Chapter 66: Konoha [Repair]

  Finally arrived here again.

  I am filled with emotion, a normal person's two-month journey took us four months to complete, the numerous unexpected twists and turns in between left me speechless.

  Four months later, I looked from afar at the already vaguely visible wooden leaf outer city wall, thinking so in my heart.

  I gazed far into the direction of Muye.

  It is still that one pair of more than 20 meters high, with the ancient years of the huge wooden door, the marks of time are carved on the long-standing gate, showing its past glory.

  Was past glory?

  How many of Konoha's enemies were kept out by this gate, and how many Konoha shinobi, and non-Konoha shinobi, have lost their lives here?

  The soil here must have absorbed a lot of fresh blood, and the cherry blossoms nearby must be particularly gorgeous. Perhaps in the forest where the leaves die, those plants can grow so tall and large because of the abundant nutrients.

  I gazed in the direction of the gate and turned my back on them, saying: "You, do you know what a ninja is?"

  I didn't wait for their response and continued speaking because I was just momentarily inspired and didn't really need their answer.

  "Ninjas, who emerged about two hundred years ago, used extreme means and were willing to sacrifice themselves to complete their missions. In less than twenty years, they rose from being subordinate to the daimyos to having a status comparable to that of samurai. The true deciding factor in the difference between ninjas and samurai was the possession of blood lineage limits."

  Under the overwhelming power of the Blood Succession Limiters, the ninja quickly replaced the existence of the samurai, and the daimyos who possessed many Blood Succession Limiters occupied the upper hand. The other daimyos, unwilling to show weakness, began to "self-reliance" in desperation...

  "Self-reliance?" asked Rokuyō.

  I let out a mocking cold smile, "The emergence of Blood Succession Boundary depends on bloodline, but most Blood Succession Boundaries exist in ordinary people with recessive bloodlines, and more than half will not be activated until death, unless... they are faced with the edge of life and death. Therefore, many crazy small country leaders use extreme methods to dig up hidden Blood Succession Boundary holders within their own countries, while large country leaders who already possess Blood Succession Boundaries begin to develop existing 'weapons' in pursuit of stronger and more useful 'new weapons'."

  "When those in power go mad, and the environment is one where human life is worthless, many small countries' downfall isn't due to enemy invasion, but rather being used as experimental consumables until they're 'used up'. After all, those with 'Blood Succession Limit' are few, so those big shots will be more careful in their 'use', in order to get a few more 'uses' out of them."

  Indeed, during that period, many legendary Blood Successors who were thought to be extinct appeared, and there were even "artificial" Blood Successors. They shone brightly in those chaotic times, but the dark places where their light did not reach... were all filled with rotting flesh and bleached bones.

  "What happened later?"

  "How many of those awakened by that method would not resent the great names? How many of those empowered by extreme experimentation were willing participants? But how could those great names possibly let their hard-won 'weapons' escape control and turn against them?"

  Thus, the appearance of "curse seals" allows daimyos to control their "weapons" to a certain extent. However, since there are those who can place curses, there must be ways to lift them, especially when the cursed ones will stop at nothing to gain freedom... by resolving the medium, killing the curser, or seeking external help...

  After several decades, the ninjas who were originally affiliated with the daimyos almost simultaneously declared their independence from the country and established ninja villages. During these years, the ninjas, who had controlled a large part of the country's military power, easily succeeded in this endeavor. At the same time, many "Artificial Tailed Beast Jinchuriki" and "Artificially Awakened Tailed Beast Jinchuriki" either disappeared or joined the ninja villages. Of course, after going through many wars, the existence of the four major ninja villages was finally established, while the Hidden Leaf Ninja Village was established nearly one to two generations later than the other four major ninja villages.

  "Other countries won't just sit back and watch as a ninja village appears in the Fire Country?" asked Bai.

  "Power, it is said that Konoha had the power to take on four at once before its founding, which is why it was able to be established so easily."

  "But now, the Wood Leaf is still thriving, but it doesn't have the powerful strength you mentioned! One against four? It's already a struggle to be one against two." Bai said, bringing up the data he had seen at the Water Country school.

  "Hehe, the so-called cradle of genius ninjas - Konohagakure, a name that makes enemies of Konoha resentful...... From the first generation who developed the unique Wood Style technique, to the Water God of the second generation who can use A-level water attribute jutsu in the desert, to the Ninja Doctor of the third generation with the title of "Ninja Hero", and to the recent Fourth Generation who almost made enemies flee at the sound of their name - the Golden Flash, as well as Konoha's White Fang, the legendary Sannin, and so on... all are factors that make the ninjas of this village proud. However, when outsiders pay extra attention to you because of your ancestors' past glory, it's not a good thing at all! Hehe."

