I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

Otherwise, given his mediocre research abilities, he might not have been able to develop a spell seal technique that could adapt to the dragon vein.

Besides keeping an eye on the situation inside Uzushio Village, Naruto is also keeping an eye on Nagato's Amegakure Village and Konoha Village, which is located in the heart of the ninja world.

After traversing a parallel universe, Nagato seems to have completely abandoned his plan to collect the Tailed Beasts.

They began to emulate the reforms of Uzushio Village, vigorously developing the economy while also extending their influence to the surrounding small countries. This transformed the Akatsuki organization, originally intended for collecting tailed beasts, into a powerful tool for Amegakure's external expansion.

Overall, Amegakure and the surrounding countries maintained a stable situation, with only occasional frictions on the border and even small-scale battles with Iwagakure.

As for Konoha Village, Naruto focused his attention on the Konoha Twelve and their instructors.

They are the true protagonists of this era, and their every move can influence the entire ninja world. However, the one among the twelve Konoha 12 has been replaced by Sai.

Unlike in the main story, Kakashi's class did not choose the Land of Waves for their first mission. Instead, they randomly chose an unknown small country. Ostensibly, they were carrying out a mission, but in reality, they were exerting influence over Konoha.

During this process, Kakashi also encountered a ninja named Shennong.

The rogue ninja named Shennong is a remnant of the Sky Village. He has mastered the technology to create the Zero-Tailed Beast and also owns a space battleship powered by chakra.

If Kakashi hadn't learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, he probably would have lost his reputation for being evenly matched.

The spaceship eventually stopped at the Wochao Village base because of his intervention, serving as a means of transportation for the Wochao Village rapid reaction force.

Of course, the most important gain was the reward from the Uzushio Village ninjas for their recognition of him.

Although the rewards weren't particularly generous, they were still quite astonishing when added together, allowing him to master almost all the basic ninjutsu in the ninja world, making him more like a ninjutsu professor than a ninjutsu professor himself.

Sitting on the roof of the Uzumaki Shrine, Naruto silently looked down at the entire Uzumaki Village.

Just then, Uchiha Shisui arrived with Uchiha Izumi. Shisui is now one of the advisors of Uzushio Village, while Uchiha Izumi has become a powerful elite Jonin after coming of age.

Seeing them approaching, Naruto jumped off the roof: "What happened in the border region?"

Shisui nodded and then handed an invitation to Naruto: "Lord Menma, this is a letter from the Konoha ninja. Please take a look."

Naruto opened the letter and a playful smile appeared on his face. He said, "Shisui, the Fifth Hokage has invited us to participate in the Chunin Exams organized by Konoha."

Shisui and Izumi were stunned for a moment, their expressions turning somewhat strange.

Uzushio Village was theoretically founded by Konoha rogue ninja, yet Jiraiya actually invited them to participate in the Chunin Exams. Wasn't he worried that the news that Uzushio Village was hiding Konoha rogue ninja would be leaked?

Moreover, although Danzo, who targeted the Uchiha clan, is dead, the clan members still harbor resentment towards Konoha. The fact that they did not retaliate against Konoha is already a result of their efforts to restrain themselves.

However, Shizumi and Izumi still felt a certain longing to revisit their old haunts.

But ultimately, the decision rests with Naruto; only Naruto can decide whether or not to participate in the Chunin Exams.

Chapter 220 Return to Konoha

After a moment's thought, Naruto did not refuse Konoha's invitation and decided to participate in the Chunin Exams.

The Chunin Exams, rather than being exams for Genin to advance to Chunin, are actually a disguised military competition, showcasing the strength of the new generation of ninjas to dignitaries from various countries and promoting the future potential of the ninja villages.

Naruto had no reason not to attend such a grand event; he had always hoped to return to Konoha one day.

After hearing Naruto's decision, Shisui pondered for a moment and then said, "Lord Menma, are you planning to personally lead the team to the Chunin Exams, or will you appoint other Jonin to go to Konoha?"

Naruto glanced at Shisui, then chuckled and said, "I'll entrust the task of participating in the Chunin Exams to you this time. You probably want to go back to Konoha, right? As for the other genin participating in the Chunin Exams, I'll make arrangements in advance."

