Just how strong was Madara Uchiha? Most people in the ninja world today had no clear understanding of it.
After all, to secure his own position, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi drastically revised the Ninja Academy textbooks, distorting the history of the ninja world.
He even shamelessly declared himself as the strongest Hokage.
Even someone like Minato Namikaze, who had heard the true history from Kei Yamanaka, only knew a very limited version of the story.
Madara Uchiha!
This was someone who, with just his Mangekyo Sharingan active, could singlehandedly dominate the Five Kages and the Allied Ninja Forces.
If it hadn't been for the old Six Paths Sage secretly supporting from behind the scenes,
and Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha being like those annoying cockroaches that just won't die—getting back up again and again—
plus Black Zetsu stabbing people right in the heart when it mattered most,
Madara would've definitely been the final winner.
At their current level, Kei Yamanaka and Minato Namikaze wouldn't stand a chance facing off against even an elderly version of Madara Uchiha. They'd basically be handing themselves over on a plate.
"Man… Just thinking about this messed-up world makes me feel like it's seriously f***ing dangerous. First Madara Uchiha, then the Otsutsuki Clan. This is way too much…"
Kei thought bitterly to himself.
If it weren't for his system granting him rapid power increases, he really would've wanted to find a remote mountain range and just throw in the towel completely.
While lost in these thoughts,
a sudden spatial fluctuation erupted from Minato Namikaze beside him.
"Oh? [Reverse Summoning Jutsu] from Mount Myoboku—it must be calling me. I'll head over real quick."
Minato sensed the [Reverse Summoning Jutsu].
After sticking one of his [Flying Thunder God Kunai] into the ship's railing, he vanished amidst a cloud of chakra smoke.
According to the rules of the Summoning Technique,
once the summoning was canceled, the summoned person would return to the exact spatial coordinates they were originally pulled from.
Without the [Flying Thunder God Kunai] marking the spot,
by the time Minato returned from Mount Myoboku, this three-masted sailing ship—which wasn't slow by any means—would probably already be long gone.
The time Minato spent at Mount Myoboku wasn't particularly long.
Less than twenty minutes later,
he reappeared aboard the three-masted sailing ship using the [Flying Thunder God Technique].
Kei Yamanaka was still lounging on the deck, sunbathing and enjoying the sea breeze.
Seeing the odd expression on Minato's face when he returned from Mount Myoboku, Kei couldn't help but ask curiously.
"What's with that look on your face?"
"There's a notice from the village. Basically saying that Uzushio Village has always been a loyal ally of Konoha. In recent years, due to certain circumstances, Konoha couldn't offer timely assistance when the Uzumaki clan faced tragedy. It urges Konoha ninja to proactively assist any Uzumaki they encounter while traveling outside the village…"
Minato organized his words carefully, summarizing what he'd learned from the frog messenger.
After listening, Kei also wore an equally strange expression.
He fully understood why Minato looked so weird just now.
In short,
both of their expressions conveyed the same sentiment.
Where the hell were you guys back then?
Uzu no Kuni had been destroyed many years ago, and the Uzumaki clan was nearly wiped out.
And now you suddenly remember they're allies?
"So the Third is preparing to bring some Uzumaki clan members into the fold, huh?"
Kei Yamanaka immediately saw through the purpose of this announcement.
The Uzumaki clan, huh?
The only things the old schemers back in the village could possibly want were their bloodline and Sealing Techniques.
And something like this suddenly appearing—something never mentioned in the original story—obviously meant one thing.
He didn't need to think twice. He already knew it was probably all because of the widespread rumors circulating in the village about him dating Kushina.
Were they worried about the Jinchuriki situation?
Or was it a precautionary move against the Yamanaka Clan?
Or maybe both?
"It looks like more of Kushina's clan will be settling in Konoha soon."
Minato Namikaze nodded with a smile, genuinely happy for Kushina.
Konoha was one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
The living conditions here were undoubtedly far superior to those in the smaller, unstable nations beyond the village.
If members of the Uzumaki clan could come to Konoha, they'd surely be able to survive and carry on their legacy.
"Don't get too optimistic. The Uzumaki might still hold quite a grudge against our village."
Kei shrugged his shoulders.
Meanwhile, he mentally reached out to connect with the system, wondering if there was any reward for the butterfly effect he had caused.
This should count as influencing and changing the main plot, right?
Hey hey, Dog System? You there!
Where's my reward?
Doggy? Dog System?
Damn it!
When the system didn't respond for a while,
Kei furrowed his brows but then turned toward Minato at his side.
"Minato! Want a girlfriend?"
"Huh? What?"
Minato gave his dear friend a very confused look.
"Long red hair and a flowing shoulder wrap like a cape, facial features carved like a masterpiece, sexy and hot figure, gentle and soft personality. Interested or not?"
Kei threw an arm over Minato's neck,
describing vividly the Uzumaki girl from his memory.
"Well... Maybe, perhaps, kind of… I guess, as long as she doesn't punch me so hard that I'll cry for days."
Minato smiled faintly.
To be honest,
he genuinely thought red hair was beautiful.
That color always gave him a feeling of endless passion and vitality.
Back when they were in the Ninja Academy,
if Kei hadn't acted so quickly, he might've seriously considered pursuing Kushina himself.
"You just wait—I'll make sure to tell Kushina exactly what you said."
Kei became even more determined to set up the young lady with Minato.
Firstly, by altering Minato's life trajectory, he could earn rewards from the system.
Secondly—
Kushina was his!
Minato needed to find someone early—otherwise, he'd always be getting in the way!
"Hey, I was only quoting you! If Kushina goes looking for someone to punch, it should be you!"
Minato argued back reasonably.
"She won't hit me—she couldn't bring herself to do it."
"You're really gonna lose me as a friend over this, seriously!"
"Hahahahaha!"
They shared a few laughs and jokes.
Then Kei directly ordered the captain to change course—their new destination: the Summoning Island in the Sea Country!
Ninjas often encountered unexpected incidents during missions.
Arriving a few days late wouldn't raise any real suspicion anyway.
The Sea Country is located in the northern waters of the Land of Water and the southern waters of the Land of Lightning.
Like the Grass Country, Bear Country, and Rain Country, it is a small nation sandwiched between two major powers, serving as a buffer state between warring powers.
As for Summoning Island, though officially part of the Sea Country's territory, its true ruler is actually Kiri!
In the original storyline, this island was home to many powerful creatures suitable for use as summoning beasts, making it highly favored by ninja.
A research facility had even been established on the island specifically for studying, breeding, and improving the abilities of summoning beasts.
Kei Yamanaka had learned about this when he extracted the memories from that Mist shinobi.
The summoning beasts used by their squad against Pakura were mostly from that very location.
But at the time, he hadn't thought much of it.
Now, speaking of the Uzumaki clan.
Kei recalled some of the more notable members of the Uzumaki clan who had names in the original story.
He naturally thought of that girl who stayed on Summoning Island and ultimately died because of the so-called "ultimate summoning beast."
Between the original story's memories and the intelligence extracted from the Mist shinobi's mind,
there was a high chance that this girl named Uzumaki Honoka was still alive—and probably around the same age as them!
Isn't becoming Water Gate's wife better than dying pointlessly to a beast?
"I'm *such* a genius!"
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