ryūchi Cave family of snakes and Snake Princesses.
He didn't even need to say a word—they had already backed him up.
Once again, Terumi found herself surrounded by the three Snake Princesses, and their serpentine forms left her reeling.
In a flash, she remembered the rumors back in the village about Kazuyama.
Disciple of Orochimaru—one of Konoha's Three Legendary Ninja. A terrifying man who commanded a legion of snakes. A swarm of snakes...
"Terumi, you should be grateful to me, you know?"
Kazuyama's words left Terumi stunned. Grateful? What was he even talking about?
Seeing her utterly confused expression, Kazuyama let out a hearty laugh. He pulled out two thick coats, tossed one to Terumi, and put the other on himself.
He was cold too, after all.
"What are you doing?"
"Put it on. I'm taking you for a walk by the sea."
Terumi looked at the coat beside her. She didn't understand what was going on, but still slipped it on—she was freezing.
By the time she finished, Kazuyama was already waiting.
Then, with that familiar motion, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
A freezing sea breeze hit them head-on.
They had arrived at the northernmost coast of the Land of Frost.
Snow and sea stretched out before them, and Terumi's eyes went wide. This was her first time seeing snow.
In Kirigakure, surrounded by thick fog year-round, there was only rain—never snow.
"Beautiful, right? When I first came to the Land of Frost, I was drawn in by it too."
"It's really something."
Kazuyama gazed out at the endless ocean, snowflakes drifting onto his shoulders. His mood eased, soothed by the scene.
Terumi said nothing. She simply raised her hands, catching the falling snow. She looked thrilled.
To Kazuyama, it was a familiar sight. She was still young—of course she'd be amazed by something new.
"Terumi, let me ask you—who started the Bloody Mist policy?"
The sudden question made Terumi pause, but every Kirigakure shinobi knew the answer.
"Lord Third Mizukage…"
"Exactly. That long-haired old bastard. If not for him, your village wouldn't be in this mess."
Kazuyama slowly walked forward. Terumi looked on, puzzled. Just as she wondered whether to follow, he spoke again.
"Do you know why he became the Third Mizukage?"
"Because he was strong—ridiculously strong. His Water Release was so powerful it shouldn't have been called Water Release... it should've been called Sea Release."
Kazuyama stepped out onto the sea itself, feeling the water swell beneath his feet. He turned back to face Terumi.
"You're from Kirigakure—Water Release is your specialty."
"But you don't know... I'm also extremely skilled in Water Release. If you become my disciple, you won't regret it."
Without another word, Kazuyama began forming hand seals. His speed made Terumi's eyes widen in shock.
"Umbrella Canopy Technique!"
With the jutsu activated, a massive green parasol dropped from the sky, landing behind Kazuyama. Water surged around him like a living force.
"Water Release: Wave Giant!"
And it didn't stop there. The water condensed in an instant, and the ocean behind Kazuyama erupted.
A giant made of water rose up behind him, radiating an overwhelming aura.
"Terumi, with strength —am I not qualified to be your sensei?"
Kazuyama stood calmly atop the sea, the giant parasol and towering water construct behind him.
Terumi was so stunned, she couldn't even speak.
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