The Konoha Gate cast a long shadow in the setting sun. When Lin Ye and Karin came into view, the two Chunin guards visibly relaxed.
"Uchiha Ye, you're finally back," one guard said. "Lord Hokage ordered you to see him as soon as you returned. And this young lady is...?"
"Karin Uzumaki, an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan. I brought her back to Konoha," Lin Ye said. "She also needs to see Lord Hokage to register as a resident."
The guard glanced at Karin, noticing her red hair and unusual chakra fluctuations, then nodded. "Understood. Go together, then. Jonin Kakashi specifically told us to notify him the moment you returned."
"Where's Kakashi-sensei?"
"At the Hokage Building, with Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade."
Lin Ye led Karin briskly toward the Hokage Building. Along the way, he noticed that Konoha's atmosphere had changed. There were many unfamiliar faces on the streets, dressed in the attire of various ninja villages. Shops had put up signs welcoming foreign guests, and more ninja were out on patrol.
"The Chunin Ninja Exams are about to begin," Lin Ye explained to Karin. "People from all the ninja villages are here. For the next month, Konoha will be very lively-and very dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Spies, assassins, and hostile forces will slip in during the exams. We need to be especially careful."
The Hokage's office door stood open, voices drifting out from within. Lin Ye knocked, and the Third Hokage called, "Come in."
He pushed the door open. Besides the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi, there was one other person in the room-a silver-haired man wearing a mask that left only his right eye exposed. He was an Anbu Lin Ye didn't recognize.
"Ye, you're back." The Third Hokage smiled with relief when he saw Lin Ye, but visibly paused when his gaze landed on Karin. "And this is...?"
"Karin Uzumaki, an Uzumaki orphan from Kusagakure." Lin Ye briefly reported what had happened in Kusagakure, including Danzo's ambush, Uchiha Jian's assistance, and the awakening of Karin's bloodline. He left out the specifics of the evidence against Danzo-that needed to be given to the Third Hokage privately.
After his report, the atmosphere in the office grew heavy.
"Danzo is overreaching more and more," the Third Hokage said gravely, turning to the silver-haired Anbu. "Tenzo, what do you think?"
Tenzo-also known as Yamato-said in a low voice, "Lord Danzo has indeed mobilized some of Root's forces recently, but all under the pretext of 'strengthening security for the Chunin Ninja Exams.' If he set an ambush in Kusagakure to capture Ye, it means he no longer intends to conceal his designs on the Uchiha."
"Orochimaru showed up too..." Tsunade's brow furrowed. "That bastard really is after the Sharingan and the Uzumaki Constitution. Ye, Karin, both of you are his targets now."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "Danzo, Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki lurking in the shadows... Konoha has become the center of a maelstrom. Old man, I'm afraid these Chunin Ninja Exams won't go peacefully."
"I know." The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe. "But the exams must be held. This is an opportunity to show the other ninja villages Konoha's strength and reinforce our alliances. All we can do is tighten our defenses and respond as things unfold."
He looked at Karin. "Child, are you willing to join Konoha? As an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan, you have that right. Besides, Konoha owes the Uzumaki Clan a great deal."
Karin nervously clutched Lin Ye's sleeve and said softly, "I-I am. I want to stay with Lord Ye, learn Sealing Jutsu, and... and have a home."
"Good." The Third Hokage nodded. "Tenzo, take Karin to complete the paperwork and arrange somewhere for her to live. Put her... near the Uchiha Clan Compound. There are plenty of empty houses there, and she'll be close to Ye."
"Yes." Tenzo turned to Karin. "Come with me."
Karin looked at Lin Ye, and he nodded. "Go ahead. I'll come find you later."
After Karin left with Tenzo, the Third Hokage motioned for Lin Ye to sit. "Ye, there are more details about what happened in Kusagakure, aren't there? Especially regarding Danzo."
Lin Ye took the scroll Uchiha Jian had given him from inside his clothes and placed it on the desk. "Uchiha Jian gave me this. It contains evidence of Danzo's crimes, including records of his correspondence with Obito Uchiha, his involvement in planning the Uchiha Clan Massacre, and his human experiments involving the Sharingan and Hashirama cells."
The air in the office froze.
Jiraiya was the first to pick up the scroll. He skimmed through it, his expression darkening by the second. Tsunade and Kakashi leaned over to read as well. By the time they finished, all three looked thunderous.
"That bastard..." Tsunade slammed a fist onto the desk, cracking it. "He actually worked with the man who caused Minato's death?! And he had a hand in the Uchiha massacre too?!"
Kakashi clenched his fists, fury simmering in his exposed eye. "Obito... so he really is alive. And working with Danzo..."
Jiraiya turned to the Third Hokage. "Old man, you can't protect him again this time. This evidence is enough to sentence him to death ten times over."
The Third Hokage closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time. When he opened them again, they were filled with exhaustion and pain. "I know. But it isn't time yet."
