"Aaaah! Why did I fail again?!"
"Isn't this how you taught me to do it?"
"Damn it, how could this happen?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Stop yelling at me, please!"
In Konohagakure, at a training ground within the village, Naruto stood in the middle of the area, muttering to himself in frustration. His peculiar behavior caused Jiraiya to cover his face with his hand, while Kakashi sat nearby with a defeated expression. Only Sasuke looked at Kitagawa Minamoto with a puzzled expression.
"Senior, what's wrong with that guy?"
"Him? Just think of him as not being quite right in the head."
Kitagawa Minamoto leaned against a tree, glancing at Naruto's ever-changing expressions before letting out a chuckle. By now, his main body had returned to Konohagakure, leaving his Divine Tree clone to handle matters on the moon. After all, the rescheduled Chūnin Exams were about to begin, and he wouldn't miss such a grand event.
"True."
Sasuke nodded in agreement, making Kakashi's forehead twitch involuntarily.
"Hey, Minamoto, don't you think that's a bit harsh?"
After all, Naruto carried the legacy of Kakashi's teacher and his wife. Kitagawa Minamoto's words seemed overly cruel.
"I don't think I'm wrong. Just look at his current performance—it speaks for itself."
Kitagawa Minamoto pointed at Naruto nonchalantly, then sighed deeply.
"Also, is he really suited for the Flying Thunder God Technique? Is it really that hard to learn? I remember that if it weren't for that pervy sage wasting my time, I might've learned it even faster."
"..."
Kakashi was speechless for a moment but had to admit that Kitagawa Minamoto might be right. The Flying Thunder God Technique did seem to be one of the slower techniques Kitagawa Minamoto had mastered.
"But comparing Naruto to you—is that really fair?"
"Ha."
Kitagawa Minamoto chuckled but didn't respond. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Sasuke.
"By the way, the competition is tomorrow. Are you confident?"
"Senior, I am!"
Sasuke immediately nodded, his expression turning serious.
"Good. Perform well."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded in approval, while Sasuke clenched his fists tightly.
"I won't let you down!"
"..."
Nearby, Kakashi couldn't focus on his book anymore. He sighed inwardly, feeling disheartened. Sasuke had learned Chidori from him for so long, yet he seemed far more respectful toward Kitagawa Minamoto.
Has Konohagakure's education system deteriorated to this extent? he wondered.
"He'll do fine in the exam. You should be more concerned about his future training. I, for one, have no solutions left."
"Kakashi-sensei, you're too lazy!"
Kitagawa Minamoto glanced at Kakashi with disdain but then stroked his chin thoughtfully. Sasuke's training indeed couldn't be neglected. Without Orochimaru, things had become more complicated.
"Kakashi-sensei, what do you think of the Second Hokage?"
"Uh..."
Kakashi looked at Kitagawa Minamoto seriously, his gaze so intense that it made Kitagawa Minamoto raise an eyebrow.
"Kakashi-sensei, your expression is a bit odd."
"What kind of person do you think the Second Hokage was?"
Kakashi rolled his eyes and asked. Sasuke looked puzzled. How had the conversation suddenly shifted to the Second Hokage?
"Strict?"
Kitagawa Minamoto stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before responding. Kakashi paused before correcting him.
"Reliable!"
"Cold-hearted?"
"Calm!"
"Cunning?"
"Wise!"
"Autocratic?"
"Stop joking—he had independent judgment!"
Kakashi rubbed his temples and glared at Kitagawa Minamoto. Although his words weren't wrong, why did he always state the blunt truth? Moreover, Kakashi couldn't help but notice that Kitagawa Minamoto's eyes seemed to light up.
"And he was skilled in research. Hmm..."
Just like Orochimaru—very much like Orochimaru! Kakashi thought.
Additionally, Kakashi recalled that Sasuke bore a striking resemblance to Uchiha Izuna, the younger brother of Uchiha Madara.
"Why do I feel like you're plotting something bad?"
Kakashi couldn't help but voice his concern, but Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts.
"Nothing. I'm just thinking about how best to train Sasuke."
"Hey, hey, hey! You're not planning anything shady, are you?"
Kakashi's eyes widened, feeling that his disciple was becoming increasingly outrageous.
"Alright, Kakashi-sensei. I know what I'm doing."
Kitagawa Minamoto interrupted Kakashi with a smile, though he stroked his chin again thoughtfully.
"Speaking of which, Kakashi-sensei, you still haven't followed through on my suggestion from last time, have you?"
"What suggestion?"
"Like putting explosive tags in Kamui's Dimension. Are you really that reluctant?"
