Uchiha Kei: Game Dev in the Shinobi World

"Obito and Kakashi... seriously now."

Walking through the streets, Nohara Rin sighed helplessly. The lonely girl had the air of someone who had just been left behind.

Indeed, Obito and the others had started to resemble game-addicted teens, completely immersed in the world of gaming. Even though they still cared for Rin as a teammate, when faced with the temptation of a new match, their minds always went straight to the game.

Never underestimate a game's grip on the hearts of young boys!

Still, Rin's complaints were mostly playful. She had no real grievances—after all, she didn't enjoy competitive games like "Ultimate Storm."

She preferred horror games like "Return Home" and "Escape"—titles with deep narratives and strong atmosphere. So, she was on her way home to replay "Escape" and see if she could discover more hidden secrets. Her keen sensitivity was being put to good use.

But halfway there, a fox-masked shinobi blocked her path.

Rin blinked in surprise. The figure resembled a member of the Anbu. Since her team's teacher, Namikaze Minato, now served as an assistant to the Hokage, the Anbu followed his orders as well.

So she wasn't scared. Instead, she asked, "Excuse me, is there something Lord Minato needs?"

The masked shinobi—who had intended to lure her away with a simple "The Hokage-sama requests your presence"—paused, then nodded along. "Yes. Please come with me, Chūnin Nohara Rin."

Rin followed him without hesitation. Not a hint of suspicion.

In truth, Rin had no defenses against anyone in the village. Having just graduated from the Academy, she still believed everyone in Konoha was like family.

And so, she was successfully kidnapped.

No one else noticed.

But underground, Zetsu did.

And this particular Zetsu had already been turned by Uchiha Kei.

Back above, Kei was on a date with Kikyo, browsing a mask shop. Suddenly, he received Zetsu's signal.

After glancing at the cheerful Kikyo, he excused himself, saying he needed the restroom.

With Konoha's population booming, sanitation had become an issue. Kei had long since proposed—and implemented—a full suite of public facilities to prevent Konoha from becoming a place where people relieved themselves freely in the streets.

Thanks to these efforts, it was easy to find a bathroom in the village. There were even inspectors handing out fines for public indecency.

So his excuse passed without question. Kikyo didn't suspect a thing.

Of course, Kei wasn't lying. After reaching a secluded spot, he used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to split off a clone to meet with Zetsu, while his main body returned to Kikyo's side.

Soon, the clone returned home and met with Zetsu, who had been waiting. Zetsu wasted no time and relayed everything he had seen.

Kei narrowed his eyes. After some thought, he ordered Zetsu to continue observing and report back immediately if anything changed.

There was no need to dismiss the clone—within Kei's mental network range, information could be transmitted directly. Other people had to dispel their clones to pass on intel. Kei didn't.

As long as it was within network range.

Soon, Kei's main body received the shared data. His gaze sharpened. Without a word, he kept waiting, just like the clone.

With Zetsu's surveillance powers, tasks that would be nearly impossible for others were a breeze.

Kei had a good idea who was behind this, but he needed proof.

He also didn't notify others yet. With his psychic network, he could summon any elite instantly. If things played out as he expected, he was already planning to have Minato bring the Third Hokage and the rest of the Konoha F4 to witness just what their trusted comrade had done behind their backs.

For now, though, it was a waiting game.

Meanwhile, in the VIP version of "Ultimate Storm," Madara Uchiha had just crushed four players solo. This time, his opponents were no rookies—they were elders from major Konoha clans.

These men, mostly in their forties or fifties in the real world, had regained their youth in-game. They were enjoying the thrill of beating up noobs.

Until they ran into Madara.

After finishing off the last of them, Madara offered a final remark:

"At last… some semblance of entertainment. You've done well, children."

His presence was overwhelming—like a sovereign descending from the heavens, a tyrant born to dominate.

The three nearby juniors who had been cheering him on were left stunned, eyes wide, mouths agape.

To them, Madara was unreal—a force beyond comprehension. Not because his stats were overpowered, but because of his overwhelming aura, presence, and mindset. No one in present-day Konoha could compare.

His spirit was peerless. His self-belief? Unshakable. His confidence? Absolute.

To these three kids, he was a force of nature. Their minds reeled. They felt like they had turned into Anya from that one manga: eyes sparkling, whispering "Waku waku!"

Madara, now in great spirits, glanced at the kids watching him with shining eyes. Some buried emotion in his heart seemed satisfied.

He shouldn't have needed such shallow validation. But after years of isolation underground, it was hard not to crave it.

In the old single-player genjutsu games, he'd been mocked by bratty NPCs. Now, after watching the exhibition match viewed by tens of thousands, his heart had been reignited.

He wanted to dance. To show the world his glory. To be admired.

He wanted to flex.

Yes, it was a shallow, almost vulgar desire.

But looking at Madara's life—and his canon behavior—this was no surprise. He wasn't a humble man. He was the king of dramatic entrances.

He didn't need to try to look cool—he just was.

Now, thanks to this illusion game and a certain isekai visitor, Madara's life had taken a twist. While he hadn't regained his peak strength, the thrill of battle had awakened his old instincts.

Previously, when he fought in 8-player matches, he'd held back. But after so many one-sided massacres, his confidence had fully returned.

In this moment, his mindset was nearly identical to that of the Fourth Great Ninja War.

The only difference? This was a game, and he wasn't driven by that same desperate obsession.

Looking at the three juniors who had helped him queue up for match after match, Madara decided to include them in his next fight. A four-player free-for-all. He'd teach them a thing or two while enjoying himself.

A small gesture of repayment.

The three had helped him, after all. That was undeniable.

The old Madara wouldn't have cared. But this newly awakened Madara—this younger Madara—remembered gratitude.

The kids were ecstatic. Even if they were about to get wrecked, they didn't care. Madara's guidance was invaluable.

Elsewhere, in another 4v4 match, someone under the alias "Menma" punched a player in the face so hard his HP plummeted. Then came Adamantine Sealing Chains—binding another player tight.

The victim, a member of the Yamanaka clan, cried out:

"Adamantine Sealing Chains?! You're from the Uzumaki clan?! That's impossible! Aren't Kushina Uzumaki and Kikyo the only ones left in Konoha?!"

Hearing that, Kushina—formerly calm—snapped.

She hated being identified solely as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.

And so, the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero unleashed a vicious beating that left the Yamanaka ninja incapacitated.

In PvP, Uzumaki sealing techniques were broken-tier. Once caught, you were done unless you had a counter.

For Kushina, it was cathartic. After reducing the trash-talker to zero HP, she felt utterly refreshed.

Barely ten minutes in, Kushina had already fallen in love with this game—a perfect outlet for her stress.

She immediately queued for another match.

On another battlefield, a Sarutobi clan ninja was stunned. He began bleeding from the nose. His HP started dropping without even being attacked.

Why?

Because he had encountered a legendary figure—an ethereal fox spirit straight out of folklore.

Nine white tails. An impossibly beautiful face. A divine aura.

Everything about her was maxed out.