"Kazuyama-sensei, did you need to see Dad?"
"Uh... no, nothing. I don't think your father wants to see me. But Yū, how have you been lately?"
Kazuyama Gekkō looked at the Itachi before him, who already had faint nasolabial lines, and couldn't suppress his scheming thoughts.
Seeing his smile, Itachi warily took a half-step back. Why half a step?
Because he'd thought it through. A full step would look too obvious; not moving at all would be dangerous. Half a step was just right.
"Kazuyama-sensei, don't get any funny ideas. Shisui-san and Kakashi-sensei already warned me."
"Your bad ideas are like Konoha's leaves—wildfire can't burn them out; spring winds make them grow again."
"Even Dad told me to stay on guard around you."
Kazuyama Gekkō's smile froze on his face.
Well done—Kakashi, Shisui, Fugaku Uchiha. Well done!
Seeing Itachi so guarded, Kazuyama Gekkō didn't argue. He flashed another grin and headed toward the village.
Itachi Uchiha watched Kazuyama Gekkō's back without relaxing for a second.
Kakashi-senpai had said Kazuyama Gekkō loved sudden ambushes—he had to stay alert!
With that in mind, Itachi Uchiha kept his eyes glued to Kazuyama Gekkō until the man vanished from sight. Only then did he exhale in relief.
But that's exactly when danger strikes.
"Kakashi, didn't those two bastards, Kakashi and Obito, tell you I don't just love ambushes—I'm also here one moment, gone the next?"
A mocking voice suddenly sounded behind him, making Itachi's hair stand on end.
Before he could react, the voice came again, calling out those three terrifying words.
"One Thousand Years of Death!"
Itachi's expression went blank. Pain—why did it hurt so much?
He couldn't hold it in. The pain wrung a scream from him.
He had no idea Kazuyama Gekkō had held back. This One Thousand Years of Death wasn't even at half power.
Otherwise, with his current strength... tsk, best not to imagine it.
Kazuyama Gekkō watched Itachi fly into the air, quite satisfied. If he had a redeeming quality, it was that he didn't discriminate by age. If he could, he'd happily use One Thousand Years of Death on the old man Sarutobi—after all, the geezer had exploited him for years.
"Itachi, feel the pain. Only pain makes you grow."
"Look at Kakashi. Look at Obito. They've both tasted the power of One Thousand Years of Death."
"I believe you'll grow from this!"
With those—well, words of encouragement—Kazuyama Gekkō vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Itachi's face flushed bright red.
"Kakashi-senpai, Brother Obito, I get it now. I really do."
"No wonder you told me to be extra careful..."
"Who in the world invented this technique?!"
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kazuyama Gekkō returned home. The instant he landed, a giant fireball came flying at his face.
"Michihito Gekkō! Didn't I tell you not to play with fireballs at home?!"
"If you want to play, go to your Uncle Minato's! Or Uncle Fugaku's!"
"If that won't do, head to Shikaku's or Chōza's!"
"Just look at what you've done to our house!"
Kazuyama Gekkō tilted his head to dodge, a vein bulging on his forehead.
He was furious. After Konoha's destruction, he'd put in a massive effort to rebuild the house, making it perfect.
Two short years later, and it was already falling apart.
Yamato: ...Sensei, hearing that makes me want to rebel...
Hayate: Do it, Yamato. I'll be the first to back you!
"Whoa, whoa... Hey! My precious boy!"
Two-year-old Michihito Gekkō spotted his father and cried "Daddy!" Kazuyama Gekkō's anger vanished on the spot. He didn't care about the state of the house anymore.
He rushed forward, scooped up his beloved son, and grinned from ear to ear.
If Fugaku Uchiha were here, he'd definitely say: Look at that—textbook great dad!
No matter what the kid did, as long as he called out, that was it—perfect!
"Pakura went to the hospital."
What could he get out of asking his son? He was only two!
Ebisami, resting to the side, answered for him, a trace of disdain in his brows.
"The hospital? Don't tell me..."
"Yeah, she's due. You bastard have been out on missions this whole time. Pakura's had it rough."
At that, a rare hint of guilt crossed Kazuyama Gekkō's face. He might have been on missions this past year, but he'd mostly been running around, having a grand time.
Over half a year ago, Pakura had gotten pregnant with their second child. To let her rest properly, he'd put his Academy classes on hold.
Substitute sensei? Kakashi and Obito.
His two outstanding disciples had no objections at all.
Kakashi: Right, not a single complaint—would be even better if the Kusanagi didn't keep flashing and those crystals weren't so blinding.
Obito: Nonsense! Kakashi, that's disrespectful to our teacher! It's clearly just a Tiger Seal!
He'd also invited Tsunade back to stay at his place. By the looks of it, she must have gone to the hospital, too.
"Alright, I'll go find him at the hospital."
Suddenly remembering something, Kazuyama Gekkō pulled a scroll from his robes, found a clear spot, unrolled it, and channeled chakra.
Everything sealed inside burst out at once.
The heap of goods left Ebisami staring, dumbfounded.
"These are all specialties from different countries—face masks from the Land of Wind, bath-scrubbing stones from the Land of Earth, snacks from the Land of Lightning."
"Oh, and this—didn't that kid Ebisu say he wanted a black outfit? Here you go."
With that, Kazuyama Gekkō scooped up his son and vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Ebisami to clean up while muttering,
"That little rascal... at least he meant well. Face masks from the Land of Wind?"
"Pakura, you still need to watch your diet. I've told you this a thousand times."
"That brat's goodies—eat them if you want, but you're getting too much nutrition!"
"He's really turned the Flying Thunder God Technique into a lifestyle. Look at Minato—he only uses it for fighting. Now look at Kazuyama... no comparison!"
Tsunade looked at the thoroughly maternal Pakura and could only shake her head helplessly.
Pakura gave an embarrassed smile. Even though Kazuyama Gekkō hadn't been in Konoha lately, he still popped back every few days, always bringing her favorite treats.