Public Opinion

The preciousness of Reward Points needed no further explanation.

Whether it was Orochimaru, who lacked points to exchange for research materials and cutting-edge papers to build his foundation, or Jiraiya, who had long coveted One Punch Bald's abilities, both were major consumers of Reward Points.

As for Destiny Gems, they were even more irreplaceable to Reincarnators.

Many slightly higher-end exchanges required Destiny Gems before one even qualified to make the purchase.

For instance, Devil Fruits from the world of One Piece, the Infinity Gauntlet from the Marvel macro-world, Zanpakuto from the world of Bleach, Pureblood Titan Marrow from the world of Attack on Titan...

Exchanging any of these required Destiny Gems of varying grades as a prerequisite cost.

"A team mission... perfect for testing the results of my research."

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile and signed his name on the KOF Contract.

What else could Jiraiya say?

He was the most sentimental of the Three Ninja. How could he possibly refuse?

His pen flew across the page, and in an instant, the three stylized characters for "Jiraiya" appeared at the bottom of the contract.

KOF Contract established. Members: Captain Tsunade, Member Orochimaru, Member Jiraiya.

When all three are in the same world, all attributes increase by 15%.

Team members cannot attack one another. Otherwise, all attributes will be reduced by 50%.

A cold voice devoid of even the slightest emotional fluctuation rang out in the hearts of the Three Ninja.

In that instant, their stamina, strength, speed, agility, flexibility, Chakra reserves, Spiritual Power, thinking speed...

Everything increased in sync by more than ten percent!

Orochimaru instantly abandoned his little schemes and silently crossed out one of his planned test projects.

He did not care about losing half his strength. But if his memory, logical analysis ability, and thinking speed were all cut in half, he would be unable to continue researching Scientific Ninjutsu—that was something Orochimaru could not tolerate.

And so...

The Three Ninja Reincarnator team was officially established!

As the captain, Tsunade naturally issued the first order. "Let's lay our cards on the table and estimate our current team strength."

Back then, they had worked together with flawless coordination. But after so many years, who did not have a few new trump cards?

Charging straight onto the battlefield without understanding the comrades around her...

Would get them killed.

Late March, Year 60 of Konoha.

The atmosphere in the village had been extremely strange these past few days.

Naruto Uzumaki, the "Nine-Tails Fox" everyone had once hated and loathed, now attracted countless stares whenever he walked down the street.

People whispered behind his back, seemingly discussing something, yet there was no malice in their voices.

"That child's appearance..."

"Right? You think so too, don't you? Those eyes, that hair, that nose, that mouth—he looks exactly like the Fourth Hokage..."

"I heard Naruto wasn't actually the Nine-Tails Fox from back then. The fox-like features on his face were only there because the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine-Tails Fox inside his body..."

"Thinking about it, he was still a baby at the time, wasn't he?"

"I remember now! The Fourth Hokage's wife, that red-haired Little Pepper, was a ninja from the Uzumaki Clan, wasn't she?"

"Uzumaki Kushina! My stupid son could only ever place second in every sealing class because a girl kept him firmly beneath her for years, so there's no way I'd forget!"

"Wait... Uzumaki? Then does that mean... Naruto is actually the Fourth Hokage's child?"

"Hiss... The Fourth Hokage and his wife were both great heroes who sacrificed themselves to save Konoha! What on earth have I been doing all these years?!"

"Wuwu... I've let Lord Fourth Hokage down. He even saved my life back then..."

"Why?! Why didn't the Third Hokage tell us Naruto's true identity?!"

"A conspiracy! There has to be a conspiracy!"

The Third Hokage and the Elder Council seemed as though they had fallen under a Genjutsu personally cast by the Sage of Six Paths. They completely ignored the reports submitted by the Anbu and allowed this tidal wave of public opinion to rage unchecked, with no intention of intervening.

"Hehe..."

Although people were always quietly talking about him, Naruto had grown increasingly fond of going out.

Now, whenever he left home, no one threw rotten eggs or tomatoes at him. No one called him a monster anymore. And no one beat him up for no reason.

This feeling was really nice...

"One bowl of Small Lucky Fish Miso Ramen! An extra-large serving! Extra Red Ginger, kimchi, scallions, and seafood rolls!"

Having diligently studied the Asia Makeup Evil Arts Speed Cultivation Guide, Naruto had covered his whisker marks with concealer. With only a light touch of makeup, his features became even more refined and defined.

His tousled golden hair fluttered in the breeze, while his red-and-white Wordless God Robe stirred without wind. His azure eyes were like a clear sky, and his ever-radiant smile possessed a charm that moved people's hearts.

He was like a little sun radiating endless light and warmth.

Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, stared blankly at Naruto. Moved by the sight before him, his eyes gradually reddened.

"Uncle Teuchi? What's wrong?"

"Haha! Nothing! I'm happy today, kid. Eat as much as you want—it's all on the house!"

Uncle Teuchi laughed exaggeratedly and called to his daughter, "Ayame! Come help! We have an honored guest!"

Teuchi had not believed the rumors circulating through the village these past two days, merely treating them as idle conversation after meals.

But seeing Naruto now, he was one hundred percent certain of the answer.

Naruto Uzumaki was the Fourth Hokage's descendant!

Appearance could be changed, but the temperament inherited deep within one's bloodline could not be imitated!

When he thought of Naruto's experiences over the years, a wave of guilt immediately flooded his heart.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh! Ayame, give it everything you've got! I'm going to offer my finest work to our most honored guest!"

"Got it!"

Although Ayame had no idea what madness her old man was up to, her love for the family business made her put forth the same wholehearted enthusiasm.

Naruto blinked and waited quietly.

The appendix of that Speed Cultivation Guide had said that to imitate someone, one had to imitate not only their appearance, but also their speech, behavior, and mannerisms.

He had gradually come to like this feeling.

Although he did not know why everyone was treating him so warmly, Sakura and that smug Sasuke could not be wrong.

The villagers' excessive eagerness over the past two days had been called something by the two of them...

A compensatory complex.

After filling his stomach, Naruto returned to the Uchiha Clan compound, found Sasuke's little house, and plunged right inside.

These past few days, he and Sakura had both been staying here.

Sasuke's home was absurdly large anyway, and with only one person living there, it felt more like a haunted house. After tidying up a little, they had freed up three bedrooms.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...

The explosive crackle caused by air friction rang out from the southeast.

"Take this!"

Sakura Haruno suddenly appeared, accompanied by a sharp cry. "Rasengan!"

A pale-blue sphere of light rested in her hand. It was formed from countless streams of Chakra, endlessly circulating and humming softly, beautiful yet deadly.

The Rasengan represented the pinnacle of shape transformation. Even among A-rank ninjutsu, it was an extraordinarily powerful technique.

Naruto froze for half a second before the Rasengan slammed into his chest.

The spiral of light erupted!

"Uwaaaah!"

He could no longer maintain his expression and switched from Fourth Hokage Mimicry mode back to his true self.

Pop...

With a soft sound, like an underinflated balloon being pinched until it burst, the Rasengan dissipated between heaven and earth.

Sakura looked at him with a half-smile and wiggled her fingers. "I only put in one-tenth of my Chakra! Sasuke saw through it in an instant!"

Thanks to "Where Are My Little Dried Fish" and "Ink-Washed Mountains and Rivers" for the rewards, thank you for the support!!!