[Ding!]
[Confirmation of current world-line changes]
[Congratulations! You have earned 100,000 gold coins!]
"Hiss—"
"One hundred thousand gold coins?!"
Shinomiya Uzumaki glanced at Sasuke beside him, an amused glint in his eyes.
Sasuke really is part of the protagonist group—he's basically a walking gold mine.
If changing Sasuke's fate was this profitable, then what about Naruto? There was no doubt that Naruto would be just as valuable, if not more.
I'll have to find the perfect opportunity to give Naruto a proper upgrade.
As for what kind of advantage he should give Naruto… that still required careful thought.
With that in mind, Shinomiya and Sasuke quietly slipped back into the classroom from the back hill.
It was already class time. As they walked across the podium, heading to their seats, they could feel Iruka's resentful gaze boring into them.
Iruka sighed heavily.
One was a genius from the Uchiha clan—too talented for his own good.
The other was a perpetual troublemaker—who had long given up on school rules.
There was no point lecturing either of them. He was too tired.
So, Iruka simply continued his lesson.
---
Sakura's Surprise
"Sasuke, this is what we covered in the first two periods. Do you need me to help you catch up?"
Sakura leaned over, whispering softly as she pushed her neatly written notes toward Sasuke.
She knew there was a high chance he would reject her. After all, Sasuke rarely accepted help from anyone.
But unexpectedly—
Sasuke's answer sent her into a daze.
"Thank you, but I don't need it," he replied gently.
Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief.
Did I hear that right?
Was this really Sasuke? His entire demeanor felt… different.
Although he still refused her help, his tone was so soft, so gentle, that she almost couldn't believe it.
Sasuke sighed lightly, glancing at Sakura, who was now blushing furiously.
He was aware that his sudden change in attitude toward her was bound to raise suspicion.
But what could he do?
She would eventually become his wife. He couldn't afford to treat her as coldly as he once did.
"Stop staring and focus," Sasuke muttered.
"Y-Yeah!" Sakura nodded enthusiastically, her heart pounding.
But despite her response, her mind had already wandered far away. She kept stealing glances at Sasuke, as if trying to confirm that this wasn't a dream.
Sasuke ignored her and turned his attention toward the rest of the classroom.
His gaze swept across his classmates—Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji, Yamanaka Ino—all the familiar faces were there.
Everything seemed normal.
But then—
Wait.
Sasuke frowned.
Naruto… wasn't sitting next to him and Sakura anymore.
Instead, he was now sitting beside Hinata.
What the hell?
Naruto and Hinata were whispering to each other, clearly having already built a friendly rapport.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
The future is already changing.
His gaze then shifted toward the sleeping boy in the corner—Shinomiya Uzumaki.
All of these changes… they started because of him.
Sasuke shook his head slightly, deciding to ignore these minor shifts for now. The bigger picture mattered more.
Danzo…
He clenched his fists.
He had to find a way to eliminate that cancer.
---
Meanwhile, in the Group Chat
As Sasuke plotted his next move, Shinomiya Uzumaki was busy messaging his allies in the group chat.
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "Everything is going smoothly on my end. The only one who hasn't done anything yet is @Uchiha Obito."
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "Obito, don't just sit around. If you want to become stronger, you need to take action."
Uchiha Obito: "Hold on… my Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan is almost done merging."
After sending that message, Obito went silent. He was probably focusing on his evolution.
With Hashirama nowhere to be seen, Shinomiya had no choice but to start chatting with Minato.
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "Minato, do you want to check in on Naruto?"
---
Konoha, Year 48
"Minato-senpai, we're here!"
Yahiko led Konan and Nagato into the Hokage's office.
Minato smiled warmly. "Here are your ninja files and forehead protectors."
"From today onward, you are officially part of Konoha."
He placed three neatly arranged documents and forehead protectors on the desk before them.
"Really?!" Yahiko's eyes lit up.
"Thank you so much, Minato-senpai!"
Yahiko could barely contain his excitement. The procedures had been completed incredibly fast, and he knew it was thanks to Minato's influence.
Without his help, how could three outsiders obtain Konoha citizenship so easily?
"You don't have to thank me," Minato said with a smile. "Enjoy your time in Konoha."
After exchanging a few more words, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato left.
But the moment they were gone—
Creak.
The office door opened again.
Minato looked up and was slightly surprised to see who had entered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Third Hokage?" Minato quickly stood up to greet him.
Sarutobi took a deep puff from his pipe, his brow furrowed.
"There has been no word from Danzo for several days now," he said. "Minato, have you seen him recently?"
Minato's expression remained calm.
"Elder Danzo disappeared? When did this happen?"
"Just a few days ago," Sarutobi replied, watching him closely. "I heard that he led a team to the Land of Rain but never returned."
Minato's eyes flickered with feigned concern. "Is that so? I wasn't aware."
Sarutobi exhaled another puff of smoke, studying Minato carefully.
The Third Hokage had ruled Konoha for decades. He had many spies in the Anbu and was well-informed.
It hadn't taken long for him to learn that Minato had left the village on the same night Danzo disappeared.
And the very next day, Minato had returned with three individuals from the Land of Rain.
Sarutobi didn't believe that Minato had eliminated Danzo.
After all, there was no deep hatred between them, and Minato was not that kind of person.
But if Minato had discovered Danzo's crimes, it was possible he had chosen to abandon him to his fate.
Sarutobi sighed inwardly.
"If you hear anything, let me know," he finally said before turning to leave.
As the door closed behind him, the warmth in Minato's smile gradually faded.
His expression became serious.
Once upon a time, he had deeply respected the Third Hokage.
But now… he was starting to see things differently.
Sarutobi had turned a blind eye to Danzo's actions for far too long.
Countless Konoha ninjas had fallen because of Danzo's schemes.
The Uchiha clan… Uchiha Shisui… even Konoha's famed White Fang…
Minato clenched his fists.
Even his own son, Naruto, had suffered because of Sarutobi's decisions.
He had promised to take care of Naruto, yet he had done nothing while the village ostracized him.
Minato took a deep breath, calming himself.
Then, a message from Shinomiya Uzumaki popped up in the group chat.
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "So, Minato… want to check in on Naruto?"
Minato's eyes flickered.
A moment later, he typed a reply.
Minato Namikaze: "Yes."
--––-------------------------------
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