Minato's Home

Jiraiya and Naruto, however, felt somewhat disappointed inside.

"What a bunch of cowards."

Naruto felt a little disdainful.

After this, the Uchiha clan had truly fallen into decline.

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

Even awakening the Sharingan itself would be difficult.

This was a world that valued bloodlines. From Kaguya to Indra, it was clear that the thinner the bloodline became, the weaker it grew.

The Sage of Six Paths could directly awaken the Rinnegan, Indra directly awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, and Madara Uchiha had indeed obtained the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

"I hope you will cooperate later."

Now that they had reached an agreement, Jiraiya did not linger.

The two led the others away from the Uchiha clan's ancestral grounds.

"Why didn't you resist?"

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

"My ocular technique can no longer be used."

Itachi Uchiha offered an explanation.

"My eyesight has already begun to decline."

Uchiha Qiuyu said it, though more importantly, since he had been given a way out, he did not want to fight either.

There was no need to mention this kind of civil war.

What truly made them wary was Naruto. Naruto had not concealed his killing intent at all just now.

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

The pressure emanating from Naruto was unmistakable, while Jiraiya's strength was legendary. Konoha's Three Ninja had once shaken the Shinobi World.

With both sides in agreement, the personnel soon entered.

Those who had not awakened the Sharingan were all taken away, their memories sealed. No one knew where in Konoha they would be sent to live.

The remaining Uchiha were assigned to other squads, completely breaking up the current Uchiha clan.

On the morning of the third day, a light drizzle fell from the sky.

That day, everyone silently walked onto the streets.

Konoha Cemetery. Naruto came here.

He silently watched as the Third was buried.

"It was you! You killed Grandpa!"

"I'll kill you!"

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

It was the Third's grandson, Konohamaru.

Naruto did not move, his gaze turning cold.

"Konohamaru, don't make trouble here."

A figure appeared in an instant. It was Asuma Sarutobi.

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

In an instant, everyone around them looked over.

Whether they knew the truth or not, no one spoke.

"Fool! This is not a place for you to make trouble. Take him away."

Tsunade frowned.

Konohamaru was taken away.

Though Naruto was somewhat displeased, he did not argue. Strictly speaking, the Third had indeed been killed by him.

After the Third was buried, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, soon took office.

Inside the Hokage's office.

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

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

"No. I want to keep studying. My foundation is still weak. That was the Nine-Tails' power, not my own. Sister Tsunade, don't overthink it. Just treat me like an ordinary child."

Naruto smiled.

Naruto sought power, not work. Being an ordinary shinobi and cultivating quietly was enough.

"If that's what you want, then that's fine."

Tsunade was very satisfied. He was neither arrogant nor impatient, and he had strength.

After leaving the Hokage Building.

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

Naruto went home.

Autumn rain and wind shook the heavens with laughter; though the house had bare walls, it still brought peace of mind.

No golden nest or silver nest could compare to one's own humble home. Returning to this simple little room, Naruto felt at ease.

Looks like I made the right choice.

Sensing that the ANBU were no longer watching him, Naruto could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

Just then, Jiraiya knocked on the door.

Why is he here?

Naruto opened the door.

"Pervy Sage?"

Naruto was puzzled.

"I came to see you."

Jiraiya walked in on his own. This was also his first time visiting where Naruto lived.

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

"You've seen him?"

"Who?"

Naruto was baffled by the question.

"Minato Namikaze."

"I have. When the seal was damaged, I saw his chakra."

There was no need to hide that.

For a moment, the atmosphere fell silent.

"What did he say?"

"He didn't say anything. The situation was urgent at the time, and there was no time to explain."

Jiraiya's tone was somewhat strange. Even he did not know what he should say.

"Since you already know, then I'll return this to you."

Jiraiya took out a set of keys.

"This is?"

Naruto had a faint guess in his heart.

"This is the house your parents left behind."

As for why it had never been given to Naruto before.

Jiraiya did not say, and Naruto did not ask.

"Do you want to take a look?"

"Okay."

The two got up.

Jiraiya led the way, and Naruto followed.

They arrived in a quiet area, where a small two-story house came into view.

Seeing this place, more memories surfaced in Jiraiya's mind.

Naruto, on the other hand, remained quite indifferent. To him, his parents were merely strangers.

They looked around the house. It had been decorated very warmly.

There were even photographs of the Fourth Hokage and his wife.

Naruto fell silent as he looked at them.

"It was a happy family."

It was obvious from their smiles.

Jiraiya left. Naruto stood there, and in a daze, he seemed to see himself standing between them as well.

"Heh, so I yearn for it too. My heart set on seeking the Way is still not firm enough. Fine, once I obtain the Rinnegan, I'll revive the two of you."

Naruto smiled, then turned to tidy up the house.

The first floor had been where Minato and his wife lived.

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

Most of the things in the house had not been touched.

With Shadow Clones, Naruto quickly sorted everything out. Too lazy to eat, he lay down and went to sleep.

When he opened his eyes early the next morning, he was still a little groggy.

It's time for school again.

He got up, washed, and went to school.

The moment he entered the classroom, many people began greeting him.

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

Kiba asked curiously.

"I went out with Lord Jiraiya for a while."

Naruto did not hide it.

"Damn it, you're so lucky! You actually got to go out with Lord Jiraiya."

Kiba Inuzuka's eyes turned red with envy.

Naruto smiled and said nothing more.

Yet when they saw Naruto's smile, several of them froze.

"Has something changed about this guy?"

"I actually saw him smile."

"Looks like something good happened to him."

Shikamaru and the others were all somewhat surprised.

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

Naruto did not notice.

"Morning, Hinata."

"Morning, Naruto."

The two happily began chatting.

Just then, the noisy classroom suddenly fell silent.

Naruto looked up in confusion.

At the classroom door, Sasuke Uchiha walked in expressionlessly.

"Sasuke is back."