Chapter 197 - Uchiha Makoto Takes Action
A sudden thunderclap split the clear skies—as if a baby had fallen from the heavens.
Naruto's birth had no apparent impact on the peaceful life in Konoha. The day he was born was unusually quiet. Not only did Uchiha Makoto fail to appear, Kazane didn't even see a single bird all day.
The newborn was named Uzumaki Naruto, a name Minato borrowed from the protagonist of Jiraiya's novel Tale of the Gutsy Ninja — Naruto.
According to Minato, the name symbolized the hope that Naruto would grow up to possess unyielding will and the spirit to never give up—just like the novel's hero.
Kazane, however, couldn't quite understand this. He'd read the book too, and honestly? It was painfully cliché.
A typical hero-rescues-beauty, underdog-turns-champion story.
The plot: the protagonist has a sweet, loyal, petite, and clingy childhood friend. His parents are killed in the war, his home destroyed, and he wanders the shinobi world with her.
He learns there's an evil overlord behind all the wars who also kidnapped a princess.
The protagonist, for the sake of world peace, embarks on a journey to defeat the overlord.
On the way, he encounters countless dangers. Every fight goes the same—he's overpowered, has a flashback, suddenly powers up, and wins.
The villain gets numerous chances to kill the hero, but instead keeps sending disposable underlings to help him level up. In the final battle, the villain again refuses to finish him, choosing instead to monologue while the hero powers up and wins.
In the end? The hero lives happily ever after—not only with his childhood friend and the rescued princess, but also with a female companion who joined halfway, a redeemed female villain, a courtesan he won over with charm, and many more.
The only good part of the novel are the illustrations.
Even Kazane had to admit: Jiraiya really put effort into his research. The artwork was stunning, more lifelike than reality itself.
Seriously, how did a novel like that not flop?
Kazane couldn't wrap his head around why Minato would name his son after that protagonist. Was it because Kushina was too strict with him? Did he hope Naruto would have a harem ending?
Also… had Kushina read the book? As a decent person, maybe Kazane should recommend it to her.
—
Time never stops for anyone. Though news of Naruto's birth made its rounds among Konoha's upper echelon, it was quickly overshadowed by another announcement.
Uchiha Fugaku would be holding an "initial feeding" ceremony for his second son, Uchiha Sasuke, three days later. All of Konoha's notable figures were invited.
This ceremony, known as hatsuzekku, is like a baby's 100-day celebration. The baby is presented with a meal like that of an adult's—symbolizing the hope that the child will grow strong and healthy, as teething typically begins around that age.
Of course, the food isn't actually eaten by the baby. The table typically features a whole fish (head and tail intact), sweet red bean rice, simmered vegetables, pickles, red and white mochi, and soup rice. There's also a ritual with "tooth-hardening stones" to wish for strong teeth and a sturdy skull.
Unlike Minato, who was "only" the ANBU vice commander, the Uchiha clan remained a massive political force. When they moved, the entire village felt the tremor.
There were even whispers that Fugaku's eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, might become the Fifth Hokage someday. Nobody in their right mind would refuse his invitation. In fact, many saw this event as a rare opportunity to build favor.
After all, such ceremonies were typically private. If you were invited, it meant you were part of the inner circle. Those eager to curry favor were already preparing their gifts, determined to grab hold of this powerful branch.
Eventually, Fugaku even visited personally, and both Kazane and Orochimaru accepted his invitation.
—
Three nights later, at the Uchiha clan compound—
The banquet proceeded as planned. Aside from the Senju Clan, virtually all of Konoha's big names were gathered in one place. The atmosphere was lively and festive.
"Everyone, thank you for coming to my son's hatsuzekku. It's a great honor to have you all here tonight."
With the feast arranged and the guests seated, Fugaku entered the hall holding young Sasuke in his arms, greeting the Konoha leadership warmly.
"No need to be so formal, Lord Fugaku. It's an honor to be here for your son's first milestone."
Most of the attendees had come to flatter Fugaku, and they did so without missing a beat.
Fugaku's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he noted those who praised him the most. Inwardly, he thought: This is the status the Uchiha deserve. The days of isolation are over.
His resolve strengthened—he'd made the right decision.
Konoha belongs to the Uchiha.
And now, it was Makoto's turn to act.
Indeed, after realizing that breaching the Nine-Tails' seal with Kazane standing guard was near impossible, Makoto and Fugaku had devised a new plan.
Fugaku's son's ceremony would gather all of Konoha's strongest in one place—the Uchiha compound. Meanwhile, Makoto would quietly infiltrate the village and release the Nine-Tails.
