Chapter 82: Return to the Village and Changes
After leaving Hyuga Mirai, Sasaski, and the Kikyō Castle Ninja squad, the three individuals accompanying Water Gate Namikaze remained in a state of low spirits.
Even though Uzumaki Naruto's impulsiveness had caused Water Gate Namikaze considerable trouble, Sakura Haruno and Yamato did not blame Uzumaki Naruto afterward; instead, they became just like him, their earlier liveliness completely vanished.
Water Gate Namikaze observed their emotional changes. Upon reaching an uninhabited area, he suddenly stopped, found a place to sit down, and patted the spot next to him, smiling at Uzumaki Naruto as he said, "Let's rest a bit before continuing our journey."
Once all three were seated, Water Gate Namikaze finally spoke: "Although I don't condone people from the past knowing the future in advance, your three reactions seem abnormal. If you don't mind, could you tell me why you harbor such strong animosity towards Mirai-kun?"
If Water Gate Namikaze hadn't guessed wrong, Uzumaki Naruto didn't know Hyuga Mirai at all; he likely only deduced Mirai-kun's identity from the way he addressed him and the distinct Byakugan trait of the Hyuga Clan.
But precisely because of this, for Uzumaki Naruto to act so impulsively, disregarding his hidden identity—Water Gate Namikaze would absolutely not believe there wasn't a deep-seated grudge between the two.
Moreover, Uzumaki Naruto was his future son, and Water Gate Namikaze was also a bit curious about what had happened that made all three of them so downcast after seeing Hyuga Mirai.
"...I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but Tsunade's mood gets worse day by day, Jiraiya is dead, Hinata can no longer be a Ninja because of that guy, and the Third Hokage's death is also related to that guy…"
Although Uzumaki Naruto was a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Jiraiya's disciple, his primary mission was to improve his strength and control the Nine-Tails' power; he wasn't informed of the village's major and minor affairs. Uzumaki Naruto could only learn about Konoha's situation by asking around and through his friends from the Nin school.
"Fourth Hokage, that Hyuga Mirai just now, in our time, is Konoha's top-ranked S-rank Rogue Ninja."
Yamato had been in the Anbu and knew more than Uzumaki Naruto and Sakura Haruno. The information he provided was much clearer than what Uzumaki Naruto had said.
Yamato recounted everything, from the start of the defection, the Hyuga Clan's internal strife, all the way to the recent events where the Fire Country Daimyo forced the Fifth Hokage to hand over the Jinchuriki.
Water Gate Namikaze gasped in disbelief after listening, never imagining that the future Konoha would be in such a dire state; even if he hadn't died at the Nine-Tails' hands, he probably wouldn't have fared much better than Tsunade by then.
Even the Fire Country Daimyo no longer supported the Hokage. Facing such a situation, Konoha was likely not far from falling apart.
"So that's how it is, Uzumaki Naruto, you've truly suffered."
Water Gate Namikaze felt a pang of heartache thinking about what his son would face in the future, so he reached out and stroked his son's golden hair, which was just like his own.
"If the Fourth Hokage were still here…"
Yamato originally wanted to say that if the Fourth Hokage were still alive, he would surely be able to change Konoha's predicament; but considering Konoha's current situation, which was not far from complete collapse, and even Tsunade's temper growing increasingly volatile, Yamato couldn't help but think that even if the Fourth Hokage were still alive, he might not be able to change anything.
In the future Konoha, externally, the Land of Fire, from the Daimyo to the county and town officials, collectively did not support Konoha, even cutting off funds and trade; internally, various Clan were disloyal, with only a few steadfast Clan and civilian Ninja who firmly stood with the Hokage maintaining Konoha's operation.
For example, Uzumaki Naruto, even though he bore the responsibility of controlling the Nine-Tails and growing stronger, still had to participate in missions to earn remuneration.
This was also because Hyuga Mirai hadn't overtly targeted Konoha much; otherwise, Konoha would have become the next Hidden Mist Village and Sand Ninja Village.
"I will absolutely not let that future happen!"
Water Gate Namikaze said with a solemn expression; just thinking about such a future made him feel utterly distraught.
However, Water Gate Namikaze continued, "Although I don't know why Mirai-kun and Lord Orochimaru became as you described, at this time, it's best not to show them any animosity. Otherwise, I don't know how I would handle it."
"Father, can you tell us about that person?"
Uzumaki Naruto wanted to call him 'Father' but ultimately felt too shy to say it aloud, so he asked about Hyuga Mirai.
"Alright, actually, if you ask some of the elders when you go back, you'll also learn these things, but I'll tell you first."
Water Gate Namikaze thought for a moment, then spoke to the three.
"You all know that Konoha just finished fighting the Sand Ninja, right? The Sand Ninja's puppeteers are very difficult for Konoha Ninja to deal with, and the most lethal part is the poison used by the Sand Ninja puppeteers. During the Second Shinobi World War, it was precisely because Tsunade continuously deciphered the Sand Ninja's poisons that the casualties of Konoha Ninja were greatly reduced."
Yamato knew a bit about this; Tsunade's deeds were taught in textbooks. Uzumaki Naruto's generation might have learned about the Third Hokage, but after the Third Hokage's death, Nin school textbooks began to promote the Fifth Hokage's achievements.
Water Gate Namikaze paused, then continued: "In this recent conflict with the Sand Ninja, because Tsunade had left Konoha, Konoha Ninja initially suffered considerable losses when facing the poisons concocted by the Sand Ninja; however, later, because Mirai-kun's Medical Ninjutsu was outstanding and he also had research into concocting poisons, the task of deciphering the Sand Ninja's poisons was entrusted to him."
"After that, he successively deciphered five or six types of Sand Ninja poisons. If not for Hyuga Mirai, the casualties of Konoha Ninja in this conflict would have been at least two hundred; furthermore, over a hundred Ninja were personally treated by him. Among that squad of Ninja just now, nearly half were saved by Mirai-kun."
"Therefore, when you showed animosity towards Mirai-kun, Uzumaki Naruto, that's why so many people spoke up for Mirai-kun; if it weren't for your Anbu mask, you might have been taken down on the spot."
"That amazing…"
Sakura Haruno looked surprised after hearing this. How old was Hyuga Mirai when she saw him just now? He was only eleven or twelve, yet he had already achieved so much.
What were they doing when they were eleven or twelve? They were still in the Nin school, not even Genin.
As a Medical Ninja, Sakura Haruno was only somewhat famous in Konoha because of Tsunade; she couldn't make others actively protect her.
Water Gate Namikaze stood up and said with a smile, "Alright, let's stop here for now. From now on, you'll stay with me. Once I have some free time, I'll help you return to your original timeline."
Subsequently, the group headed towards the Land of Rivers Camp.
On the other side, Sasaski and Hyuga Mirai's team had also rendezvoused with the returning village contingent led by Orochimaru.
This time, Hyuga Mirai didn't practice in private; instead, he directly approached Orochimaru.
This action surprised Orochimaru a bit. Given Hyuga Mirai's usual secretive nature, where he'd even use multiple layers of codes when practicing with summoning animals, it was quite unexpected for him to directly approach Orochimaru in front of others.
"Lord Orochimaru, there's something I want to discuss with you…"
Although Hyuga Mirai didn't approach Orochimaru stealthily, his voice was still kept very low when he spoke, so others couldn't hear him at all.
"Heh heh, it's rare for you to come to me proactively, Mirai-kun." Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, then continued, "If it's not urgent, let's discuss it when we return to the lab."
Many readers say I'm short; before it went on sale, it was a bit, but after it went on sale, it became 4000 characters per chapter. Also, please vote and recommend books.