Kazan returned to the Forest of Death and sat in a chair in the courtyard.
He kept his aura contained. Otherwise, few people could have withstood it.
After years of effort, he had finally taken the most crucial step: continually dividing his cells, then devouring them to grow stronger.
Before long, he would complete his leap in life. Without relying on anything left by the Sage of Six Paths, his body would transform completely into a Sage Body.
Before that, he needed to fully integrate Garp's Template.
Kazan looked at everyone before him and said, "Don't leave Konoha for the next few days."
"Did something happen?"
"Is something big about to happen?"
There was only one reason to tell them not to leave the village: danger might be waiting outside.
Kakashi and the others had some confidence in their fighting strength. If Kazan still wanted them to stay in Konoha, this had to be serious.
"I'm leaving Konoha tomorrow to take care of something. You'll find out what it was afterward."
Kazan offered no explanation. He only told them to stay in the village and not wander off.
"I've already spoken to Minato and the old Third Hokage. If you have missions, you can put them on hold for now."
"Yes, Kazan!"
"Got it, Teacher Kazan!"
"..."
No one pressed him further. They agreed.
That night, however, Kurenai and Hikari came to ask what he planned to do after leaving the village.
"I'm going to visit the Four Great Shinobi Villages."
"And while I'm at it, I'll collect the Kusanagi Swords scattered across the Shinobi World."
"Why?"
Neither of them understood.
Kazan was already strong enough. The Kusanagi Swords were excellent weapons, but surely they would be of little use to him.
"I have my reasons. Just stay in Konoha