Naruto: Starting from Eating the Gold Fruit

Chapter 203 Are the Hokage we're talking about the same Hokage?

I thought that was the end of the contact between the two teams.

However, to Fugaku Uchiha's surprise, they encountered each other again later.

Since it's an investigation, Fugaku Uchiha can't stay put.

However, as he led the children deeper into the desert, he saw Yamato and three children lighting a campfire to prepare for a meal amidst the ruins of broken walls.

Before Yamato could react, a blond-haired child jumped up, waving his hands and shouting excitedly:

"Uncle! Over here! Come eat with us!"

Fugaku Uchiha glanced at the lizard stuck in the fire, thought about the dry rations in his backpack, and decisively led the children over there.

"Naruto! Stop it! This is so embarrassing!" The short-haired girl covered her face and tugged at the blond kid's sleeve.

So this kid's name is Naruto?

Fugaku Uchiha walked over calmly and nodded slightly to Yamato: "Thank you very much for your hospitality."

To be fair, Fugaku Uchiha's morality is actually quite flexible. Like now, once he said that, Yamato couldn't possibly refuse their free meal.

Minato Namikaze and Yoshino Nara also quickly bowed to express their gratitude.

Only Kushina walked straight over to Naruto.

Naruto looked at Kushina, who was half a head shorter than him, with some confusion.

"What's your name?" Kushina asked Naruto, arms crossed.

Naruto paused, then grinned, put his hands on his hips, raised one hand to adjust his headband, and looked at Kushina with a serious expression, saying, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto! I'm the man who will become Hokage!"

Kushina frowned as the Nine-Tails inside her began laughing and rolling around inside her again.

She had a strange feeling when they met briefly before, but it wasn't really clear at the time.

She thought that her special feelings for this child—actually, Kushina was a few years younger than Naruto—were because the other person also had the Nine-Tails inside him, which was why she had that special connection.

But now it seems...

It's because of the other person.

"Kushina," Minato Namikaze suddenly called out.

Kushina turned to look at the other person.

Minato Namikaze spoke gently, "They invited us to dinner, so we should express our gratitude."

Kushina pursed her lips, turned to Yamato, and bowed slightly: "Thank you for your hospitality."

For some reason, Yamato felt a sense of being flattered.

Shaking his head, Yamato gestured for the Fugaku squad to sit down, and sat opposite them.

While waiting for the roasted lizard meat, Yamato chatted with Fugaku Uchiha.

They had exchanged names before, but the name Uchiha Fugaku reminded Yamato of someone.

The Uchiha clan leader who died on the night of the Uchiha massacre... seems to have had this name as well?

And if I really had to say...

The Uchiha clan... there should only be Sasuke Uchiha and his brother still alive...

Is this Uchiha... the Uchiha he was thinking of? Or...?

"Mr. Fugaku...do you live in Konoha?" Yamato asked casually.

Fugaku Uchiha found it strange. Where else would the Uchiha clan live if not in Konoha? Even if they didn't have a high status in the village, the Uchiha clan was still one of the founding families of the village.

However, there's no need to directly rebuke the other party for being rude, since the Uchiha clan has never communicated with other people in the village. Isn't the reason why the Uchiha clan has such questions precisely because they don't communicate enough with other people in the village?

Thinking this, Fugaku Uchiha nodded.

"Oh, that's really... peculiar." Yamato thought for a moment, then couldn't help but ask Fugaku Uchiha, "Were you outside the village before, and only recently returned?"

Fugaku Uchiha frowned, and just as he was about to reply, he saw Kushina open her backpack and hand Naruto a cup of instant noodles...

"My God! You actually carry cup noodles with you all the time?!"

The brat named Naruto started yelling and shouting.

Fugaku Uchiha's face darkened. He looked at Kushina and said seriously, "You know there's enough space in the cup noodles to hold three bags of military rations, right?"

Kushina's heart skipped a beat. She coughed and said, "I've brought the minimum amount."

Minato Namikaze looked awkwardly at Fugaku Uchiha: "Sensei, I've brought enough. If it's really necessary, I can share some with Kushina."

Fugaku Uchiha shook his head, then looked at Minato Namikaze and said earnestly, "Minato, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but... sometimes some things are too early to say..."

Actually, it's not good.

Minato Namikaze looked completely bewildered, while Kushina blushed and began to fidget.

Yamato, standing to the side, felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

This water gate...

Is it the Watergate he's been dreaming of?!

Could it be...?

Yamato's face gradually turned terrified.