Ironically, this plan was only viable because of Tobirama's segregation policies. He'd pushed the Uchiha compound to the village's outer edge. Thanks to this, once Makoto released the Nine-Tails, it would take even the fastest ninja (besides Minato) at least ten minutes to return to the village center.
Makoto had confidently promised Fugaku: Ten minutes is all I need. I'll send Tobirama back to the afterlife.
Whether he could actually deliver… was another matter.
—
While the banquet roared on, Uchiha Makoto made his move.
Konoha at night was eerily quiet. With the curfew in place, the streets were completely empty.
Above Minato's house, a swirling black vortex appeared. From it stepped a man wearing the Uchiha clan's fan insignia. He landed silently on the roof.
Under the moonlight, his sharp features and standard Uchiha poker face became visible—it was Uchiha Makoto.
"Heh… Hatake Kazane, I bet you never imagined I'd strike tonight. Looks like I've finally won."
He scanned the quiet courtyard and sensed only two chakra signatures inside. His confidence surged.
Swoosh!
With a flicker, he landed in the yard and pushed open the door. The living room was dark, but light peeked from beneath the bedroom door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Standing before the bedroom, Makoto, now feeling like a classic TV villain, got the urge to be dramatic. He knocked.
He wanted Uzumaki Kushina to see him—and remember him.
"Who is it?"
Kushina, cradling Naruto, was puzzled. She knew it couldn't be Minato—he never knocked.
She gently laid Naruto in the cradle and walked to the door.
Creak.
The door opened to reveal a handsome stranger—but Kushina was already Minato's wife. She wasn't easily swayed.
She was about to ask who he was—when her eyes locked onto his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Kushina collapsed instantly—caught in Makoto's Genjutsu.
"Heh… Nine-Tails, you're mine."
He glanced at Naruto but ignored him. Killing Kushina wasn't part of his plan.
For one, killing her would cause the Nine-Tails to vanish—only to reincarnate after an unknown time. That didn't suit his goals.
More importantly, once the beast was suppressed, he wanted Kushina alive—to point fingers at the Uchiha and stir internal strife.
Seal Release Jutsu!!!
Makoto quickly formed the hand signs and pressed his palm to Kushina's abdomen.
The circular Uzumaki-style sealing formula slowly faded, revealing her bare skin.
But there was no chakra surge. Nothing.
"What? That shouldn't be possible… The seal was removed…"
Makoto frowned, his confidence shaken.
He tried again.
Seal Release Jutsu!!!
Same hand signs. Same placement.
Nothing.
How could that be?
He was sure the seal had been correctly undone—he recognized the Uzumaki Eight Trigrams Seal. He was using the exact counter-seal technique passed down from Madara.
Had Konoha been lying all along? Was Kushina never the Jinchūriki?
Unwilling to admit defeat, Makoto made a reckless decision.
He would enter her soul and find the Nine-Tails himself.
His hand glowed with Mangekyō chakra. His consciousness flowed through her body.
Drip. Drip.
Through white light and into darkness, he arrived in a damp sewer—the interior of the seal.
At its end, he found a massive gate.
Inside, curled up asleep… was the Nine-Tails.
The gate was open. The seal undone.
But why wasn't the beast rampaging?
It should have sensed the seal breaking. It should be tearing everything apart.
Was it tamed?
Makoto couldn't understand—but it didn't matter. The beast was right in front of him. His goal was within reach.
"Nine-Tails, you're finally mine."
In the silence, his voice echoed.
The Nine-Tails lazily opened one eye and glanced at him with disdain.
Then yawned, draped a tail over its head, and went back to sleep.
The contempt in its gaze pierced Makoto's fragile pride.
A mere fox dares to ignore me?
"Nine-Tails, are you content to be sealed like this? Fulfill your destiny!"
Red light flashed from his eyes—Mangekyō Genjutsu activated.
But the Nine-Tails didn't even blink.
Makoto was both angry and helpless.
Even Genjutsu needed a proper medium. The fox wasn't cooperating.
Fine. You won't come out? Then I'm going in.
He stepped past the gate.
SHRRAAANG!
A massive black slash—larger than the Nine-Tails itself—shot toward him like lightning.
Makoto had no time to react. The blade cut straight through him.
The noise startled the Nine-Tails. It peeked out, muttered "idiot," and went back to sleep.
Makoto's soul dispersed into the sewer.
That slash had been a trap—set by Kazane inside the seal long ago, just for this moment.
Makoto had dodged death once by skipping Naruto's birth.
But now… he'd walked right into the kill zone.
With his soul destroyed, his body collapsed outside—lifeless.
The night was quiet. No one noticed what had happened inside that small house.
Who would've guessed? One of Madara's lingering hands in the shadows… died here.