"Yes." Shisui's feelings were somewhat complicated, but he still accepted the order.

Participating in the Chunin Exams held by Konoha was no small matter for Uzushio Village. The Uchiha clan, who lived in Uzushio Village, also knew about it and had a discussion about it within the clan.

Mikoto Uchiha even prepared a gift and asked Shisui to find a way to give it to Sasuke.

Shisui naturally did not delay. Itachi was a member of the clan, but Sasuke was not. In some ways, Sasuke had suffered more harm than the Uchiha who had settled in Uzushio Village. Hopefully, Sasuke was not blinded by hatred.

The next morning, Shisui was stunned when he arrived at the port of the Land of Whirlpools.

He was in charge of leading three genin from Uzushio Village in the competition. Karin and Haku were one thing, although their strength was close to that of jonin, they had not yet been granted permission to become chunin. But the ninja wearing the mask was obviously their leader.

Is it really necessary for the leader of a village to disguise himself as a genin to participate in the Chunin Exams?

Naruto saw through Shisui's thoughts and stepped forward, saying, "Shisui-senpai, I am a genuine genin. I have never participated in the Chunin Exams, nor do I have a jonin qualification certificate."

Shisui remained silent. Naruto was indeed not a Jonin or Chunin, and no one could issue him a certificate.

However, if Menma, the leader, participates in the Chunin Exams in disguise, this exam will probably be more exciting than any he has ever experienced. Without the strength of a Jonin, one may not be able to qualify to become a Chunin.

Naruto was also looking forward to the Chunin Exams.

Under Konoha's relentless exploitation and depletion of resources, Sunagakure's finances were already on the verge of collapse.

Regardless of whether Orochimaru intercepts the Fourth Kazekage on the way, Sunagakure will launch the Konoha Collapse Plan, risking big for the country's future with a small investment. If they win, they'll make a fortune; if they lose, they'll become a vassal state of Konoha. Either way, they won't lose money.

As they boarded the ship at the port, Karin pointed at Naruto's retreating figure and asked Haku with some curiosity, "Haku, do you know who he is?"

Bai gently shook her head: "I don't know him. He's probably a ninja secretly trained by Lord Menma. He seems to have a good relationship with Lord Shisui."

Karin smiled. She knew more than Haku, but if she pretended to be stupid, she could get close to Menma-sama.

The thought of Menma-sama's figure always made her blush. In addition, Menma-sama was about the same age as her, so there might be a chance for them in the future.

Shisui looked at his three subordinates with a complicated expression; none of them gave him any peace of mind.

This mission to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams is destined to be anything but easy; it will be a long and arduous ordeal.

……

The journey to Konoha was exceptionally smooth, taking only a few days to reach the village. There were no ninjas blocking the way, and even bandits were rarely seen.

It seems that Jiraiya and Tsunade's reforms over the past two years have had some effect.

Without bandits and wandering ninjas, do the nobles of the Land of Fire still need the protection of ninja villages?

Naruto shook his head, then stepped through the gates of Konoha and looked at the incredibly conspicuous Shadow Rock in the distance. Jiraiya's statue on it always gave him a feeling of temporal dislocation.

However, this was precisely his masterpiece, which enabled Jiraiya to defy the Third Hokage and become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

Upon entering Konoha and looking at the familiar streets around him, countless memories flooded Naruto's mind.

He still recognized the villagers around him, but they had clearly forgotten what he looked like. A wicked little boy wasn't worth remembering unless he was a hero of Konoha.

Shisui, now wearing a mask, was also somewhat emotional. After being away for six long years, he had finally returned to Konoha.

Although he was a ninja from Uzushio Village, his focus was on the security forces. These security personnel were still ostracized by the villagers, who secretly cursed them.

This is enough to prove that one of the main reasons why the Uchiha clan is viewed with hostility is the security forces.

However, the Konoha leadership didn't explain these things to the villagers. Instead, they deliberately misled them, making them increasingly hostile towards the Uchiha clan. Under these circumstances, the clan conceived the idea of ​​launching a coup.

In contrast, Shiro and Karin, the two little ones, were much more enthusiastic, giving off the vibe of country ninjas visiting the city.

