Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 134: Today Is an Important Day

THIS Chapter MAY OR MAY NOT BE CORRECT/INCORRECT. I PAID FOR QIDIAN ChapterS AND I'M GOING OFF OCR RIGHT NOW.

1 Chapter today because I am unable to access the hidden qidian Chapters.

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Fortunately, Shigen still remembered some strategies for executing conspiracies.

For example, if he wanted to use someone else's scheme, the first step was to immerse himself in the conspiracy, then deliberately expose part of it, and finally seize control of the plot for himself.

This time, however, was different.

Because this time, it was of great significance.

Shigen was exceptionally meticulous in his planning. This was no longer just about himself—he had to consider the lives and deaths of many, as well as their psychological states.

Not only did he have to account for the living, but also... the dead.

For Shigen, devising a conspiracy wasn't unfamiliar territory. He carefully ensured that all factors were accounted for, that nothing was overlooked. Only after confirming there were no gaps did he hand over the first phase of work to Kabuto.

"The contents of this are... interesting."

"Interesting..."

Kabuto's pupils constricted for an instant as he opened the scroll and read its contents. "How... how could this be? That child is the Fourth Hokage's..."

"This is a secret known by all of Konoha's higher-ups."

Shigen patted Kabuto's shoulder and seriously instructed, "In a short while, that child will be graduating from the academy. Treat what's written in this scroll as my graduation gift to him. I'll need your help with it."

"Understood."

Kabuto nodded solemnly.

"That's settled, then."

Shigen thought back to his time in Konoha and spoke softly, "After all, I've formed a bond with that child. When I leave, he might be sad, so I might as well make him happy first."

"And also let him make a choice..."

"That child has already gained so much. Let's see if greed will drive him to reach for even more."

"That's the first matter."

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Shigen looked at Kabuto and continued in a deep voice, "The second matter—Orochimaru asked you to contact Danzo. When you do, pass along a message..."

"The leader of Amegakure, Hanzo the Salamander, has been killed by the wielder of the Rinnegan. That individual has taken over Amegakure and may seek an opportunity to exact revenge on him and Konoha."

Kabuto's pupils trembled.

This kind of critical information...

Should they really be warning Danzo in advance?

Kabuto couldn't quite understand. This intelligence could make Danzo take defensive measures—it made more sense to withhold it.

"Just do as I say."

"Let Danzo feel a sense of crisis."

"At the very least, make him realize that he cannot remain uninvolved in the great storm that is approaching. He must take risks and act if he wants to achieve his goals."

"What he is owed... I should give it to him."

"And what he owes... I should take it back."

After explaining his arrangements, Shigen gave Kabuto another reminder. "Once you've completed these two tasks in Konoha, don't risk involving yourself any further."

"Orochimaru is about to unleash a great storm..."

"If you get too deeply entangled, you could be in danger."

"Understood."

A warmth spread in Kabuto's heart. He glanced once more at the contents of the scroll. "Then I'll contact Mizuki, who worships Orochimaru..."

"Be careful."

"If you encounter danger..."

Shigen's gaze locked onto Kabuto, his voice calm and steady. "No matter how much power you have to reveal, don't hesitate. What we're doing right now isn't actually that important. It's just to make our path smoother. Even if the plan encounters setbacks and our journey faces obstacles, nothing can stop us from reaching our final destination."

Kabuto lowered his head once again.

Konoha Ninja Academy

The academy was holding its new round of graduation exams.

As usual, Naruto Uzumaki remained at the bottom of the class in academics. However, he had been continuously improving his chakra control, which made his combat performance exceptional, even rivaling Uchiha Sasuke.

The graduation exam...

Required the use of the Clone Jutsu.

Naruto wasn't particularly skilled at the standard Clone Jutsu—his strengths lay in the Shadow Clone Jutsu, an even more advanced and difficult technique.

As Naruto's mentor, Jiraiya had never stopped training him in the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu. He understood the boy's strengths well.

Naturally.

This exam posed no challenge at all.

Even their instructor, Iruka Umino, was utterly dumbfounded.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto raised his fingers to form the seal, a confident smirk on his face—this was his moment to shine in the graduation exam!

In the next instant—

The entire classroom was filled with Naruto's clones!

Even the hallways outside were packed with them, drawing a crowd of awestruck students who stared in amazement at the sheer number of Narutos.

Naruto wiped his nose smugly and looked at his examiners, Iruka and Mizuki. "Iruka-sensei! Well? Well? I passed, right?!"

"Pass."

Iruka shook off his shock and reluctantly stamped the approval mark, though he couldn't help but lecture his student. "But remember, ninjutsu isn't for showing off—it's for protecting those who are important to you."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it..."

