Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki

"Kōjin, Heiichi, what's the enemy count?"

Sakumo wasn't worried about Sunagakure discovering their presence. After all, Kazuyama had directly captured an elite Jōnin. If Sunagakure hadn't noticed any movement, it would've made them look completely incompetent.

However, seeing Kazuyama's dumbfounded expression, he was curious how Sunagakure had learned of Pakura's disappearance.

"Kazuyama, were you followed when you left?"

Kazuyama shook his head. He had activated the Flying Thunder God Technique directly in the bathhouse—how could anyone have tracked him?

"Then it must have been some kind of secret technique. With your abilities, there's no other explanation."

Sakumo had unwavering confidence in Kazuyama's skills. The Transparent Escape Technique and the Flying Thunder God Technique were formidable, and he trusted Kazuyama completely.

Even so, Kazuyama felt dejected. This was only his second mission, yet every time he went out, an enemy appeared at their doorstep. Was he just unlucky?

He took pride in his ability to stay hidden, but first it was Kumogakure, and now Sunagakure—his confidence was starting to waver.

Just then, Chōmei spoke up.

"Kid, I think you need to investigate this yourself. In my long life, I've seen a type of ninjutsu... mysterious and elusive. The victim doesn't even realize it's happening, and the effect is... well, bad luck."

"No matter what you do, unless you address it, you'll stay unlucky for the rest of your life!"

Chōmei's voice carried a barely restrained chuckle. Kazuyama clenched his fists, resisting the urge to swat at him. It sounded convincing, but he knew Chōmei was just messing with him.

Ever since he became Chōmei's Jinchūriki, the bug had grown more expressive and mischievous with each passing day.

"Lord Sakumo, the count is 13," Kōjin reported, his Byakugan active. Heiichi, relying on his sensory abilities, confirmed the same number.

Sakumo nodded, a flicker of disdain crossing his face. "Thirteen people? They really underestimate me."

His remark made the group chuckle despite their tension. Konoha's White Fang was synonymous with unparalleled combat prowess.

When the Sunagakure ninja finally surrounded them, Sakumo immediately recognized their leader.

"Oh, I wondered who it was. Turns out it's Chiyo's disciple. If I recall correctly, your name is Kankichi?"

"Puppeteer Kankichi," Sakumo added with a smirk.

Kankichi's expression darkened as soon as he spotted Sakumo.

"Damn it, Sakumo Hatake!" he snarled. "I didn't think the infamous Konoha White Fang would stoop to intelligence work. Konoha must be desperate."

Despite his taunts, Kankichi subtly signaled his team, shifting into combat mode. The Sunagakure ninja prepared to strike.

"I am a ninja, and carrying out missions is my duty. I will carry out any mission. What? You want to stop me with so few people?"

To be honest, Sakumo really didn't like intelligence missions. He was direct and forthright, completely uninterested in the subtleties of stealth and concealment—traits that made him the opposite of Kazuyama Gekkō.

"Hmph! Release Pakura! Otherwise, we'll have to fight here!"

Kankichi casually pulled out four scrolls, and the air echoed with four loud sounds.

"These are your prized creations, aren't they, Kankichi? Armor Puppets, right? I remember slicing all your puppets to pieces in our last battle."

"You've rebuilt them over the years. They look sturdier than before."

During the Second Shinobi World War, Sakumo had unleashed his blade on the battlefield against Sunagakure. He'd taken out more than ten of their Puppeteers in rapid succession. Kankichi was one of the few who survived, thanks to his self-made Armor Puppets.

The Puppets were primarily constructed from iron, boasting incredible defensive power. Each piece of armor was covered in spikes and laced with poison, and they were large enough to allow Kankichi to operate them from within.

"Hmph! All these years, I've been waiting for this rematch! This time, you won't just cut through my puppet!"

"Do it! Take back Pakura!" Kankichi ordered the attack without hesitation.

"Kazuyama, Heiichi, take the girl and retreat!" Sakumo commanded. "Tsukiyuki! Ken! Let's go!"

Sakumo charged forward, radiating a chilling killing intent. Tsukiyuki suddenly leapt into the air, slamming his right hand onto the sand as he shouted, "Earth Release: Tearing Earth Turning Palm!"

The Sunagakure forces hadn't expected anyone other than Konoha's White Fang to take the lead, leaving them scrambling to defend themselves.

But then, a miraculous scene unfolded.

Tsukiyuki's right fist slammed heavily into the sand, his hand sinking into it. Yet, his technique didn't activate. Confused, he stared at his hand, bewildered. What was going on? His unstoppable Earth Release technique had failed.

"Big brother! The ground under your fist isn't solid ground—it's the desert!"

Kazuyama had just picked up Pakura and was preparing to retreat when he noticed Tsukiyuki's failed technique. Seeing his puzzled expression, Kazuyama couldn't help but call out a reminder.

Earth Release: Tearing Earth Turning Palm was a powerful offensive ninjutsu that focused chakra into the palm, striking the ground to create devastating fissures that could attack enemies.

But here? They weren't standing on solid ground—they were atop yellow sand.

Using a jutsu that splits the earth on sand? Ridiculous. Sand doesn't react like solid ground.

Sunagakure had stood strong for generations, home to ninja proficient in Puppet Arts, Sand Control, and Wind Release. Have you ever heard of a Sunagakure ninja specializing in Earth Release?

Trying to control sand with Earth Release? That was just foolish.

Kazuyama was at a loss for words.

After his reminder, Tsukiyuki snapped out of his confusion. He hadn't expected his technique to be rendered completely useless against sand. Even Sakumo was momentarily surprised. At first, he assumed Tsukiyuki's jutsu was a feint. But no—it had genuinely failed.

Soon, Sakumo understood. If Earth Release worked effectively on sand, the Second Kazekage wouldn't have invented the Sand Manipulation Technique. He'd have simply relied on Earth Release to control the desert. Sand and earth were fundamentally different.

Not bad, Sakumo thought. Kazuyama's sharp enough to notice the details.

"Hahaha! Sakumo, are all the people you brought this foolish? Kill them!"

Kankichi directed his four Armor Puppets to advance. Each puppet gleamed with a metallic luster, their reinforced bodies exuding strength and durability.

"Wind Release: Dust Cloud Technique!"

The four Sunagakure ninjas unleashed a massive Wind Release ninjutsu together. A swirling storm of soot mixed with chakra burst forth, devouring everything in its path.

While the technique wasn't particularly powerful on its own, when combined by four skilled ninjas, its destructive force became extraordinary. The storm churned up yellow sand infused with chakra, sweeping it toward Sakumo and his team.

Sakumo moved.

The iconic White Fang, his white chakra short sword, materialized in his hand. A surge of chakra enveloped the blade, its edge glowing with lethal sharpness.

This was the Hatake Kenjutsu—an advanced method of Chakra Flow that made the blade virtually indestructible, capable of cutting through even ninjutsu.

The slash looked deceptively simple, but simplicity often embodied perfection.

The art of the sword was pure: to cut the enemy in half, nothing more.

To Kazuyama, that single strike was the perfect counter to all showy techniques!