Today Is an Important Day

Intrigue and scheming...

Actually, Emiya Tsuchihara hasn't played for many years.

Fortunately, Shirou Emiya still remembered some of the methods used to carry out the conspiracy.

For example, if you want to take advantage of someone else's conspiracy, you first need to integrate yourself into the conspiracy, then reveal part of the mastermind's conspiracy, and finally make yourself the mastermind of the conspiracy.

However, this time was somewhat of an exception.

After all, this matter is of great importance.

This time, Shirou Emiya thought things through with extra care. He wasn't just carrying the burden of his own life; he needed to consider the lives and deaths of many people, as well as their mental states.

It's not just about living people.

We even need to take into account the dead.

Fortunately.

Shirou Emiya wasn't particularly unfamiliar with how to devise a conspiracy. He barely believed that he had considered all the factors and even made sure that nothing had been overlooked before handing over the first phase of the work scroll to Yakushi Kabuto.

"The content inside is very interesting."

"Interesting."

After opening the scroll with some surprise, Yakushi Kabuto constricted instantly upon seeing its contents. "How could that child be the Fourth Hokage— "

"A secret known to the Konoha High Command."

Shirou Emiya patted Yakushi Kabuto on the shoulder and earnestly instructed, "That child will be graduating from the Ninja School soon. Consider the contents of this scroll as a graduation gift for him, but I'll need your help..."

"Yes."

Yakushi Kabuto nodded seriously.

That's fine.

Shirou Emiya recalled his time in Konoha and said softly, "After all, I've formed a bond with that child. He might be a little sad when I leave, so let him be happy for now."

"Let that child choose too—"

"That child has already received so much; let's see if that child's heart will greedily choose another path."

"This is the first thing."

Shirou Emiya looked at Yakushi Kabuto and continued in a deep voice, "The second thing, I remember Orochimaru asked you to contact Danzo, so quietly tell him a message—"

"Hidden Rain Village Salamander Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure, has been killed by a user of the Rinnegan. The user has taken over Hidden Rain Village and may seek an opportunity to take revenge on him and Konoha."

"!!!"

Yakushi Kabuto's pupils dilated.

Should we really tell Shimura Danzo this important news in advance?

Yakushi Kabuto didn't quite understand why such information, which might make Shimura Danzo, should have been kept hidden.

"Let's do it this way."

"Let's make Danzo feel a little threatened."

"At least let him understand that he cannot stand aside in a major future event and must personally risk his life to get what he wants."

"What should be given to him—."

"I should give it to him too—"

"What should be taken back from him—"

"I should take it back too."

After explaining his plans, Shirou Emiya reminded Yakushi Kabuto, "Once you've completed your two tasks in Konoha, don't risk getting involved in the rest."

"Orochimaru is about to unleash a massive storm—"

"If you get too involved, you'll also be in danger."

"Yes."

A warm feeling welled up in Yakushi Kabuto's heart. He glanced at the contents of the scroll again. "Then I'll go and contact Mizuki, who idolizes Lord Orochimaru— "

"Be safe."

"If we encounter danger—"

Shirou Emiya stared at Yakushi Kabuto, his voice calm. "It doesn't matter how much power we reveal. What we're doing now isn't that important. It's just making our path more comfortable. Even if the plan goes wrong and there are some setbacks on the way to our final goal, it won't stop us from reaching our destination."

"Yes."

Yakushi Kabuto lowered his head again.

Ninja School.

The school welcomed a new generation of graduation assessments.

As a former bottom-of-the-class student, Naruto Uzumaki's academic performance was still among the worst, but he constantly honed his Chakra control, which made his ninja combat record excellent, even rivaling that of Sasuke Uchiha at one point.

But.·

The graduation test at the Ninja School is the Clone Technique.

Naruto Uzumaki is not very good at the Clone Technique, but he is good at the Clone Technique Shadow Clone Technique, and even more difficult than the Shadow Clone Technique, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

As Naruto Uzumaki's teacher, Jiraiya would certainly not give up on teaching this child the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

He also knows the child's strengths very well.

Of course.

This exam was incredibly easy.

This even surprised their teacher, Iruka Umino.

"Ninja Art: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Naruto Uzumaki slowly raised his finger, a smug smile appearing on his face. He was determined to Kamui in this graduation exam!

The next moment!

The entire classroom was packed with Naruto Uzumaki's Shadow Clone!

Even the school corridors were filled with Shadow Clone, attracting a group of ninja students who watched in awe at the densely packed Naruto Uzumaki!

"Hey-hey-"

Naruto Uzumaki rubbed his nose, looking smugly at the two examiners Iruka Umino and Mizuki: "Iruka Sensei! How was it! How was it! You passed the exam, didn't you!"

"Qualified-"

Iruka Umino suppressed his astonishment, gave his disciple a somewhat resigned "pass," and then resumed his instruction. "However, Ninjutsu is not for showing off, but for protecting those who are important to you—"

"Okay, okay—"

Naruto Uzumaki waved his hand with a chuckle.

"You—"

Iruka Umino glanced at Naruto Uzumaki with a complicated expression, and finally just sighed. He knew that this child was no longer someone he could teach.

Perhaps.·

He never helped the child.

Even he, as a teacher, was not qualified enough.

