*Outlast* had been a highly acclaimed horror game in Uchiha Kei's past life—low budget, but a massive global success upon release.
Kei chose this game simply because he felt it was a perfect fit. Whether in terms of setting or characters, it was ideal for localization within the shinobi world. More importantly, the content of the game was highly effective at stimulating the Sharingan.
Now, as genjutsu games continued to roll out, there weren't enough Uchiha awakening their Sharingan to keep up with production. Output had already hit a bottleneck.
Though powerful three-tomoe users could help in the workshop, it felt like a waste of talent—especially since the Konoha Military Police still needed staff, and the Uchiha Clan itself was shorthanded.
Despite being a large clan with hundreds of members, they were now facing a labor shortage. The Uchiha were in pain, but it was the sweet kind of pain. Not long ago, due to policy restrictions, job prospects for Uchiha were bleak. And since only a limited number could awaken their eyes, many had nothing to do.
For the proud Uchiha, that had been deeply frustrating.
Now, things were different. The genjutsu game workshops had opened, and every related shinobi clan wanted to double their population just to keep up with demand. Everyone was scrambling to secure game production.
While Kei personally found workshop screw-turning tedious and dull, to the Uchiha, it was a glorious task—part of their mission to make the clan great again. With generous pay, it was a perfect job. They took immense pride in it.
Yes… a strange, almost socialist sense of worker pride now shone over the shinobi world.
In short, there was no question that more Uchiha with awakened Sharingan were needed. Kei was also researching ways to boost the effectiveness of each Sharingan.
Hence, *Outlast* was chosen.
Although some might see this as creative laziness—ripping from another world—it was effective, and localizing it just a bit was enough.
Kei never forgot: making games wasn't about achieving his dream of revolutionizing gaming in the shinobi world. It was simply a way to grow stronger using the system.
And *Outlast* was on another level compared to the three games Kei had previously developed.
Even *Left 4 Dead* couldn't match it—not because its map was smaller, but because *Outlast* had more detailed elements.
This meant developing *Outlast* consumed far more ocular power.
But that was fine. Kei wasn't worried about that anymore, thanks to a new ability he developed after awakening the two-tomoe Sharingan and combining it with the mental network:
"Mental Link."
By linking with other Sharingan, he could redirect the chakra and ocular strain of game development.
In other words, Kei could activate development mode and connect to other Uchiha—who would bear the energy cost—while he focused solely on building the game within *My Shinobi World 2.0*.
Yes, his dev tool *My Shinobi World* had now upgraded from 1.0 to 2.0.
This upgrade was specifically made to support Mental Link.
In his home, Kei activated his two-tomoe Sharingan and looked at Uchiha Naori, who had also activated her Sharingan. Smiling, he said, "The next four hours are in your hands, Naori-senpai."
Naori gave a faint smile. "No need for formality, Lord Kei. It's my honor to assist you."
Without further words, Kei activated the link. Naori immediately felt a pull on her chakra and ocular power. She didn't resist, letting him draw on her inner reserves.
"So this is Lord Kei's secret technique? Incredible… To create such a dōjutsu with just a two-tomoe Sharingan… He truly is our clan's 'Second Hokage.'"
With that thought, Naori relaxed, closed her eyes, and leaned back in her chair.
She didn't need to do anything—just provide power.
Meanwhile, Uchiha guards maintained strict security, ready to sacrifice themselves to protect Kei if necessary.
As Kei focused on developing the new game, in Root, Danzo Shimura was descending into a frenzy—betrayed by a close friend and slandered by rampant rumors, he was utterly unhinged, even letting out a rodent-like screech.
Without question, he had lost all composure. Danzo had never felt such fury and helplessness.
Truthfully, betrayal or rumors alone wouldn't have pushed Danzo over the edge—but the two combined? That did it.
What frustrated him most was his utter inability to do anything.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi said those words to him, they were a final warning. Danzo knew—if he kept stirring trouble, retaliation would come, and Hiruzen wouldn't protect him.
Danzo's special status in the village had always hinged on Hiruzen's indulgence—a mix of guilt and old camaraderie. Classic Hidden Leaf-style "bonds."
As long as Danzo didn't pull a Madara and harm the village, Hiruzen tolerated him, just as Naruto would one day forgive Sasuke.
Danzo knew all this. That's why, when Hiruzen said certain things, he had no choice but to stop.
But that didn't make it feel any better. It left Danzo seething.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Danzo composed himself and ordered the visitor in.
A masked Root operative entered and kneeled, presenting a document.
Danzo took it, frowned as he read—and then his expression changed. The frown disappeared. He looked shocked.
Then came a cold smile. His lone eye glinted with delight and malice.
"Interesting… So very interesting. I knew Tsunade had a blood phobia, but I never thought it was this severe. It doesn't stop her from being a medic-nin, but this… this might be dangerous."
"Tch tch tch… Hiruzen. When you learn that one of your most precious students has been traumatized by a genjutsu game—so much so that the mere sight of blood makes her break down—will you still allow the Uchiha to do as they please?"
"Heheheh..."
It ended in a cold, gleeful laugh. Danzo was already becoming the future extremist we know.
Realistically, Danzo of this era should have frowned in concern. He knew well how vital the strongest medical-nin was.
But after repeated setbacks, it seemed Danzo had entered retirement mode early.
Some people die in silence. Others go mad.
—
The next day, while Danzo was feeling smug, Minato's team of three were feeling miserable.
They were starting to wonder if they'd ever make it back to the Leaf.
Who could've guessed a C-rank escort mission would turn into an ambush by dozens of Hidden Mist ninja?
Now, the trio and their sensei, Minato Namikaze, were huddled inside a temporary trench Kakashi had dug with his chakra.
Just 30 to 40 meters away, at least twenty Hidden Mist ninja were hiding in all directions—behind trees, in water, behind rocks and tall grass.
Their hands were ready with explosive tags, shuriken, and more. One signal, and it'd be a fatal blitz.