Naruko was in heaven. Absolute bliss. It wasn't just fun—this was ego-boosting, self-indulgent fun. In the game "Homestead," she finally experienced the *other* kind of joy video games could offer—flexing on people!
The construction mode was ridiculously easy. So easy that she'd actually managed to fly ahead with three juniors trailing in her wake like ducklings.
Yes! This was the feeling she'd been chasing!
That look in their eyes—the admiration of juniors staring up at her!
She was on a high and loving every second of it!
With a grin plastered on her face, Naruko strolled through the market alongside the three younger members of Minato's team, completely ignoring her surroundings. She was too busy enjoying her rare moment of superiority.
After all, when she was with these three, Naruko constantly felt like *she* was the junior.
Kakashi had been a genius since childhood. Obito, despite his carefree personality, had evolved his Sharingan to a frightening level. Thanks to the chakra-cola system provided by Uchiha Kei, Obito didn't even suffer the usual side effects of overusing his dōjutsu.
And Rin—gentle, kind Rin—had a presence so nurturing and composed that she felt more like the big sister type than a younger comrade.
Hanging around these three incredibly competent and distinct personalities was nerve-wracking. Naruko had been considered a prodigy in life, but how much of that was because she was Orochimaru's student and the First Hokage's grandson?
Let's be honest: in the original timeline, Nawaki was a total side character. He barely had a role before dying in his first battle, sparking all kinds of conspiracy theories—was Konoha's F4 secretly behind it?
Actually, Nawaki had potential. Like his grandfather Hashirama before awakening Wood Style, he was a late bloomer.
But fate hadn't been kind. Dying during the Shinobi World War meant Nawaki never had the time to truly shine.
After his resurrection, his soul lived freely within the grand mental network, but a soul couldn't *grow* like a living body. No matter what, he could only polish skills and combat experience. Chakra reserves and soul strength? Basically fixed.
Unless, of course, Uchiha Kei upgraded the system—maybe the digital world would eventually allow resurrected souls to undergo something like Digimon-style mega evolutions or Pokémon fusions.
Digital life had infinite possibilities.
Regardless, Naruko could never pull off the dignity of a senior in front of her juniors... until now. In "Homestead," she'd finally found a place to flex.
Which is why she was so caught up in her own glee that she didn't notice what was happening around her.
In contrast, Minato's trio was fascinated by the marketplace. They tested trading mechanics, chatted with NPCs, and marveled at the convenience of the virtual world.
Compared to the clunky life they were used to, this was like a dream. This game world was convenient, smart, and magical. Its only downside? A bit small.
They were convinced even more amazing games were coming soon. After all, if this kind of genjutsu world could be made, surely even bigger and more realistic ones were possible.
That's when they bumped into a familiar face—or rather, Kakashi and Obito's familiar.
"Radama-senpai! Look, look! So many people! These illusion characters feel so real! We can even talk to them! It's amazing!"
muzi's excited voice turned heads. Kakashi and Obito immediately spotted Uchiha Madara walking alongside a mysterious long-haired beauty.
Their eyes lit up, and they rushed over to greet him.
Yes, they'd once been absolutely wrecked by Madara, but they'd learned a lot from the experience. Their strength had visibly grown.
Meeting Madara again in this game? Of course they'd say hi.
As for the girl beside him—she looked gorgeous and seemed close to their senpai. A junior, maybe?
Kakashi and Obito didn't think of her as Madara's lover. The age gap was just too massive. It felt more like a wise grandpa doting on his spirited granddaughter.
As greetings went around, Naruko snapped out of her fantasy land and saw muzi.
She froze. Completely.
Eyes wide, soul trembling. Her dark past had come to haunt her.
muzi curiously examined the group. He hadn't met Minato's trio before, so he didn't recognize them. He also looked over Naruko without recognition.
Because Nawaki had never told anyone besides Uchiha Kei about his alt identity. Kei only told Minato out of necessity to help with coordination.
So now, muzi was seeing Naruko for the first time, thinking she looked... vaguely familiar.
Naruko, under that gaze, began to sweat bullets.
