Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

Although Hiashi Hyuga was very unhappy, he still let his nephew stay.

Compared to Hiashi Hyuga's displeasure, Hinata Hyuga and Hanabi Hyuga were very happy. Not only did they have another family member, but this older brother also knew many things, even better than their father had taught them.

Seeing his two daughters becoming affectionate with his nephew that very evening, Hiashi Hyuga was even more unhappy.

Because the Five Meridians Divine Sword, a soft fist technique taught to my nephew's daughter, is really good, much better than their family's traditional soft fist technique.

Not only can it attack from a distance, but it can also combine different chakra attributes to create different effects.

The boy with the bloodline of the Kaguya clan was also very strong in physical combat, both in swordsmanship and physical skills.

At least without using the power of the Tenseigan, he is no match for them.

Perhaps Hizashi and Kumogakure have truly surpassed them.

Leaving aside the frustrated Hyuga Hiashi, on the other hand, Yuhi Kurenai openly left the Uchiha clan territory to find her best friend, but no one noticed. Instead, those who made eye contact with her were instantly hypnotized, and even Kage-level powerhouses could not resist that genjutsu power.

However, when she saw her best friend's appearance, Kurenai was somewhat shocked. If her chakra perception were accurate, she would never have dared to associate the person in front of her who could take up two seats with her best friend.

"red beans?"

As she slowly approached, looking at her best friend who had a bowl of meatballs in one hand and a bottle of red bean soup in the other, Yuhi Hong really couldn't understand what her best friend had been doing all these years.

Could it be that he ate Uncle Zixiao?

"Honghong?"

Mitarashi Anko, who was eating and drinking heartily, looked at the woman in front of her, was first taken aback, and then called out uncertainly.

Familiar red eyes, familiar long wavy hair, could it be Hong Hong?

How did Hong Hong end up in Konoha?

"You've gotten so fat?"

Looking at the fat man in front of her, who was three times her size, Kurenai felt that her guess from last night with Shizune was half right.

They had previously guessed that Hongdou was still unmarried, but the crux of their problem lay in Hongdou's outgoing, playful, and impulsive nature, which made it clear that she was not someone who would marry early.

But now it seems the problem might be more serious; getting this fat has completely ruined her looks.

"It's you, Hong Hong! What brings you to Konoha?"

Upon receiving confirmation, Mitarashi Anko was both surprised and delighted. She pulled Yuhi Kurenai to sit on the bench and cautiously looked around.

Hong Hong is now likely a member of Kumogakure, and an enemy of the village. If she comes to Konoha, she will definitely be targeted.

"I came along to watch as the village participates in the Chunin Exams held by Konoha."

After explaining the reason for her visit, Yuhi Hong asked, "How is Uncle Zixiao doing now? My father often mentions him over there."

My father and Uncle Zixiao are good friends and even fought side by side on the battlefield. That's why I became best friends with Hongdou.

"He's retired at home and no longer cares about village affairs."

Hongdou explained her father's condition. He was severely injured in that battle and spent several years recovering. Due to his age and injuries, he resigned from his position in the Anbu and has been living at home these past few years, only holding a nominal position at the Ninja Academy and receiving a fixed salary.

"You're not married yet, are you?"

Upon hearing this, Kurenai was delighted, realizing that the success rate of her persuasion would increase.

"What, you want to say I'm fat too? You have a little belly too."

She glanced sideways, then took a bite of a meatball. Her father had talked about her figure and marriage issues countless times.

"I'm not fat, I'm pregnant."

Looking at her own protruding belly, Kurenai Yuhi corrected herself helplessly.

"You're pregnant! Whose child is it?"

Hongdou was surprised and even reached out to touch her friend's child. Her best friend was actually pregnant.

"We'll talk about that later."

Kurenai said seriously, "I came here this time to take you to Kumogakure. Konoha won't last long. It would be better to go to Kumogakure. At least you won't die. Shizune misses you very much. My father also wants Uncle Shishou to come over so he can have someone to talk to."

"Why isn't Shizune coming over?"

Hongdou glanced in the direction her best friend had come from and felt dissatisfied.

They never even come to see me, what a fake sister they are.

"She's about to give birth and it's inconvenient for her to move around."

Kurenai explained that Shizune was indeed about to give birth, and they would have to go back immediately after the Chunin Exams.

Even though I've had several children, it's still good to go back and spend time with them.

"Shizune has a child now."

Red Bean is another pleasant surprise; I really should go and check it out.