At that moment, the pale-skinned boy who had been silent all along spoke up to Yamato, "Yamato-sensei, what's wrong?"

Yamato realized what was happening, and then he glanced discreetly to the other side, where he saw Uchiha Fugaku disciplining the blond brat named Minato. He swallowed hard and forced himself to remain calm as he said, "It's nothing."

In reality, he was already extremely panicked.

Because he noticed a problem.

Uchiha Fugaku, Namikaze Minato, and that red-haired guy over there... isn't that the symbol of the Uzumaki clan?

And her name is Kushina...

She's the Fourth Hokage's wife!

These are not the problem; the key issue is...

These people are all dead!

Could I have... brought Naruto and the others to the underworld?!

Yamato was internally screaming, his usually expressionless face now covered in cold sweat. If it weren't for the face shield he was wearing, his abnormality would have been noticed long ago.

Fortunately, he usually behaves rather stiffly, so no one would look at his expressions unnecessarily.

Therefore, no one noticed him, and during this time, he had already adjusted his facial expression.

After mastering his facial expressions, Fugaku Uchiha finished teaching Minato Namikaze and Kushina a lesson.

Then he turned to Yamato apologetically: "Sorry, these two kids are indeed a bit too lively."

Yamato quickly waved his hand: "It's okay, it's okay, it's good to be lively."

Then, without making a sound, he moved away from Fugaku Uchiha and sat down next to Sai.

Naruto, who had happily accepted the instant noodles, suddenly turned into a bitter-faced figure.

Because he only noticed it at that moment...

There is no water.

Strictly speaking, Sai's Super Beast Imitation Drawing ninjutsu should be considered a type of Water Release... right? After all, it requires ink.

but……

Ink can't be used to make instant noodles...

Naruto pouted.

Kushina noticed this and was about to rummage through her backpack when Yoshino Nara stopped her.

Kushina then realized that while instant noodles and dry rations were valuable in the desert, they were nothing compared to water.

Although they brought their pets with them, it was clear that this desert space hadn't even been explored yet, so they couldn't waste it.

Besides, the other party might have had water, it's just that using water to make instant noodles...

That's still a bit too extravagant.

Kushina stopped what she was doing, feeling a little strange herself.

Why did I just prepare to give the other person water?

This is only the second time we've met; we can't even say we're familiar with each other...

Why do I always feel like I should give the other person more...?

All attention was focused on the other person...

Kushina shook her head; things couldn't continue like this.

This is her first B-level mission.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Fugaku Uchiha had already discussed the ancient ruins of Loulan with Yamato.

After learning that the ancient Loulan Kingdom had once been a very developed and wealthy country, Fugaku Uchiha became interested.

Yamato indeed had no intention of hiding anything; the village library had information about the ancient Loulan Kingdom.

However, rather than information, it should probably be called a "story".

The story tells of the once rich and beautiful ancient Loulan Kingdom. One day, their minister rebelled and destroyed the dragon vein. After the rebellion was quelled, the minister was killed, and the queen led the villagers away from the Loulan ruins to live elsewhere. The ruins of the ancient Loulan Kingdom were left behind...

After listening, Fugaku Uchiha asked with some doubt, "The Ancient Loulan Kingdom? I've never heard of that country... How ancient is it?"

Yamato thought for a moment and said, "It seems to be a country from about twenty years ago."

Fugaku was speechless: "You dare call it ancient after only twenty years?"

Yamato smiled and waved his hand: "Twenty years is neither a long nor a short time. Many families in this world don't even last that long..."

Yamato abruptly stopped speaking. Twenty years... The Uchiha clan still existed twenty years ago... They were wiped out in the last ten years...

Will it provoke the other person?

Fugaku Uchiha, however, didn't notice and nodded at Yamato's words: "Indeed, twenty years... is enough to change a lot of things."

As he spoke, Fugaku Uchiha sighed, "If twenty years ago, we had followed the current Hokage and contributed to the development of Konoha..."

Fugaku Uchiha was referring to the fact that if the Uchiha clan in Konoha and Kumogakure had fully supported Yua's policies twenty years ago, the Uchiha clan would definitely not be in this situation now.

However, if the Uchiha clan had this kind of brain, they wouldn't be the Uchiha clan.

At that time, Yuya will definitely suspect that there is another transmigrator like himself in the Uchiha clan.

Yamato was puzzled.

Twenty years ago?

Hmm... It seems like twenty years ago... right after the Second Shinobi World War ended, during the time when Lady Tsunade left the village in despair...

