Chapter 226: Chunin Exams
Outside the Yugakure, from a certain well, Masahiko and the other two leaped out.
Masahiko frowned and glanced back. Two Earth Release techniques directly filled the well. Although the three of them had checked every room repeatedly after Masahiko destroyed the altar to ensure nothing was missed, he still didn't really want this place to see the light of day again.
"It really could be Naka." Masahiko sighed. "If he isn't dead, unless he's trapped in a place like this, I definitely would have been able to sense him back then."
"Senior, what now?" Jiraiya asked in confusion.
Masahiko hesitated. "Let's go back. That Akatsuki member should have left; I don't sense his chakra."
The three set off on their return journey, speeding towards Konoha. On the way, Masahiko frowned again and looked at his new skill.
"Curse Breaking. Does that mean the extra power system from before was a curse?"
Masahiko gradually understood. That kind of "jutsu" was not only a curse but a very malicious one. By binding the soul firmly to the physical body, it seemingly granted immortality. However, the lifespan of the physical body remained. Decades later, one would likely have to endure the suffering of bodily decay, and the soul probably wouldn't find release until the body completely perished.
"In that case, Hidan must have died quite painfully in his past life..." Masahiko sighed with emotion, then suddenly wondered how old Hidan was now. Maybe he hadn't obtained immortality yet, or perhaps one of the corpses below was him?
However...
"Destroying the altar broke the curse on it, and I gained the ability to break curses. But what use is this?" Masahiko thought for a moment and fell silent. "Does the system want me to use it to free Naka?"
During the rest of the journey, Masahiko repeatedly pondered what counted as a curse in the Naruto world but came up with nothing.
"Cursed Seal? Caged Bird?" Masahiko frowned deeply. Obtaining a useless skill made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"Why did I get Curse Breaking? Getting a Curse skill would have been so much better... Curse whoever I want, and they get unlucky. I could even change my name to Uzumaki Jinx..."
Masahiko looked back. Jiraiya and Orochimaru were following diagonally behind him. He still wasn't quite ready to give up.
"Trip and fall! Jiraiya!" Masahiko shouted.
Jiraiya stumbled and almost fell to the ground.
"It worked?" Masahiko was stunned.
"Senior, you..." Jiraiya didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What are you doing?"
Orochimaru also stopped and looked over curiously.
Masahiko frowned. "Jiraiya, when I shouted just now, did you feel a sudden force making you almost fall?"
The corner of Jiraiya's mouth twitched. "Ah, a sudden aura of idiocy."
Masahiko let out a long sigh, too tired to even retort.
"Let's go, we're heading back."
"Trash skill, ruining my youth!"
...
Half a day later, the three returned to Konoha. Jiraiya and Orochimaru went to report the details of this mission to Hiruzen, while Masahiko finally had some free time.
He took a stroll around Konoha in his original appearance after a long absence to "show off" his presence. Since he hadn't appeared for so long at his age, if rumors like "Masahiko Uzumaki is dead" started spreading, it would be annoying.
He also visited the Senju clan grounds, personally checked on Mikoto Uchiha's condition, and then chatted with Mito... explaining where that daughter of his came from.
To this day, aside from the transmigrator and system aspects, Masahiko really didn't have many secrets from Mito. He had even told her about time travel.
"Second Grandpa, after more than twenty years, your personality still hasn't changed," Mito said.
Mito's words darkened Masahiko's face. This conversation can't go on...
Finally, after explaining everything properly, Masahiko found a deserted corner and switched back to the identity of Hagoromo.
"Finally, I can go home and see my daughter. Let's see who stops me this time." Masahiko muttered and headed straight for Ichiraku Ramen.
The elusive Sakumo finally didn't appear in front of him again, and Masahiko successfully walked into Ichiraku Ramen.
"Welcome... Are you Boss Hagoromo?" A woman's voice came.
Masahiko paused, looked at her, and hesitated for a moment before remembering she should be Teuchi's wife. She was quite a beauty...
"Yes, it's me. Is my Sara doing well here?" Masahiko smiled, but muttered inwardly, hoping there wasn't any petty jealousy drama, like the boss's wife fearing the female employee would seduce the boss...
The woman opposite smiled. "Sara is a good kid, very sensible. She has helped us a lot during this time."
Masahiko nodded. "That's good. I'll go up and see her."
Sara had refined chakra long ago, and Masahiko sensed she should be on the second floor.
Walking up, he muttered, "Sara is a kid? You're only seven or eight years older than Sara, right? Want to be an auntie already?"
Masahiko walked up the stairs to the second floor and indeed saw Sara sitting there. Beside her was a four or five-year-old girl clamoring "Big Sister," "Big Sister."
"Ayame?" Masahiko smiled. He had met another relatively familiar character.
"Father, you're back?" Sara stood up.
"What, when there are no customers, are you responsible for taking care of Teuchi's daughter?"
Sara shook her head. "Ayai is very cute. Ayai, come here, call him Uncle."
"Forget it. Better call me Grandpa. Don't raise Teuchi's generation." Masahiko objected.
As for why Sara called Ayame "Ayai," Masahiko didn't ask. It was probably a nickname or alias.
"Grandpa Hagoromo." The little girl's cute voice came, and Masahiko responded with a kind smile.
"Daughter, go make me a bowl of noodles. Let's see if your skills have improved over this half-month." Originally, Masahiko felt he had a lot to say to his daughter, but upon seeing her, this was the sentence that popped out.
Sara was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded as she left.
"Peaceful life has returned. This time there really is nothing going on. Just waiting for the birth of Senju... Ritian." Masahiko half-lay in the chair, giving the soon-to-be-born little monster the vivid name "Ritian".
Days returned to dullness. Minato soon recovered fully and took the three children for training and missions. Meanwhile, Masahiko practiced the Gentle Fist and incidentally decorated the big and small Optimus Primes to look cooler, waiting for the day Mikoto gave birth.
Sara's skills got better and better, gradually approaching Teuchi's level. Masahiko could no longer taste much of a difference.
Masahiko thought he would be idle until June, but unexpectedly, at the end of April, Obito boastfully handed him a piece of paper.
"Chunin Exam application form?"
In a trance, Masahiko saw a huge wave of Witness Points coming...
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