"I don't care where I go, but it's hard to say to Dad. Let me take you to my house for a visit, and you can talk to him."

After considering her best friend's invitation, Hongdou herself was fine with it, but she wasn't sure about her father's feelings.

"Okay, I'll try to persuade Uncle Zixiao."

When Yuhiko accepted the job, she wasn't entirely confident, but seeing her best friend's expression, she felt 100% certain.

I'm sure Uncle Zixiao has been quite anxious all these years.

"I'll take you there."

Hongdou got up, took her best friend's hand, and walked towards her home, chatting as they went.

When best friends meet, they always have so much to talk about.

Not long after, Hongdou brought Xi Ri Hong to her home, where they saw an old man fishing in a small pond.

"Dad, Honghong has come to visit you."

As soon as she pushed open the courtyard gate, Hongdou called out.

Mitarashi Shishou, who was fishing by the pond, did not react, as if she had not heard him.

"Dad, Honghong has come to see you!"

Hongdou stepped forward and called out in her father's ear.

"Who's here?"

Only then did Mitarashi Shishou hear this. She turned around and saw the person her daughter had brought back. After looking at her for a moment, she exclaimed in surprise, "Little Honghong!"

He was naturally familiar with his friend's daughter; she still vaguely resembled her former self, especially her red eyes and long, naturally curly hair.

"Uncle Zixiao!"

Kurenai stepped forward to bow, but at the same time noticed something was amiss.

Has Uncle Zixiao lost his hearing?

"Red Bean, go boil water and make tea. Little Red, come in and sit down."

The visit of the descendants of an old friend made Mitarashi Shishou very happy. While urging her daughter to boil water, she pulled Yuhi Kurenai towards the hall.

"My dad has a brain injury and some hearing problems, so you have to speak loudly to him. But he knows a little lip reading, so just speak slowly and he can understand you."

Hongdou gave a reminder, then went to the kitchen to boil water.

After sitting down, Kurenai Yuhi cast a genjutsu on Mitarai Shishou's eyes, creating a simple genjutsu space without even changing the surrounding environment.

"Uncle Zixiao, can you hear me now?"

Kurenai asked, now they were communicating directly using chakra.

"Illusion? Your illusion is far superior to Shinku's back then."

Mitarashi Shishou was surprised; she hadn't even reacted before falling under the illusion. Little Honghong had truly surpassed her teacher.

"Dad misses Uncle Zixiao very much over there. The main reason I came here this time is to take you and Hongdou to live in Yunyin Village."

The crimson sunset revealed its meaning.

"Shinku is still alive."

Mitarashi Shishou understood. He knew about his friend's attack and disappearance years ago, and even investigated it afterward, but the body was never found.

Considering that Kurenai Yuhi had been captured by Kumogakure, he guessed that his friend was probably still alive.

"I'll give up. I don't want to go through all that trouble anymore."

Shaking his head, Mitarashi Shishou knew his body very well. He didn't have many years left to live, mainly because he had suffered a severe head injury back then. He barely managed to survive, but he was practically useless now.

The main problem was damage to the brain, and even Orochimaru didn't have a good solution for it.

He didn't want to go through any more trouble, so he chose to retire and live a peaceful life at home.

Although this is not the Konoha of the past, I have lived here for more than ten years and have grown attached to it. I don't want to leave again.

"I can help Hongdou lose weight and find her a good husband."

Kurenai Yuhi has unleashed her trump card, which should be enough to kill Uncle Zixiao in one blow.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Mitarashi Shishou immediately changed her attitude.

"When are we leaving?"

His only worry was his daughter's situation. If those two issues could be resolved, he wouldn't mind making a little more effort.

"I'll return after the Chunin Exams in Konoha this time."

Kurenai smiled, knowing that this tactic would definitely convince them.

"Where have you been staying these past few days? A hotel?"

Mitarashi Shishou inquired with concern.

"I've arranged accommodations for the Uchiha clan."

"Why are you going to the Uchiha clan? You'll be staying at our house for the next few days, sharing a room with Anko. Look at that girl Anko, she's gotten so fat."

Mitarashi Shishou warmly invited Yuhi Kurenai to stay, as he was delighted by the arrival of this old friend, especially since she was his daughter's best friend.

His daughter hasn't made many friends in the village over the years, and she's become even more lonely after gaining weight. He really hopes that Xiao Honghong can comfort his daughter.

"Then I'll have to trouble Uncle Zixiao."