Ah, yes, if the Uchiha clan had left the village with Lady Tsunade back then, this tragedy certainly wouldn't have happened.

but……

"Are all these people following the Hokage really alright?"

Fugaku Uchiha was taken aback, then looked at the other person with a puzzled expression: "Many people? How is that possible? Even now, Konoha Village is still in a state of extreme manpower shortage. The Hokage has complained to me countless times, and even said that if possible, he would like Tsunade, the director of Konoha's First Hospital, to encourage everyone to have more children in her capacity as the hospital's director."

As he spoke, Fugaku Uchiha shook his head: "A family's standard of living drops significantly with two children. If there's another one... I can understand this problem, so there's no reason why the Hokage shouldn't be able to figure it out."

Yua knew what Fugaku Uchiha was talking about, but what Yua knew even more was that if the population increased, Konoha would definitely rise by at least two levels in twenty years.

While the term "demographic dividend" may have a history of bloodshed and tears, for a country and its overall power, rulers would not give up such an opportunity if given the chance.

Yamato nodded dismissively: "Yes, yes, Konoha's birth rate has never been very high, and Lady Tsunade is actually quite troubled by it..."

Wait, the hospital director?!

When did Lady Tsunade ever become a hospital director?!

Yamato's heart skipped a beat. How could he not know the life story of the current Fifth Hokage, Tsunade?

He was a triumphant youth, then his younger brother died, the war started and he lost his boyfriend, he earned the title of one of the Three Legendary Sannin, but Orochimaru defected and Jiraiya left the village. Heartbroken, he gave up and left the village to start gambling, and now every now and then, fearless gamblers send debt collection letters to Konoha...

With such an extensive resume, where is there any gap in his ability to serve as a hospital director?

However, thinking of the Fifth Hokage's medical skills, Yamato nodded to himself, a fact that all the villagers of Konoha trusted.

But the problem is...

Yamato raised his head and carefully took another step away from Fugaku Uchiha. He coughed and asked casually, "Hospital director? Hmm... I didn't know about that, but I do know that the director of Konoha Academy is Lord Tobirama Senju, and that Lord Tobirama Senju changed Konoha Academy into the Ninja Academy..."

Fugaku Uchiha looked at Yamato speechlessly: "Even people outside of Konoha know this..."

Ultimately, you accepted the Hokage's orders to assist the Sand Village ninjas in hunting down rogue ninjas...

Where are the people from Sunagakure?

Yamato no longer wanted to think about these things.

Because he suddenly realized a problem...

That's the Hokage they were talking about...

It seems they are not the same person!

Otherwise, Fugaku Uchiha would have had no reason to address the Hokage and Tsunade separately!

Then, considering that Fugaku Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki are all dead, and that girl over there hasn't said much, her name seems to be Yoshino Kira.

But he's definitely dead!

Yamato was certain at this moment...

He arrived in the underworld!

And in the underworld... there is another Konoha Village!

Although he was panicking inside, Yamato remained outwardly calm and collected. He smiled at Fugaku Uchiha and said, "We've already made contact with the people from Sunagakure. The newly appointed Kazekage has entrusted us with the entire operation to hunt down the Centipede. We are currently searching for them with all our might."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded, then suddenly looked at the lizard on the fire in front of him, sighed, and said, "What a pity, it was almost cooked..."

Just as Yamato was about to ask a question, Fugaku Uchiha's eyes suddenly widened, his blood-red Sharingan appeared, and at the same time, the three kunai that appeared in his hand shot behind him.

The kunai was attached with explosive tags, and it exploded the moment it touched the desert.

The explosion startled Naruto, but what startled him even more was...

He saw the blood-red three-tomoe gem in the eyes of the middle-aged man who had been chatting with Yamato-sensei...

Without even thinking, Naruto looked at Fugaku Uchiha in surprise and exclaimed:

"Weren't only Sasuke and his brother the only survivors of the Uchiha clan?!"

Upon hearing the key phrase, Fugaku Uchiha turned to look at Naruto, his brow furrowing. "What did you say?!"

Just as Naruto was about to speak again, a series of whooshing sounds suddenly appeared, and dozens of puppets suddenly materialized in the air.

Standing at the very front was Naruto and his group's target for this mission: the rogue ninja Centipede.

Centipede grinned maliciously: "You actually managed to catch up..."

But it's alright, I'm the strongest puppeteer, let me show you my favorite!

"Boom boom boom"

The earth shook violently, and a massive figure suddenly appeared from beneath the desert.