  It was originally a life that should have lived in the dark, but it emerged to yearn for sunlight. How long can it last? One hundred years? Two hundred years?

  I looked at Bai's thoughtful expression, Jun Mochi's seemingly understanding yet puzzled face, and Juroku-ya's disdainful attitude, my heart was also filled with mixed emotions.

  "Are we going to live here afterwards?" The history of Konoha was unimportant, Juroku didn't care about that, the past she had never experienced was too illusory, she only cared about now.

  "Maybe? At least it should be so for six years." I gave a rough answer, and if nothing unexpected happens, my original plan should be like this.

  Nine! When I mentioned unexpected things, what were you secretly laughing at?

  "Are we living together?" asked Rokuya on.

  "I'm not sure, okay, let's just forget about the sixteenth night for now, she hasn't had any training yet. However, White and you two need to keep a low profile, don't draw too much attention to yourselves. It's best if you can avoid using Blood Succession at all costs. And as for single-handed seals, it's better not to use them either...Kun, I'm talking to White, I know you haven't mastered the single-handed seal yet, no need to make that face. Your specialty lies in your martial arts and Blood Succession Limit combination, I'm aware of that."

  "Adult... is it okay?" White muttered a sentence.

  "Alright, Bai, let's go!" As expected, only Bai noticed that I said so much because of my special feelings towards Konoha. Although I had told myself that I didn't care about anything anymore, when it came to Konoha, my mind still fluctuated a bit.

  I used a special transformation technique to turn myself into that "Naruto Uzumaki", without the massive amount of chakra, I'm just like an ordinary six-year-old kid; without the unique aura, just a slightly silly-looking smiling idiot, and of course, no more six whisker marks. For me who has already completed all the "Chakra Pathways Construction", it's really not a big deal to hide this proof that makes me feel like I'm imprisoned in a cage.

  "Adult, what's wrong with you?" He turned back into his old self, and Bai remembered that when he first saw the adult, he looked just like this.

  "Adult, who have you become?" Kunmaru had never seen the adult transform into this person. Normally, the adult would choose to transform into a black-haired and black-eyed ordinary child.

  "?" Izayoi also showed a puzzled expression.

  "This is it? This is what this body should look like." The appearance of a whirlpool resonated with the person.

  I didn't notice Kaito and Juroku's puzzled expressions, there are some things I don't want to explain, nor is it necessary for me to do so, they also haven't had the ability to listen to my explanations yet.

  "I'll be in Konoha, and unless something unexpected happens, I'll probably appear in this form. Also, when I'm using this face, you'd best not get too close to me. Furthermore, within Konoha, don't call me 'Lord' anymore, just call me Naruto directly, and don't casually call me 'Jinchuriki', unless you want to see me dead! If those old codgers of elders find out, I really fear being silenced for 'plotting in secret'."

  Are you afraid? I'm curious if there's really something for me to be afraid of.

  I'm afraid I'll have to find a new place to stay, and those old guys won't let you go! I honestly replied to Jiu.

  Hmph.

  Kuuga ended with a single word and then dove down, lately Kuuga has been like this, either suddenly making strange noises or not speaking after saying only two sentences, it seems that Kuuga hasn't fully recovered to its best state.

  "Remember, in Konoha, don't get too close to me; don't call me 'sir', and don't be too respectful. That's all, if you can't do that, then don't follow me to Konoha, just leave me alone." I believed my determination was clear enough for the three of them to understand, but seeing their faces with an expression of "impossible to achieve", I really had nothing to say. Is it really this hard? It feels like I'm bullying kind children or something.

  "Alright, it's not allowed to be with me too frequently, but if I take the initiative to touch, then it's okay." If I "take the initiative" to touch!

  "At least in Konoha, don't call me 'daimyo', and tone it down a bit, especially... I think the three of them are about the same on this point, but Jūgo is slightly less severe than Orochimaru and Kabuto. "The three of you are all the same, unless there's no one else around, not even anyone else at all." Jūgo has a high sensitivity to probing, even more so than me, and can even see through the stealth technique of a jōnin, pinpointing their location. As long as Jūgo thinks no one is around, 90% or more of the time there really isn't anyone."

  And I only have about half the confidence in tracking down the upper ninja, unless I open my "Devouring Spirit Eye" or... activate the second stage of my "Devouring Spirit Eye", and then endure the unpredictable and unclear aftereffects.

