Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Inside Kushina's home, which had gradually become Seiki's small hideout.

"Cheers!"

"To Konoha!"

Amidst the excited clinking of glasses and cheers, sweet juice splashed out.

They had all belonged to the same world until today. But after today, they would head toward different futures.

So all they could do was raise a toast and let loose like crazy.

Over here, Asuma and Ibiki were wrapped arm-in-arm.

"Haha, Ibiki, I'm telling you—if you weren't such a smartass, you'd actually be really adorable!"

"Hehe, to be honest, I actually admire you too. I curse at people on purpose, but you—your mouth works even unconsciously."

"When have I ever been a smartass? What, am I supposed to lie or something?"

"Telling the truth isn't wrong, but the way you say things is seriously asking for a beating!"

Meanwhile, Shizune and Kurenai were quietly discussing something.

"Kurenai, I might be leaving Konoha with Tsunade-sama today."

"Even though we always knew this day would come, it still feels too sudden!"

"While I'm gone, promise me you'll take good care of Seiki!"

"Mm-hmm, you don't need to tell me that—I'll do it anyway!"

At the center of it all, Mizuki and Seiki were having a chat.

"Mizuki, I heard Orochimaru accepted you as his disciple?"

"Yeah, he wants me to train in Sage Art."

"But isn't your chakra reserves still far from sufficient?"

"He said he'll find a way to fix that."

"Could it be...the [Cursed Seal] (a dangerous power-enhancing technique)? No, Jugo probably hasn't even been born yet. Then—is it research on the First's cells..." Seiki's thoughts raced, and his expression turned serious as he warned, "Though perhaps it's not my place to say this, Tsunade-sama mentioned that Orochimaru has changed so much that even she hardly recognizes him anymore. So please, be careful!"

"The village all says Orochimaru is the one most likely to become the Fourth Hokage, yet Seiki—not only doesn't care about his position—actually reminds me to watch out for Orochimaru!" Mizuki felt a warm wave of emotion surge through his heart. Indeed, in this world, only Seiki truly cared about him.

"Still, risk often comes with reward. For an average ninja like me, just trying to keep up with Seiki's shadow is already difficult! If I want to become his most useful tool, I can only do things this way!"

Mizuki naturally understood why Orochimaru chose someone with such ordinary talent. Yet, to avoid worrying Seiki, he feigned ease and said, "It'll be fine. Why would Lord Orochimaru do anything harmful to an ordinary person like me?"

"Haha, maybe I really am overthinking. Well then, let's celebrate you becoming Lord Orochimaru's disciple!"

"Yeah, I definitely will..."

Just at that moment, a ninja wearing goggles burst in energetically.

"It's amazing—you guys will never guess who I got assigned to the same team with!"

"Is it Obito? You 'graduated' too?"

"For Lord Obito, graduating a year early is nothing. Let me finish—you haven't even guessed yet!"

"Judging by how excited you are, you must've gotten placed on the same team as Rin!"

"Although, okay, I did get assigned to the same class as Rin, that's not what I'm trying to say!"

Seeing the amused smiles on everyone's faces, Obito nervously changed the subject. "It's about Kakashi!"

When they heard Kakashi's name, many of them looked puzzled. "Isn't Kakashi already a few years past graduation? Besides, didn't he become a Chunin in his second year after graduating?"

Obito scratched his head. "Seems like the other members of his previous squad were killed during a mission! Since he hadn't been assigned to a new team yet, he just ended up joining our Class One."

Seiki raised an eyebrow. Could he really say this was exactly what you'd expect from someone born as the ultimate protagonist?

This aura of heavenly misfortune seemed especially dangerous!

Obito continued, "There's more too—the village assigned Minato-senpai as our supervising Jonin. Hehe, I was originally worried it'd be some old-fashioned stick-in-the-mud instead!"

"Minato-sensei!" Asuma said, unable to resist teasing him. "How bad must your skills be for them to assign such an amazing teacher and teammate to balance out your weakness?"

Obito turned dark. "You dare talk? Weren't you also at the bottom of your senior group?"

"I'm what...?" Asuma started, before suddenly realizing, "Wait, how did you even know about our class assignments?"

Obito waved his hand carelessly. "The class assignment list is already out—it's posted on the notice board right outside the academy!"

At this point, curiosity overwhelmed everyone in the living room, and they all shouted excitedly as they rushed outside.

Leaving nothing but a stunned Obito behind. "I haven't even gotten to celebrate yet!"

...

That night, Seiki helplessly looked at Jiraiya and Tsunade standing in front of him.

"Teacher, did you really have to leave so urgently?"

Jiraiya chuckled, "If we left during daylight hours, there would've been too many people unwilling to see us off—tears and farewells would've been awkward."

Tsunade scoffed, "Unwilling to leave who exactly? Maybe those who appreciate your 'monthly literary contribution' to the local restroom supply industry?"

Jiraiya retorted indignantly, "How can my books be toilet paper? At least—they're premium-grade reading material!"

Tsunade gave a sarcastic laugh, then turned toward Seiki. "Based on your current abilities, honestly, there's not much more I can teach you."

"How could that be? There are still plenty of things I want to learn from you!"

"You're lacking only experience. Experience is all you need now—and time's the best teacher there is." Her expression suddenly turned serious. "And my final lesson to you is giving you the go-ahead to officially start cultivating Sage Techniques! With your current chakra reserves, you should now be able to withstand the invasion of Natural Energy."

Seiki responded solemnly, "Understood."

"I don't personally cultivate Sage Techniques, so there's nothing further I can pass on to you. However, since you've already formed a contract with Shikkotsu Forest, just go directly to Sage Lady Katsuyu for guidance later on."

Jiraiya cautioned him, "While Sage Techniques are powerful, don't rely on them too heavily. Because before entering Sage Mode, you must first absorb Natural Energy and convert it into Sage Chakra through meditation—and that immobile state leaves you extremely vulnerable."

Seiki nodded. Unless his chakra reserves could rival Naruto's, allowing him to use the Shadow Clone Technique for Sage Chakra refinement, or he possessed the ability like the First Hokage to enter Sage Mode instantly, this technique would inevitably remain a trump card.

Seeing that the conversation had finally ended, Shizune stepped forward shyly.

"Seiki, this... this is my uncle's personal notes on mastering the Spirit Transformation Technique! Since you've just acquired this skill today, maybe these notes might be helpful to you!"

Seiki accepted the notebook with a smile and gently handed her back a kunai. "When the distance exceeds my Sensor range, I can't directly teleport myself using the Flying Thunder God. However, transferring items such as letters should still be feasible—though it will only work one-way from me to you."

Jiraiya watched the scene unfold with wide eyes. Wow, impressive. The Second Hokage's legendary jutsu that stunned the shinobi no sekai was now being used for flirting.

Got it, got it!

Shizune carefully took the kunai in her hands, then suddenly leaned in and gently kissed Seiki on the cheek. Giggling softly, she spun around and dashed off. "You'll definitely become Konoha's greatest ninja, Seiki!"

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