One hour later, Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Kei exited the mental network world. For Minato, that hour had felt like a profound journey—it brought him a sense of enlightenment and growth.
In truth, that's exactly what it was. The books Kei had shared with him opened his eyes. Even a brief glance through the pages made him feel like a door to a new world had opened, making him exclaim in awe, "So this is what politics and war truly are... so this is the core of human relationships."
These books explained in clear, accessible ways the kinds of knowledge that one could never learn within the shinobi world. They allowed Minato to truly understand the nature of the world and the essence of human interactions.
Although it was clear the knowledge came from outside the shinobi world, the logic still applied. And Minato, not some out-of-touch noble, understood the lives of common folk well. As an orphan and civilian-born shinobi, he knew the grassroots reality firsthand.
However, as Kei had said, this knowledge was far ahead of its time. While Minato could learn from it, he couldn't share it easily. Otherwise, even with his potential to become Hokage, he'd be labeled as "a radical thinker causing instability" and find himself targeted and suppressed.
Furthermore, Minato was still in a learning phase—much of what he understood was shallow at best. To try to teach others from such a position would only mislead and harm them.
Kei said, "Minato, don't overthink it. All we need to do now is keep improving ourselves. When our strength and status are enough—and we have enough trusted allies—then we'll have the right to change the world."
Minato nodded. "Mm. Don't worry, Kei. I understand. I'll aim for the Hokage title with all I've got."
As he spoke, his eyes reflected firm resolve—and for the first time, a true desire for the position of Hokage.
Before this, he had viewed it as a blessing if it came, and fate if it didn't—never something he would force. But now, to realize his ideals, the Hokage title had become a necessity, and he would move toward it with all his strength.
Afterward, Kei and Minato went out together, planning to enjoy some grilled meat.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the village, Uchiha Obito was smugly boasting to his friends, claiming they had just completed an S-rank mission.
Naturally, his friends were stunned, curious, and completely skeptical. After all, Minato's squad had only just formed. While most genin were stuck on D-rank missions, occasionally managing a C-rank, the idea of them suddenly pulling off an S-rank sounded absurd.
When the others eagerly asked about it, Obito's ego swelled and he launched into his bragging. He explained that their mission had originally been a simple C-rank escort. But on the return trip, they were ambushed by a team of elite Mist shinobi.
That's when he turned up the drama, proudly describing how brave he had been, how he'd protected Rin with courage in the face of danger—while that idiot Kakashi, he claimed, was just trailing behind him shouting "awesome!"
It was the same tone used in the future when Naruto became the Seventh Hokage and Konoha Academy textbooks exaggerated his school days—some things really were generational traditions in the Leaf.
From stories of the First Hokage's unparalleled wisdom, to Hiruzen being the "strongest Hokage," and Naruto being the "most popular student," the Will of Fire truly burned eternal.
Then a cold voice cut through Obito's narrative.
"Idiot dropout, spouting nonsense again. What did you even do during that Mist ambush? All you did was hide in the trench I made with Earth Style."
Kakashi Hatake had arrived—along with Rin Nohara. She wore an awkward but polite smile, while Kakashi wore his usual dead-fish stare and blank expression. With his mask, no one could see his face clearly—but the disdain in his eyes was obvious.
Obito's voice died instantly. His face flushed red, not just from Kakashi's brutal truth-telling, but also because Rin had clearly overheard his bluffing.
Flustered, he began defending himself—insisting his performance had been great, that he had offered to stay behind and had pulled Rin to safety at the first sign of trouble. Kakashi, he said, had done nothing.
He just wanted to redeem himself in front of Rin.
Rin gave a gentle smile, quickly soothing Obito's panicked heart. To him, she looked like an angel—it moved him deeply.
Poor Obito. Completely under her spell.
But to be fair, Rin truly was kind. She wasn't like that one white cat from those old cartoons—she genuinely cared for Obito. It was just that the kindness she showed was different from the kindness Obito hoped for. To Rin, Obito was a mischievous, impatient younger brother she had to look after.
Then Kakashi spoke again, coldly: "Also, this was classified as an S-rank mission. As a shinobi, you should know the relevant information must remain confidential. Otherwise, you're breaking the rules."
Hearing that, Obito—still basking in Rin's affection—immediately snapped, glaring at Kakashi. "Hmph. You think I need you to say that? I already asked Sensei, and he said this kind of emergency doesn't require strict secrecy."
Kakashi scoffed. "So you're not completely brain-dead, dropout."
