Jiraiya and Naruto were both somewhat disappointed.
"What a bunch of cowards."
Naruto sneered inwardly.
After this, the Uchiha Clan had truly fallen into decline.
Once their bloodline was diluted, awakening the Mangekyou became even more difficult.
Even awakening the Sharingan at all would be difficult.
This was a world that valued bloodlines. You could see it from Kaguya to Indra: with each generation, the bloodline grew thinner and weaker.
The Sage of Six Paths had awakened the Rinnegan outright, and Indra had awakened the Mangekyou. By the time of Madara Uchiha, he had even gained the Eternal Mangekyo.
"I hope you'll cooperate later."
Now that they had reached an agreement, Jiraiya didn't waste any more time there.
The two of them led the others away from the Uchiha Clan's ancestral grounds.
"Why didn't you fight back?"
Once everyone had left, Daohuo Uchiha turned to the two of them.
"I can't use my ocular jutsu anymore."
Itachi Uchiha offered a brief explanation.
"My eyesight has already started to deteriorate."
Qiuyu Uchiha said. But more than anything, now that he had been offered a way out, he didn't want to fight either.
There was no need to mention a civil war like this.
What had truly made them wary was Naruto. He hadn't hidden his killing intent at all.
All three believed that if the negotiations had fallen through, at least one of them would have died.
The pressure radiating from Naruto had been unmistakable, and Jiraiya's strength was the stuff of legend. The Konoha Sannin had struck fear throughout the Ninja World.
Both sides agreed, and the personnel tasked with carrying out the plan soon arrived.
Those who hadn't awakened the Sharingan were taken away, their memories sealed. No one knew where in Konoha they were sent to live.
The remaining Uchiha were assigned to other squads, completely scattering the Uchiha Clan as it stood.
On the morning of the third day, a light drizzle fell from the sky.
Everyone walked out into the streets in silence that day.
Naruto arrived at Konoha Cemetery.
He silently watched as the Third Hokage was laid to rest.
"You! You're the one who killed Grandpa!"
"I'll kill you!"
Just then, a child came running over, a Kunai in his hand.
It was Konohamaru, the Third Hokage's grandson.
Naruto didn't move. His gaze turned cold.
"Konohamaru, stop making a scene here."
A figure appeared in an instant: Asuma Sarutobi.
"Let go of me! He's the one who hurt Grandpa!"
Everyone around them turned to look.
Whether they knew what had really happened or not, no one said a word.
"Don't be ridiculous. This is no place for you to act out. Take him away."
Tsunade frowned.
Konohamaru was led away.
Naruto was somewhat displeased, but he didn't argue. Strictly speaking, he really had killed the Third Hokage.
After the Third Hokage's burial, Tsunade soon took office as the Fifth Hokage.
Inside the Hokage's office.
"Naruto, what are you planning to do next? Do you want to graduate early?"
In Konoha, geniuses like Naruto usually chose to graduate early.
"No. I want to keep studying. My fundamentals are weak, and the Nine-Tails' power isn't my own. Don't worry about it, Tsunade-nee. Just treat me like a normal kid."
Naruto smiled.
What Naruto pursued was power, not a job. He was content to be an ordinary ninja and train quietly.
"Very well, then."
Tsunade was pleased. He wasn't arrogant or impatient, and he had real ability.
After leaving the Hokage Building,
Konoha returned to peace, as if everyone had forgotten what happened to the Third Hokage.
Naruto went home.
Rain fell, autumn winds blew, and the world seemed to laugh. Though his home was bare, he felt at ease.
No golden palace or silver mansion could beat his own humble little place. Returning to this shabby room, Naruto felt at peace.
It seems I made the right choice.
Feeling that the Anbu were no longer watching him, Naruto couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Just then, Jiraiya knocked on the door.
What's he doing here?
Naruto opened it.
"Pervy Sage."
Naruto looked puzzled.
"I came to see how you were doing."
Jiraiya walked in without waiting to be invited. It was his first time visiting Naruto's home.
It was quite simple: one bedroom, one living room, and one kitchen. The place was small, but had everything he needed.
"Have you met him?"
"Who?"
Naruto was confused by the question.
"Minato Namikaze."
"I have. I saw his chakra when the seal was damaged."
There was no need to hide that.
Silence fell between them.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing. Things were too urgent at the time, and there wasn't time to explain."
Jiraiya's tone was hard to read. Even he didn't know what to say.
"Since you already know, I'll give this back to you."
Jiraiya took out a set of keys.
"What's this?"
Naruto had a vague idea.
"It's the house your parents left you."
As for why he hadn't given it to Naruto before,
Jiraiya didn't explain, and Naruto didn't ask.
"Want to take a look?"
"Sure."
They got up.
Jiraiya led the way, and Naruto followed.
They arrived in a quiet part of town, where a two-story house came into view.
Seeing it brought back many memories for Jiraiya.
Naruto, on the other hand, felt little. To him, his parents were just strangers.
He looked around the house. It was furnished warmly.
There were also photos of the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
Looking at the two of them, Naruto fell silent.
They look like they had a happy family.
You could tell from their smiles.
Jiraiya left. Naruto stood there, and for a fleeting moment, he imagined himself standing between them.
"Heh. I still long for that, after all. My resolve to seek the Way isn't firm enough. So be it. Once I have the Rinnegan, I'll bring you both back to life."
Naruto smiled, then turned and began tidying the house.
The first floor was where Minato and his wife had lived.
The second floor was furnished warmly, clearly meant for their future child.
Most of the things in the house had been left untouched.
With his Shadow Clones, Naruto quickly put everything in order. Then he couldn't be bothered to eat; he simply lay down and went to sleep.
When he opened his eyes the next morning, he was still a little groggy.
School again.
He got up, washed, and headed to school.
As soon as he entered the classroom, a lot of people started greeting him.
"Hey, Naruto! Where've you been these past few days?"
Kiba asked curiously.
"I went out with Lord Jiraiya."
Naruto didn't hide it.
"Damn, you're so lucky! You actually got to go out with Lord Jiraiya."
Kiba was so jealous his eyes were practically red.
Naruto smiled and didn't say anything more.
But when they saw him smile, the others froze.
"Did something change about him?"
"I think I just saw him smile."
"Looks like something good happened to him."
Shikamaru and the others were all surprised.
Naruto had smiled before, but those smiles had never seemed quite so natural.
Naruto didn't notice.
"Morning, Hinata."
"Good morning, Naruto."
The two of them chatted happily.
Just then, the noisy classroom suddenly fell silent.
Naruto looked up in confusion.
Sasuke Uchiha walked through the classroom door, his face expressionless.
"Sasuke's back."
Before you continue