"It isn't time yet?!" Tsunade snapped. "How much longer are we supposed to wait? Until he kills Ye? Until he destroys Konoha?!"
"Danzo has spent decades building Root. His influence runs deep. If we move against him now, Konoha will descend into internal strife, giving our enemies an opening," the Third Hokage said slowly. "Besides, the Chunin Ninja Exams are almost here, and all the ninja villages are watching. Konoha cannot afford turmoil at a time like this."
"Then wait until the exams are over," Kakashi said. "The moment they end, arrest Danzo, put him on public trial, and execute him."
The Third Hokage shook his head. "Danzo won't be so easy to capture. He has Izanagi, Hashirama cells, countless doubles, and operatives willing to die for him. Unless we kill him in a single strike, the consequences will be endless."
He looked at Lin Ye. "Ye, leave this evidence with me for now. I'll have the Anbu gather more, and when the time is right, I'll deal with Danzo myself. But for now, you must be patient and careful. Danzo knows you have the evidence. He'll stop at nothing to eliminate you."
"I understand," Lin Ye said. "But before that, I need to get stronger. Strong enough to kill Danzo head-on."
"The Chunin Ninja Exams are an opportunity," Jiraiya said. "Strong ninja from every village will be coming. Fighting, exchanging ideas, and observing them can all help you grow. Also, Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, has already arrived in Konoha. She's staying at the guesthouse. You can look for a chance to make contact with her."
"Fū is already here?" Lin Ye perked up.
"Yes. Takigakure's team arrived yesterday. Shibuki is leading them, and Fū's teammates are two ordinary Genin," Kakashi said. "The Anbu are already protecting her from the shadows, but they don't dare get too close for fear of causing a misunderstanding with Takigakure."
"I'd like to meet her."
"Wait until the exams begin. It would be too abrupt right now," the Third Hokage said. "Ye, go home and rest. Tenzo will arrange Karin's home near yours. During this time, teach her Konoha's rules and keep her safe. Orochimaru is targeting both of you. We absolutely cannot let him succeed."
"Yes."
By the time Lin Ye left the Hokage Building, it was dark. Following the address Tenzo had given him, he found Karin's new home-a detached house with a small courtyard, only two streets away from his apartment. It was old but clean.
He opened the door to find Karin unpacking, with Tenzo standing nearby.
"Lord Ye!" Karin's eyes lit up when she saw him.
"The paperwork is complete," Tenzo told Lin Ye. "Karin is now a special resident of Konoha, entitled to the same benefits as a Genin. Here are her forehead protector and identification papers. Lord Hokage has also granted special permission for her to study under you rather than requiring her to attend the Ninja Academy-her combat experience already exceeds that of an ordinary Genin, after all."
Lin Ye took the papers, looked them over, and nodded. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. It's my assignment," Tenzo said. "Also, starting tonight, I'll be keeping watch nearby. Danzo's and Orochimaru's people may already have their eyes on you two. Be careful."
After Tenzo left, Lin Ye helped Karin unpack. The house wasn't large, but it was enough for one person. Karin placed her mother's letter and sealing pendant beneath her pillow. They were her most precious possessions.
"Lord Ye, Konoha is... wonderful," Karin said softly. "Everyone is so friendly, the streets are clean, the children are laughing... It's completely different from Kusagakure."
"That's because you're only seeing the surface," Lin Ye said. "Konoha has darkness, conflict, and conspiracies too. But at least there are people here willing to protect you, and companions you can trust."
"Yes. I trust you, Lord Ye, and Lord Hokage, and Lord Kakashi..." Karin paused. "Lord Ye, can I take the Chunin Ninja Exams?"
Lin Ye blinked. "You want to take them?"
"I want to get stronger so I can help you," Karin said earnestly. "My Sealing Jutsu and healing abilities might be useful in the exams. Besides, if I'm a participant, I can approach the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki more naturally, without raising suspicion."
Lin Ye considered it. Karin's strength had indeed reached Genin level, and her sensory and healing abilities would be useful in team battles. The problem was that she had no teammates.
"The Chunin Ninja Exams require a three-person team. Do you have teammates?"
"I can form a temporary team," Karin said. "Lord Tenzo said there are a lot of solo applicants this time, and they can form teams freely. I want to try."
Looking into Karin's determined eyes, Lin Ye finally nodded. "All right. I'll help you apply. But you have to promise me that if you run into danger, you'll withdraw immediately. Your safety matters more than the exams."
"I promise!"
That night, Lin Ye helped Karin submit her application. Given her unusual circumstances, the Third Hokage granted special approval for her to participate as an individual and form a team freely during the exams.
Late that night, Lin Ye returned to his apartment. Instead of sleeping, he sat cross-legged on his bed, opened the system panel, and reviewed his recent gains.
