Traveling through Naruto, I am Uchiha Obito?

He put away the forbidden scroll and then said to Karin behind him:

"Let's go, I'll take you to a safe place."

Karin looked at the Rubik's Cube, and the fear in her heart subsided a little. She mustered her courage and nodded gently.

Rubik's Cube, holding Karin's hand, ignored Jiraiya, who was still muttering beside him, "Damn it... why have I only been able to..." "Good disciple, why don't you teach your master..." Jiraiya nodded slightly to the Third Hokage and then turned and left the Hokage's office.

Watching the Rubik's Cube leave with Karin, and the scroll in his hand, the Third Hokage took a deep drag of his cigarette, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

……

Momonogi's House

Momono was sitting at a small table by the window reading a book. The morning sunlight shone through the window and fell on her, making her look peaceful and beautiful.

Hearing the door open, Momono looked up, her clear eyes first falling on the Rubik's Cube, then curiously turning to the unfamiliar red-haired girl with glasses behind her.

When Momono saw Karin clutching the Rubik's Cube tightly, her body trembling slightly, looking terrified and pitiful, Momono's eyes instantly filled with great confusion.

She put down her book, stood up, crossed her arms, and glanced back and forth between the Rubik's Cube and Karin a few times. Then, she parted her pink lips slightly and said in a tone that was both subtly teasing and somewhat incredulous:

"While I don't mind if you find someone else outside... isn't this a bit too fast? Just last night... and you're already bringing a new one home this morning?"

rubik's cube:"……"

"Boom!"

The Rubik's Cube unceremoniously extended its finger and flicked Momono's smooth forehead with a light touch.

"What are you thinking about!"

Momono rubbed her forehead where she had been flicked, pouted, but wasn't angry. However, her beautiful eyes still looked at Karin with a questioning gaze.

Rubik's Cube sighed, pulled Karin to sit down in the living room, and succinctly recounted his encounter with Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, how he rescued Karin, and Karin's identity as a member of the Uzumaki clan and how Orochimaru had targeted her.

"...So, she has nowhere to go now, and it's very dangerous. The Third Hokage has agreed to let her stay in Konoha, but she needs a safe place to stay for the time being."

The Rubik's Cube looked at Momonogi.

“She may have to stay here for a while. I came to ask for your opinion.”

Momono listened quietly, the teasing look on her face gradually fading, replaced by seriousness and understanding. When she heard about Orochimaru's attack and Karin's predicament, her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of shared sorrow flashed in her eyes.

"So that's it..."

Momono nodded, indicating that she completely understood. She stood up and walked over to Karin, who was still looking down and whose body was slightly tense.

A warm and sincere smile bloomed on her face, and she introduced herself in a soft yet clear voice:

"Hello, Karin. My name is Momonogi. Welcome to our home. Please stay here for a while, don't be afraid."

Karin hesitated for a moment before finally placing her hand in Momono's cool palm.

However, to Karin's surprise, Momono did not simply shake hands with her.

Momono gently embraced Karin's slightly frail body, patting her back soothingly with one hand, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze caressing the water's surface:

"It's alright... Karin. It's safe here, really."

She glanced at the Rubik's Cube beside her, her eyes filled with a subtle tenderness and reassurance.

"With this reliable guy around, no one can hurt you. So, don't be afraid anymore, okay?"

Karin was startled by this sudden action. She immediately sensed Momono's chakra, a feeling that was very familiar to her, a feeling of kindred spirits.

This girl, she has a similar experience?!

She seemed to be thinking of her deceased mother, and her eyes involuntarily reddened; she finally burst into tears.

The cries were heart-wrenching, filled with long-suppressed fear, pain, and sorrow. Tears streamed down her face like broken beads, instantly soaking the fabric on Momono's shoulders.

"Mom!...Mom..."

The Rubik's Cube watched silently from the sidelines as these two shared a similar plight, without uttering a word.

Chapter 38 Special Training

Chapter 38 Special Training

Rubik's Cube did not return to the competition venue. He later learned about the results of the selection competition from Class 7 who had returned.

Because the cursed seal was sealed, Sasuke was able to unleash his full power and easily won the victory.

As always, Naruto was incredibly unpredictable. He faced off against Kiba and wanted to end the battle with a cool Rasengan, but he couldn't use it at the crucial moment and almost got countered. In the end, he ended the battle with a fart, leaving the onlookers both amused and exasperated.

Sakura and Ino ended up in a draw, just like in the original timeline.

Because of his reminder to Guy, Lee avoided being crippled by Gaara, but he still seems to have suffered a significant blow. Hopefully, he can recover quickly.

……

Inside the Konoha BBQ restaurant Q, the place was bustling with noise, filled with the sizzling sound of grilled meat and the rich aroma.

Kakashi, Team 7, Jiraiya, and Rubik's Cube sat around a table to celebrate Naruto and Sasuke passing the test in the Forest of Death and successfully advancing to the selection tournament for the third exam.

"Cheers!" Naruto raised a glass of juice. Jiraiya wanted to drink, but Kakashi and the Rubik's Cube together suppressed him, and he shouted excitedly, his face beaming with pure joy. Sakura also smiled and raised her glass, looking at Sasuke beside her with concern.

Kakashi put down his chopsticks, and his one exposed eye looked at Sasuke with a lazy yet concerned gaze:

"Sasuke, how does that thing on your neck feel?"

He was referring to the Heavenly Curse Seal.

Sasuke was silently eating his grilled meat when he heard this, he paused, and gently touched the spot on his neck covered by runes. He could still feel a chilling tremor there, but compared to the initial soul-tearing pain, it was much calmer.

"Thanks to Brother Rubik's Cube's sealing technique,"

His voice was calm, but there was a barely perceptible hint of gratitude in his tone:

"It's under control for now, nothing serious."

