When Kushina and Minato returned from Mount Myōboku and learned of the incident, both displayed expressions of relief mixed with lingering fear after Minato personally inspected the hill where the battle had taken place.
Kushina, a proud bearer of the powerful Uzumaki bloodline, showed little sign of fatigue on her face. Instead, her expression was filled with worry and maternal affection.
Upon hearing the news, she held the blonde-haired infant in her arms even tighter, as if fearing that this poor child, so freshly born into the world, might have to endure a tragic fate.
Minato immediately decided to establish additional warning barriers outside Konohagakure and to strengthen the barrier that already enveloped the village.
After all, based on the clues they had gathered, these hidden enemies either possessed space-time ninjutsu or highly advanced stealth techniques.
To ensure the village's safety, Minato activated Sage Mode and conducted a meticulous inspection both inside and outside the village. Only after confirming that everything was secure did he feel reassured.
After returning to the village to resume his administrative duties, Konohagakure gradually returned to its usual order.
However, due to the Nine-Tails incident never occurring, the Uchiha clan's status had not been marginalized once again. Judging from the subtle hints Minato had given, there even seemed to be an intention to place greater trust and reliance on the Uchiha clan.
Naturally, Danzo was extremely displeased with this. To him, the Uchiha were inherently evil...
The following evening, atop the roof of an ancient temple outside Sunagakure, Sōmi lay sprawled across the ridge. The space was just big enough to accommodate his body.
It was a cool and clear autumn night, with gentle breezes brushing through Sōmi's hair.
His right leg was kicked up high, swinging back and forth, but it couldn't block the view of the starry sky above.
Tonight, the stars shone exceptionally bright, like dazzling jewels scattered across the deep blue heavens. Their soft, crystalline light bathed the earth, making everything appear elegant and serene.
The starry desert sky was breathtakingly beautiful, with the moon radiant and captivating, and the stars quietly nestled within the celestial canopy.
For the past two days since returning from Konohagakure, Sōmi had spent his nights lying atop the temple roof, gazing at the profound and mysterious night sky, as if trying to peer through it to another world.
Even the Great Toad Sage had intervened personally—what a blatant act of cheating...
If Minato Namikaze didn't die, then Naruto's story would essentially become Boruto's story, wouldn't it?
With a father like Minato personally teaching him, wouldn't Naruto even learn the Flying Thunder God Technique in the future?
And Naruto didn't just have one father. When his other "father" appeared, Sōmi couldn't help but worry if he himself might end up becoming another "moon"...
If Minato didn't die... the Uchiha wouldn't face exclusion...
Danzo wouldn't have the chance to stir up trouble, Shisui wouldn't die, Itachi wouldn't defect, and "Sunny Sasuke" would have a happy childhood. Under Itachi's guidance, his strength might grow even more terrifying...
Uchiha Fugaku...
Kotoamatsukami...
These thoughts constantly plagued Sōmi's mind, leaving his emotions in turmoil.
With his current strength, if he waited for the Konohagakure shinobi to fully mature before initiating conflict, it would almost certainly be a death sentence.
As for attacking Konohagakure now and forcibly killing those individuals, that was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Sōmi didn't have a space-time ability like Kamui. Minato had likely mastered Sage Mode by now, and with Kushina—though not a Perfect Jinchūriki—capable of wielding the Nine-Tails' power...
Not to mention the large number of Konohagakure shinobi. If Minato managed to trap him, even escaping alive would be a challenge...
And then there were the restless Obito and Black Zetsu...
Especially Black Zetsu, the millennium-long filial son...
Who knew what new schemes that guy might come up with...
Although Sunagakure was rapidly developing, a group of civilian shinobi, no matter how hard they tried, couldn't compete with those "cheaters"...
Once filled with ambition and a desire to change the entire ninja world, Sōmi now found himself feeling somewhat disheartened.
The most critical event—the Night of the Nine-Tails—hadn't happened!
That shameless old toad...
Everything was in chaos! Completely out of order...
Was he really destined to bow before the Child of the Prophecy?
But the enemies weren't limited to just them—there were also the aliens...
Sōmi hadn't forgotten that he was currently the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, and that Shukaku within him was almost always their initial target.
Placing his hopes for survival and power in the hands of others was a pathetic way to live, and it was certainly not the outcome Sōmi desired...
"Sōmi!"
An aged voice called out, pulling Sōmi back to reality from his chaotic thoughts.
"Come down now! It's time to sleep!"
An elderly monk, dressed in a blue robe, slowly walked to the base of the roof and called out to the faint silhouette above.
"Alright!"
"I'm coming, Master!"
Inside the house, illuminated by the soft yellow light of a lamp, Sōmi lay on his bed with his hands behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"What's wrong, Sōmi?"
"Since you were young, you've always been so confident, as if everything was under your control. Whatever you did, you did with passion."
"Why have you become like this lately?"
The elderly monk smiled as he sat on the edge of Sōmi's bed, pulling the blanket up to cover him.
"It's nothing, Master..."
"It's just that the future I was so certain of has suddenly become unrecognizable. I'm not entirely sure about the future I want anymore..."
Sōmi didn't hide his true feelings in front of the old monk.
"Fate is shaped by oneself; circumstances arise from the heart. All things in the world are transient illusions. If the heart remains unmoved, all things remain unmoved. If the heart doesn't change, all things don't change..."
The elderly monk softly recited a verse from Buddhist scripture.
"The preciousness of life lies in its uncertainty. It is because of uncertainty that effort and struggle are necessary... and that unexpected rewards and joys can be found."
"Just like when I brought you back to the temple all those years ago..."
The monk's rough hand gently touched Sōmi's forehead.
"As long as you believe it's the right path, pursue it with unwavering determination..."
"Nothing is too difficult or too easy; fate is unpredictable. Only a steadfast heart can prevail... True strength lies not in adamantine hardness, but in the strength of will."
The monk's serene voice echoed through the room.
After hearing the monk's words, the desolation in Sōmi's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a glimmer of determination and fiery resolve.
That's right!
So what if the ninja world didn't follow his "speedrun strategy"?
So what if Konohagakure was about to enter another golden era...?
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
��patreon.com/GoldenLong