Obito flared up again. "Damn it, Kakashi! You looking for a fight?!"
Kakashi sneered. "You just want another beatdown, don't you?"
From childhood, Obito had never once won against Kakashi. He was always the one pinned to the ground.
Obito's face turned red again. He prepared to throw down—after all, even if he lost again, he had to protect his pride!
Rin stepped in with an exasperated sigh, separating them like an older sister calming two bickering siblings—full of warmth and patience.
She knew very well that despite Kakashi's harsh tone, he had brought up the confidentiality issue out of concern for Obito. He was afraid the Anbu would come knocking.
But Kakashi, ever the tsundere, couldn't express that concern directly. He and Obito had the classic "frenemies" relationship.
By the way, their fellow genin, watching Minato's squad, couldn't help but feel like extras—like they didn't belong here and should be lying under a car somewhere instead.
Eventually, they learned the S-rank mission had indeed been real—but the Mist shinobi had been taken out by Minato alone. The team had merely been there to witness it.
As for how exactly Minato defeated them? That was classified. Specifics couldn't be disclosed.
After all, before Pain's assault on the Leaf, shinobi warfare was all about information. This wasn't the late-stage ninja superpower era with numbers flying everywhere.
Minato's combat style and execution were highly confidential intel. Even if people knew he used the Flying Thunder God Technique, as long as they lacked details, countering him was extremely difficult.
Still, for a group of fresh genin, even knowing this much was enough to brag about for weeks. They left thoroughly satisfied.
Minato's team soon made their way to the Akimichi clan's BBQ restaurant, where they found a private room already reserved by Minato, Kushina Uzumaki, Uchiha Kei, and Kikyo.
Faced with their elders, the trio immediately stopped arguing and politely greeted them. They were warmly invited in by Kushina, who generously declared, "Eat all you want tonight—my treat!"
Her manner was impressively bold—and she had the resources to back it.
Though she couldn't participate in the genjutsu game, Kushina had invested in the Konoha Gaming Guild via sealing scroll technology. Now, she was practically rich.
In fact, Kei had given her full production rights for sealing scrolls—mainly to support her and Minato. Thanks to this income stream, Kushina now made so much money she regularly got hand cramps from counting it.
She and Minato were even considering buying a large mansion in the Leaf—clearly influenced by Kei's earlier words about giving their future children a better life.
With her material life improving so visibly, Kushina had been in a great mood lately—even though she was still technically under house arrest.
If only she could play the genjutsu game, things would be perfect.
So occasionally throwing money around made her genuinely happy.
Minato smiled gently, understanding his girlfriend perfectly. He told his students, "Go ahead—order whatever you want. Don't worry about the cost."
Seeing such generosity, the trio lit up with joy and immediately thanked both Minato and Kushina. Clever little Obito even called her "Master's Wife."
Kushina blushed slightly. Minato laughed like an idiot. She elbowed him in the side—painful, but sweet.
Kushina didn't correct Obito's title, and her eyes even showed more affection toward him. She thought—maybe I'll look out for this kid more in the future.
Uchiha Kei, watching from the side, arched an eyebrow. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Seeing how Minato and Kushina treated Obito reminded Kei of what that boy would one day do to them in the original timeline.
That version of Uchiha Obito—was an unforgivable beast.
If this cheerful, clumsy Obito still ended up walking the same path...
Then Kei had no problem showing him what true torture meant.
He had the power now.
A while later, Kei quietly left the room—and returned after a few moments.
Meanwhile, in the main dining area, several Uchiha had gathered around a large table. Kei had invited the hidden Uchiha bodyguards to enjoy BBQ while they had the chance.
This restaurant was safe—Akimichi clan members guarded it, and even if they failed, Minato was here.
If there were an enemy even Minato couldn't handle, then the Uchiha guards wouldn't be of much help either. At that point, they'd all just run.
By the way, Uchiha Naori had been directly invited by Kei to join. Though technically a bodyguard, she was known to Minato and the others already, having even shared a meal at Minato's home during a past gathering.
Naturally, Kei invited her this time as well.
With everyone present, the banquet truly began.
The feast lasted more than an hour.
When it was over and everyone was getting ready to leave, Kei called out to the group.
Or rather—he called out to Obito. Smiling warmly, he said:
"Obito, want to awaken your eyes? If you do, then come with me. I just finished a new game—with content specifically tailored to the Uchiha."
"If it works, even you might awaken them. So—want to help me test it out?"