Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

"Then... the only one who can give me the answer is myself?" Kakashi murmured blankly, "So that's what Father meant when he said I'd understand once I grew up and experienced it myself?"

Seeing Kakashi wearing an expression that shouted "Master, I've attained enlightenment!" Seiki silently mused, "Looks like learning those cryptic conversations between masters really pays off!"

Anyway, everyone around seemed to have "understood."

Rin shook her tiny fist with shining eyes. "Senior Seiki, I get it now! I'll definitely strive toward becoming a true medical ninja!"

Shuunen wore an awakened look as well. "I understand too. Although I cannot directly atone to Mizuki, just like how Seiki carried my guilt for me, I can carry others' sins too. Kindness and guilt both spread—that's the answer my heart gave me!"

Seeing Kakashi, Rin, and his cousin all "understanding," Obito panicked. "Oh no—I get it too!"

Meanwhile, Might Guy—who was clueless as ever—quickly asked, "Obito, what exactly did you get anyway?"

"I, I..." As everyone stared at him, Obito nearly passed out—until he caught sight of something and blurted out in a dramatic voice, "Don't gamble—gambling brings nothing but misery!"

Seiki couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Alright, if you guys keep getting 'enlightened' any further, the barbecue will be completely eaten already."

Hearing this, everyone still on the grass rushed over in a hurry.

"Darn it, they already started eating!"

"Save us some please!"

Unfortunately, they had arrived too late.

By the time they reached, they could only wait for the second round.

Watching their classmates happily devouring food with oily faces, Obito longingly muttered, "Darn it, I wish I could eat too!"

When he noticed Seiki standing from afar, Obito felt slightly comforted. "Well, even Senior Seiki didn't get anything to eat..."

Yet right then, two girls appeared carrying full plates of food, flanking Seiki on either side and seemingly blocking other eager girls away.

"Seiki, this chicken leg was saved especially for you!"

"Seiki, I saved this steak for you!"

Seeing this scene, Obito's eyes nearly turned lemon-shaped. "It's true—people's joys and sorrows never truly connect. Everyone's feasting on barbecue while I'm stuck watching them eat."

Suddenly, smoke exploded from the crowded area.

"What the...? What just happened?"

"Could it be an enemy village invasion?"

Amidst these startled cries, one particularly loud and boisterous laugh stood out strikingly.

"Hahaha! The Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku greets you all—"

Bang!

After a crash and painful scream, a man whose face bore two red markings beneath his eyes was grabbed by Kushina's furious grip on his collar and dragged forward.

"You bastard! Dare scaring my guests!"

"Wait! That was just a friendly greeting!"

Kushina had actually calmed down from her anger, worried that revealing her tailed beast form might scare her newly-made 'friends'. But just as she was feeling anxious, though, cheers suddenly burst out all around her.

"Woah! Kushina-nee is so awesome!"

"Teach him a lesson! He made me drop my meat skewer on the ground!"

Hearing the cheers, Kushina's spirits lifted again, her fiery determination blazing back to life in her eyes.

"Wait! I'm not a bad guy aaaahhh—!"

Just as this pitiful scream rhythmically echoed through the mountains and forests, a gentle voice mixed with slight distress appropriately interrupted.

"Kushina, please put him down. This person is my teacher, Jiraiya, one of the Sannin!"

"The Sannin?" Kushina looked doubtfully at the panda-eyed man she was holding.

"Haha, none other than Jiraiya of Mount Myoboku, the Toad Sage!" Though his words sounded grand, his pathetic appearance hanging in midair didn't make it convincing at all.

"Surely another unreliable old fool like the Hokage." Kushina scoffed disdainfully but obediently released Jiraiya anyway.

"Woah! Is he really Jiraiya? He didn't even try to fight back when Sister Kushina hit him!"

"I heard Jiraiya is incredibly powerful!"

Though his lecherous tendencies remained, Jiraiya hadn't yet become the infamous pervert he'd later be known as and still commanded great respect.

Hearing their admiration helped lift Jiraiya's spirits after his earlier humiliation.

However, the conversations gradually took a turn.

"He really is Jiraiya? He didn't even dare to fight back after being beaten by Kushina-nee!"

"Do you think that guy mistook someone else? He's so handsome, how come his teacher looks so ugly?"

"I get it now. This guy must be too unattractive to get a date, so he just hangs out with kids instead!"

Jiraiya's expression turned numb. What was wrong with liking children? Why did they have to link this to his inability to find a girlfriend?

What's worse was that it was actually true!

This sudden awkwardness made Minato uneasy, so he quickly pulled Jiraiya aside.

"Teacher, I'm truly sorry about Kushina..."

"Haha, we were just playing around!" Jiraiya forced a few carefree laughs, though he was actually quite upset inside. "The way this girl hits is just too much like Tsunade's; it scared me so much I forgot to resist!"

Yet seeing Minato standing beside him with an awkward smile, he felt a bit better. "Hehe, poor Minato for choosing such a violent woman like Tsunade—he's got his hands full!"

Noticing how the cheerful mood was fading, Seiki stepped forward and said, "I almost forgot to introduce everyone. This is Minato Namikaze, an extremely skilled ninja. He has already mastered even high-difficulty S-rank ninjutsu! As for Jiraiya, many of you should have bought books authored by him. Today presents a great opportunity to ask for autographs or plot spoilers. Also, those who are hungry can start preparing for the second round of barbecue!"

"

As Seiki spoke, the previously silent crowd instantly came alive.

"Is he really Seiki Shimaseki?" Jiraiya couldn't help but feel astonished as he watched this unfold. "This kid's something else—he pulled everyone in in no time at all. First, he subtly brought out both my and Minato's personalities so we wouldn't feel left out or awkward. Then he brought up barbecue, keeping those uninterested in us occupied."

Before he could think further, Jiraiya was surrounded by curious readers.

"Uncle Jiraiya, how many monster girlfriends does the main character Naruto have in your book The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja?"

"Jiraiya-sama, is the heroine Tsunade and villain Orochimaru in your Comeback Ninja Tale based on the other two members of the Sannin?"

Hearing these questions, Jiraiya broke into a cold sweat.

Meanwhile, Minato had also been surrounded by children.

"Minato-nii, can you show us that technique again?"

"Yeah, let's see the power of an S-rank ninjutsu!"

Minato felt his head spinning. If he used his Flying Thunder God Technique—which only let him jump half a meter—they'd definitely laugh him off the stage!

At the center of the courtyard, Kushina stood surrounded by people as the main chef.

"Kushina-nee, you've been working hard—here, eat this!"

"You rest now—we'll handle the barbecue!"

Looking into all those bright, innocent eyes around her, Kushina felt like there was sand in her own—tingling and stinging.

Everyone was shouting and laughing joyfully, like a breathtaking painting come to life.

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