[Host: Uchiha Ye] [Age: 9] [Strength: Special Jōnin (Mangekyō Sharingan, Uzumaki Sealing Technique · Basic)] [Last wishes fulfilled: 322/1344] [Rinnegan Fragments: 40/1000] [Current abilities: Divine Dominion, Time Reversal, Chakra Information Vision, Fate Line Perception (Beginner), Uzumaki Sealing Technique · Basic, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Rasengan (Introductory), Lightning Release: Chidori (Incomplete), Medical Ninjutsu (Basic), etc.] [Special status: "Guardian Bond" established with Karin Uzumaki, Sealing Jutsu training speed +50%] [Guardian Bond effects: When training with Karin, both parties' training efficiency increases by 30%; when one party is in danger, the other can sense their approximate location]
This new "Guardian Bond" feature was intriguing. Lin Ye could feel a faint chakra connection between himself and Karin, like an invisible thread. Through it, he could sense her condition-she was already asleep, her chakra steady and her mood relaxed.
"System, filter for available last wishes within Konoha."
[Scanning...] [Available last wishes within Konoha: 127] [Last wishes of Uchiha Clan members: 89] [Other related last wishes: 38 (including 2 from Uzumaki Clan members and 36 from civilians with ties to the Uchiha)]
There were 127, more than he had expected. As the Uchiha's home, Konoha apparently held the greatest number of lingering last wishes. He needed to fulfill as many as possible before leaving.
"Filter for wishes that can be fulfilled quickly, with a difficulty below D rank."
[Filtering complete: 43 last wishes below D rank] [Recommended priority: 3 last wishes capable of triggering chain quests]
Chain quests? Lin Ye opened the details.
[Chain quest "The Uchiha Legacy" triggered] [Quest chain 1: Collect scattered family artifacts of the Uchiha Clan (0/5)] [Quest chain 2: Seek out descendants of the Uchiha's allies (0/3)] [Quest chain 3: Unlock the seven secret chambers in the Uchiha Forbidden Grounds (1/7)]
Apparently, the secret chambers in the forbidden grounds also counted as part of the chain quest. Lin Ye had already opened the first chamber-the main chamber-but six remained unexplored. Once the Chunin Ninja Exams were over, he would need to find time to explore them.
"Accept all last wishes below D rank."
[Accepted successfully] [Currently accepted last wishes: 43] [Estimated completion time: 7 days (with full effort)]
Seven days-that was exactly when the first stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams would begin. Before then, he needed to fulfill as many last wishes as possible, collect fragments, and increase his strength.
Starting the next day, Lin Ye threw himself into an intense mission schedule. During the day, he showed Karin around Konoha while completing simple last wishes-delivering letters, passing on messages, finding lost possessions, and the like. At night, he worked alone, fulfilling wishes that required infiltration or combat.
The last wishes varied wildly:
One Uchiha Chunin's last wish was to "confess to the girl I like," but the girl was already married, with a five-year-old child. Lin Ye found her and delivered the Chunin's final letter. She cried and placed a bouquet at the Uchiha's grave.
One Uchiha Jonin's last wish was to "defeat Kakashi Hatake," which was clearly impossible to fulfill. However, the system ruled that "having one formal match with Kakashi" would count. Lin Ye challenged Kakashi to a match. Although he lost, he gained valuable combat experience.
One Uzumaki Clan member's last wish was to "pass the family recipes down to a descendant." Lin Ye found a descendant of an Uzumaki branch family in Konoha-a ramen shop owner-and gave him the recipes. The owner treasured them, said he would use them in his shop, and even gave Lin Ye a lifetime free-meal voucher.
With every last wish he fulfilled, Lin Ye could feel his Rinnegan Fragments increasing, along with slight growth in his chakra. More importantly, his understanding of Konoha deepened, and his network of connections expanded.
By the fourth day, all 43 D-rank last wishes were complete.
[Last wishes fulfilled: 365/1344] [Rinnegan Fragments: 50/1000] [Additional rewards obtained: Total chakra increased by 15%, understanding of Sealing Jutsu improved]
Fifty fragments-one-twentieth of the total. His progress was faster than expected, but it still wasn't enough.
On the fifth day, Lin Ye began accepting C-rank last wishes. These were more complicated. Some required him to leave Konoha, so he set them aside for now. Others had to be fulfilled at a particular time or place, and he noted the times.
By the evening of the seventh day, the night before the Chunin Ninja Exams, Lin Ye had fulfilled twelve C-rank last wishes.
[Last wishes fulfilled: 377/1344] [Rinnegan Fragments: 55/1000] [New ability obtained: Genjutsu: Bubbles (Releases deceptive genjutsu bubbles through the Sharingan; contact triggers the technique)]
The "Bubbles" ability was intriguing. He had gained it by fulfilling the last wish of an Uchiha genjutsu expert. The genjutsu bubbles it released were colorless and formless, visible only to the Sharingan, making them suitable for surprise attacks and battlefield control.
His strength was steadily improving, but Lin Ye knew the real test had yet to begin.
Tomorrow was the first stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams: the written test.
And in the shadows, every faction was already in position.
Before you continue