Konoha: Who's the good guy?

"Go, Minato-sensei~"

Inside the newly erected tent.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan all knelt on the ground, sincerely apologizing to Minato Namikaze.

"Ah, if it's a misunderstanding, it's okay."

Minato Namikaze, his clothes slightly dirty, sighed inwardly.

No wonder that guy, Yamanaka Kei, ran off after summoning the clam, saying he needed to discuss something with Danzo.

So this is to make him take the blame?

Damn it!

How did I fall for their trap again?

"Showing your belly is basic etiquette when apologizing!"

Yamanaka Kei lifted the tent flap slightly, teasing Yahiko and the other two with a mischievous grin.

"It's him!"

Nagato's expression changed slightly.

Yahiko and Konan also immediately turned their attention to Yamanaka Kei.

His blond hair was slightly shorter than Minato's, and his face was more masculine. He wore the same Jonin vest and black combat suit.

Yes, that's it!

This is the guy named "Yama no Kei" that Jiraiya-sensei just mentioned.

They were also the culprits who abandoned them on the deserted island!

But they just lifted one tent; lifting it again would be going too far.

What a cunning fellow!

Is there no other way but to find another opportunity?

"Jing, where did you hear these strange etiquette rules?"

Minato Namikaze's eyes were filled with resentment, and his resentment was almost tangible.

"Haha~ Just kidding! Besides, I didn't intentionally use your image to mislead them, they just mistook it for me."

Yamanaka Kei put his arm around Minato's shoulder, comforting his friend with a smile.

He has always been cautious in his actions.

Before summoning Yahiko and the others back, he had already secretly had the little clam monitor the three of them for quite some time.

Since the three of them still couldn't forget their "Senior Brother Minato".

Of course, he would grant the three people's small wish.

"Why......"

Minato Namikaze waved his hand wearily, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.

Based on his years of experience of being scammed.

No matter how you try to explain it, the responsibility can't be placed on your own best friend.

If things go wrong, it might even turn out to be his fault in the end!

"Um, Senior Yamanaka Kei, could you tell us what you were doing when you disguised yourself as an Anbu member from Kirigakure and went to Amegakure?"

Yahiko looked at the mountain scenery with a complicated expression, a bad feeling already creeping into his heart.

In fact, he had already thought about it before.

Why would "Senior Brother Minato" disguise himself as an Anbu member and go to Amegakure?

However, because they were both Jiraiya's disciples, they were unwilling to think about the worst-case scenario.

Now, having returned from the isolated island, the location is still on the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.

Konoha ninjas gathered here in large numbers and established a border camp.

It's war...

Has it erupted again?

"Well, it all started when I learned about the Rinnegan."

The mountain scenery glanced at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya blushed and awkwardly turned his face away.

"Then?"

Yahiko frowned and pressed for an answer.

"Explaining the cause and effect would take a long time..."

Yamazaka waved his hand, signaling Yahiko to calm down.

After sitting down on a bench, he slowly began to tell the story that he had already adapted.

Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu are now dead.

Without any worries, putting things out in the open will undoubtedly save a lot of unnecessary trouble.

For example, how Madara Uchiha awakened the Rinnegan, and why he transplanted it to Nagato.

He's not mute.

It's something that can be resolved with just a few words.

Why put on an arrogant face and wait for others to guess and misunderstand?

After hearing the whole story.

Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze exchanged a glance, their expressions extremely solemn.

The Otsutsuki clan, Kaguya Otsutsuki, extraterrestrial visitors, and Otsutsuki Isshiki, who might not be dead...

These buried truths and past events are chilling to hear!

Nagato covered his eyes with his hands in confusion.

Yahiko and Konan both looked extremely grim.

What Yamanaka Kei just said had a huge impact on them.

So their lives were all pre-arranged by someone else?

All tragedies, all joys, all...

"Don't be discouraged. Ask yourself honestly, do you regret meeting Minami and Yahiko?"

Yamanaka Kei casually flicked a small pebble, formed from earth-attribute chakra, onto Nagato's forehead, who was questioning his existence.

"No regrets! If... without them... I can't imagine..."

Nagato spoke hesitantly, but when he raised his head again, his eyes gradually hardened.

Even if others can control their lives.

But you can't control their feelings; they are genuinely loving partners and interdependent family members!

The three children exchanged glances, and a relieved smile gradually appeared on their faces.

"Everyone says that everyone has their own destiny, that it is predetermined by God, but I don't believe in fate. The past cannot be changed, but the future is in your own hands. Whether you walk it, which path you take, and what kind of path you take are all your decisions."

Shan Zhongjing smiled and got up to walk out of the tent.

He lifted the curtain, paused, and turned back to the three little ones.

"If you'd like to have a match, feel free to come find me anytime, but if you lose, you'll have to accept the punishment!"

"Gurgle~ W-what kind of punishment?"

Yahiko swallowed hard, sensing that Yamanaka Kei's smile was somewhat malicious.

"A one-month trip to Ryūchi-dō".

Shan Zhongjing raised an eyebrow and walked out of the tent in a cheerful mood.

"What is Ryuchi-dong like?"

Yahiko turned to look at Jiraiya-sensei standing to the side.

"Forests, caves, and countless snakes... if you're going to survive for a month... well, I suggest you bring plenty of seasonings and antidotes, hahaha~"

Jiraiya slapped his thigh and laughed.

Although Yamanaka Kei often acts in ways that are completely unlike a proper person.

But sorry, he's not exactly a respectable person either!

"Ryuchi Cave is alright, but if you were to spend a month at Mt. Myoboku or Shikkotsu Forest..."

Minato Namikaze's face turned slightly green as he thought of the delicious food from Mount Myoboku.

Raw, mushy worms that wriggle around are a nightmare!

As for the Shikulin Forest...

He had heard the toads of Mount Myōboku say that, apart from the Slug Sage, it seemed that not even tree bark could be found there.

All the little slugs are just clones of the Slug Fairy.

I need to survive for a month.

Perhaps the only thing that can be done is for the slug fairy to take pity on it and share some of its slime to fill its belly?

As for eating slugs...

Ugh~

No, I can't think about this anymore!

If he keeps thinking about it, he's afraid he won't be able to eat for several days in a row!

Hearing the faint sounds of retching coming from the tent behind him, Yamanaka Kei secretly despised Minato.

Staring at the unresponsive system interface in my mind.

He stroked his chin and headed towards the location of the Tuanzang tent.

He just racked his brains and spoke so emotionally, yet the three little ones' fate still hasn't been changed?

Why? What's the difference?

Did he overlook something?