CHAPTER 256

The Traveler from the Future

A week had passed since the funeral of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Yet, the scene at the funeral still lingered in the minds of many. The truth that Kakashi had exposed could not be forgotten, nor could the presence of the Uzushio Village shinobi who remained in Konoha.

By conventional reasoning, the actions of the Uzushio shinobi during the funeral should have been considered a disgrace to Konoha. However, the villagers did not see it that way. Even though Naruto had publicly severed his ties with the village and distanced himself from its affairs, to many, the son of the Fourth Hokage would always be a Konoha ninja. Some even believed he was destined to become Hokage one day.

In the aftermath, the indifference shown by both Naruto and the Uzushio shinobi fueled resentment against the Sarutobi clan. Whispers spread, and soon, open hostility followed. Some Konoha villagers began ostracizing members of the Sarutobi clan, as if punishing them could somehow earn Naruto's favor.

The Uzumaki Residence

At the Uzumaki compound, Naruto lay in the courtyard, basking in the sun while subtly absorbing natural energy—one of his lifelong habits, never allowing himself to cease improving.

The reason Naruto remained in Konoha was simple.

First, he was waiting for Konoha to return the wealth and resources it had seized from Uzushio after its destruction. Second, he intended to merge the abandoned Uchiha district with the Uzumaki compound, effectively establishing an autonomous territory within Konoha—a "village within a village."

This new district would be off-limits to regular Konoha citizens without permission. However, as a token of diplomacy, a small contingent of Uzushio shinobi, limited to fifty members, would be stationed there. It was, on the surface, a sign of peace and cooperation between the two villages.

In practice, however, it was a strategic foothold. A permanent Uzushio presence would serve as both a deterrent to the Fire Daimyō and a tool to extract hefty sums from Konoha in the name of "protection fees."

Exhaling slowly, Naruto suddenly turned his gaze toward the far corridor.

Shisui Uchiha was approaching, moving swiftly. As soon as he reached Naruto, he knelt slightly and greeted him.

"Mianma-sama, a large number of gifts from Konoha villagers and prominent shinobi clans have piled up outside the Uzumaki compound. What would you like us to do?"

Naruto's lips curled slightly.

"Return all the gifts from the villagers. As for the ones from the ninja clans…" He paused, considering. "Accepting them would only stoke Jiraiya's jealousy and further aggravate the Konoha shinobi… But I'm feeling generous today. Send them all back."

Naruto had a clear understanding of Konoha's political landscape.

The Hyūga Clan was already in his camp—Hinata had been officially named the next clan head and would undoubtedly support him as the future Hokage. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio, with deep ties to Minato, were likely to waver between supporting him and Jiraiya. The smaller clans? They would follow whichever way the wind blew.

None of them, however, realized that Naruto had no desire to become Hokage at all. His ambitions stretched far beyond Konoha, beyond the Land of Fire itself.

Shisui hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"There is another matter. Some Konoha villagers and shinobi have begun targeting the Sarutobi clan. It seems they believe it will win your favor."

Naruto scoffed.

"And what does that have to do with me? I don't carry anyone's sins for them."

He leaned back, eyes glinting with amusement.

"Though… the Sarutobi clan's current situation does remind me of the Uchiha's downfall. I wonder… will someone from their ranks rise up, just as Itachi once did?"

Shisui's expression darkened.

"Mianma-sama, the Uchiha were never like the Sarutobi. We will not hold grudges against those who seek refuge in Uzushio. Here, you and the law will protect them."

Naruto ignored the veiled compliment and shifted the topic.

"How is Sasuke? Is his mental state stable? Has he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

Shisui shook his head. "Not yet. But truthfully, I hope he never does. Uchiha Itachi is a traitor, and his sins are ours to settle. Sasuke should not have to bear that burden."

Naruto smirked. "You underestimate him. Sasuke might surpass both you and Itachi. If his emotions are suppressed too long, it will only lead to disaster."

Shisui hesitated, then nodded. "Understood, Mianma-sama. I will ensure minimal interference in his development."

Even as he left, Shisui couldn't shake the feeling that Naruto's interest in Sasuke was… different. It was not mere concern for a friend or ally. But questioning Mianma-sama too deeply was never advisable.

Alone once more, Naruto stretched lazily and turned his gaze toward the Hokage's office.

"I told them I would return to Konoha on my own terms. That promise has been fulfilled. Now, it's time to focus on Hinata."

Her Byakugan would be an invaluable asset in the days to come.

---

The Uchiha District

Sasuke Uchiha moved quickly, his steps filled with purpose as he made his way toward the Uzumaki compound. He had come to request Shisui's guidance in mastering Uchiha techniques and learning more about his mother and Itachi.

But he was stopped at the gate.

"Konoha shinobi are not permitted to enter at will."

Sasuke frowned. "I'm an Uchiha."

The guard's expression did not change. "You are a Konoha Uchiha. Until you join Uzushio, the rule stands."

Anger simmered beneath Sasuke's skin, but he turned and walked away, frustration clouding his thoughts.

If even the Uzushio Uchiha did not see him as one of them, then what was he?

Returning to the Uchiha training grounds, Sasuke took out his frustration the only way he knew how—through relentless training. His fists struck stone, his chakra surged. The more he thought about it, the more he realized his vengeance extended beyond Itachi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi. Danzo Shimura. Those two were just as responsible for the Uchiha's fall.

But they were already dead.

A hollow victory.

His grip tightened. "They all think I'm still that helpless child from Uchiha Massacre Night."

With a surge of chakra, he struck a boulder with full force. The rock shattered—

And then something impossible happened.

A distortion rippled through the air. A wormhole, dark and shifting, opened above the training ground. Two figures—one large, one small—fell through, barely catching themselves in the branches of a nearby tree.

Sasuke's Sharingan activated instinctively.

Who were they? Konoha shinobi? Uzushio spies?

Or something else entirely?

Silently, he cloaked his presence and crept closer.

One thing was certain—he would find out.

And this time, he would prove he was no longer someone to be ignored.

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