Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

When Uzumaki Chito's clone dissipated, the real Uzumaki Chito immediately became aware of everything that had transpired in Konoha.

Hyuga Neji stood silently behind Naruto, his eyes filled with a mixture of hesitation and longing as he gazed at Uzumaki Chito. It was clear that Neji had already made a decision, one that would alter the course of his life.

Tenseigan…

The thought crossed Uzumaki Chito's mind. He was curious to witness the power of the Tenseigan, a force he had yet to fully understand. However, he concluded that such a matter would ultimately fall under Orochimaru's purview. Orochimaru, though cunning, had developed a deep fear of Uzumaki Chito.

After his defeat during the Konoha Collapse Plan, Orochimaru had fled without hesitation. With his hands severed and only a handful of individuals capable of healing him, Orochimaru had been forced to travel far and wide, avoiding any further entanglements with Uzumaki Chito.

"Grandpa… I failed," Naruto admitted, his voice heavy with regret. Yet, to his surprise, Uzumaki Chito's expression bore no trace of disappointment. If anything, he seemed contemplative.

Naruto's feelings of failure were self-directed. Though he had nearly succeeded in his mission, his plans were ultimately thwarted by a Konoha ninja—Jiraiya. Yet Naruto refused to shift the blame entirely onto Jiraiya. If he had failed, it was because he wasn't strong enough. He hadn't done enough.

Uzumaki Chito observed the shifting emotions on Naruto's face. Sadness gave way to resolve, and Chito's eyes narrowed slightly in approval. Naruto had already begun to reflect on his defeat, coming to the same conclusion: his strength was insufficient. He needed to become stronger—much stronger.

"Good," Uzumaki Chito said, his voice steady. "Now that you've figured it out, let's get to training. Clean up the ruins here first."

Naruto nodded, determination burning in his eyes. Uzumaki Chito smiled faintly. Naruto's growth in both maturity and responsibility was evident. Chito knew he needed to be Naruto's unwavering support, his strongest ally.

"Guy," Uzumaki Chito addressed Might Guy, "you're going too. You have a deep understanding of taijutsu, and the body is the foundation of all strength."

"I understand. Thank you, senior," Might Guy replied respectfully, bowing deeply before leaving without hesitation.

This trip to Konoha had shown Might Guy the decaying roots of the village—the very elements that made Konoha unrecognizable to him. He resolved to gain the strength necessary to sever those roots and rebuild the Konoha he believed in. If Konoha had strayed from its ideals, then he would help create a new one.

Naruto, in Guy's eyes, was a remarkable child—hardworking, kind, and possessing a strong sense of right and wrong. With Uzumaki Chito as his steadfast supporter, Naruto could protect the village's future and help it grow anew.

Uzumaki Chito noticed Might Guy's determined expression and smiled. The purest of ninjas would never abandon their ninja way.

"Now," Uzumaki Chito turned his gaze to Hyuga Neji. "Let's talk about you, little one from the Hyuga clan."

Uzumaki Chito's eyes seemed to penetrate Neji's very soul, scrutinizing his life from birth to the present. They reflected an understanding that left Neji momentarily breathless.

The revelation of Hyuga Neji's defection caused an uproar in Konoha.

Half a year earlier, Naruto Uzumaki and Might Guy had already become rogue ninjas, but their defection hadn't caused nearly as much of a stir. The departure of a once-dismissed "dead last" and a relatively ordinary ninja had barely rippled through the village's consciousness, even though both had been marked with S-class danger levels. By contrast, Rock Lee, another defector, had only warranted a meager D-class danger ranking.

But Hyuga Neji was different.

A prodigy of the prestigious Hyuga family, Neji's future had been bright and filled with promise. For someone of his stature to defect—someone who could have risen to greatness—was an unthinkable betrayal. Rumors spread like wildfire, with villagers questioning what had gone so wrong in Konoha to push Neji to this point.

The Hyuga family vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless, but eyewitnesses told a different story. Uzumaki Chito had freed Neji from the oppressive "Caged Bird" seal and had led him away from Konoha.

Could Uzumaki Chito truly break the Caged Bird seal?

The implications of this revelation sent shockwaves through the Hyuga clan. The seal, long used to control the branch family, had always been regarded as unbreakable. But now, for the first time, it seemed there was a chance to unbind it. The Hyuga family reacted swiftly, closing their compound and forbidding any mention of Uzumaki Chito.

Konoha was roiling with unrest, and the undercurrents of change were palpable.

Danzo, seizing the opportunity, took control of Konoha. Though he claimed reluctance, the reality was that the village was now entirely under his authority. His first act was to declare martial law, locking the village down in an attempt to regain control.

It was under this tense atmosphere that Kabuto, following Orochimaru's orders, infiltrated Konoha. His target: Uchiha Sasuke.

Stepping into Sasuke's room, Kabuto immediately felt an inexplicable unease. His sharp eyes scanned the space, but nothing appeared amiss. Seeing Sasuke lying motionless on the bed, Kabuto hoisted him onto his back and prepared to make a quick escape.

Though martial law made the operation riskier, Kabuto knew this was Konoha's weakest moment. If he was cautious, he could slip away unnoticed.

In the silent courtyard, a black crow perched on a branch, its blood-red eyes gleaming ominously.

A sudden, searing pain struck Kabuto. His soul felt as though it were being torn apart, and he fell to the ground with a gasp, dropping Sasuke in the process.

Bang!

Sasuke's body transformed into a wooden log—a substitution.

Before Kabuto could fully recover, a shuriken whizzed through the air, narrowly missing him.

"Heh, decent reflexes," a cold voice remarked from the courtyard's entrance.

Kabuto looked up to see two figures cloaked in black robes adorned with red clouds. The Sharingan in their eyes glowed with a menacing intensity, and Kabuto immediately knew he was outmatched.

Uchiha Itachi stepped forward, his voice icy and commanding. "Tell me, who sent you?"

Kabuto's instincts screamed at him to escape, but under the pressure of Itachi's overwhelming genjutsu, resistance was futile.

"It… it was Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto admitted through gritted teeth.

Itachi's gaze darkened. Memories of Orochimaru—his pale face and ever-present twisted smile—flooded his mind.

"Orochimaru…" Itachi muttered, recalling the former Sannin's treachery. The very man responsible for the Konoha Collapse Plan, the one who had claimed the Third Hokage's life. Such a dangerous individual showing interest in Sasuke was troubling.

Though Itachi felt an urge to kill Kabuto on the spot, he hesitated. Orochimaru's involvement meant this was far from over. For now, he would let Kabuto live.

"This will be settled with Orochimaru," Itachi said coldly, his Sharingan glinting ominously.

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