MTLNOVEL Chapter 465: The End
Master Chen moved fast. The moment he announced his surrender, he leapt off the platform in one smooth motion—clean and decisive.
Kazuyama and Sakumo were left staring in disbelief.
That old man might not excel at everything, but when it came to bailing after a fight, he was a pro.
Chen had clearly had enough. But Kazuyama?
He'd been getting pummeled for ages. His crystal armor was cracked and shattered in places.
It was maddening—but Chen had already left. What was he supposed to do now?
Kazuyama could only turn his gaze toward Sakumo.
Sakumo, feeling that intense glare, burst out laughing and casually sheathed White Fang without hesitation.
"Well, since Pakura-sensei and Master Chen are out, it wouldn't be fair for me to keep going as the principal."
"No more fighting—it's just an exhibition match, after all. It's about the performance."
"Kazuyama-sensei, you really are the village's rising star. You were amazing!"
"Come on, let's head down."
Before Kazuyama could argue, Sakumo hopped off the platform.
As he landed, he called back, "Kazuyama-sensei, you built this platform, so make sure you take it down. Don't go smashing flowers and plants."
"Or I'm docking your pay!"
Kazuyama stood there, stunned.
He felt wronged. Frustrated. Totally unfulfilled.
They all got their hits in, then just left?
Leaving him alone up here, bruised and windblown?
"Damn it! You two old geezers!"
"You can't just call it quits like that!"
"Get back up here! Three hundred more rounds!"
Kazuyama was losing it. He was absolutely furious. He'd finally gotten fired up—only for the ones who started it to back out?
What kind of sick joke was this?!
"Nope. Everyone, back to class now."
"Remember today's exhibition match, and take to heart why we showed it to you."
"As shinobi, it's important to study hard and learn from real experience."
Sakumo ignored him completely and waved the teachers over to gather the students.
Kazuyama was fuming—but completely helpless.
...
Suddenly, several figures appeared near the academy—ANBU operatives in full gear. The one leading them was Midori.
"Principal Hatake, things got pretty loud over here."
"Lord Hokage sent me to check on it."
"From the looks of it, everything's under control."
Midori's eyes fell on Kazuyama, still standing up on the floating platform. Though hidden behind a mask, his shock was obvious.
He'd arrived first—and witnessed the entire four-way battle.
There hadn't been any wide-area or highly destructive jutsu, but the clash of swordsmanship, Taijutsu, and elemental ninjutsu was still overwhelming.
Kazuyama's Crystal Release, Sakumo's sword techniques, Chen's Taijutsu, and Pakura's Fire Release—
Every single one of them was a force to be reckoned with.
"Hahaha, even the ANBU showed up?"
"No big deal. We were just teaching the kids."
"Alright, everyone—back to class!"
"Kazuyama, hurry up and clean up your crystal platform!"
"Didn't you notice ANBU came just to see you?"
Sakumo's shamelessness had hit new heights. He was a far cry from the man who'd once been so tormented by duty he nearly took his own life.
Now, his only focus was training his students and refining his swordsmanship.
And the moment he let go of that old pride, he realized—his blade still had room to grow. That clarity was what helped him shed his past self completely.
"Tch! This was your stupid exhibition match to begin with!"
"And now I'm stuck cleaning it up?"
Grumbling, Kazuyama leapt down and placed a hand on one of the support pillars.
In the next instant, the entire platform of crystal shattered and flowed toward him.
Under his control, the shards swirled and fused—slowly forming into a statue.
A statue of none other than himself.
"That's it! I'm making a statue of myself to mark my victory in this exhibition match!"
Still fuming, Kazuyama conjured up a crystal statue of himself and placed it proudly in front of the schoolyard.
Only then did he turn and walk toward the school building.
...
Hokage's Office.
"Hahaha! Principal Hatake actually did that?!"
"Looks like Kazuyama really ticked him off yesterday."
Laughter echoed through the room as Jiraiya lounged casually on the sofa, completely unbothered.
Hearing Midori's report, he burst out laughing, the sound clearing away some of the gloom that had been weighing on him.
"But that Kazuyama kid's getting scary strong."
"Even Chen's Konoha Dragon God and Hatake Kenjutsu couldn't take him down?"
"Even for a demonstration, they weren't holding back."
"Yeah, he's got insane potential," Tsunade said, arms folded.
"Wouldn't be surprised if he surpasses us soon."
"Hmph! Don't be so sure—I'm still amazing."
"Right, Minato?"
Jiraiya struck a smug pose, turning to his prized student for backup.
"Oh, come on. You're just going to brag about your Senjutsu again."
"Don't forget—Kazuyama's a successor of one of the Three Great Sage Lands too."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but her comment left Jiraiya awkwardly silent for a moment.
Right... he'd forgotten. Kazuyama was trained in Ryūchi Cave and had already mastered Senjutsu.
"Sensei, do you have time lately? I've got something I—"
"Minato, sorry! Gotta go! Just remembered—I might find some intel in the Land of Hot Water!"
Jiraiya bolted before Minato could finish.
Watching him go, Minato Namikaze shook his head. He knew his teacher had only come back to relay intelligence.
Even with the war over, the major villages were still stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
They couldn't afford to lower their guard.
...
"Lady Tsunade, how's the hospital coming along?"
Tsunade nodded.
"No issues. The new treatments are being rolled out smoothly."
"Minato, don't forget—you promised. Once the hospital's stable, I'm free to leave."
"I'm taking Shizune and hitting the road again."
"The war's over. I finally get to relax."
Tsunade had long wanted to leave the village. Too many memories here she'd rather not face.
It was only the war—and those dreams—that had brought her back.
Still, thanks to those same dreams, she'd gained some control over her hemophobia.
...
"You're leaving too?"
"Even with the war over, the village still—"
Tsunade raised a hand and cut him off.
"Don't start. Can you not turn into the Third? Always going on about the village."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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