Another review (ಠ_ಠ)>⌐■-■
Chapter 22: The Mysterious Masked Man
Time flowed quietly like water, and soon Konoha Village welcomed two vastly different major events.
The first news swept through the entire village—the delegation from Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning had officially arrived, and the two nations had begun alliance negotiations.
Villagers throughout the streets wore joyful smiles. They might not understand the power plays within diplomatic negotiations, but the word "alliance" meant peace and stability to their ears. Shops hung colorful banners, izakaya businesses were more prosperous than usual, and all of Konoha was immersed in a celebratory atmosphere.
The other matter seemed insignificant by comparison—Hyūga Hinata, the eldest daughter of the main family, was celebrating her third birthday. What should have been a joyous occasion was accompanied by a cruel tradition: Hyūga Neji of the branch family would receive the "Caged Bird" curse seal on this day. From now on, this child's life would no longer belong to himself—his sole purpose for living would be to protect the main family's young lady.
When Naruto heard these two pieces of news, he understood that events were beginning to unfold. Kumogakure's conspiracy, Hizashi's sacrifice—everything was developing according to the original timeline.
'So it's finally starting...'
But immediately, a grave problem surfaced in Naruto's mind. Even if he intercepted Kumogakure's convoy and saved Hizashi, what if the Hyūga main family insisted on sacrificing Hizashi to appease the situation? With the tyrannical power of the Caged Bird seal, a single thought from the main family could kill Hizashi on the spot.
'Should I infiltrate the Hyūga compound and knock out or eliminate the Kumogakure envoys directly? But would Kumogakure really let that slide?*
Naruto irritably ran his fingers through his hair. If he could use Kongō Fūsa to temporarily suppress the Caged Bird's activity, perhaps he could buy Hizashi some time...
Just as he was wracking his brain, a system notification suddenly rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Major original event detected: Main quest "Hizashi's Death" triggered]
[Mission Objective: Intercept the Kumogakure convoy and change Hyūga Hizashi's fate]
[Mission Reward: Unlock interdimensional lottery channel and obtain Stand ability "Crazy Diamond"]
---
One day later, shocking news exploded through Konoha Village. The incident where a Kumogakure delegation member attempted to kidnap the Hyūga main family's eldest daughter and was killed on the spot by Hyūga Hiashi had instantly evolved into a diplomatic crisis capable of triggering war.
"Did you hear? Those Kumogakure bastards actually bit back!"
"They're saying we killed their envoy without cause..."
"How shameless!"
Throughout the streets, villagers discussed the matter with righteous indignation. In taverns, ninja slammed their fists on tables; merchants grumbled angrily. But beneath this wave of anger, an undercurrent of unease also surged—people feared war, feared the harsh words the Kumogakure envoy had left behind before departing.
What followed was a meeting between Konoha's elders and the Hyūga family. The result was identical to the original—under pressure from those old fools Homura and Koharu, the Hyūga family was forced to make a sacrifice, with the main family subsequently proposing that Hizashi serve as the scapegoat.
Kumogakure's conditions were clear—the perpetrator must be delivered alive to the Raikage to "face judgment." Behind this grandiose rhetoric, everyone knew their true purpose: a complete corpse of a Byakugan wielder.
When the blindfolded Hizashi was escorted out of Konoha's gates by Kumogakure ninja, some onlooking villagers wept, some cursed, but most simply watched in silence. The convoy gradually moved away, finally disappearing down the road.
---
Konoha Village, Public Restroom
Naruto stood in a stall, his hands rapidly forming seals.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
With a soft "poof," another identical golden-haired boy appeared beside him. The shadow clone winked at him, made an "OK" gesture, then swaggered out the door.
Good... now it's up to you.
Naruto pricked up his ears and could faintly hear the soft footsteps of ANBU ninja outside—sure enough, those tasked with monitoring the Jinchūriki immediately followed the shadow clone.
Now's my chance!
He quickly formed the seals for transformation jutsu, his form blurring before becoming an unremarkable villager—black short hair, slightly tired eyes, wearing ordinary rough cloth clothing. This type of person could be found anywhere in Konoha and wouldn't attract any attention.
Konoha Outskirts, Forest Edge
After confirming the area was completely deserted, Naruto released his transformation jutsu and returned to his original appearance. He took a deep breath and retrieved from his system space that card glowing with purple light— [Uzumaki Menma Template Experience Card].
The card grew slightly warm in his palm before melting into his skin like liquid. Instantly, an unfamiliar torrent of chakra swept through his entire body. Naruto felt his bones and muscles being reforged, his frame rapidly growing taller, his clothes replaced by that iconic long robe.
'This sensation... how strange.'
He looked down at his hands—slender, powerful, completely an adult's build. Raising his hand to touch his face, his fingertips met cold mask.
'Even my hair turned black...'
What surprised him even more was that the clear Nine-Tails chakra presence within him had completely vanished. Not suppressed, but as if it had never existed at all.
'So this is Menma's power...'
Beneath the mask, Naruto's mouth curved slightly upward. 'Well then... time to give those Kumogakure bastards a lesson.'
Whoosh—
With a swirl of wind, the black figure instantly vanished from its spot, leaving only a few fallen leaves slowly drifting through the air.
The stage was set, the players were in motion, and the mysterious masked man who shouldn't exist in this timeline was about to make his dramatic entrance. The fate of Hyūga Hizashi—and perhaps the entire course of history—hung in the balance.
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