The Other Side
Puff puff...
A humanoid figure bolted directly toward Hokage Rock.
The Anbu immediately took notice.
Since the Hokage Office was built just below the Hokage Rock, they initially thought it was an enemy attack.
However, what they saw was Mizuki—impaled, bloodied, and hung from the head of the Third Hokage's statue.
And Minato... was dead.
"Third Hokage!"
"Mizuki's been launched onto the Hokage Rock!"
The Anbu quickly reported the situation.
"What?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up sharply.
"Are you sure it's Mizuki? He was sent flying?!"
Without hesitation, Hiruzen rushed to the large French window overlooking the Rock.
"Could it be that Naruto mastered one of the Forbidden Techniques? No... the Sealed Book doesn't have any ninjutsu capable of that kind of force."
"Then what happened?"
At this moment, Konoha's two elder advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had been seated quietly on the sofa, also stood up with alarm.
Today was a critical day. They were observing and testing Naruto.
Sarutobi had already learned Mizuki was planning to defect and had tricked Naruto into stealing the Sealed Book. Rather than stopping it outright, Hiruzen waved his hand and chose to use it as a test—an opportunity to assess Naruto's potential.
Naruto was the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, a key asset to the village.
His loyalty had to be certain. It was non-negotiable.
Since childhood, Sarutobi had indoctrinated Naruto with the Will of Fire. By his estimation, Naruto was still malleable.
He just needed to convince the rest of the council.
So the stage was set. Naruto would 'steal' the Sealed Book, but everything would be monitored and controlled. Iruka was meant to step in and bring it to a close.
Iruka, orphaned in the Nine-Tails' attack, had since grown strong. Hiruzen had noted how Iruka showed Naruto compassion—something no one else in the village gave him.
Perhaps Naruto, through Iruka's influence, could grow into a true shinobi.
Despite being neglected and shunned by the villagers, if Naruto could see that someone still believed in him...
Then maybe, just maybe...
All that suppressed loneliness and despair could be redirected into something powerful and positive.
That was the plan.
Naruto would 'debut' as a real ninja.
But... something went wrong.
Iruka had sent Kakashi to the hospital earlier, so Iruka couldn't arrive in time.
Meanwhile, Naruto moved too quickly. He had already stolen the book and disappeared.
The result? Confusion.
As for Mizuki, Sarutobi had ordered Anbu to capture him at the village gate.
Konoha had only one entrance and one exit. The Anbu simply had to wait.
"Mizuki was beaten up..."
"But Naruto's not at the gate..."
"Then..." Koharu frowned. "Could Naruto be defecting?"
"Unlikely," Sarutobi answered firmly.
"Even if Iruka fails, Naruto wouldn't. You both know his lineage."
"Right..." Koharu nodded slowly.
Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son.
The blood of Konoha's greatest hero ran in his veins.
What they didn't know was that Minato—though dead—was watching everything unfold and was, at this moment, trying to convince Naruto to defect through an ethereal mental link.
Just then—
Boom!
"Third Hokage! Uzumaki Naruto is heading for the Hokage Building! He's carrying the Sealed Book on his back!" another Anbu reported.
Sarutobi exhaled deeply.
Koharu and Homura also sighed in relief.
This confirmed that Sarutobi's plan had succeeded.
Naruto hadn't fled.
He was still a good boy, a child of Konoha through and through.
---
Kitahara Hitoshi's Hut
Watching Naruto's fading silhouette, Kitahara Hitoshi turned toward the silent white rabbit by his side.
His Rinnegan had fully awakened. Not only had he gained access to the pinnacle of ocular power, but his control over his own body had also improved immensely.
Was this the perk of transmigrating?
Or was it from being bitten by this mysterious rabbit?
At the same time, the ninja rabbit silently observed him.
It was mute—never spoke, never barked.
But... was it truly incapable of speech?
"Looks like we really need to have a proper talk," Hitoshi murmured.
This time, he reached out again. As he moved, the rabbit darted.
Yet unlike before, its movements were no longer beyond his perception. Within the Rinnegan's field of vision, its motion had a clear trajectory.
He could catch it.
His right hand extended.
He felt the soft brush of fluffy fur between his fingers.
Then—
Boom!
The ninja rabbit reappeared behind him.
"..."
Faster.
The rabbit gently brushed the spot on its fur that had been touched.
"When I get stronger, do you get stronger too?" Hitoshi mused.
"Interesting."
He could still track it using his Rinnegan. But he chose not to.
"Forget it," he said aloud. "I won't press you."
"Let's take it step by step."
As he said that, the rabbit's tense posture eased slightly.
---
Private Shinobi Group Chat
Senju Hashirama: Why didn't Kitahara Hitoshi keep pressing?
Senju Hashirama: His recent Sharingan and Rinnegan evolution must be linked to that ninja rabbit.
Senju Hashirama: Plus... those eyes. The rabbit has Byakugan. Something's off here.
Namikaze Minato: Hashirama, I see it differently.
Namikaze Minato: If the rabbit doesn't want communication or contact, but still grants power... why force it?
Senju Tobirama: Exactly. Flow like water. Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Namikaze Minato: Well said, Second.
Namikaze Minato: This rabbit... and our group's existence... both are very subtle.
Kakashi: ...
Namikaze Minato: Kakashi, say something.
Kakashi: ...
Senju Tobirama: What's wrong with this guy? Minato, he's your student.
Namikaze Minato: Yes.
Namikaze Minato: So, what do you think, Kakashi?
Kakashi: ...I can't say.
Namikaze Minato: ...
Minato knew Kakashi too well.
Which meant... was his guess correct?
Was Kakashi silent because of guilt?
Boom!
Another figure crashed through Kitahara Hitoshi's window.
Uzumaki Naruto, blond hair wild and eyes blazing with anticipation, skidded to a stop.
"Kitahara-kun! I'm back!"
"Hurry!"
"I want to use ninjutsu!"
He immediately started unbuttoning his shirt.
"..." Kitahara Hitoshi stared.
Naruto really came back quickly.
But that was to be expected.
All Naruto ever wanted was to become a ninja, then Hokage, and then to be acknowledged.
He had worked tirelessly, despite constant rejection. Now that a door had opened for him—of course he couldn't wait.
"Hold on."
"You're not a girl. No need to undress." Hitoshi raised a hand. "We're not doing anything weird."
Meanwhile...
Kakashi: I can't hide it anymore.
Kakashi: I'm sorry, Minato-sensei.
Kakashi: This Naruto... he's your son. Uzumaki Naruto.
Kakashi: I only found out today.
Kakashi: Third Hokage personally begged me to become Naruto's Jōnin instructor.
Everyone: ...
Namikaze Minato: Huh?
Senju Tobirama: Eh!?
Senju Hashirama: ????