Uchiha Kei: Game Dev in the Shinobi World

The promotional video for Free Mode was a CG animation directly produced by Uchiha Kei. However, all the combat actions featured in it were real—motion-captured from the original testing conducted by the Four Little Ones using Free Mode.

Out of concern for their privacy, Uchiha Kei didn't use the actual footage of the Four Little Ones. Instead, he applied a skin overlay that transformed them into four unfamiliar yet uniquely styled shinobi.

The battle scenes drew heavy inspiration from the original Naruto manga and the cinematic flair of the "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm" game series, making the visuals extremely impressive and adrenaline-pumping.

Combat. Competition. Passion. Intensity. Style.

Every dopamine-triggering and adrenaline-pumping element was present. In a shinobi world teeming with exceptional powers, even women couldn't resist the allure of the word "strength."

Especially when the host excitedly declared that Free Mode could boost players to the level of an average jōnin—at that point, the crowd's enthusiasm could no longer be contained.

After all, experiencing strength firsthand and merely observing someone else's strength were two very different things.

Those with some status, strength, and intelligence in Konoha—as well as spies from other villages and factions—immediately sensed the deeper value behind this game.

Training.

Empowerment.

Combat skill enhancement.

And even... jutsu development!

All things most vital to a shinobi's strength—this game could provide them all!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, sitting in a VIP room alongside his son, furrowed his brows deeply.

Something this powerful... would it really be released without restrictions? Wouldn't that just empower other hidden villages?

No. Knowing Kei-kun, he wouldn't make such a shortsighted move.

With that thought, Hiruzen relaxed. A twist was surely coming.

Sure enough, the host soon clarified that Free Mode was a special game feature and would only be unlocked after fulfilling certain conditions. It wouldn't be immediately available to the public.

They didn't explain what those conditions were, instead shifting the topic to the next segment.

Hiruzen smiled, beaming with satisfaction.

This proved his trust had not been misplaced. Uchiha Kei knew how to exercise restraint and how to manage external forces.

What the host really conveyed was this: If other factions wanted to use the game to train soldiers and boost combat power, they would have to offer sufficient benefits to Konoha.

Moreover, what they could get depended entirely on Konoha's terms. If no agreement was reached, Konoha could refuse and even trade with rival factions instead.

Another major strategic asset.

Hiruzen could already picture the other Kage grinding their teeth, yet forced to bow their heads for an uncensored copy of the new game.

The satisfaction? Like drinking iced water in the middle of summer, or slipping into a fresh new pair of underwear on New Year's Day.

Asuma Sarutobi, who had come along with his father, noticed his expression and asked curiously, "Dad, what's got you so happy?"

Hiruzen chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Asuma, I'm happy for Konoha's future! We're growing stronger every day."

Asuma looked puzzled, not quite understanding.

Hiruzen didn't elaborate, only smiled and said, "Asuma, make sure to stay close with your senpai, Kei. That boy... he always brings Konoha the most delightful surprises."

"As long as Kei-kun is with us, Konoha is bound to thrive."

This time, Asuma understood. He nodded solemnly and promised to get along with Uchiha Kei.

Meanwhile, the presentation moved into live gameplay. Select participants would enter the game and demonstrate its battle mechanics through a live stream.

Of course, this time, the chosen players would use in-game characters rather than Free Mode.

The demonstration would last about an hour. Afterward, the audience would be able to try the game for themselves. Just like the previous event, multiple game stations would open for the afternoon, and ticket holders could experience it.

Given the size of the audience, participants would be selected through a lottery system.

It was under these conditions that Uchiha Obito and Kakashi emerged from backstage. They were two of the designated demo players.

But they weren't alone. One after another, others stepped out—twelve in total.

Among them stood a very familiar figure: Namikaze Minato. As the lifelong ambassador of the Genjutsu Game, how could he not appear at such a pivotal moment?

The moment he stepped onto the stage, cheers erupted.

Today, the name "Yellow Flash" wasn't just known in Konoha—he had admirers throughout the Land of Fire. His achievement of annihilating a Hidden Mist elite unit in a single battle had already shaken the other villages.

But since no one had verified the intel, and few had seen him fight firsthand, only Kirigakure fully understood the extent of Minato's power. The other villages remained skeptical. All they knew was that he bore the nickname "Yellow Flash" and had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique developed by the Second Hokage.

Still, there was one problem: Though the Flying Thunder God was a space-time jutsu, its actual combat utility was thought to be average. After all, even its creator had died in an ambush by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers. If that was the Second Hokage's fate, how strong could his successor really be?

Other factions weren't completely ignorant of Minato. He had been active for years, and intelligence reports described him only as an "exceptional jōnin"—not quite Kage-level.

So their view of Minato's strength remained stuck in the past. Just like in the original Naruto series, when the A-B combo of the Hidden Cloud encountered him, they knew he was formidable, but couldn't gauge how dangerous he truly was. They even believed they had a chance to take him down.

Of course, anyone who's seen the anime knows how that turned out. The A-B combo fought Minato. Ay, the future Fourth Raikage, nearly got sliced up. If not for Killer Bee sacrificing one of his Eight Tails' tentacles, Ay probably wouldn't be around to become the Raikage or a fan-favorite in certain... illustrated circles.

Of the Five Great Villages, only Kirigakure had firsthand experience of Minato's terrifying power. Even if they didn't know his fighting style, they knew exactly how devastating it was to have their entire elite unit wiped out in one go.

In the shinobi world, few could pull that off—and only if the ambushing squad fought recklessly.

Normally, when facing an opponent they couldn't beat, such a unit would retreat. Even if some casualties were unavoidable, someone should survive.

But Kirigakure had faith in their squad. These were elite ninja. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi—considered the strongest Hokage—would have struggled to wipe them out completely.

For Minato to do so meant one of two things: either the ambushers had no chance to flee, or they were annihilated in a matter of seconds.

Either scenario proved how terrifying he truly was.

Kirigakure had since added Namikaze Minato to its list of ultra-dangerous enemies. Until now, only Hiruzen and the Legendary Sannin had been on it.

And now, this very Namikaze Minato stood center stage, smiling confidently and basking in the thunderous cheers of the crowd.

This was his second time on such a platform. He wasn't the least bit nervous. Calm, composed, utterly unshaken—as though nothing in the world could phase him.

His demeanor only drew louder cheers. Many in the audience—especially women—were now shrieking instead of clapping.

Thus, the idol phenomenon quietly began taking root in the shinobi world. People hadn't realized it yet. All they noticed was how intense those fangirls were screaming.

As for Uzumaki Kushina, sitting in the special backstage section reserved for staff families, seeing her boyfriend so wildly adored made her beam with pride.

She was thrilled—and who could blame her? After all, that incredible guy on stage was hers.