Kurenai Yuhi didn't refuse; she preferred staying with her best friend to staying with the Uchiha clan.

Leaving aside Kurenai's progress, on the other side, after settling Fugaku Uchiha into his accommodations, Tamura Hao took Kushina and Vanilla out for a stroll and went straight to the Hayate Team, who were training in a training ground.

Hayate Gekko was indeed a replacement for Kakashi Hatake, becoming the tutor for Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno.

Minato Namikaze wanted to stop him, but after thinking about it, he decided not to speak.

"The Tailed Beast Sealing Technique... You sealed the Nine-Tails inside them?"

Tamura Hao was quite surprised. He knew that Naruto Uzumaki had the Yang Nine-Tails sealed inside him, but he didn't expect that Sasuke Uchiha had the Yin Nine-Tails sealed inside him.

Was it the Sage of Six Paths who influenced him through chakra?

Or was it just the Great Toad Immortal's spirit coming back from the dead to fool us?

Or was it Minato Namikaze's own idea?

"I'm not suited to be friends with the Nine-Tails."

Minato Namikaze didn't explain much, but he felt somewhat conflicted.

He didn't know how to describe the feeling he had towards that child. He had initially hated him and even considered sending him to Orochimaru to be raised and cared for.

But in the end, he chose to stay, and Jiupin gradually adapted to and accepted the child's existence.

"dad!"

Naruto, who was engaged in a team battle, quickly noticed his father's arrival. He hurriedly stopped to greet him, but was then kicked away by Hayate Gekko. His body immediately curled up like a shrimp, and he turned green with pain.

After kicking Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno away one after the other, Hayate Gekko coldly gave a lecture.

"Being distracted in battle is a major taboo!"

"Minato-sensei!"

After finishing his lecture, Hayate Gekko nodded to Minato Namikaze in greeting, then turned his gaze to the other three. Especially when he saw a certain person, the suppressed hatred and killing intent in his heart surged uncontrollably.

"Fool!"

After glancing at Naruto Uzumaki, who was lying on the ground in pain, Sasuke Uchiha got up and looked at the three strangers with a puzzled expression.

"Kumakuya Village!"

Finally, his gaze fell on the headbands of the two women, his pupils contracted sharply, and he recognized them as the headbands of the Hidden Cloud Village depicted in the textbook.

How did people from Kumogakure end up in Konoha?

Despite his doubts, Sasuke Uchiha remained unperturbed because of Minato Namikaze's presence.

"Headbands from Kumogakure, you're from Kumogakure, why have you come to Konoha?"

Sakura Haruno straightened her dislocated left arm and helped Naruto Uzumaki, who was clutching his stomach, to his feet. She looked at the three strangers with a puzzled expression.

She had little impression of the ninjas from other villages, and this was the first time she had ever seen a real headband from another village; she had only ever seen them in school textbooks before.

"Is it because of the Chunin Exams?"

Sasuke Uchiha had a guess: the only major event in the village right now was the Chunin Exams.

"Yes, our Hidden Cloud Village has applied to participate in your Leaf Village's Chunin Exams."

Tamura Hiroshi nodded, then carefully examined Haruto.

He was somewhat aloof, but not indifferent. Perhaps because he hadn't experienced the pain of his clan's annihilation, he seemed fairly normal.

Naruto Uzumaki isn't as idiotic and impulsive as he is in the anime. After all, he's not an orphan anymore. With Minato Namikaze teaching him, even if he's a bit slow, he can still become a qualified ninja.

Sakura Haruno was also different from what I remembered; she didn't seem to have that kind of aversion to Naruto Uzumaki.

That's true. Naruto Uzumaki isn't the kind of child who lacks love now, nor is he a troublemaker who wants to attract attention, so he's not annoying.

If it were really like the one in the original work, any girl would feel terrified if she were to encounter it.

The Naruto Uzumaki in the original work is really a problem. He went to the women's bathhouse to gather material at a young age and even created the forbidden technique of Sexy Jutsu. He also has many other abnormalities in common sense.

That kid is the main character; if it were any other supporting character, they would have been blacklisted by the audience long ago.

In reality, a child who behaves like that would be universally disliked.

Of course, this can't be blamed on Naruto Uzumaki. After all, he was an orphan with no one to raise him, and he was also influenced and rejected by rumors. It's already good that he didn't turn to the dark side.

The current version is much more normal.

"You're ninjas from Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village). Aren't all people from Kumogakure either dark-skinned or fair-skinned?"

