Chapter 200: Return to Konoha
"Nymph, I'll need you to adjust his memories one more time. Also, add a trigger you can control—something that will help him recall everything when needed. As for the memory itself, change it to: he was defeated, escaped back here, spoke with Uchiha Madara, and after Madara arranged the final steps, he died of old age. Black Zetsu took his place and continued the plan."
After finishing arrangements, Franklin let out a slow breath. He hadn't planned this far ahead—he originally thought ruling the shinobi world with overwhelming strength would be easy.
But clearly, things required a more careful approach. For now, the Eye of the Moon Plan wasn't a bad direction. The formation of the Akatsuki would accelerate everything.
With a light snap of his fingers, Black Zetsu recovered instantly. Uchiha Obito looked blankly at Madara's lifeless body.
"What… happened?"
Touching his forehead, Obito slowly exhaled. "So he's gone…? Even someone that powerful still can't outrun time."
Black Zetsu slithered out from the shadows.
"It doesn't matter anymore. All we need to do now is follow the plan and continue pushing it forward. Leave the Nine-Tails aside for now—focus on Nagato. He's still far too idealistic, just like you once were. The only way forward is to let him see the darkness of this world."
Seeing everything transition smoothly with no memory inconsistencies, Franklin took the girls' hands, and in the next instant, all four disappeared.
At that moment, the returned couple stood at the gates of Konoha. Faced with the destruction before them, endless grief surged in their chests.
Namikaze Minato's expression grew even more complicated—everything here was caused by his own student. In terms of responsibility, his burden wasn't small.
If only he had gone back to check sooner—maybe things wouldn't have developed this way.
If only he had arrived faster back then—maybe Rin wouldn't have died.
Two chances to intervene—and both slipped out of his hands.
As Minato fell deeper into regret, Kushina gently embraced him.
"This isn't your fault. Everyone chooses their own path. And all of this—someone planned it. Didn't Lord Franklin say it was all part of Uchiha Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan? Obito's fall must have been arranged long before."
Franklin had just teleported back and immediately caught sight of the two spiraling into emotional collapse. He cut them off bluntly:
"Alright, that's enough hugging. Hardly anyone even died. This is a ninja village—part of a nation's war machine. Disaster like this should've been expected."
He waved casually.
"Anyway, let's go check on Naruto's situation. I had an entire plan, but now I'll have to rebuild it from scratch. I've decided to live in Konoha for a while. What do you think? Should I just alter everyone's minds and make myself your distant cousin? Then I'll go show off a little and arrange for Naruto to live with us—it works pretty well."
Minato immediately shook his head.
"Lies require more lies to maintain. Naruto is the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—his sensitivity level is extremely high. If he disappears from the public eye like we did, the consequences could be unpredictable. Since no one can see us, secretly watching over him is enough. We won't ask for more. Being alive at all is already a blessing."
Franklin nodded slightly.
"Suit yourself. Saves me the trouble. Obito's memories of us are sealed for now—next time you see him, don't greet him. He won't recognize you anyway."
He waved dismissively.
"And stop blaming yourselves. Obito's change and Rin's death—Madara planned it all. Even if you wanted to interfere, you couldn't."
Franklin paused, then continued:
"If you really want something to do, investigate the Uchiha prodigies—Shisui and Itachi. And think about this: if you suddenly appeared in front of everyone again, how would you prove you're the Fourth Hokage? And when Hiruzen dies—how would you secure control of Konoha?"
Minato froze.
"Milord… what are you planning?"
Seeing that even as a dead Fourth Hokage he was still worrying about the village, Franklin rubbed his forehead in helpless annoyance.
"Relax. If I wanted to take the village, I could rewrite everyone's thoughts right now and crown myself the Fifth Hokage. But that's boring and too much work. I want you reinstated publicly—to act as my inside support later. I'll explain when the time comes—it won't harm Konoha."
His voice grew more serious.
"You have time now—and identities to spare. When you were Hokage, you stood too high to see the ground. Shinobi are too busy. Villagers don't have the power.
Now you do. So start from the bottom—understand why endless war exists, why this world keeps repeating the same mistakes.
Because eventually, we will fix the root of it—and unify the shinobi world."
Hearing this, Minato finally snapped out of his internal spiral. His eyes grew brighter with every word Franklin spoke.
"Thank you… your guidance means more than you know. I'll investigate everything carefully."
Franklin waved lazily.
"Good. Then stop thinking about the dead. Focus on the children—and on the reason this world keeps burning."
Minato nodded firmly. Seeing that, Franklin looked satisfied before lifting the three girls and flying toward the plateau above the Hokage Rock.
"Sage Art: Three-Bedroom-Two-Living-Room Technique."
Once the house was complete, he set both concealment and repulsion barriers around it, then walked inside with the girls.
Seeing the familiar interior, Franklin collapsed onto the sofa.
"Master, are you tired? Would you like us to help you relax?"
Seeing Nymph's eager expression, Franklin didn't think too much and nodded.
"Sure. Good timing—I can think through the long-term plans. When I'm done, I'll let you review them."
Just as he was about to close his eyes, he heard rustling. When he looked—
Nymph, Ikaros, and Astraea were all already taking off their clothes.