At this time, going to Sarutobi Hiruzen would not yield any results.
Therefore, Kazuki decided to take matters into his own hands and make Danzo understand the consequences of provoking him.
Didn't Danzo want to seize power? Then let him experience what it feels like to have something stolen from under his nose!
With Kazuki's abilities, remaining undetected was effortless. If he wanted to set a fire in secret, it was a simple task.
"Hahaha! You've really outdone yourself this time!"
Tsunade burst into laughter in the courtyard, the frustration that had been simmering in her heart completely swept away in that moment.
"Have a drink."
Kazuki smiled as he took out a bottle of sake he had prepared earlier.
Tsunade was briefly stunned before recalling their previous agreement to drink together.
In that instant, she remembered something Kazuki had told her before:
"Drink good sake when you're happy. Only then can you truly savor its taste."
Had he foreseen everything that would happen tonight?
By the next morning, news had already spread throughout Konoha—
The Shimura clan compound had caught fire.
The blaze raged for three hours, nearly destroying most of the clan's estate. Several members of the Shimura clan were gravely injured, and many perished.
At the same time, shocking rumors surfaced:
The elder of the Shimura clan had attempted to steal the Scroll of Seals. No one knew exactly how the information leaked, but it spread through Konoha like wildfire.
Overnight, Shimura Jogawa's name became synonymous with disgrace, his reputation crumbling as if he were a rat scurrying through the streets.
Many villagers began to suspect that the fire was divine retribution for the Shimura clan's actions.
For the first time, Shimura Danzo's status in the village plummeted. The people of Konoha, already wary of his secretive dealings, now harbored outright hatred toward him.
Meanwhile, another event was stirring unrest in the village:
Kazuki, who had recently been promoted to Captain of the Konoha Assassination Corps under the Third Hokage, had unexpectedly resigned from his position.
This shocking decision caught the attention of many.
Who was Kazuki?
A prodigy who had risen through the ranks at an astonishing pace, a ninja with a future as bright as the morning sun. If he continued on this path, it was only a matter of time before he became the Head of the Anbu.
Yet, at this critical moment, he had chosen to walk away.
Those who were perceptive in Konoha's political landscape couldn't ignore the timing. Kazuki's resignation came right after the Shimura clan's downfall.
Could there be a connection?
Kazuki's family, however, remained tight-lipped.
Had he continued his rise in Konoha, they would have been proud of his achievements. But since he chose to step away, they respected his decision without hesitation.
In his father Takeshi's words:
"Our family is already wealthy enough. Even if Kazuki and Tenten never take on another mission, we have enough money for them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives."
Kazuki could only sigh inwardly—so this was what true financial freedom felt like.
However, one person was not so indifferent.
Tsunade.
The moment she found out Kazuki had resigned from Anbu, she…
With a worried look, it seemed that she had vaguely guessed something.
It was likely related to the stance that both Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen had taken in past incidents.
If he had fully trusted Sarutobi-sensei, he wouldn't have taken matters into his own hands that night, silently erasing the remnants of the Shimura clan.
Although the Sandaime Hokage did not openly pursue the identity of the arsonists,
Between men of intellect, words were often unnecessary—they already understood each other.
Tsunade, however, had a lot on her mind that she wanted to discuss with Kazuki.
She had been staying at his place,
And as the two crossed paths in the house, their gazes occasionally met before quickly looking away.
With Tsunade's straightforward nature, she wasn't one to hold back.
"Hey, kid, if you're feeling suffocated in the village, why don't you leave Konoha with me? I already hate this dull place anyway."
A playful but serious glint flickered in her eyes as she watched Kazuki methodically wipe down a concealed weapon in his hands, a kunai sharpened to perfection.
She was genuinely interested in her own idea.
Bringing this kid along,
Going out to gamble,
They'd be unstoppable!
That would be far more fun than being stuck in this stifling Konoha.
"Well? What do you think?"
Kazuki chuckled at her proposition.
"My parents and my sister live here in the village.
My family's business is also here.
Tell me, is there anywhere in the entire Land of Fire that's more stable, more prosperous, and more suitable for making a living than Konoha?
I have no reason to leave."
Then, raising an eyebrow, he added,
"Besides, if I go with you, wouldn't it seem like I ran away for no reason?"
"But…"
Tsunade hesitated.
"You hate Konoha too, don't you?"
Kazuki paused before replying, "When did I ever say that?"
Tsunade frowned, confused.
"Huh? Isn't that why you resigned from Anbu? I mean, isn't Anbu a direct path to greater power and influence?"
Kazuki responded casually,
"I just don't want to deal with those old relics anymore.
Keeping my mind at peace is more important.
But that doesn't mean they're worth leaving Konoha, the best land in the Fire Nation."
Tsunade immediately knew who he meant by "old relics"—
The Konoha Council, particularly the elders.
Still, she couldn't shake her concerns.
"But without your Anbu status, life in the village won't be easy.
That bastard Danzō… he's definitely going to look for a chance to cause trouble for you."
Kazuki simply smiled.
"Do you think I'm afraid of him?"
Tsunade blinked before recalling—
Kazuki had already clashed with Danzō before.
And Danzō had stood no chance.
If Kazuki hadn't held back, the old war hawk would have been dead by now.
Strength wasn't an issue.
But…
Tsunade frowned again.
"If this keeps up for too long… things could get dangerous."
If Danzō chose to strike from the shadows, targeting Kazuki's family,
There was only so much one person could guard against.
Her concerns weren't unfounded.
Yet Kazuki remained unfazed.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes before he smiled calmly.
"It's fine.
The power structure in this village…
Is about to be reshuffled."
In the days following his explosive speech,
Kazuki's life grew noticeably more relaxed.
When he first submitted his request to leave Anbu, Sarutobi Hiruzen had tried to dissuade him.
But upon realizing that Kazuki's mind was made up,
The Sandaime Hokage had no choice but to approve it.
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