The evening light fell across the streets of Konoha.
The lively bustle that had filled the village all day was slowly quieting down. The voices of the people gradually faded, shops were closing, doors were shutting. Even the sky seemed ready to bring the day to its final end.
The first drops broke from the sea of clouds above Konoha and fell softly onto rooftops and pathways.
As she did every evening, Artoria wandered through the streets of the village to better understand its people and this place.
Even the ninja unconsciously stepped aside for her, though they could neither see nor sense that she was there.
Artoria slightly raised her gaze.
"Mmh… this city has a beautiful side as well," she murmured. "I can understand why his parents gave their lives for it."
At that moment, the system's voice rang out.
Host, a new function can now be acquired, if you wish.
Artoria's footsteps echoed for a few moments more across the pavement before she stopped.
"And what is new?" she asked calmly. "You have been conspicuously quiet these past few days."
Host, you have received 1000 points from your first student. You may spend them either on gacha or on information about this world.
Artoria's expression grew thoughtful.
"What kind of information could that be that I do not already know?"
Host, while you carry the lore knowledge of this world within you, the seers of this world were not able to perceive everything. It may be worthwhile for you.
Artoria fell silent for a moment.
Then she asked:
"How much information can I obtain for that? Only one piece?"
Yes, Host. One piece of information.
Artoria considered briefly.
By now, the fine rain had settled over Konoha like a veil.
Then she nodded.
"Then give me the information."
A heartbeat later, the system's voice sounded again.
Congratulations, Host.You have received the information on how to generate chakra from pure spirit energy.
Artoria stopped.
For the first time in several moments, her expression changed noticeably.
"…That is useful."
But before she could fully finish the thought, the system spoke again.
Host… you truly are a child beloved by the heavens.
Artoria said nothing.
Then one corner of her mouth lifted, barely visible.
"That," she said dryly, "is the first time you have sounded poetic."
Several minutes later, Artoria finally reached her destination.
A small house, hidden beneath a barrier that ensured ordinary people could neither see it nor consciously perceive it.
Over the past few days, she had searched the entire village to find the former home of Minato and Kushina. It had taken eight days. After all, she could hardly ask anyone about it, and neither the manga nor the anime had ever shown its exact location.
When she stopped at the edge of the property, she immediately felt the strength of the barrier.
Through the knowledge she had received only minutes earlier, she could now even tell exactly how it was constructed, without needing to see the seals themselves.
"Oh…" she murmured softly. "An alarm barrier. An intrusion barrier. And optical camouflage."
For a moment, she studied the invisible web of chakra.
"Let us see whether I can trigger it."
As she stepped through the thin, barely perceptible film, she felt the barrier cling to her spirit energy for a brief instant.
Artoria's expression shifted slightly.
"Oh… now that I can use my energy as chakra, the barrier recognizes me."
A faint, dry smile crossed her face.
"It seems it is about to become very crowded here."
Before her stood a simple two-story house.
Beside the door, a nameplate still hung.
Namikaze-Uzumaki Residence
Artoria opened the door with a precise breath of her magic and stepped inside.
A large living room greeted her, one that still felt cozy even in its silence. It was not a cold place. Not even now. One could still sense that life had once been here.
Above the fireplace hung a picture of Kushina, visibly pregnant, with Minato standing behind her.
Artoria stopped in front of it.
Then she slowly closed her eyes.
She let her senses sink into the house, deeper than mere perception, deeper than magic alone. She was not searching for objects, but for the echo of the people who had once lived here.
Before her inner eye, images began to take shape.
The Third Hokage.
Danzo.
Jiraiya.
She saw them searching the house after the attack. Saw them take a letter. Saw several books and other belongings removed.
Artoria's expression grew colder.
But she continued to focus.
Deeper still.
Further back.
And then she saw the final minutes in which Kushina and Minato had been here with Naruto.
A faint trace of realization crossed her face.
"Ah…"
Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
"It was never only a letter."
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
"They both left something behind… but Kushina hid hers."
With deliberate steps, she moved to the fireplace, lifted the picture down, and turned it over.
On the back was a small seal.
Artoria examined it briefly, then carefully let her magic flow into it and opened it in a controlled manner—even though it had never been intended for her.
An almost amused expression appeared on her face.
"The Uzumaki's knowledge of Fūinjutsu is truly impressive."
Then she hung the picture neatly back in its place.
At the headquarters of Konoha's barrier unit, an alarm suddenly sounded—one that, until that very moment, had never been triggered there before.
The jōnin overseeing the shift froze when his eyes fell upon the display.
For a moment, no one said anything.
Then he turned sharply to one of his subordinates.
"Report to the Hokage immediately that someone has broken into the Yondaime's house."
"Yes, sir!"
Almost at the same time, the ANBU were also informed of the break-in.
The jōnin stared at the signal for another moment, then rubbed his face in tension.
"Why does this have to happen now of all times…" he muttered. "I would have been off duty any minute."