Konohamaru stood there in utter disbelief. He never imagined this "shorty" would actually dare to strike him right in front of his grandfather, the Third Hokage.
Ebisu and Iruka were equally stunned. They, too, hadn't expected Naruto Uzumaki to have the guts to hit the "Honorable Grandson."
Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted but didn't say a word. He was quite helpless when it came to his grandson's antics. To him, Naruto's smack was just a childish spat—nothing to get worked up about.
"You... you actually dared to hit me!?" Konohamaru stared at Naruto. This was the first time anyone had ever laid a hand on him! As the Hokage's grandson, people either spoiled him or feared him. No one had ever been so bold.
Strangely, instead of feeling angry, Konohamaru felt a sudden, intense surge of interest in this guy. He had peaked through the door earlier and saw Naruto use a brilliant jutsu that made his grandfather's nose bleed—something he had never seen before.
Instead of throwing a tantrum, he looked at Naruto with eyes full of budding admiration.
Naruto, having landed the blow, didn't stick around. He didn't want to retake the photo, and he certainly didn't want a lecture from the Old Man. He bolted.
Seeing this, Konohamaru quickly and quietly followed him out.
Ebisu and Iruka were still frozen in shock. By the time they snapped out of it, both boys were long gone.
"Lord Hokage! Where is the Young Master?" Ebisu looked around frantically.
Hiruzen pointed toward the door. "He seems to have sneakily followed Naruto."
"What?! The Young Master is with that Fox Demon? He'll be corrupted!" Ebisu screamed and went charging out after them.
Once the room cleared, Iruka looked at Hiruzen, pleading for Naruto. "Lord Hokage, Naruto didn't mean to hit the Young Master. Please forgive him!"
Hiruzen let out a soft chuckle. "Iruka, do I look like I have the time to micromanage children's squabbles? Konohamaru is spoiled; he's always trying to ambush me, which is a headache. Naruto giving him a little lesson is something I'm actually happy about. Why would I blame him?"
He took a long drag from his pipe and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Though, Naruto is a bit unreliable. I just hope the two of them don't cause too much trouble together."
"Lord Hokage, I'll make sure Naruto comes back to retake that photo. I'm a bit worried, so I'll go check on them as well!" Iruka bowed and hurried out.
Left alone, Hiruzen sighed deeply. "Minato... look at that. Your son is already disciplining my grandson. Seeing Naruto grow up so healthy... you can rest in peace down there."
(Naruto: I eat instant ramen every day and skip a meal out of every three. You call this 'healthy'?)
The Uchiha Celebration
Raizen led Sasuke and Karin home and immediately began preparing the feast. It was time to celebrate Sasuke's official graduation.
The party was raucous and joyful. Over the years, many of Raizen's children had grown old enough to run around and "run errands." With over a hundred people present, the estate was bursting with life.
"Onii-chan!" "Onee-chan!"
The toddlers swarmed around Sasuke and Karin. The two graduates happily led the flock of children in a massive game of "Eagle Catches the Chicks," laughing and playing until they were exhausted.
Watching this scene of domestic bliss, Raizen felt a profound sense of warmth. He vowed internally to protect this happiness at all costs.
The Golden Reward
After the feast, Raizen soaked alone in the hot springs, letting the steam melt away the day's fatigue. He remembered he still had a Golden Treasure Chest to open.
He pulled up the system interface and extracted the chest. As it opened, a wave of dark, malevolent energy surged forth. A sword radiating an ominous aura floated silently before him. Information flooded his mind:
[Sōnga (So'unga): The Sword of the Underworld from the Inuyasha World.](Also known as the Calamity Blade. Note: The system has classified it as both a sword and a blade.)Abilities: Can summon the dead. Enhanced by the system to allow for true resurrection of the deceased. Ultimate Move: Dragon Twister (Gokuryūha). Its destructive power is comparable to a Full Nine-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb.
"Holy crap!" Raizen nearly jumped out of the water.
This was insane! A reward truly worthy of a Kage-level heir.
Raizen gripped the hilt. The sword felt heavy with evil intent, but he felt no fear. From this moment on, he could walk with his hands in his pockets—he had no peers left to fear. He remembered the movie; without the Tenseiga or Tessaiga to suppress it, one Gokuryūha could carve a river into the earth that stretched past the horizon.
[System Note:] Sōnga is bound to you as the sole host. No one else can wield it. Anyone else attempting to use it will be consumed by the evil aura and become your puppet. (Note: Those with whom you have 'intimate contact'—your wives, children, and household staff—are immune to this corruption.)
With one swing of Gokuryūha, he possessed the power of a Tailed Beast Bomb at his fingertips. It was his strongest offensive tool to date. But the ability to resurrect the dead? That was game-changing. It bypassed Orochimaru's research into the Edo Tensei entirely.
As long as Sōnga existed, his allies would never truly stay dead. Even if Raizen himself were targeted, the sword's will, under his control, could revive him infinitely. He was effectively immortal unless the sword was destroyed.
A chill ran through the room as he sheathed the blade. His ambition finally had the teeth it needed.
Orochimaru's Edo Tensei is useless now, Raizen thought. Maybe I should just get rid of him during the upcoming Chunin Exams. He's obsessed with the Sharingan. If he can't get me, he'll target my children. He's a dangerous loose end.
A flash of killing intent crossed Raizen's eyes. He didn't have a personal grudge against the Sannin, but for the safety of his family, Orochimaru had to go.
A Royal Request
"Husband, are you still in there?" A voice called from outside, followed by the tall, elegant figure of Tsukishime (the princess).
Raizen stowed Sōnga back into the system space. "Is something wrong, my Lady?"
Tsukishime approached him. "My mother wishes to see me and the children. She wants us to visit the Capital for a family reunion. I was hoping you would accompany us."
"Of course," Raizen agreed without hesitation.
"Wonderful! Thank you, husband. You're the best!" Tsukishime leaned over the edge of the spring and planted a flurry of kisses on his face.
Raizen laughed and pinched her nose. "You are my lawfully wedded wife. If I'm not good to you, who would I be good to?"
"Let me scrub your back, husband!"
"Sure thing."
"How is that? Is the pressure okay?"
"Mhm, perfect. Actually... why don't you hop in? I'll show you a few 'New Secret Taijutsu' techniques I've been working on."