Even so, the lingering gloom in the depths of his eyes could not be hidden from everyone present.

Sakura looked at Sasuke's profile with concern, hesitating to speak.

"You lecherous immortal! Look at me!"

Naruto, completely oblivious to the subtle atmosphere, was excitedly gesturing and dancing around in front of Jiraiya:

"I've learned the Rasengan! I used it to drive away a giant snake in the Forest of Death! Pretty impressive, huh!"

"Hey, bragging isn't a good habit. I saw it, you didn't use it during the selection competition, did you? How embarrassing!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily and patted Naruto on the head.

"Ah!!! How did the lecherous immortal know that?!"

"Don't underestimate my intelligence network! You still have a lot more to learn!" (The Third Hokage said)

……

"Tsk!"

Naruto's boastful words were like needles pricking Sasuke's heart.

In the Forest of Death, facing a terrifying being of Orochimaru's caliber, it was Naruto, the guy he had always considered a loser, who, at the most critical moment, unleashed his power, using the Rasengan, a high-level ninjutsu he had never been able to master, to protect everyone...

However, he was utterly defeated by Orochimaru and even had a cursed seal placed on him. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He had learned Chidori from Kakashi-sensei ahead of time, but the training time was too short, and fully mastering the form changes of lightning-style chakra was far from easy. He still couldn't successfully use it.

Naruto's progress is like a mirror, reflecting his weakness.

The Rubik's Cube took in Sasuke's reaction. The boy's furrowed brows, the complex emotions surging in his eyes, and his extreme thirst for power.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a knowing yet slightly mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

'it's time. '

Rubik's Cube thought to itself.

He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and looked directly at the silent Sasuke. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out Naruto's commotion and Jiraiya's laughter.

"Hey, Sasuke."

Sasuke looked up at the sound, his dark eyes questioning as he looked at the Rubik's Cube.

The Rubik's Cube grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, its smile carrying an enigmatic meaning:

"When Kakashi is training you... you wouldn't mind including me, would you?"

Sasuke's pupils dilated instantly, and a noticeable crack appeared in the usual cold mask on his face. He was initially incredulous, but after recovering, he felt overjoyed. He even forgot to hide his emotions and blurted out:

"Really?!"

His voice trembled slightly, a tremor he himself didn't even notice. He had witnessed the Rubik's Cube's power firsthand in the Forest of Death; if he could receive its guidance…

This is absolutely the perfect opportunity to improve my strength and take revenge on that man!

"what?!"

Naruto immediately bristled, forgetting all about showing off his Rasengan, and jumped up like a child.

"Brother Rubik's Cube! This isn't fair! Why did you only teach Sasuke and not me? I want to train with you too! I've even learned the Rasengan that the Perverted Sage taught me!"

He glared angrily at the Rubik's Cube, then glanced at Sasuke with displeasure.

The Rubik's Cube didn't answer Naruto directly. Instead, it raised its hand and pointed with its index finger at the sealed curse mark on Sasuke's neck. Its expression turned serious and solemn.

"because this."

Naruto followed the Rubik's Cube's pointer and saw the black mark on Sasuke's neck, bound by runes yet still exuding an ominous aura. All his resentment instantly choked him up.

Although he was usually carefree and often bickered and fought with Sasuke, deep down, he valued this awkward companion more than anyone else. The sight of Sasuke collapsing in agony in the Forest of Death still haunted him.

"Oh……"

Naruto deflated like a punctured balloon, slumped down, scratched his dazzling blond hair, and muttered under his breath.

"Well... alright then. Sasuke definitely needs someone to keep an eye on him..."

He awkwardly turned his head, pretending to stare intently at the sizzling meat on the grill, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.

With the ridiculously strong Rubik's Cube guy watching over Sasuke, Naruto felt much more at ease. He could confidently follow the Perverted Sage to train and become stronger, strong enough to protect everyone!

Jiraiya observed all of this, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He reached out and patted Naruto's shoulder heavily, his voice booming:

“Foolish disciple! Your master is one of the legendary ‘Three Ninjas’! Teaching you is more than enough! Moreover…”

He leaned closer to Naruto, lowered his voice, and gave a mischievous smile.

"Follow me, and you'll get special 'training materials'! I guarantee your strength will improve by leaps and bounds, and that will give Sasuke a real surprise!"

Upon hearing "rapid progress" and "surprising Sasuke," Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, temporarily putting his disappointment behind him.

"Really? You lecherous immortal! You can't lie!"

"Of course!" Jiraiya patted his chest and assured him.

Kakashi watched this scene, and the one eye that was exposed curved into a crescent moon:

"Oh dear, it looks like everyone's going to be busy for the next month."

He looked at the Rubik's Cube.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Rubik's Cube. I'll keep Sasuke in your care."

Rubik's Cube nodded casually, its gaze returning to Sasuke. The boy's eyes, still brimming with joy and longing, were fixed intently on him.

"Don't be too happy yet,"

The Rubik's Cube curled its lips into a challenging smile.

"My training methods won't be as 'gentle' as Kakashi's. Be prepared."

Sasuke met the Rubik's Cube's gaze without flinching, his fighting spirit burning even brighter:

"I can't ask for it!"

A celebratory barbecue feast ended amidst everyone's different moods and the upcoming special training plan. The streets of Konoha were dimly lit at night.

Sasuke didn't go straight home, but instead went alone to Team 7's training ground. He stood in the open space, looking up at the bright moon in the night sky, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cursed seal on the side of his neck.

He slowly raised his hand, a faint crackling of lightning flashing in his palm, the blue electric light flickering uncertainly in the darkness.

The Rubik's Cube emerged from the shadows.