"..."
"At the very least, throw in something disgusting—like your graduation photo with his half torn off?"
"..."
Kakashi felt utterly drained. He couldn't understand how Konohagakure's education system had deteriorated so much in just over a decade.
"You two—what are you talking about?"
Just as Kakashi was lamenting, Jiraiya approached with a dejected Naruto. Seeing the three of them, Jiraiya couldn't help but ask curiously.
"And Kakashi, what's with that look?"
"Nothing..."
Kakashi awkwardly shook his head, while Kitagawa Minamoto glanced at them with interest.
"You're done training? How did Naruto perform?"
"Sigh..."
Faced with this question, Jiraiya and Naruto sighed simultaneously. Clearly, Naruto's training hadn't gone well.
"Never mind. His current level should be enough to handle this exam."
After a while, Jiraiya spoke with a troubled expression, though he quickly smiled.
"Besides, there's plenty of time ahead. I believe this kid will only get better and better!"
"Of course. After all, he's part of our team."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded in agreement, looking at the still-downcast Naruto. After some thought, he spoke up.
"Alright, Naruto, don't be discouraged. You've actually done quite well."
"..."
Naruto looked up, pursing his lips, unsure of what to say. Kitagawa Minamoto continued smiling.
"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Right now, you're just encountering something you're not good at. Remember the story I told you about Guy-sensei?"
"I remember."
Naruto nodded, prompting Kitagawa Minamoto to keep smiling.
"Since you know it, you should understand his secret to success—his belief and effort. Everyone faces difficulties and setbacks on their journey."
"But how you confront these challenges defines who you are. Some are defeated, while others rise and keep moving forward."
"I'm curious—which type will you become?"
Which type? Naruto paused, his gaze growing resolute. Originally, he only wanted to become Hokage. Now, he had learned more and set higher goals. He couldn't let these obstacles defeat him!
"Sasuke, the same goes for you. Both now and in the future. What about you?"
Kitagawa Minamoto turned his attention to Sasuke, who also displayed unwavering determination. He carried the burden of the Uchiha Clan's blood debts—a weight he would never forget.
"Don't worry, Senior. I won't let you down."
"Me neither!"
Naruto shed his earlier gloom, clenching his fists and shouting loudly.
"My goal is to become Hokage!"
Seeing this scene, Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged knowing smiles. Even the Fourth Hokage couple within Naruto couldn't help but nod in approval. Kitagawa Minamoto already displayed the qualities of a Hokage. It was just a shame about Naruto, though the village would surely thrive.
"Not bad. Very spirited!"
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded in satisfaction, though he quickly adopted a stern expression.
"But shouldn't you two return my book?"
"Book?"
Naruto and Sasuke froze, their expressions stiffening in the next instant.
"Yes, the copy of 'Make-Out Paradise' by Pervy Sage that I accidentally left behind."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded seriously, his tone unwavering.
"You've finished reading it, haven't you?"
"..."
"Was it good?"
"..."
"Then, shouldn't you return it to me?"
"..."
Kakashi and Jiraiya both covered their faces, clueless about this matter. Sasuke now wanted to strangle Naruto, while Naruto wished he could disappear. In his mind, Kushina's fiery red hair was already swirling ominously.
Watching the chaos unfold before him, Kitagawa Minamoto chuckled.
"I wonder if Sasuke and Naruto can survive the next three years..."
[Rain Country - Akatsuki Base]
"How's the investigation going?"
In the Akatsuki base, Obito Uchiha questioned Black Zetsu in a low voice. Black Zetsu maintained his composure.
"Some discoveries have been made, but further exploration is needed."
"Exploration?"
"Yes. The Sage of Six Paths left something for the Uchiha Clan, so what about the Senju Clan?"
"The Senju?"
Obito Uchiha froze. He hadn't considered this question before, but upon reflection, it didn't seem impossible! Having read the Uchiha Stone Tablet, he was well aware of the connections and mysteries involved. If the Uchiha had something, the Senju likely did too!
"How's your search going?"
"I've found clues, but I need more time."
Black Zetsu shook his head calmly. In truth, he had already forged much of what he needed. However, the items appeared too new, and even with his methods, they required time to age.
"This thing is hidden very well. And with Kitagawa Minamoto in Konohagakure, I can't act recklessly."
"Kitagawa Minamoto, huh..."
Obito Uchiha nodded, accepting the explanation. The danger posed by Kitagawa Minamoto was undeniable, something he couldn't ignore.
"It seems this will indeed take time to address."
"Exactly. But I have a general direction now."