Thankfully, this game didn't simulate visible sweat, so on the surface, she looked fine.
"Hahaha\~\~ I see, I see! So you're the juniors Radama-senpai trained! I'm muzi. I've been gaming with him lately. Let's all play together sometime, yeah?"
muzi smiled warmly, exuding charm and friendliness—he was kind of a lovable goof but had this trustworthy air.
Madara just snorted but didn't refute the claim. That was as close to agreement as he'd get.
Kakashi and Obito exchanged a glance. Obito grinned and invited them to their base, giving Naruko a glowing introduction. He winked at her, silently mouthing: "Time to show off, senpai."
Clearly, Obito had realized Naruko enjoyed being praised for her building skills, so he took the initiative to let her shine.
Naruko wanted to bury her face and pummel Obito.
Under normal circumstances, sure, she'd love to show off. But this was her *great-grandfather* watching!
This wasn't just awkward—it was soul-crushing.
Getting caught playing a female avatar by family? Ultimate social death.
She wanted to say no.
But everyone was excited. Turning them down would be more suspicious.
And Madara's identity was supposed to be a secret. Kei had said he was undercover...
Wait—was this spiral-mask guy actually Madara!?
Realization hit her like a brick. Her body locked up.
Even without dripping sweat, her soul was practically melting.
Rin leaned in, concerned. "Naruko-senpai, are you okay?"
Snapping out of it, Naruko saw all eyes on her and forced a stiff smile. "I-I just feel like the base still isn't finished... It's a little embarrassing to show it off like this."
She nearly called him "great-grandpa" out of habit. More soul-sweat.
But muzi laughed it off. "No worries! We're just here for a peek. Honestly, compared to your base, ours is nothing. We've only built two tiny houses so far."
Madara muttered, "That's because *someone* kept wasting materials being nosy about everything."
muzi just grinned. "This game's building system is so fun—I had to try everything! Besides, we can always get more materials. Don't be mad, senbei\~"
That last word—said in a deliberately cutesy voice—flattened Madara.
The legendary warlord crossed his arms and turned away, sulking like a tsundere grandpa.
Minato's trio smiled. These two were close—almost like family.
Naruko, meanwhile, looked like she'd seen a ghost. Her eyes bugged out. Goosebumps.
Sure, muzi had called Madara "senpai" earlier, but that "senbei" in a syrupy voice? That was too much.
It was like hearing your favorite anime girl's voice only to find out it was a sweaty old man behind the mic.
Naruko wanted to say something—anything. But as a grandchild, how could she roast her own great-grandpa?
So she swallowed it all... and quietly mourned the shattering of her idol image.
"Compared to Kei-nii... this just doesn't hold up."
That was her entire mood.
Later, they toured the base. muzi was full of awe and compliments, praising how much they'd built in such a short time.
Naruko kept smiling that polite, awkward smile. Minato's trio was beaming with pride.
Madara just snorted, "Not bad."
Coming from him, that was basically a standing ovation.
Of course, others didn't know that. They just thought the mysterious senpai was as prideful as ever.
But when someone had Madara's skills and experience? That pride was earned.
Uchiha pride ran deep, after all. Except for exceptions like Obito, most of them were too proud for their own good.
And now that they were fully part of the Leaf, even prospering alongside it, no one bothered to complain about that anymore.
Poll: What should replace Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980 (TKT)?
Hey everyone,
I've decided to put Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980 (TKT) on hiatus for now. In the meantime, I thought it'd be fun to run a poll to see what you'd like me to work on next. Can't wait to see what you all pick!
Options:
A brand new fanfic (picked by me)
Continue a recommended fanfic (suggested by Readers and will be voted on Again)
Two chapters a day for Uchiha Kei: Game Dev in the Shinobi World
Two chapters a day for My Game Studio is Full of Valkyries?!
Two chapters a day for Monster Hunter Grand Assembly
📅 Voting will be open on Patreon for one week!
Heres the link to the poll
https://www.patreon.com/posts/poll-on-what-to-137136810?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkpatreon.com/BestElysium