[Uchiha Shisui]: Second Hokage-sama, Itachi isn't that kind of person. He simply longed for peace from the bottom of his heart.
[Senju Tobirama]: Oh? And who might you be, youngster? Hm… that title of yours is… interesting.
Everyone followed Tobirama's gaze.
The title Furukawa Ryu had given Shisui read:
"The Idealistic Martyr."
[Uchiha Shisui]: I was the one guiding Itachi all along, leading him down the path of peace.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: Shisui… sigh. Back then, we even suspected Itachi had killed you. So you were a double agent too?
[Uchiha Shisui]: I'm sorry, Clan Head. The Uchiha's ambitions had grown too great. It would only have brought chaos.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: Forget it. It's all in the past. Talking about it now serves no purpose. Regardless, both you and Itachi were outstanding talents of the Uchiha.
[Uchiha Madara]: Enough! The Uchiha clan's reputation has been completely ruined by the lot of you!
[Uchiha Madara]: What's wrong with ambition? As long as you have the strength to back it up, ambition isn't a bad thing!
[Senju Tobirama]: That kind of thinking is exactly why I always kept the Uchiha under strict watch! A clan full of people like you, combined with that cursed bloodline—how could I not be cautious?
[Senju Hashirama]: Tobirama! That's enough!
[Senju Tobirama]: Hmph. In any case, with the Uchiha gone, Konoha will only become more stable.
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm quite pleased about it.
[Furukawa Ryu]: Well said. Let's see if you're still this optimistic in a bit.
[Senju Tobirama]: What's that supposed to mean?
[Furukawa Ryu]: Nothing. You'll find out soon enough.
Tobirama frowned.
Since Ryu clearly did not want to explain further, he did not press the issue. Still, a vague sense of unease began creeping into his mind.
Meanwhile, Ryu had already arrived at the Academy.
Because he had spent the entire morning chatting with the group, he was a little late.
By the time he entered the classroom, most of the students were already there.
Ryu walked straight to his seat.
Beside him sat a small girl with dark blue hair and pale white eyes.
He greeted her casually.
"Morning, Hinata."
"G-good morning, Ryu-kun…" Hinata replied shyly, lifting her head slightly.
"Heh."
[Hyuga Hizashi]: That's… my brother's daughter… Hinata?
[Hyuga Hizashi]: She's grown so much already!
[Furukawa Ryu]: Well, yeah. She's the same age as me.
Looking at the young Hinata in front of him, Ryu could not help thinking she looked like a delicate little doll.
Back in his previous life, she had always been one of his favorite characters in Naruto.
Before he even realized it, his hand reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"Mm…"
Hinata's face instantly turned bright red.
She quickly lowered her head.
But she did not resist.
From the memories he inherited, Ryu knew that the original owner of this body had spent the past eleven years basically drifting through life.
The only truly decent thing he had ever done…
was saving Hinata when they were four years old.
Which, incidentally, meant he had accidentally snatched Naruto's future wife.
Naturally, the current Furukawa Ryu had no intention of giving that opportunity back.
As for Naruto?
Whether Naruto ended up with Sasuke or Sakura had absolutely nothing to do with him.
[Hyuga Hizashi]: HEY! Ryu, you little punk! What are you doing?!
[Hyuga Hizashi]: Are you trying something funny with my niece?!
Seeing Ryu casually pat Hinata's head, Hizashi immediately lost his composure.
He even forgot to call him "Group Leader."
[Furukawa Ryu]: No, no. You've got it backwards.
[Furukawa Ryu]: She's the one harboring improper thoughts about me. I'm just helping her fulfill them.
[Hyuga Hizashi]: What the hell?! How did I never realize you were this shameless?!
[Furukawa Ryu]: Hey now, watch what you say.
[Furukawa Ryu]: We may know each other, but if you start slandering me, I'll have to report you for defamation.
[Furukawa Ryu]: Since you're technically an elder, I'll let this slide once.
[Furukawa Ryu]: Next time, I'm muting you.
The moment Ryu casually referred to him as an elder, it was clear he already considered himself part of the Hyuga family.
In the Pure Land, Hizashi felt his temples throbbing.
[Hyuga Hizashi]: You… even if you want to date her, you should at least wait until you're older!
[Hyuga Hizashi]: Hinata isn't even twelve yet!
[Furukawa Ryu]: Who said anything about dating?
[Hyuga Hizashi]: Then what are you planning?!
[Furukawa Ryu]: I'm a responsible man.
[Furukawa Ryu]: I'm going straight for marriage.
[Hyuga Hizashi]: YOU LITTLE—!!!
[Ding! Group Leader Furukawa Ryu has muted "Hyuga Hizashi" for 10 minutes.]
"DAMN IT! That brat! I absolutely won't let Hinata end up with someone like him!"
In the Pure Land, Hizashi nearly fainted from rage.
A moment later, he remembered something important.
He was already dead.
Which meant he had zero ability to interfere with the real world.
[Uchiha Madara]: Ryu, kid…
[Uchiha Madara]: In terms of outrageous moves…
[Uchiha Madara]: I, Uchiha Madara, acknowledge you as the strongest.
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