Worldline Change

Ryosuke felt like vomiting at the mere thought of these two Kage-level figures.

However, his current strength was far too weak; he was completely incapable of changing anything.

It seemed that, following the "plot," the Hyuga clan was once again destined to become a sacrifice.

Fortunately, he had not been affected yet.

Just then, he heard the Fourth Raikage say to the Third Hokage, "Third, if you want to sign a peace treaty with the Cloud Ninja, your Konoha must take responsibility for what happened today."

The hot-tempered Fourth Raikage was the type who would never let a point go once he had the upper hand; trying to reason with him was like playing the lute to a cow.

Standing at the doorway, Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi both wore expressions of deep dissatisfaction.

This was Konoha Village, the most powerful ninja village in the world. Even if he was the Raikage, by what right did he act so insolently here?

Yet, to the surprise of both men, the Third Hokage was the first to back down.

"Speak your mind. How do you want to resolve this?"

The Third Hokage, who should have held the initiative, had actually yielded before the Raikage.

This only made Ryosuke despise him even more.

"I want him."

Ryosuke assumed the Raikage was referring to Hinata.

But when he looked up, he realized the man was pointing directly at him.

What the hell? Are you kidding me? What does this have to do with me? I was just passing by! Even if I did ruin your plans, you should at least stick to the script—wasn't your target the Byakugan?

Ryosuke felt a massive shock in his heart.

He knew full well what his fate would be if he fell into the hands of the Cloud Ninja; having his eyes gouged out would likely be the best-case scenario.

Furthermore, he knew that for the sake of Konoha and his so-called peace, the Third Hokage was willing to sacrifice anyone.

Sure enough, the Third Hokage glanced at him and, instead of refusing immediately, wore a contemplative expression.

This old geezer is truly rotten to the core. Is he actually going to agree to the Raikage?

Ryosuke's heart turned cold.

Was he going to be killed off before he even reached the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre?

"That is absolutely impossible."

"I ask that you reconsider, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward in unison, rejecting the Raikage's proposal with a mix of rigidity and tact.

"This child is a member of our Uchiha clan. If you Cloud Ninja dare to take him, it will be a declaration of war against the Uchiha clan."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke with great authority, his three-tomoe Sharingan flaring to life.

"The Sharingan!"

Seeing Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, the Fourth Raikage's face revealed a mix of greed and caution.

He could pressure the Third Hokage precisely because he understood the man's temperament.

However, he dared not provoke the Uchiha directly, for the man named Uchiha Madara had once swept across the entire ninja world, leaving behind a legendary reputation that endured to this day.

Hyuga Hiashi continued, "Lord Hokage, the Cloud Ninja were the ones who broke the rules this time. If it weren't for this young Uchiha, Hinata would have truly been taken by them. The Byakugan is a Kekkei Genkai of Konoha; I beg you to reconsider."

Both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were among the most prominent families in Konoha; even the Third Hokage had to weigh their opinions carefully.

"This... Raikage, your request is indeed excessive. I cannot agree to it."

"Then you are choosing war?"

The Raikage slammed his fist onto the desk in front of the Third Hokage with domineering force.

With a loud CRASH, the entire desk shattered into several pieces.

<strong>[Ding! Detected A-rank Ninjutsu 'Lightning Release: Lightning Armor'. It has been recorded.]</strong>

Huh? Ryosuke, who had been feeling anxious, heard the system prompt, and his eyes immediately lit up.

This was the Fourth Raikage's signature technique, one that had even gone head-to-head with the Uchiha's ultimate jutsu, Susanoo, without losing ground. He hadn't expected to record it in such an unexpected way.

System, I love you so much! But why is it only an A-rank jutsu?

While Ryosuke was secretly rejoicing, he heard the Third Hokage say, "We can talk this over slowly. War is no child's play."

Seeing this, the Raikage's face showed a look of triumph.

He had the Third Hokage completely under his thumb; all that talk about being a "Professor of Ninjutsu" and the "Strongest Ninja in the World" was just hot air.

"As long as your Konoha hands over the culprit who killed our Cloud Ninja, we can continue discussing the peace treaty. Otherwise, prepare for war."

The Raikage continued to pressure the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage merely sat in his chair, silently puffing on his pipe.

His tenure as Hokage had truly become pathetic.

Perhaps it was because he was getting old, or perhaps his courage had simply withered away.

He had been dealt a winning hand, yet he played it into a complete disaster, all in the name of peace.

But as Ryosuke thought about it, something didn't feel right.

Damn it, he was the one who killed those three Cloud Ninjas.

If they really had to hand over the culprit, wouldn't it fall on him?

Why am I such a busybody? I could have just waited until the night of the clan massacre to leave Konoha. Why did I have to interfere with the original timeline? Now the retribution is here.

Just as the Third Hokage was still deep in thought, Ryosuke stood up.

"I am the one who killed those three scumbags. What do you want to do about it?"

His words left the adults in the room staring at him in shock.

Only Hinata blinked her large eyes, looking completely bewildered.

"Ryosuke, don't talk nonsense. I was the one who killed them."

Uchiha Fugaku immediately stepped forward.

"This matter also concerns our Hyuga clan, and we will not sit idly by."

Hyuga Hiashi also stood up.

The Raikage's fists clenched, cracking loudly.

"Good, do you want to fight? Then bring it on."

Blue Lightning Release: Lightning Armor instantly covered the Raikage's entire body.

"Everyone, stand down."

The Third Hokage finally spoke.

Uchiha Fugaku glared at the Hokage, then tried to pull Ryosuke toward his side.

But Ryosuke refused.

"I'm telling the truth. Those Cloud Ninja scumbags wanted to kidnap Lady Hinata, and I don't think I did anything wrong."

"How dare you!"

The Third Hokage scolded.

"Grandpa Hokage, if it were you at that moment, would you have just stood by and watched?"

The Third Hokage was left speechless. He was the Hokage, after all; how could he ignore a villager in distress?

Even if it was for the sake of the peace he preached.

The Raikage, however, didn't care about any of that.

"Little brat, you've got quite the attitude. Since you killed my men, you can pay for it with those eyes of yours."

The Raikage's massive hand reached directly toward Ryosuke.

Ryosuke gritted his teeth and immediately unleashed the Lightning Release: Lightning Armor he had just acquired.

He then vanished from where he stood.

Everyone present was startled by the sudden turn of events.

They hadn't expected the Raikage to strike so suddenly, nor had they expected Ryosuke to dodge the Raikage's attack.

"Body Flicker Technique?" Hyuga Hiashi said in surprise.

"It wasn't the Body Flicker Technique." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head. His Sharingan was active, and Ryosuke's movements had not escaped his eyes.

But this only shocked him even more.

Ryosuke had actually used the same technique as the Raikage.

What was going on?