Naruto laughed it off.

"You..."

Iruka gave him a complex look and sighed. He knew he was no longer capable of teaching Naruto.

Perhaps...

He never really had been.

Maybe...

He had never been a proper teacher to the boy.

Because his own parents had died during the Nine-Tails' attack on the village, Iruka had always held mixed feelings about Naruto. Sometimes he treated him like a strict father, other times like a gentle mother.

To outsiders...

It would seem that Iruka had done more than enough for Naruto—always covering for his mischief, taking him out for ramen.

But...

Iruka felt it was still not enough.

Because no matter what he did, he could never fully let go of his inner doubts.

"So... I guess that means you've graduated."

Mizuki smiled and acknowledged Naruto's success, even teasing, "Maybe from now on, every graduating student in Konoha will remember the day Naruto Uzumaki filled the classroom with thousands of clones..."

"Hahahaha..."

Naruto grinned even wider.

However...

His joy lingered only briefly.

At the graduation ceremony, parents gathered at the academy, smiling warmly as they accompanied their children.

Naruto watched the other kids standing with their parents, feeling a pang of envy. But he wasn't alone on this important day.

"Lord Jiraiya!"

"Lord Jiraiya!"

The parents and attendees all regarded the tall, white-haired man beside Naruto with great respect, expressing their admiration for one of Konoha's legendary Sannin.

Yes.

Jiraiya had attended the ceremony as Naruto's guardian. His presence was so grand that it felt excessive—he was the most distinguished guest in attendance.

Alone in the crowd, Uchiha Sasuke watched this scene with cold indifference.

He didn't care for this pointless ceremony.

Instead, he planned to go train on his own. He needed more power to achieve his revenge.

Not to dwell on the past.

Not to resent Naruto for what he had.

But...

Jealousy was a hard thing to suppress.

Once ignored by everyone, Naruto had now become the center of attention, even having one of the Sannin as his guardian at the ceremony.

And himself?

The academy's top student...

Had passed his exam in a conventional way.

And at this important ceremony, he was alone.

The more alone he was, the deeper his hatred burned.

Because he had once had all of this.

And it had been taken from him.

Suppressing his resentment toward Itachi and his jealousy toward Naruto, Sasuke made his way to their usual training spot by the river.

Coincidentally...

Someone else was already there.

Shigen had not been invited to Naruto's graduation ceremony. Since Jiraiya was Naruto's mentor, the boy had immediately chosen to invite him, seeing Shigen merely as a friend rather than a guardian.

Because of this, Shigen found himself alone on this day. However, when he saw Uchiha Sasuke appear by the river, he wasn't surprised—his arrival had been entirely within expectation.

Shigen said nothing. He didn't ask Sasuke about the ceremony or why he had come here instead. He simply sat by the river in silence, writing on a scroll.

Sasuke trained fiercely, pushing his body to exhaustion, as if trying to vent everything inside him. When his chakra was finally depleted, he collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily.

"Thank you."

Sasuke suddenly spoke.

He was grateful to Shigen—for simply being there. For accompanying him in his loneliest moment, even if it was just because Shigen had nothing better to do.

Shigen looked at him, a trace of confusion in his eyes, as if he didn't understand why this black-haired boy was suddenly thanking him.

Sasuke didn't explain further. He stole a glance at Shigen, then quickly averted his eyes, berating himself for saying something unnecessary.

This man...

Always seemed indifferent to everything.

He never acted as though he was helping others.

And yet...

He had indeed helped many people.

What, then, did he truly care about?

Was there anything in this world that could move him?

That could change the look on his face?

Shigen never seemed happy.

Nor did he ever seem sad.

If Sasuke had allowed his rare curiosity to take over and peeked at the scroll in Shigen's hands, he would have found many familiar names—perhaps even his own.

But Sasuke was never the type to be curious.

Even if he felt a flicker of interest, he would have forced it down in the name of his revenge, convincing himself that distractions were unacceptable.

Unaware of the young Uchiha's thoughts, Shigen continued writing.

His brush moved across the scroll, adding another line to a list of names.

Naruto Uzumaki.

Mizuki.

Kabuto Yakushi.

Orochimaru.

Shigen looked up at the sky, watching as the evening clouds burned with the colors of twilight, while the horizon darkened with the approach of night.

Tonight...

Would mark the beginning.

From this moment on, darkness would descend upon the ninja world.

The man who had once brought infinite light to this world had finally decided to share the shadows he had once held.

"Today is an important day..."

Shigen's voice drifted over the riverbank.

"It's not that important."

Sasuke assumed he was referring to the graduation ceremony. Lying on the grass, staring at the sky, his voice was cold.

"It doesn't matter at all."

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