On the way home...
Namikaze Minato turned to Kin and said, "Wouldn't it be lonely if you really lived that long?"
Just imagining those endless years spent alone was enough to drive a person to despair.
He didn't think Kin's dream was just a delusion—he genuinely believed Kin could achieve it.
Because this was Uchiha Kin, his closest friend.
"Not necessarily."
Kin rubbed his chin in thought.
To advance his immortality plan, he'd need everyone to progress alongside him.
By then, there might be quite a few immortals around. After all, geniuses always found a way to catch up.
Kin glanced at Minato.
"You might have a chance too."
This guy's talent was simply too monstrous. He might even become the key to unlocking Kin's path to immortality.
"If I can manage it."
Minato spoke sincerely, though he wondered—if he lived forever, could he really stay as Hokage the whole time?
He'd probably need to find new goals eventually.
"I'll stay with you."
"Eek?!" Kin frowned and took a few steps back, instinctively clutching his rear as he eyed Minato suspiciously. He declared solemnly:
"I like women."
Minato's face darkened. How the hell did this guy twist things like that?! A vein throbbed on his forehead.
This is absurd.
"I LIKE WOMEN TOO!!! APOLOGIZE TO OUR FRIENDSHIP, YOU BASTARD!!"
Suddenly, Minato's face and clothes became sharply angular. He grabbed Kin by the collar and shook him violently.
"WASH THOSE FILTY THOUGHTS OUT OF YOUR HEAD, YOU JERK!!"
"Yeah, yeah." Kin picked his ear nonchalantly. "I know you've got your heart set on Kushina, alright?"
"GRAAAH!!"
"FACE JUDGMENT, UCHIHA KIN!!"
Pink flames erupted behind Minato.
Kin snorted. "As if you can take me."
His own face and body sharpened into angular forms.
Both threw a punch simultaneously.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!!"
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!!"
Their fists became blurs, colliding mid-air as shockwaves rippled through the atmosphere.
Countless exchanges later, both finally exhausted themselves and reverted to their normal appearances.
"Not bad," Kin said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Likewise," Minato exhaled lightly.
They locked eyes, battle spirit still burning—then suddenly burst into laughter.
It grew louder and louder.
"HAHAHA!"
Only after a long while did they calm down.
"Hey, Kin," Minato asked curiously, "do you really not want to be Hokage?"
"Honestly, you've got better odds than me."
As a genius in ninjutsu development, Kin had consistently strengthened the village.
If he became Hokage, he might lead Konoha to even greater heights.
Minato would be disappointed if he failed to achieve his dream, but he'd still wholeheartedly support Kin.
"Hokage, huh..."
Kin scratched his head. Why can't these people aim for the stars instead of obsessing over a village chief's seat?
Sarutobi Hiruzen must be sweating bullets by now.
"That position isn't for me."
He declined politely. Considering the chaos his shadow clones were causing outside, there was no way the title would land on him.
Besides, the Land of Rain was already his personal domain—why settle for being restricted in this village?
He wondered...
What expression will Minato make when he learns the truth?
It'd probably be hilarious.
Kin smirked maliciously at the thought.
Back home, Kin sat on the tatami, watching Xiao Bai and Xiao Miao play-fighting in a corner of the room.
Thanks to the Yang-natured chakra internal energy, the two summon beasts had grown massive.
"Shouldn't you two find somewhere else to live?"
His house was spacious, but these two had clearly outgrown it.
Xiao Bai and Xiao Miao immediately sat upright before him.
Xiao Bai coiled up and nuzzled Kin's hand, signaling obedience.
Xiao Miao struck a "maneki-neko" (beckoning cat) pose.
"Meow~"
"I bring good fortune!"
They refused to leave. Outside was cold and food-scarce—at their size, foraging wouldn't even fill their teeth gaps.
"My house has limits too."
If they kept growing, the building wouldn't hold them.
Both summon beasts made pitiful, teary-eyed faces.
Nothing beats home comfort.
Kin ignored their antics and pondered.
The Land of Rain would suit them perfectly—they could even serve as guard beasts.
Their sheer size alone would be a deterrent.
Nodding decisively, Kin turned to the two with a grin.
Xiao Bai and Xiao Miao paled.
"STAY AWAY!!"
Kin's smile widened.
"Go play with my shadow clone."
Darkness spread from his feet. The summon beasts tried to flee, but the shadows swallowed the floor like quicksand, dragging them down no matter how they struggled.
Soon, their massive forms vanished entirely.
"Have fun."
Without them, the house felt eerily spacious—and blissfully quiet.
Those two had been constantly roughhousing.
Kin sprawled comfortably on the tatami.
No more noise. Pure tranquility.
A win-win.
"I really need a sofa," he muttered, sitting up. Tatami wasn't the most comfortable, but the Uchiha clan favored traditional furnishings.
They didn't even have a TV.
Wait—
This seemingly outdated world did have televisions. Even fridges and microwoles existed, let alone TVs.
Knock knock knock.
Kin opened the door.
"Ah, Kiyoshi."
He smiled at Hyuga Kiyoshi—the only subordinate who never gave him headaches.
"Apologies for disturbing you, sir."
"Come in."
Kiyoshi entered respectfully and sat in the living room. Kin took the seat opposite, studying the conflicted expression on his face.
"What's on your mind?" Kin asked, still smiling.
"You seem troubled."
Hyuga Kiyoshi wasn't usually this expressive.
After a long pause, Kiyoshi spoke slowly:
"I've located the Hyuga clan's storage facility for Byakugan."
Kin's eyes lit up. With enough Byakugan samples, he could definitely unravel their secrets.
"What's your plan?"
Kiyoshi fell silent for a long moment.
"I will retrieve the Byakugan for you, sir. Please lend me your strength."
(End of Chapter)