Motomu swallowed hard.
It wasn't because of the lingering scent on the tip of his nose, but because of the staggeringly high level displayed on the system panel.
The Tailed Beast, the Nine-Tails, was a Level 69 Nine-Tailed Fox. Looking at its appearance, it didn't even seem to have a hair out of place.
'Like hell there's nothing wrong!'
Motomu couldn't help but roar in his mind.
His face twitched as his emotions surged.
Luckily, it wasn't a mandatory challenge. If it had been...
That collision just now.
The Nine-Tails would have come out!
Whether Namikaze Minato would want to kill him for a 'wife-killing' grudge was a matter for later.
But if the Nine-Tails emerged, he would probably be flattened instantly.
When Obito came to claim the body, he would point at him and say, 'This isn't my brother. My brother isn't this flat.'
This was insane!
On the other side...
Realizing it a bit late, Kushina felt someone touch her backside.
'Is it a pervert?'
At that thought, Kushina glanced at Minato, who was looking her way with an embarrassed expression.
Without overthinking why Minato looked like that,
Kushina's fiery red hair billowed up like the tentacles of an octopus.
She put on what she thought was her fiercest expression and spun around violently.
"Ah—huh?"
"Kushina, it's not what you think."
As Minato's wry voice reached her ears.
Kushina's eyes met Motomu's big, seemingly cute and innocent eyes, which he had inherited from the Uchiha bloodline.
'Huh? It's just a cute little kid.'
Looking at the scene and connecting it with what Minato had just said,
Once Kushina realized what happened, a look of clear embarrassment and apology appeared on her face.
"Ah, I'm so sorry, little brother!"
"I was just too excited. Are you okay?"
"N-no, it's fine. I just wasn't paying attention."
Taking the hand Kushina offered, Motomu pulled himself up.
While trying to keep his voice steady, Motomu's mind began to race.
Tailed Beasts.
Jinchuriki.
Gyms.
Could it be that all nine Tailed Beasts are Gyms?!
As long as he defeated a Tailed Beast—no, a Gym Guardian Pokemon...
Would he be able to get a reward?!
Including the Ten-Tails, that meant at least ten more Gyms.
Motomu glanced at Kushina's stomach.
This version of the Nine-Tails was still far too powerful.
In the original series, even the other eight combined might not be able to beat the Nine-Tails.
He definitely couldn't beat it right now either.
Besides, he had no chance of having a thrilling Pokemon battle with the Nine-Tails anyway.
He had to be realistic.
In terms of strength, the One-Tail, Shukaku, would be the easiest. The Two-Tails, Matatabi, and the Three-Tails—the tragedy of Obito—were also good targets.
He remembered the Third War started because the Kazekage was killed by Sasori.
It looked like his best chance was to go after the One-Tail!
"Little brother? Hey, little brother?"
"What's wrong?"
At Kushina's call, Motomu snapped out of it and looked at the two in front of him.
"It's your turn, kid. Our ninja tool order is finalized."
Motomu adjusted his slipping headband and gave a sweet "Thank you."
"Little brother, are you already a ninja at such a young age?"
'Where exactly am I small?!'
After grumbling internally, Motomu spoke to the curious Kushina.
"Big sister, I'm an Uchiha genius."
"Graduating early is perfectly normal."
"Graduating early?"
"Now that you mention it, Minato also graduated early from the academy."
Kushina seemed to remember a certain night, and her face flushed slightly as she looked at Minato.
"Alright, little brother, we're heading off."
"If there's a chance, since Team Minato hasn't been formed yet..."
"Why can't such a cute kid join my team?"
"Once I pass the Chunin Exam, I'll apply for Jonin status. That damn old man, the Third Hokage, has been holding me back for so long."
Watching the two walk away arm-in-arm, looking all lovey-dovey,
Motomu felt like his role as a third wheel had reached a new level of brightness.
"Well, little Anko isn't bad either."
As soon as he thought that, Motomu wanted to slap himself.
Anko was only six! What was he thinking?!
He was just being bitter.
He rattled off his custom design ideas to the blacksmith like he was ordering from a menu.
After receiving a positive response,
Motomu pocketed the remaining money and headed to the Forest of Death to find Orochimaru.
Looking for Orochimaru to check his progress on senjutsu was secondary.
There was another point that Motomu had just thought of.
In the original series, Orochimaru seemed to possess several Kusanagi Swords.
He wondered if he had any in stock right now.
If he did, what would be the best way to get one?
Before long,
Motomu arrived at the entrance of Orochimaru's base.
He pressed a button hidden in the folds of a tree's bark, and a crack slowly opened in the ground.
The lights inside were on.
It seemed Orochimaru was in today.
Snap!
The faint sound of a twig snapping came from nearby.
His hair stood on end as a sense of danger flooded his heart.
Motomu's pupils constricted. His right eye automatically activated the Sharingan as he instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.
As he stared,
A Root member wearing an ogre mask suddenly leaped out.
In a rush, Motomu channeled Psychokinesis into his arm, raising his kunai to block at three times his normal speed.
Clang!
Metal clashed on metal, sparks flying!
The loud impact startled a flock of birds.
"Who are you? Why are you here?!"
While Motomu's Sharingan glared intensely at his opponent, he gradually applied pressure with his Psychokinesis-enhanced kunai.
The Root ninja felt an immense force coming from the boy—strength that should not be possible for someone his age.
His hand holding the kunai grew weak until it began to tremble.
With a one-handed seal, the Root ninja vanished in a Body Flicker.
In mid-air, his black-gloved hand continued to weave signs.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger
Six signs were completed in less than two seconds.
The moment he raised his hands in a funnel shape toward Motomu,
Seeing the same movement from his opponent, a flash of shock went through his heart.
'Wh—What?!'
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique x2!"
Two massive fireballs, each three meters in diameter, were spat out and collided!
Amidst the boom, the scorching airwaves they generated blew away the surrounding dry leaves, igniting them into ash.
The dark Forest of Death was instantly filled with orange-red light.
"Enough!"
Under the glow of the flames,
Motomu and the Root ninja both looked toward the speaker.
'What is that old bastard Danzo doing here too?!'
'Thankfully, I kept my Psychokinesis use subtle.'
'Otherwise, I'd be in trouble again.'
While feeling lucky for his own caution, Motomu also guessed Danzo's purpose for being here.
He was either here to discuss cooperation with Orochimaru or he was here to claim Motomu for himself.
If he wanted Motomu, it was hard to say what Orochimaru's thoughts were.
Motomu lowered his hand and moved to stand beside Orochimaru.
The Root ninja likewise took his place behind Danzo.
"Disciple, what business brings you to your Master this time?"
Orochimaru's words were the first to break the increasingly tense atmosphere.
"Reporting to Master, your disciple has come to pay his respects."
'What the hell?!'
Danzo's brow furrowed deeply.
He stared at the two with an odd expression, as if the exchange between Motomu and Orochimaru had dealt a significant blow to his mature worldview.