Land of Fire, Fire Temple.
The early-spring shower was like a flower thief slipping into a maiden's chamber at night: it came in a rush of wind and rain, then hurried away, leaving muddy puddles in the ruts and a pear tree just beginning to bloom.
The wind died and the rain stopped. The streets gradually came to life as civilians left their homes, and vendors' cries rang out along the roads.
Amid the clamor, a young man stood quietly in the temple, his expression distant.
Beneath his straw raincoat, he wore white. Though the ground around him was a muddy mess, not a speck of dirt stained his clothes. He had a well-proportioned build, fair skin, bright eyes, and a pair of sharp brows that lent his handsome face a hint of severity.
The young man seemed not to hear the noisy calls from outside. He simply stood there in silence, almost like a statue—if not for the melancholy on his face.
"Your Highness, are you missing home?"
The young man glanced to the side and looked back at the elderly abbot behind him, then shook his head.
"I was wondering if there are any other ninjutsu at Fire Temple that I haven't learned."
The old abbot fell silent. A moment later, a wry smile tugged at his lips.
"Your Highness's talent is truly rare. In just two and a half years, you've not only learned every ninjutsu in the temple, but mastered them as well. Even I would be hard-pressed to get the better of you."
The young man in white nodded, looking wistful.
"Two and a half years... I've been asking Father for two and a half years now. If I bring it up this time, he should agree, right?"
The young man in white—an otherworlder who had no business being here—was Ye Ning, the Daimyo's Son of the Land of Fire!
In this world of shinobi, few dared to risk the outrage of assassinating a daimyo. The daimyo held supreme status and controlled the lifeblood of the great shinobi villages. Even the mightiest, Konoha, depended on a daimyo's money to develop.
As the Daimyo's only son, Ye Ning was all but certain to inherit the position one day. He would have beauties, wealth, and power in abundance.
But Ye Ning knew all too well that, at its core, the Naruto world was still a world of shinobi. Even if inheriting the title of daimyo could bring him peace for a time, later on, there would be people casually piloting giant robots and trying to destroy the world. A mere title would never be enough to keep him safe.
Infinite Tsukuyomi wouldn't care whether he was a daimyo.
Of course, if the Naruto world followed its original course, two overpowered heroes would save the day. But who could say whether his arrival might trigger some butterfly effect?
Only by becoming strong could he control his own fate.
Staying cooped up in the Capital City of the Land of Fire had slowed his progress to a crawl. Besides, there was no one left at Fire Temple for him to practice against. If he wanted to get stronger, he might as well head to Konoha and find someone there to spar with.
And setting all that aside, as an outsider, he was also curious about the greatest shinobi village in the world.
So his trip to Konoha was a must!
"Lord Daimyo, His Highness has returned from Fire Temple!"
At the report, the Daimyo, still in the prime of his life, widened his eyes. He immediately ordered his people to clear away the entertainment his son shouldn't see, then waved off everyone who shouldn't be there.
As soon as Ye Ning stepped into the palace, the scent of sex hit him. He even saw traces of rouge and lipstick that his cheap old man hadn't had time to wipe from his face. The desk, a symbol of power and status, was in disarray, with books and scrolls scattered across the floor.
Ye Ning knew exactly what kind of earth-shaking battle had just taken place in the palace. He'd expected as much, but still couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching.
"Oh-ho-ho, Xiao Ning, you're back."
"..."
To be honest, Ye Ning admired his cheap old man's shamelessness.
Anyone with eyes could see how outrageous the scene had been, yet his father remained utterly composed. Ye Ning couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up.
"Greetings, Father."
Ye Ning first bowed properly, then nonchalantly found a seat. "We agreed on a time before. Now that two and a half years have passed, when will you arrange for me to go to Konoha?"
At that, the Daimyo's smile faded. He straightened up, his expression turning serious.
"Xiao Ning, are you truly determined to become a shinobi?"
"Of course. What else would I have spent the last two and a half years doing—playing around like a child?"
A long silence followed.
Meeting his cheap old man's gaze, Ye Ning didn't back down. He stared right back, unwavering.
He had already made up his mind: if the Daimyo came up with another excuse to put him off, he would pack that very night and head straight for Konoha. With his current strength, his cheap old man's underlings wouldn't be able to stop him.
During the silence, the Daimyo was weighing his options as well.
He might look like a spendthrift who'd drunk and indulged himself into having only one son, but that didn't mean he was a useless fool. He was considering the pros and cons just as carefully.
After thinking it over, the Daimyo returned to his usual beaming expression. "Well, if Xiao Ning is so set on going to Konoha, then go ahead."
"I knew you'd come up with every excuse under the sun... Huh?"
Ye Ning stared at the Daimyo in shock, unable to believe his ears.
He'd thought things would go as they had before, with his father fobbing him off with one excuse after another. He hadn't expected him to give in so easily this time.
The Daimyo shook his feather fan and made the arrangements. "As you wish. You can go to Konoha and study ninjutsu. I heard... Konoha has something called the Scroll of Seals, right? I'll send someone to notify Sarutobi Hiruzen. Anyway, you can study those ninjutsu."
!?
The Scroll of Seals?
Were you serious?
Ye Ning's eyes widened. Suddenly, even his cheap old man's wrinkled face seemed much more pleasant.
That was the Scroll of Seals! In the original story, even Minato Namikaze had needed Jiraiya's help to learn one of the techniques in it!
And now he could borrow it just like that?
Ye Ning smacked his lips, realizing that his identity came with a second advantage besides money.
The Daimyo shook his head thoughtfully, then continued.
"Luckily, those shinobi have finished their war. I'll go to Konoha too, while I'm at it, and see how it's developed. It's been ages since I last visited..."
"Huh? You're coming too, Father?"
"My only son is going on a long journey. Of course I'm going to see him off!"
Ye Ning clenched his fists, his heart full of anticipation.
After a full two and a half years of effort, he could finally go to Konoha!
Konoha, here I come!
Before you continue