After Garfield and Rin entered the Naruto World node, the defensive spells outside the node immediately reactivated, sealing the surrounding space completely.
An invisible will swept across the sealed area.
At Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One squatting beside the Book of Vishanti, curved his lips into a faint smile.
…
Garfield and Rin slipped through the spatial fissure and were instantly swallowed by a rainbow-colored passage.
Anyone who had seen Thor would recognize it immediately.
This was like the Rainbow Bridge.
Light surged around them as space folded rapidly. After several swift transitions, the two were expelled from the end of the tunnel.
Their figures appeared atop a cliff deep within a mountain range.
Below them stretched a vast forest, canopy rolling like waves. The vegetation was aggressively alive.
Garfield inhaled deeply.
"Tsk," He said appreciatively. "The air here is saturated with chakra. Not very concentrated, but for my devouring ability, it counts as a premium snack."
Rin also took a deep breath, her face lighting up.
"I'm home," She said softly. "I'm finally home."
Her expression soon shifted. Unease crept into her eyes.
Garfield noticed immediately. "What's wrong, Rin?"
"The terrain feels… familiar," Rin said slowly. "But something's off."
Garfield scanned the surroundings again. Mountains, forests, cliffs, everything looked ordinary enough.
"Rin," he said casually, "Don't overthink it."
"Crossing worlds means crossing time and space. A bit of deviation is normal. Besides, Kakashi and Obito are maybe running around as babies at this stage, right?"
"…Oh." Rin knew he had a point and didn't argue further. After observing for a while, she confirmed their bearings.
"Konoha should be in that direction."
"Then let's go," Garfield said.
"Yes, Lord Garfield."
Garfield twitched.
He raised a paw and carefully sealed the spatial crack they had emerged from, reinforcing it layer by layer.
After testing it twice, he confirmed it was stable and inaccessible.
Satisfied, he nodded.
Rin picked Garfield up and began leaping through the forest canopy.
As for why Garfield didn't simply open another spatial door, he preferred discretion.
This was his first arrival in the Ninga world, and even though he had already become one of the most dangerous Devourers in the universe, keeping a low profile was still good practice.
The closer Rin got to the Land of Fire, the more uneasy she felt.
The general terrain was correct, but the finer details, the density of the forest, the age of the trees, did not match her memories.
After nearly an hour of movement, Rin landed before a massive wooden structure.
The gates of Konoha.
"…" She halted, stunned.
Garfield narrowed his eyes as well.
He had seen the anime. Even if Konoha's gate wasn't particularly impressive, it should at least look like a proper gate.
This one didn't.
It was more like an enormous fortified fence.
Several shinobi were stationed at the entrance, but instead of standard Konoha combat uniforms, they wore ancient-style armor, far older than anything Rin should recognize.
Garfield sighed.
"Rin." He said calmly, "I think we came back… a bit too early."
Rin's voice trembled. "This kind of armor only existed during the founding era of Konoha."
"…Ah." Garfield's ears flattened slightly.
"Do you want me to take you back?" he asked. "We can try again."
Rin clenched her fists, eyes burning with resolve.
"No," She said firmly. "Let's go in and take a look. I've never seen the First Hokage in person. If nothing else, I want his autograph."
Garfield imagined Kakashi and Obito finding out.
They would absolutely cry.
One human and one cat walked toward the gate.
"Stop. Identify yourselves." The guard stepped forward and raised a hand.
Rin pointed to herself. "I am Konoha ninja Rin Nohara."
Then she gestured respectfully toward Garfield. "And this is Garfield."
Garfield's forehead twitched violently.
Rin…
You could've just said I'm a ninja too.
Now unless this gate guard is an idiot, he's definitely going to ask questions.
He slowly lifted his head, already preparing excuses.
This was going to be troublesome.
The gatekeeper stared at Rin and Garfield, scanning them from head to toe.
"…All right," He said at last. "You may enter."
That's it?
No questioning? No background check?
Are you mentally deficient? Garfield was momentarily speechless.
"Thank you," Rin said politely.
She carried Garfield into the village without the slightest obstruction.
Early Konoha was far more primitive than the version Rin remembered.
The village was dominated almost entirely by ninja clans… the Senju, the Uchiha, the Hyūga with their ever-present white eyes, and the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance.
Civilian presence was minimal, and commerce was nearly nonexistent.
As for prosperity?
There was exactly one place worth mentioning.
And just looking at it made Garfield's head ache.
A casino. Well known across generations.
Everyone knew that Senju Tsunade's reputation as a 'legendary sucker' did not originate with her, it was inherited.
Directly.
From her grandfather.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Hashirama had one defining trait, he lost every bet. Without exception.
The difference was that Tsunade built up massive debts and spent her life dodging creditors, while Hashirama… somehow never owed anyone anything afterward.
Because every time he lost…
Someone else paid.
Usually, Uchiha Madara.
Sometimes, Senju Tobirama.
A flawless system.
Garfield and Rin stood in front of what appeared to be Konoha's last remaining gambling house. Garfield rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Tell me," He asked, "Is Senju Hashirama inside?"
A black line appeared on Rin's forehead. Everyone in the village knew the First Hokage's habits.
"Nine times out of ten," She replied honestly.
"According to village records, Tobirama-sama once sealed every gambling establishment in Konoha because he couldn't tolerate the First Hokage's vices. This was the only one left."
"Later… it was sealed as well."
"Why?" Garfield asked.
Rin hesitated. "Something to do with Uchiha Madara, apparently."
Garfield nodded knowingly.
"Probably because your First Hokage was caught gambling with Madara's money."
Rin froze.
"Lord Garfield," She said slowly, "How do you know that?"
"Look." Garfield pointed calmly toward the alley beside them.
Rin turned her head and her pupils shrank.
Standing there were two figures who only appeared in textbooks, murals, and stone monuments.
Uchiha Madara was gripping Senju Hashirama's wrist tightly.
And in Hashirama's hand… was a money pouch embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest.
"I told you, Madara," Hashirama said cheerfully, "I picked it up off the ground after sparring."
Madara's face darkened.
"Bastard," He snapped. "You've used that excuse eight times."
"Eight?" Hashirama blinked. "Really? I thought it was only three."
Madara yanked the pouch back furiously. "You take my wallet every time we fight! Can you not gamble for five minutes?"
"Oh, I haven't made the same mistake," Hashirama said earnestly. "I'll definitely change next time."
Madara glared at him with murderous intent.
"I will never spar with you again."
With that, he stuffed the pouch into his robe and stormed off.
Hashirama watched him leave, then casually pulled out a thick stack of silver notes from his sleeve.
"Oh," He said. "I forgot to put these back."
He turned…
And realized Rin and Garfield had witnessed everything.
Hashirama scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly.
"…Could you pretend you didn't see that?" he asked.
"Otherwise…"
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Phantom your way through a treasure trove of chapters waiting on P@treon!
PhantomDream