Uchiha Kei: Game Dev in the Shinobi World

Watching Hashirama Senju playing happily with Nawaki, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a bit awkward—almost like she was the third wheel.

Still, despite her speechlessness, Tsunade was genuinely relieved. Her Grandfather hadn't changed one bit. He wasn't angry about being brought back through questionable means, nor did he press anyone about it.

She had feared that someone like Hashirama would fiercely reject resurrection altogether. After all, her granduncle's Edo Tensei was immediately listed by Hashirama himself as a forbidden technique—an art that disturbed the rest of the dead and should never be used lightly.

Incidentally, most of the forbidden jutsu documented in the village's Sealed Book were invented by her granduncle and sealed by Hashirama. One loved to experiment; the other loved to forbid.

So it was only natural that Tsunade had her worries.

Thankfully, things were going well, and everything felt like it would work out. With a lighter heart, Tsunade joined in the rebuilding of the new Hidden Leaf Village. The three Senju kicked off the construction effort together.

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

Uzumaki Kikyo stared in disbelief. "So that's the real First Hokage? He's nothing like the textbooks. Feels like a totally different person!"

Uchiha Kei chuckled and patted Kikyo's soft hair. "Of course. Records about legendary figures are always tinted by the perspectives of those who write them. There's idol worship involved. The ones recording history are still people—they get starstruck too."

"Besides, the Third Hokage adored the First and actually met him. He knew the real Hashirama. Writing him down as-is would've ruined his image, so a little embellishment was inevitable."

"And don't forget, the one who first polished Hashirama's image wasn't Hiruzen—it was Tobirama. Even if he had a deep prejudice against the Uchiha, he worshiped his big brother like no other."

That answer was clearly meant for everyone, not just Kikyo. Those who hadn't understood before now had enlightened expressions.

Jiraiya grumbled, "So it wasn't just the old man fanboying? Tobirama-dono started the trend?"

Orochimaru smirked. "Not surprising. Books are meant to be read, and character portrayals often come with rose-colored filters. Honestly, the First Hokage described in the books feels like a fusion of him and Tobirama-dono."

"Wise, calm, shrewd, and visionary—that's Tobirama. But strong, kind, noble, and magnanimous? That's Hashirama through and through."

Uchiha Kei nodded in agreement. "Well said, Orochimaru-san. The so-called saintly First Hokage in the history books is basically a mash-up."

Minato Namikaze pondered aloud, "So this is what they mean when they say history can lie?"

Clearly, that was a revelation from his political studies—realizing that history often twists the truth.

Kei smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Exactly. Blind faith in books is no better than ignorance. Read, remember—but how you apply what you've learned is up to you."

Minato flashed a sunny grin. "Right. Got it."

With that, everyone went their separate ways. This was just a gathering to witness Hashirama's return. There would be a celebration later, but since both Hashirama and Nawaki could only exist within the spiritual network, the event would also be held there.

Thankfully, no one had to prepare anything. Uchiha Kei could summon all the needed assets from his resource pack—no fuss required.

As a side note, Kurama's number-one recreational fantasy was beating up Hashirama. But knowing he probably couldn't win, he skipped the whole resurrection event.

(Kurama: What the hell—both Hashirama and Madara are back?!)

After the group split up, Kei snuck back. Soon enough, Jiraiya showed up as well.

The moment they met, they exchanged knowing smirks.

Jiraiya's smile was downright pervy. Kei was more reserved, but there was something in his eyes—like he already knew too much.

Their shared mood said it all: so much to say, but silence was funnier.

Finally, Jiraiya broke the silence. "Kei-kun, come with me! I want to show you what I've been working on."

Kei nodded. "I'm genuinely looking forward to it."

They teleported to Jiraiya's private sub-dimension, now filled with all kinds of ninja-style structures arranged in chaotic but intentional layouts—like a miniature film set.

Jiraiya led him to another area. There was even a beach here.

That's when Jiraiya revealed his masterpiece—

The first-ever visual novel of the ninja world.

And no, it wasn't just some crude smut. It had depth.

A fully developed storyline unfolded before Kei's eyes.

The plot followed a young male ninja and his romantic entanglements with three women.

The first was his childhood crush—an older kunoichi. She was his senior, and he promised to marry her one day. She felt the same way.

They agreed to marry once he became a jōnin. He was already a chūnin for two years by then.

But when he turned sixteen, the Great Ninja War erupted. They were sent to separate battlefronts. On the eve of deployment, she gave him her first time—the game's first intimate scene.

In a moonlit room, under the glow pouring in through the window, their union was beautifully framed. Jiraiya instinctively understood visual storytelling. The moonlight added a poignant, artistic touch.

Afterward, they could only write letters across the battlefield.

But Jiraiya wasn't writing cheap wish-fulfillment. He was a tragic romantic at heart.

The kunoichi died in battle. Letters stopped. The boy learned of her death two months later.

Devastated, he lost focus in battle and was wounded—discharged and sent to recover.

Two years of war had passed. Now a young man, he grieved, wandered in despair, and eventually regained his resolve. He vowed to honor her legacy by guiding the next generation.

At nineteen, he met the second heroine—a vibrant sixteen-year-old girl. Slowly, they fell for each other.

It was a simple story, but Jiraiya wrote it with such emotional depth. Aside from the physical scenes, it felt like a moving romance novel.

Too bad he couldn't resist a tragic twist.

The second heroine died on a mission. She was killed by a vengeful ninja who had lost loved ones in the war to the protagonist.

He sent her severed head to the protagonist—in graphic detail.

Kei's face twitched. "Jiraiya… this is insane. You need help."

But Jiraiya was proud. He wanted to show how the cycle of hatred in the ninja world could destroy everything.

Honestly? Very on-brand for him.

So even his romance game turned into emotional carnage.

Still, Kei didn't criticize him. It was Jiraiya's first game. Encouragement mattered more.

"Better to talk ideas through," Kei thought. "He's a nerd. He'll learn."

He kept watching.

More tragedy followed. More melodrama.

After the second heroine's death, the protagonist abandoned the village, broke the rules, and became a rogue ninja—seeking revenge.

He finally found and killed the man who had murdered his love.

That man had lost his wife to the protagonist during the war.

Now, labeled a traitor, the protagonist couldn't go back. He wandered to the ocean, stood before the sunset—and chose to stay.

At age thirty, he rescued a girl from a shipwreck. Classic "I owe you my life" scenario.

Kei rolled his eyes. "How cliché."

But in the ninja world? Still fresh.

Jiraiya was thrilled.

They lived together. Fell in love. Had a child.

Then came the final blow.

Five years later, the girl—now a mother—stabbed the protagonist. Staged a fake kidnapping. Faked being taken.

At the rendezvous point, she attacked in disguise and impaled herself on his blade.

She died smiling.

Back home, he found her letter.

She was the daughter of the man he had once killed. She had fallen in love with him anyway. But the guilt over her parents' deaths haunted her.

So she devised a plan to make him kill her—so he would suffer like she had.

He almost committed suicide.

But his child hugged him.

And he broke down.

In the end, he chose to live on—for his son.

That was the whole game.

Kei was floored. "This guy's emotional damage is a whole genre."

Still, maybe the ninja world would love it. Tragedy sells.

So…

"No more debate, Jiraiya-san. Let's package this up and release it!"