Yamato, Naruto, and the other two stared wide-eyed at the enormous puppet that was over ten meters tall in front of them.

Centipede burst into wild laughter.

Then he looked at the eight people in front of him and sneered, "Konoha only dared to send two squads to chase me? You will pay the price. Leave all of you here!"

The centipede stretched out its hands, and the giant puppet lunged at the group, its arms outstretched, its lower abdomen covered in blades...

Naruto was so terrified he was practically screaming, while Minato Namikaze looked at Fugaku Uchiha and cried out, "Sensei!"

Fugaku Uchiha threw off his desert windbreaker, which he had been using to shield himself from the sun, revealing the Uchiha fan pattern on his back.

"Back off!"

"Yes!" X3

A giant puppet appeared above them, about to smash them into the ground with a single blow. Fugaku Uchiha immediately closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and slammed them down heavily.

A massive amount of chakra suddenly enveloped his body.

Centipede laughed loudly, "Muda muda! This is my strongest super puppet! You Konoha ninjas can't possibly..."

With a "clang," Fugaku Uchiha opened his eyes:

Susanoo!

"boom"

The immense chakra suddenly coalesced into a gigantic samurai phantom.

Although this one is only about 30 meters tall and half the size of the one used by Setsuna Uchiha, it is still equivalent to two of these giant puppets.

Centipede was completely dumbfounded. What was this?

The Blue Giant?

Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha had already conjured a chakra blade in his hand using Susanoo, and slashed at it...

Naruto, Yamato, Sakura, and Sai stared in utter shock...

The giant, centipede-like puppet was sliced ​​in two with a single stroke...

And centipedes...

I'm completely terrified...

Just as Fugaku Uchiha was about to continue his attack, he suddenly sensed something unusual.

Turning my head, I saw the space around me...

It's already cracking!

"Let's go! Get the scroll!" Fugaku Uchiha made a quick decision.

Minato Namikaze and Yoshino Nara immediately took out their scrolls, magnets appeared, and their bodies were sucked into the suddenly appearing spatial rift.

As for Kushina, she originally intended to leave immediately, but for some inexplicable reason, she looked at Naruto...

"Kushina! What are you waiting for?!"

As the space collapsed, the ground began to tremble.

Kushina pointed at Naruto and the others, who looked terrified: "What do we do with them?!"

Fugaku gritted his teeth, activated Susanoo again, and grabbed the four Yamato people.

"Let's go together!"

Kushina no longer hesitated and opened the scroll.

Suddenly enveloped in light, Kushina lost her sight, and when she reappeared, she was in mid-air before crashing directly onto Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze cried out in pain, and Kushina quickly jumped down, looking at him with concern: "Minato, are you alright?"

Minato Namikaze clutched his waist, about to say he was fine, when he heard a scream of "Ahhhhh!" Luckily, he dodged in time, and the blond hair falling from the sky didn't hit him.

Then, after a few thumps, Yamato, Sai, and Sakura arrived one after another.

Naruto, rubbing his head, looked around and asked, "Where am I...? Why is there so much equipment? Where am I?"

Fugaku Uchiha landed smoothly, letting out a sigh of relief. He then looked at Naruto, walked over, and grabbed Naruto by the collar: "Kid, what did you mean by what you just said?"

Naruto was taken aback: "What? What did you say?"

Fugaku Uchiha's forehead veins bulged. He had heard it very clearly; this brat had said that the only people who had died in the Uchiha clan were Josuke and his brother.

Just as I was about to ask more questions, a figure emerged from the shadows.

Orochimaru clasped his hands in front of him and looked at the group with displeasure: "You went out to investigate for a week, and not only did you not send any messages back, but you also brought back outsiders."

Who are these people? Are they from that other dimension?

A deep, hoarse voice rang out, and Yamato, Naruto, and the others looked in surprise toward the direction of the voice, then immediately assumed a defensive stance.

Orochimaru?!

……

Konoha Village:

"Achoo!" Youya touched his nose, somewhat puzzled. He didn't have any signs of a cold. What was wrong?

Hmm... Could someone be talking about me behind my back?

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Youya looked helplessly at the latest submitted request and muttered with dissatisfaction, "Where am I supposed to find so many people for you? I'm not a god!"

All he ever does is demand people... You guys are really capable of making robots! Damn it!

Go find it yourself!

Frustrated, You Ya rejected the proposal and leaned back in his chair, turning to face the office window.

in case……

I wish there were more people...

Ugh……

(End of this chapter)