Black Zetsu replied calmly. Looking at Obito, he continued speaking thoughtfully.
"Once I find it, I'll inform you immediately. After all, if it's like the Uchiha Stone Tablet, I won't be able to read what's written on it."
"I see..."
Obito Uchiha fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Let me know when you find it. I'm curious about what it says and want to see it for myself."
Obito Uchiha was genuinely intrigued. Though he had harbored suspicions about Black Zetsu ever since "Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki" had exposed him, he understood that he still needed Black Zetsu's assistance—both now and in the future. Without Black Zetsu, many plans would struggle to progress.
Thinking this over, he sighed inwardly, his tone softening slightly.
"Thanks for your efforts."
"It's nothing. But I must remind you—during this time, we should remain silent."
Black Zetsu observed Obito's demeanor, realizing he had successfully placated him. This brought him some relief.
"Although Nagato has recovered and even improved, the damage from before was severe. The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path needs time to recover."
"How long?"
"Perhaps two years. But to be safe, let's plan for three."
"Three years, huh?"
"Yes, three years. So I think we should take this time to prepare well. After all, Orochimaru is also gravely injured."
Orochimaru was indeed seriously hurt. Though he was remarkably resilient, recovery would take time. Moreover, the Akatsuki needed Orochimaru. Black Zetsu himself relied on Orochimaru's expertise. He truly didn't want to stir up any more trouble!
"We need to give Orochimaru time—not just to recover but also to research the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation. We've lost too much."
"True..."
Obito Uchiha nodded. With Black Zetsu's assistance, his thoughts had become much clearer.
"This time, our losses were indeed significant. We need to focus on recovery. What about Kumogakure?"
"Kumogakure was taken down by Kitagawa Minamoto and attacked by Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki. Their defeat is already a foregone conclusion."
Black Zetsu had prepared for this outcome in advance, explaining calmly.
"Now, as long as Konohagakure intervenes, even those unwilling to accept defeat will choose compromise and negotiation. This is our opportunity."
"The unwillingness of the defeated, huh."
Obito Uchiha sighed, though he quickly shook his head disdainfully.
"Tch. Have we fallen to the point of cooperating with the defeated?"
We ourselves are the defeated, aren't we? Black Zetsu sighed inwardly, unable to understand how they had ended up in this situation. The once-mighty Akatsuki now felt like a ragtag group—a source of constant headaches.
"Don't worry. Even the defeated can stage a comeback."
Still, Black Zetsu offered words of encouragement to Obito.
"Three years—just three years. Once everything recovers and we grow stronger, I believe we can succeed."
"Indeed. Whether it's Kitagawa Minamoto or that Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki, they'll be insignificant before the Ten-Tails and Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Obito Uchiha clenched his fists, speaking in a low voice.
"I still believe—we will win!"
"Yes, we will win..."
Black Zetsu nodded in agreement. After all, he had already laid out his plans. Once his forgery work was complete, he intended to guide Kitagawa Minamoto. He was even contemplating how to offer Kitagawa Minamoto some benefits over the next three years. By helping Kitagawa Minamoto grow stronger, he could prepare him to face Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki!
"The Chakra eruption on the moon last time—it felt similar to Mother's. Could it have been her?"
Black Zetsu couldn't help but wonder. However, he felt reassured that nothing had happened. Otherwise, he would've been eliminated already! In truth, he didn't want to wait so long. But circumstances left him no choice.
"Three years—just survive these three years, and everything will return to normal. I will definitely rescue Mother!"
Black Zetsu kept encouraging himself. Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha prepared to leave.
"I'll go check on Nagato. I'll leave Konohagakure's investigation to you. Let's hope time passes quickly."
"Three years is but the blink of an eye."
Black Zetsu replied instinctively, only to feel a sudden jolt of realization. Luckily, Obito didn't seem to notice. Or perhaps he agreed that three years was indeed fleeting. After all, he had waited so long, steadfast in his pursuit of a "peaceful world." What were three more years?
"Hmm?"
However, as he opened Kamui's Dimension, something felt off.
BOOM—
In the next instant, a violent explosion erupted within Kamui's Dimension, sending him flying out in Black Zetsu's stunned gaze. His body was ablaze, with half an arm blown off. He froze for a moment before erupting in curses!
"Damn you, Kakashi! You truly are despicable!"
"No wonder you managed to teach that vile Kitagawa Minamoto!"
"You both deserve to die!"
Watching Obito's state, Black Zetsu's mouth twitched. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
"Can we... really survive these three years?"
(End of Chapter)
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]