After the pain in his stomach subsided, Naruto was quite surprised. This was the first time he had ever seen a ninja from another village; he had only ever seen them in books before.

"I'm not tanned anymore. I used to live in a high-altitude area where the sun was too strong, which tanned me. Later, we renovated the village to reduce the sun exposure, so at most I have a bronze skin."

Also, you should call me uncle.

Tamura Hiroshi maintained his signature gentle smile.

"Minato-kun, is this really your and Kyu-han's child?"

Kushina Uzumaki couldn't help but ask, wondering how the red-haired Kyuumei and the blond-haired Minato Namikaze could have a child with black hair.

"Yes."

Minato Namikaze's eye twitched slightly; he could only grit his teeth and accept it.

Are you my parents' friends?

Naruto Uzumaki realized something; these three must be very familiar with his parents.

"Your father and I are rivals but also friends, and my wife and your mother are sisters from the same clan."

Tamura Hao reached out and ruffled the boy's short hair. Although the hair color had changed, it still felt nice to the touch.

Naruto's black hair reminded him of Menma Uzumaki from the limited Tsukuyomi movie, who was corrupted by the virus.

"It looks just like Mom's hair!"

Naruto then noticed that the two people had red hair, just like his mother.

"You're a bit slow on the uptake, kid."

Kushina Uzumaki glanced at Minato Namikaze again and felt more and more that the two didn't look like father and son at all; they seemed so different.

"Naruto is still very good."

Minato Namikaze was somewhat embarrassed. He was quite troubled by his son. He had excellent physical aptitude and could adapt well to the Nine-Tails' chakra, but his intelligence was lacking.

"She is quite excellent."

Tamura Hao agreed, and understood that this was due to the influence of Ashura. Both Ashura and Hashirama Senju were cute and silly when they were young, and only became strong later on.

Of course, diligent training only accounts for a small part; the key factors are bloodline and chakra.

This is a world that values ​​lineage!

"Silver Flash!"

Sakura Haruno seemed to have thought of something, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, even taking a step back in shock.

She remembered that this person was the Silver Flash of Kumogakure, a powerful ninja on par with Naruto's father, and one of the strongest ninjas in the world today.

This guy actually came to Konoha. Could it be that the Fifth Shinobi World War is about to begin?

"It's him!"

Uchiha Sasuke also realized what was happening and, recalling the photo in his textbook, it did indeed match.

However, the other party looked too young, only about twenty years old. According to the records, the Silver Flash was the same age as Naruto's father, and was already thirty-six years old this year.

It was precisely this age difference that prevented him from making the connection immediately.

"These children are all quite outstanding. Minato-kun, please consider my previous suggestion and let them go to our Hidden Cloud Village for an exchange and learning experience. They will definitely grow even higher in the future."

Tamura Hao looked at Namikaze Minato. These three were much better than they were at the same stage in the original work. Judging from the battle just now, Uchiha Sasuke had already possessed the combat power of a Jonin, and he also used Chidori quite well.

Naruto Uzumaki is a little weaker, but he has better stamina.

Sakura is at the Chunin level, but her potential hasn't been fully realized yet.

"That depends on the village's decision."

Minato Namikaze did not agree, but he did disagree with Naruto and Sasuke going to Kumogakure. After all, the two were the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the future of the village. If they went to Kumogakure, they might be detained or even have the Nine-Tails extracted.

He wouldn't let his son and disciples take any risks.

"Go to Kumogakure for an exchange and learning experience?"

Sasuke Uchiha was puzzled; why would anyone make such a suggestion?

"Why should we go to your Hidden Cloud Village to learn? Our Hidden Leaf Village is the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages. Shouldn't you be the ones coming to our Hidden Leaf Village to learn?"

Naruto was puzzled. According to his teachers at the academy, Konoha was the strongest of the five great ninja villages. In the previous three Shinobi World Wars, they had been besieged by the four great ninja villages because the four great ninja villages were afraid of their strength.

They are already the strongest and most outstanding, so why do they need to go to other ninja villages to learn?

There's no reason for the strong to learn from the weak.

"That was before. Things have changed. Our Hidden Cloud Village has surpassed your Hidden Leaf Village, especially in terms of teaching."

Your Konoha has been resting on its laurels, while we are constantly exploring and innovating.

You'll see how that is when you compete against our village's juniors in the Chunin Exams.

Tamura Hiroshi explained with a smile, while Namikaze Minato, standing beside him, pursed his lips and remained silent. (End of Chapter)