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

The next day, Konoha remained on high alert, but after waiting a long time, there was still no sign of an attack from Iwagakure.

"I told you already—they suffered massive losses yesterday. Without the Kamizuru Clan's poisonous bees to lead the charge, what do they even have left to attack with?"

"Hmph, and you still didn't believe me."

"If the Nara Clan were here, they'd back me up and shut you down in an instant."

Tsunade stood at the very front, arms crossed, her expression full of irritation.

She had seen it with her own eyes—those slug bombs detonating inside enemy lines, the swarms of poisonous bees getting blasted to bits.

"Don't speak so soon. If I'm seeing this right, they'll be here any moment."

Kazuyama ate the last of his dumpling, eyes locked on the distance.

Using Insect Vision, he could already see the dark, looming mass ahead—something that honestly caught him off guard.

They had clearly wiped out most of the bees yesterday... so how were there still so many?

Before long, that black swarm was fully visible at the far end of the battlefield.

Tsunade froze. This didn't make sense...

The others were also visibly shocked. No one doubted Tsunade—but what they were seeing with their own eyes was unmistakably real.

Just as confusion set in, Kuro Aburame, who had remained silent until now, spoke.

"Could it be they've found a way to rapidly breed the poisonous bees? Or maybe what we saw before was just a fraction of their forces?"

Tsunade frowned.

"That's impossible. When we hit their camp yesterday, all the bees were already on the front lines. Even if I missed something, that bastard Kazuyama was with me."

Kazuyama nodded.

"No mistake. We absolutely wiped out their primary swarm. I even fought the Kamizuru Clan's head myself."

"So if I agree with Kuro on anything—it's that those bees are likely made through some kind of Kinjutsu. Wouldn't surprise me if they have other forbidden techniques, too."

He wasn't just guessing—Chōmei had already picked up something strange using Insect Vision.

"Kazuyama, those bees are drenched in death aura and blood scent."

"It's even thicker than before. Feels like they've only got a few days to live. If the last batch could survive for years, these things are basically disposable."

Hearing Chōmei's voice, Kazuyama's expression turned grim. Something here was definitely off.

A forbidden technique, then...

The Kamizuru Clan really didn't care how many lives they burned through.

By now, the buzzing of the bee swarm had grown thunderous.

"Prepare for engagement. All Fire Release users, to the front line!"

"Don't let them get close!"

Tsunade bit her thumb and activated the Summoning Technique.

With a puff, the massive form of Katsuyu appeared on the battlefield.

"Katsuyu, get the adhesive acid ready."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

After manifesting, Katsuyu glanced at Kazuyama—clearly remembering him.

Kazuyama met her gaze and briefly considered throwing her in again for another explosive round... but quickly shook his head.

Even if he did, it wouldn't be enough to wipe out the whole swarm.

Just then, Kuro Aburame arrived at the front with other Aburame Clan members. A tide of black insects surged into the air, rising like a dark cloud.

"As fellow insect handlers, our kikaichū should be able to stall them for a bit."

The kikaichū spread out, forming a shield-like black fog above Konoha's position, hoping to blunt the bees' assault.

"The Iwa shinobi are stepping out now."

"Tch, looks like it's gonna be a slog."

But instead of fear, light laughter broke out across Konoha's lines.

When enemies face off, mindset matters. Tsunade and Kazuyama's surprise attack last night had given them real confidence.

Now that they were facing the enemy head-on, all they were thinking about was how to crush them.

"Uh, Lady Tsunade, something just occurred to me... Not sure if I should say it…"

Suddenly, a nearby Jōnin stepped forward—it was Hamaki Mimura.

As a veteran defense specialist, Hamaki was well known in the village. He'd been through numerous wars and had a proven track record of holding the line.

"Hamaki Mimura? What is it? The enemy's almost here—speak!"

Hamaki looked somewhat resigned... then said something that left everyone on the front line completely dumbfounded.

"Last night's operation used up all the explosive tags in the base."

"There aren't any left."

Tsunade: ????

Kazuyama: Hey!!!!

The entire squad: !!!

Everyone instinctively reached for their pouches, patting them down in sync—only for their expressions to shift drastically.

"Katsuyu! Where are the explosive tags you took back yesterday?!"

"What explosive tags?"

"Don't play dumb!"

"They disappeared... When I returned to Shikkotsu Forest, they were gone. Maybe my stomach acid digested them."

Tsunade and Katsuyu's exchange left Hamaki sighing in utter helplessness.

The enemy was right in front of them, and now they were out of explosive tags? What kind of disaster was this?

Without explosive cover, this battle was going to be rough.

"Damn it! So what if we're out of explosive tags!"

"I refuse to believe we can't hold this position without them!"

Tsunade slammed her fist down in frustration—but soon, a trace of irritation flickered across her face.

With all her years of battlefield experience, she knew exactly how crucial explosive tags were. If they really were out, things could take a bad turn fast.

"But... if someone can get me a pile of explosive tags right now, I swear I'll quit gambling!"

Clatter...

Before she could even finish the sentence, Kazuyama pulled out a scroll and unfurled it.

Ten thousand explosive tags materialized in the open space.

Silence fell instantly.

Tsunade's eyes went wide, staring at Kazuyama. Kazuyama, hand trembling, was also staring back at her, his whole body visibly shaking.

The two of them just stood there—wide eyes locked.

The rest of the shinobi were frozen in stunned disbelief.

This wasn't "when it rains, it pours." This was divine timing.

The explosive tags were here—but the atmosphere? Beyond awkward.

[Ding! Host has successfully rendered Tsunade completely speechless, brain cells fried. Your willingness to risk everything has earned this system's admiration! Special reward: Ninjutsu Amplification +5%!]

As the stack of explosive tags sat gleaming on the ground, Hamaki twitched at the corners of his mouth and quickly stepped up.

"Kazuyama, good work! This is more than enough."

"I'll make sure your contribution is recorded, and you'll be paid the full market price for these tags."

"Of course, payment will have to wait until we return to the village."

Thanks to Hamaki's timely interruption, the rest of the troops snapped out of their daze and began distributing the explosive tags.

Only Tsunade and Kazuyama remained frozen in place.