  Is this some kind of special bloodline ability? And I still don't understand to this day, whether Shizuku discovered someone's tracks, "saw through" the tracks, or if stealth techniques are simply ineffective against Shizuku, or if it's like the "Devouring Spirit Eye", seeing the flames of life.

  I turned my head to see the expression of Bai and Jun Maluo, and added another sentence. "Or, I can appear in my original appearance or with black hair and eyes, that should be fine, right? Quickly take back that ' abandoned child' face." However, in Konoha, I won't be able to appear as the 'Moon' with black hair and eyes again. After all, I have to keep a look that feels good about myself for when I travel outside, although I'm not sure if I'll have the chance to do so. But it's my habit to prepare for the worst-case scenario, I don't want to go traveling every day with different faces.

  "Yes, sir."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Alright, sir."

  It's really in sync! The three of them are most tacit at this moment.

  I originally wanted to say something more, but I'll just forget it. Anyway, after entering Konoha, with their wisdom and observational skills, they will know why I instructed them like this. They have never been people who don't understand the situation. Even Jūgo, who loves to play pranks, won't be smiling when I give real instructions, let alone the other two.

  "Ah!" I took a deep breath and said: "This time, it's for real!"

  ※※※

  "Hey kids, you look unfamiliar. Where are you from? What brings you to Konoha?" A guard with a strange scar on the left side of his cheek blocked our path.

  "Hey, don't be like that, they're just a bunch of kids, none of them look over ten years old, don't be so fierce!" Another guard with a bamboo skewer still in his mouth and a hint of a smile said, "Little friends, how did you end up here? Where are your dads and moms?"

  I shook my head "Don't know." I really didn't know who Whirlpool Roar's parents were.

  "Even if Bai is now capable of taking a life with his own hands, the matter regarding his parents remains a forbidden zone that outsiders cannot touch."

  "He's dead already." Kira thought, if he wasn't mistaken, hadn't he died in some mission before, or was it before he got locked up?

  "Killed off." One by his brother, one by himself, Shizuka confirmed that his memory was still pretty good.

  "So you're all orphans! Are you together? Then what brings you to Konoha?" The guard, who was called Raikou, softened his tone a bit after hearing our response.

  "I've heard that Konoha is the most prosperous, friendly and powerful ninja village, so on my way here, I met them and wanted to come with them to settle in Konoha."

  "Is that so?" Another guard saw Bai, Junmaru and Tōya all nodding in agreement with me, and didn't continue to ask questions. After all, finding a prosperous and friendly village to settle down in was indeed the aspiration of many people, and Konoha was one such place. Although this group of kids were a bit young, this reason was still acceptable.

  After all, the more turbulent the times, the younger the children mature, or rather, the age of maturity is greatly reduced. It's like when I was young, there were only a few kids over 10 years old who hadn't killed anyone, let alone "San Ren", who went to war at the age of six, which is already a legend. Compared to the current situation, it's not that strange for children around the age of 10 to show maturity and stability comparable to adults.

  "That's all, Genpou. Take them to register and have them checked out. Someone will take care of the rest." The guard named Raito said as he turned his gaze towards us at the last sentence.

  "Then I'll take these four kids to Lord Hokage! You just watch from here!" The ninja named Genma waved his hand, indicating for us to follow him.

  "To the Hokage's place? Not to the reception... Ah, I see. You go and come back quickly, don't get lost somewhere else again." The ninja named Raito, seeing Genma's hint, didn't say anything more. He knew that his seemingly carefree partner had also noticed something was off about these kids.

  Too calm, articulate speech, neat clothes, natural and polite demeanor, it's not like the behavior of an ordinary 7 or 8-year-old child at all.

  It's not that their maturity is fake, but even if this maturity and stability are real, these two things can help a little in navigating this chaotic world. In a world where people kill each other, only strength matters. Those wandering thieves won't show mercy just because someone is a kid. This also shows that they at least have the ability to protect themselves. For a group of four kids with an average age of less than ten, there's definitely a problem.

  And judging from their words, it seems that they have long been without parents. Then, how did they move around, travel, and even come to Konoha in this not-so-peaceful world?

  Luck? Or something else?

  But at this age, to be a spy from another ninja village is too obvious, if it's really a spy, there should be a safer and more inconspicuous way to enter Konoha...

  Forget it, let Genpou take them to see Sanada-sama then! Maybe they're just a lucky bunch of kids after all?