Minato's Home

Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki felt a sense of disappointment in their hearts.

"What a bunch of cowards."

Naruto Uzumaki felt a touch of disdain.

After this incident, the Uchiha clan could be considered completely fallen.

Once the bloodline was diluted, awakening the Mangekyo would become even more difficult.

It would even be hard to simply awaken the Sharingan.

This was a world that prioritized bloodlines; from Kaguya down to Indra, it was clear that the bloodline grew thinner and thinner.

The Sage of Six Paths could directly awaken the Rinnegan, Indra directly awakened the Mangekyo, and by the time it reached Madara Uchiha, there was indeed the Eternal Mangekyo.

"I hope for your cooperation later."

Since everything had been agreed upon, Jiraiya did not want to delay any longer.

The two of them led the others away from the ancestral lands of the Uchiha clan.

"Why didn't you resist?"

After everyone had left, Daohuo Uchiha looked at the two men.

"My ocular jutsu can no longer be used," Itachi Uchiha explained.

"My vision has already begun to decline," Qiuyu Uchiha said, though the main reason was that since a way out had been offered, he had no desire to continue fighting.

There was no need to speak of such civil strife.

What truly made them wary was Naruto Uzumaki; the killing intent he had displayed earlier had not been hidden in the slightest.

All three of them believed that if the negotiations had collapsed, at least one of them would have died.

The pressure emanating from Naruto Uzumaki was palpable, and Jiraiya's strength was legendary; the Legendary Sannin shook the Ninja World.

With both sides in agreement, the execution team quickly moved in.

Those who had not awakened the Sharingan were taken away, their memories sealed, and no one knew where they were being sent to live in Konoha.

The remaining Uchiha were integrated into other squads, completely dismantling the current Uchiha structure.

On the morning of the third day, a light, drizzling rain began to fall from the sky.

Everyone walked onto the streets in silence today.

At Konoha Cemetery, Naruto Uzumaki arrived.

He watched in silence as the Third Hokage was laid to rest.

"It was you! You're the one who killed Grandpa!"

"I'm going to kill you!"

Just then, a child ran over, holding a kunai in his hand.

The person who had arrived was none other than the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru.

Naruto Uzumaki did not move, his eyes cold.

"Konohamaru, don't cause a scene here."

A figure appeared in an instant: Asuma Sarutobi.

"Let me go! He's the murderer who hurt Grandpa!"

Instantly, everyone around them looked over.

Whether they knew the inside story or not, no one spoke up.

"You brat, this is no place for your nonsense. Take him away."

Tsunade frowned.

Konohamaru was dragged away.

Although Naruto Uzumaki felt somewhat annoyed, he did not refute the claim; strictly speaking, he had indeed killed the Third Hokage.

With the Third Hokage buried, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, quickly took office.

Inside the Hokage office:

"Naruto Uzumaki, what do you plan to do next? Do you need to graduate early?"

In Konoha, geniuses like Naruto Uzumaki usually chose to graduate early.

"No need. I want to continue learning. My foundation is currently very poor. That was the Nine-Tails' power, not my own. Sister Tsunade, don't overthink it; just treat me like a normal child."

Naruto Uzumaki smiled.

What Naruto Uzumaki pursued was power, not a job. It was better to be an ordinary ninja and cultivate in silence.

"If that is the case, then very well."

Tsunade was very satisfied; he was neither arrogant nor impetuous, and he possessed real strength.

He left the Hokage office.

Konoha had returned to peace, as if everyone had forgotten about the Third Hokage.

Naruto Uzumaki headed home.

Autumn winds and falling rain startle the heavens with laughter; though the house is bare, the heart is at ease.

No matter how luxurious a golden or silver nest may be, it cannot compare to one's own dog kennel; returning to this simple little room, Naruto Uzumaki felt a sense of peace.

It seems my choice was correct.

Feeling that the Anbu were no longer monitoring him, Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Why is he here?

He opened the Space Gate.

"Pervy Sage."

Naruto Uzumaki was puzzled.

"Came to see how you're doing."

Jiraiya walked in on his own accord; this was also his first time visiting the place where Naruto Uzumaki lived.

It was quite simple—one bedroom, one living room, and a kitchen. Though the room was small, it had everything one needed.

"Have you seen him?"

"Who?"

Naruto Uzumaki was baffled by the question.

"Minato Namikaze."

"I have. I saw his chakra when the seal was damaged."

There was no need to hide this fact.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

"What did he say?"

"He didn't say anything. The situation was critical at the time, and there was no time for explanations."

Jiraiya's tone was somewhat strange; he didn't even know what he should say himself.

"Since you already know, I should return this to you."

Jiraiya took out a set of keys.

"This is?"

Naruto Uzumaki had a vague guess in his heart.

"This is the house your parents left behind."

As for why he hadn't given it to Naruto Uzumaki before, Jiraiya didn't say, and Naruto Uzumaki didn't ask.

"Do you want to go take a look?"

"Sure."

The two stood up.

Jiraiya led the way, and Naruto Uzumaki followed.

They walked to a quiet area, and a two-story house came into view.

Seeing this place, more memories flooded into Jiraiya's mind.

Naruto Uzumaki, however, felt quite ordinary; to him, his parents were merely strangers.

Looking around the house, the decor was quite warm.

Among the items were photos of Minato Namikaze and his wife.

Looking at the two of them, Naruto Uzumaki fell silent.

It was a happy family.

One could tell just by their smiles.

Jiraiya left, and Naruto Uzumaki stood there, momentarily feeling as if he could see himself standing between them.

Heh, to think I would also crave this; my heart of seeking the path is still not firm enough. Very well, once I possess the Rinnegan, I will resurrect the two of you.

Naruto Uzumaki smiled, turned around, and began to tidy up the room.

The first floor was where Minato Namikaze and his wife had lived.

The second floor was decorated very warmly, clearly left for their future child.

Most of the items in the house remained untouched.

Using Shadow Clones, Naruto Uzumaki quickly packed everything up, too lazy to even eat before lying down to sleep.

He opened his eyes the next morning, still feeling a bit dazed.

"Time for school again."

He got up, washed, and headed to school.

As soon as he arrived in the classroom, many people began to greet him.

"Hey! Naruto Uzumaki, where have you been these past few days?"

Kiba asked curiously.

"I went on a trip with Lord Jiraiya."

Naruto Uzumaki didn't hide it.

"You bastard, you're so lucky to have been able to go out with Lord Jiraiya."

Kiba's eyes turned red with envy.

Naruto Uzumaki smiled and didn't say much more.

However, upon seeing Naruto Uzumaki's smile, several of them were stunned.

"Has this guy changed somehow?"

"I actually saw him smile."

"Looks like something good must have happened to him."

Shikamaru and the others all felt a sense of surprise.

Naruto Uzumaki had smiled before, but those smiles had never seemed quite so natural.

Naruto Uzumaki didn't notice.

"Morning, Hinata."

"Morning, Naruto Uzumaki."

The two began to chat happily.

Just then, the noisy classroom suddenly fell silent.

Naruto Uzumaki looked up, puzzled.

Sasuke Uchiha walked through the classroom door, his face expressionless.

"Sasuke Uchiha is back."