Because Iruka Umino's parents died in the Nine Tails Riot, he often had mixed feelings about his student Naruto Uzumaki. Sometimes he acted like a strict father, and sometimes like a kind mother.

From anyone else's perspective, Iruka Umino has actually done more than enough for his student Naruto Uzumaki. He always cleans up after this student who likes to cause trouble in the village and even takes him out for ramen.

However, he felt that he hadn't done well enough.

Because no matter what he does, he can't truly let go of the resentment in his heart.

"So-""

"That counts as a successful graduation."

Mizuki smiled, acknowledging Naruto Uzumaki's graduation and even adding with interest, "Perhaps from today onward, when the students in the village graduate, they will remember that there was once a student named Naruto Uzumaki who created thousands of Shadow Clone during his graduation exam."

"Ha ha ha ha"

Naruto Uzumaki's smug smile widened.

However·

This feeling of joy seems to linger.

When the school's graduation ceremony began, the parents of the graduates came to the Ninja School, accompanying their children to the ceremony with kind smiles.

Although Naruto Uzumaki looked at the children with their parents with a hint of envy, he was not alone on this important occasion in his life.

"Lord Jiraiya!"

"Lord Jiraiya!"

Every parent present looked at the tall, white-haired man next to Naruto Uzumaki with respect, expressing their reverence for the Konoha's Sannin.

Yes.

Jiraiya simply attended the graduation ceremony as a parent, and his presence seemed rather grand on such an occasion, as he was the highest-ranking attendee.

Sasuke Uchiha, all alone, watched this scene with a cold expression. He didn't care at all about attending this useless graduation ceremony. He planned to find a place to continue his training. He believed that he needed stronger power to take revenge.

Instead of reminiscing about the past here.

It's not that I'm jealous of Naruto Uzumaki here.

Envy.

This kind of emotion seems to arise very easily.

Naruto Uzumaki, who had been overlooked in the past, became the focus of attention after his graduation exam, and even had the respected Konoha's Sannin attend as his parents.

The top student from the Ninja School behaved normally during this graduation exam and remained alone at this important graduation ceremony.

Even·

The lonelier you are, the more hatred you feel!

Because I once possessed all of these things!

These things were rightfully mine, but that man took them away from me!

Suppressing his hatred for Sasuke Uchiha Itachi Uchiha and his Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha went to the river where they often trained.

Unfortunately...

There seemed to be someone sitting by the river.

Since Jiraiya Naruto Uzumaki's teacher, Naruto Uzumaki invited his elder Jiraiya immediately. He considered Shigenori Emiya to be just a friend, so he did not invite Shirou Emiya to attend his graduation ceremony as a parent.

That's exactly right.

Shirou Emiya was also feeling a bit lonely that day, so he wasn't surprised to see Sasuke Uchiha appear.

The other party's appearance was indeed expected.

However, Emiya Tsuchihara didn't say a word, nor did he ask Sasuke Uchiha about the graduation ceremony. He simply sat quietly by the river writing on a scroll.

When his Chakra was completely depleted, Sasuke Uchiha seemed to have finally released all his pent-up emotions, and lay down on the lawn, utterly exhausted.

"Thanks."

Sasuke Uchiha suddenly spoke up and thanked him.

Sasuke Uchiha couldn't help but want to thank Shirou Emiya for being willing to train with him during his loneliest time, even though Shigenori might just have nothing else to do.

Emiya Tsuchihara's eyes showed a hint of confusion, as if he didn't quite understand why the black-haired boy would suddenly thank him for no apparent reason.

Sasuke Uchiha didn't explain further. He also glanced at Shirou Emiya sitting by the river and inwardly cursed himself for being so talkative.

This man—

It seems they've never cared about helping them.

This man—

They seemed never to realize that he had helped others so casually.

What exactly does this man care about?

Is there really anything in this world that this man cares about?

What could possibly happen in this world that could cause this man's expression to change? He never seems to be happy, nor does he ever seem to be sad.

If Sasuke Uchiha were willing to use his rare curiosity to secretly take a look at the scroll, he would definitely find many names he recognized on it, and even his own name among them.

Pity·

It's hard for Sasuke Uchiha to be curious about anything.

Even if a hint of curiosity arose in Sasuke Uchiha's heart, he would suppress it as his curiosity grew stronger, using the excuse that he needed revenge and couldn't afford to be distracted.

However, Shirou Emiya seemed unaware of the black-haired boy's curiosity; he held a pen in his hand.

A line was drawn on a scroll covered with names.

There is a clearly visible extra line above.

Naruto Uzumaki, Mizuki, Yakushi Kabuto, Orochimaru

Shirou Emiya looked up at the sky, watching the fiery clouds burning on the horizon, and also watching the darkness gradually rise on the horizon.

This night will be a beginning.

From that night onward, darkness began to descend upon the Shinobi World.

The man who once brought boundless light to this world has finally decided to share the darkness he possessed before transforming into light with the world.

"Today is an important day—"

Shirou Emiya's voice echoed along the riverbank.

"It's not that important."

Sasuke Uchiha believed that Shirou Emiya alluding to his graduation ceremony, lying on the grass looking at the sky.

The voice was icy as it spoke, "It doesn't matter at all."