But soon Haku and Karin noticed something was wrong. Although Konoha was more prosperous than Uzushio Village, the villagers there harbored a resentment that could erupt at any moment.

At this moment, Shisui looked into the distance, and Naruto and the others also looked over.

As they strolled through the streets of Konoha, the other teams from various villages participating in the Chunin Exams gradually appeared on the streets, with the largest number coming from Konoha and Sunagakure.

The Sand Village's leader, a Jonin named Maki, is a highly skilled elite Jonin.

However, Gaara, who was following behind Maki, caught Shisui's attention. The child had the aura of a tailed beast. The Sand Village had actually sent a Jinchuriki to participate in the Chunin Exams. Did they really intend to do something?

At this moment, Karin seemed to sense something, pointed to the Sound Ninja in the distance, and whispered, "Shisui-sama, Men...senpai, that person's chakra is very strange."

Looking in the direction Karin pointed, Naruto saw Orochimaru disguised as a woman.

Naruto wasn't surprised by Orochimaru's disguise. Orochimaru wouldn't dare to attack the Uchiha clan of Uzushio Village, but he might not be so sure about Sasuke. He had come for Sasuke's body.

However, neither Gaara nor Orochimaru could pique Naruto's interest.

What truly interested him were those few ninjas from Amegakure. Although they weren't disguised, their lack of ambition during a major event like the Chunin Exams meant they harbored even greater ambitions.

Nagato might be easy to deal with, but Black Zetsu and Obito definitely aren't; they're sure to cause trouble.

But this will make the Chunin Exams even more interesting.

Chapter 221 Sasuke is still the same Sasuke

Noticing Naruto's gaze, Orochimaru turned around and looked over.

Upon seeing Naruto and Shisui, who were concealing their identities, Orochimaru subconsciously frowned, then looked away and led his Sound Ninja subordinates toward the inn.

He wasn't surprised that Uzushio Village sent people to participate in the Chunin Exams.

However, the fact that the Jonin leading the team was Uchiha Shisui makes one wonder about the Uzushiogakure's intentions, which might affect his plans this time.

Seemingly sensing something, Kimimaro whispered, "Lord Orochimaru, those ninjas are watching you. Should I go and finish them off?"

Orochimaru glanced at his 'adopted son' Kimimaro, shook his head and said, "Remember what those people look like. Never mess with the ninjas of Uzushio Village. They are ninjas that even I can't afford to offend."

Kimimaro looked astonished. What kind of monster was this ninja that even Orochimaru dared not provoke?

It should be noted that not long ago, he and Lord Orochimaru joined forces to kill the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, who was the leader of Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

Orochimaru had no interest in explaining further and turned his gaze toward the direction of the Hokage Building.

So many years have passed, and even that foolish Jiraiya has become Hokage. How could he, as a close friend and a rogue ninja, not send Konoha a big gift?

However, the existence of the vortex ninjas added many variables to his plans.

……

After revisiting the old haunts, Naruto took Shisui to Ichiraku Ramen and ordered four bowls of ramen.

It's the same familiar recipe, the same familiar taste, only the once young, hand-typed uncle has grown old, and the iris has become a graceful, mature woman.

While eating ramen, I reminisced about the past.

The middle-aged man suddenly poked his head out and asked with some confusion, "The guest's voice sounds familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"

"No, this is my first time coming to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams."

The middle-aged man scratched his head: "Maybe I remembered wrong, but the dishes you ordered are so familiar, it's like you lived in Konoha for a while, and the guy leading the team there looks familiar too."

Shisui ignored Teuchi, but Naruto responded, "Maybe we lived in Konoha in our past lives. It's all fate."

"What the customer said makes sense." The middle-aged man with his hands pulled his head back and went back to his work.

After finishing her ramen, Karin asked in a low voice, "Did you stay in Uzushio Village for a while, Master Menma? You seem to know this place very well."

“I…” Naruto smiled and then said, “How did you guess my identity? But I do have some connection with Konoha. This is where I grew up, and it is also where my past is buried.”

Karin stuck out her tongue and didn't ask any more questions. Naruto's past must be similar to hers.