Naruto: Saving the Universe by Stealing Attributes

"Shikaku, the Chūnin Exams should be coming up soon, right?"

Upon hearing Uchiha Mirai's question, Nara Shikaku nodded and replied, "Yes, there are about two months left."

"Mirai-sama, do you have plans for the Chūnin Exams?"

"I do," Mirai said calmly. "Contact the other villages for me. Invite them to bring their shinobi to participate in the Chūnin Exams here in Konohagakure."

"I want to co-host an unprecedentedly grand Chūnin Exam with the other villages."

Compared to Shimura Danzō, Sarutobi Hiruzen was the real target.

Making Sarutobi Hiruzen lose face in front of the entire shinobi world—that was the path Mirai had long planned for him.

And this joint Chūnin Exam with other villages was the perfect stage.

Hearing Mirai's words, cold sweat began to form on Shikaku's forehead.

As the Nara clan head, Shikaku's intellect was unmatched in the shinobi world.

In an instant, he grasped Mirai's intentions.

Mirai was undoubtedly using the Chūnin Exams to achieve some hidden agenda.

Could it be…?

After a moment of hesitation, Shikaku voiced his concern.

"Mirai-sama, you're not planning to take out the other villages' leaders while they're in Konoha, are you?"

Mirai shook his head. "Of course not. I invited them here to watch a good show."

"A good show?"

"The kind where Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation crumbles."

"I see…"

Shikaku let out a silent sigh of relief.

Thankfully, Mirai wasn't as crazy as he had feared. While the idea of humiliating the Hokage publicly sounded absurd, it was far more palatable than starting a war with the entire shinobi world.

He had been worried that Mirai might use the opportunity to attack the other villages' leaders.

If that were to happen, regardless of whether those leaders survived, Konoha would face the wrath of every shinobi village.

Even someone as strong as Mirai couldn't possibly handle such a situation.

Just as Shikaku was about to speak, Mirai interrupted with another bombshell.

"As for attacking the other villages, we'll discuss that after the Chūnin Exams."

Shikaku almost spat blood on the spot.

He knew it—this warmonger wasn't going to give up on conflict so easily!

After spending the entire day in the Hokage's office, Mirai wrapped up his work and left.

Stopping by Konoha's most expensive dessert shop, he picked up some treats before heading to a modest two-story house. He knocked on the door.

"Coming!"

Moments later, a flash of vibrant red hair appeared as the door opened.

Upon seeing Mirai, Uzumaki Kushina broke into a bright smile.

"Mirai, it's been a while."

Mirai raised the dessert box in his hand. "Kushina, a gift for you."

Kushina snatched the box and muttered

"D… don't you know pregnant women shouldn't eat too many sweets?"

Ignoring her half-hearted scolding, Mirai stepped inside and was immediately greeted by the aroma of cooking.

From the kitchen, Namikaze Minato, wearing an apron, called out, "Mirai, just a little longer. Dinner's almost ready."

"No rush," Mirai replied, taking a seat on the sofa and casually turning on the television.

Kushina grabbed the remote and muted the TV.

Seeing Mirai's confused expression, she spoke seriously.

"Mirai, did you really imprison the Third Hokage?"

Mirai nodded. "I did. "

Kushina hesitated before continuing. "What's your plan? I mean… he's an annoying old man, sure, but…"

Mirai cut her off. "Kushina, if you want to plead for him, ask yourself first—do you truly understand what Sarutobi Hiruzen has done?"

Kushina smiled bitterly. "I'm not exactly pleading for him. It's just… I grew up under his care, so there's a bit of sadness, that's all."

Mirai let out a cold chuckle. "Under his care? True, Sarutobi Hiruzen is excellent at playing that role."

"What do you mean?" Kushina asked, puzzled.

Mirai's tone was calm but sharp. "If it weren't for his deliberate inaction, Uzushiogakure would never have fallen."

At the mention of her homeland, Kushina's expression grew somber. She hesitated.

"Maybe he had his reasons. I heard Konoha didn't have the strength to protect Uzushiogakure back then."

"Do you really believe that excuse?" Mirai asked pointedly.

Kushina lowered her head.

At that time, the Second Shinobi World War hadn't even begun. Konoha's forces, including Hatake Sakumo and legends like Orochimaru and Jiraiya, were at their peak.

The claim of insufficient strength was nothing but a convenient lie.

Even so, Kushina bore no grudge. Uzushiogakure was an independent nation. Being besieged by multiple enemies, it was understandable that Konoha chose not to intervene.

Mirai continued. "And you think he took care of you out of kindness?"

"The ANBU surveillance, your lack of freedom—it all seemed like Danzō's doing, but Sarutobi Hiruzen let it happen."

"And more importantly…" Mirai glanced at Minato in the kitchen and lowered his voice. "Do you really think a few Cloud shinobi—ones Minato could easily defeat as a teenager—could've kidnapped someone like you, a candidate for the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, without help?"

Kushina froze, her mind racing.

Memories of that day, once treasured as a fond recollection, now seemed tainted.

How had those Cloud shinobi succeeded so easily? Why hadn't any of Konoha's elites intervened? Why had it been Minato, and Minato alone, who saved her?

Could it all have been orchestrated?

A terrible realization dawned on her.

A chilling fury swept over Kushina, her body trembling as waves of red chakra began to radiate from her.

"The life of a pawn—that's what makes Sarutobi Hiruzen even more detestable than Shimura Danzō."

"Of course," Mirai added, his tone softening. "Minato was likely unaware of any of this. Both of you were victims."

"Kushina, think carefully about everything that's happened around you. Never let Sarutobi Hiruzen's façade deceive you."

Mirai said no more. Across from him, Kushina sat in stunned silence, her eyes empty as her mind churned with conflicting thoughts.

A malevolent, oppressive aura began to fill the room, red chakra coalescing in the air.

The Nine-Tails…

Was about to break free!

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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