Naruto: I’m the One Executing the Moon Eye Plan

Uchiha Kaien believed that a person should be free of unnecessary impurities.

In his view, Namikaze Minato's potential was already exceptional. There was no need to rely on special chakra to enhance his talent.

Even though Kaien wasn't sure if Minato would be chosen by Asura's chakra, he wasn't the kind to gamble on uncertain chances.

The Transcription Seal could accomplish many things—serving as a protective barrier for Minato was just one of them.

Based on the concept of the Mirror Heaven and Earth Change that repels genjutsu, and supported by Kaien's own overwhelming chakra, the technique was more than capable of instantly detecting and isolating foreign chakra intrusions.

(T/N: Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change - when a genjutsu is used on them, the user quickly decrypts the genjutsu with their Sharingan to understand how it works. They then perform an identical genjutsu on their attacker, causing a "genjutsu reversal")

After setting up the technique, Kaien finally turned to Minato for a casual chat.

"Huh? Even the Hokage came?"

The guests nearby looked genuinely surprised.

After all, the Hokage was an extremely busy man, buried in endless paperwork every day.

Even in recent years of peace, conflicts continued to simmer in the shadows. Nations kept sending spies across each other's borders, and minor skirmishes still broke out along the frontlines.

Yet within the walls of Konoha, the village remained tranquil and undisturbed—a sense of security that only great nations could afford.

"Heh. I left official matters to my advisors. Slipping away for a bit won't cause any real trouble."

As for those covert conflicts, the ANBU handled them. Danzo was particularly capable in that regard, and Hiruzen Sarutobi trusted him completely.

With a pipe in his mouth and a relaxed air about him, Hiruzen chuckled as he strolled in. The crowd instinctively made way for him.

Unbothered by the attention, Hiruzen walked straight to a small table where the Legendary Sannin and the White Fang were seated.

Among the many powerful guests, only these four had the qualifications to sit alongside the Hokage.

As Hiruzen approached, someone quickly brought over a cushion. The group of four instantly became five, sharing drinks and conversation.

"Ugh, couldn't wait for me, could you? I just got my grandson to sleep and rushed right over!"

Uchiha Kagami emerged from the guest room behind them, joining the table and making it a party of six.

Six Kage-level powerhouses, all seated around a single table—no one dared interrupt their gathering.

"Peace like this... I wonder how long it'll last."

Hiruzen stared into the distance, his face tinged with nostalgia and concern.

According to Danzo's reports, the other villages were stirring again. A new generation of shinobi had already matured, and fresh forces were rapidly filling their ranks.

That said, Konoha's own new generation was just as impressive—if not more so.

Hiruzen's eyes drifted to a pair of boys murmuring in the corner—one blond, one dark-haired.

Today's gathering wasn't a formal event. It was an annual tradition, a celebration in honor of that dark-haired boy—a prodigy among the new generation.

It was one of the few occasions where the village's leaders could relax without the weight of politics or duties. A rare chance to simply enjoy life.

"Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, these kids are old enough to carry Konoha's hopes."

Hiruzen felt particularly proud. As Hokage, seeing so many capable young shinobi meant everything to him.

It was a reflection of his leadership—something that would secure his legacy among the Hokage of the past.

"Hah, I'm getting old," Kagami said with a chuckle, though his smile couldn't be hidden. "Already surpassed by the next generation. If peace could last forever... this kind of life wouldn't be so bad."

He had a grandson now, while Hiruzen's grandson hadn't even been born yet.

You lose this one, Hiruzen.

"The feeling of being surpassed by your students... it's a little hard to accept at first, isn't it, Jiraiya?" Orochimaru sipped his drink, shooting a sidelong glance. "Especially for certain irresponsible teachers who even had to learn ninjutsu from their own students."

"Ahahaha! Orochimaru, my student inherited the Will of Fire—I'm proud of that!"

Jiraiya waggled his eyebrows.

"Besides, you're the one always wrapped up in those strange experiments. Maybe focus on learning Sage Mode first!"

He grinned cheekily—after all, he had already mastered it. Orochimaru, still wrestling with the mysteries of natural energy, hadn't.

"Idiot," Orochimaru muttered, rolling his eyes.

There was no comparing mastering power with dissecting it. He was pursuing something safer and more efficient. Being misunderstood didn't matter to him.

"You two—enough talk! Let's make a bet or something! Quit just drinking!"

Tsunade's flushed cheeks and swaying posture made it clear she was tipsy.

Jiraiya immediately sneaked a glance at her ample chest, only to quickly hide behind his drink. Thankfully, no one noticed.

"..." Hiruzen's expression darkened.

They had just been discussing the Will of Fire, the future of the village... and now look at them.

So much for that moving tribute to the next generation. He gave up on his speech entirely.

...

"Over there... that's most of Konoha's top-tier shinobi."

"You only see a gathering like this at Kaien's birthday party."

A certain pineapple-haired boy let out a low sigh.

"Well, Kaien's no ordinary guy. This year's party is especially packed thanks to those eyes of his—legendary stuff."

Thanks to a massive PR push by the Uchiha clan, all of Konoha now knew: another Mangekyō Sharingan had awakened among them. That was one reason Kaien's birthday was such a spectacle this year.

Even though those in the know understood that Kaien's Mangekyō had already passed its peak, to the rest of the village, the news was explosive.

After all, clan records told of how the Sharingan stood alongside the Wood Release as one of the two great powers that had helped the First Hokage bring peace to the world.

No explanation was needed. And now, the Uchiha had two Mangekyō users.

"The Hyuga clan is still Konoha's greatest..."

Hyuga Hizashi muttered the words just loudly enough for his brother to hear.

What's the point in competing anymore? He'd been getting thrashed since he was a kid. Now, he could barely see the Uchiha's dust trail. That "greatest clan" slogan was starting to sound hollow even to him.

"Hizashi, have a little more pride in the Byakugan," Hyuga Hiashi said, patting his brother's shoulder.

But even he sighed inwardly.

The Uchiha were thriving. The Hyuga were stagnant. The difference was clear.

As the soon-to-be clan head, Hiashi couldn't help but feel the pressure.

I really envy you, Kaien...

To soar so freely, like an icebird beyond the reach of even the Main Family...

...

"Alright, it's done—a genjutsu-repelling barrier. You won't have to worry about being manipulated by enemy dōjutsu users anymore."

The real purpose was to keep Asura's chakra from invading.

But Kaien didn't bother explaining. The more you explained this kind of thing, the messier it got.

He briefly expanded his sensory jutsu to scan the crowd.

One table for the Hokage's circle, one for the Uchiha elders, one for the kids, and another for classmates.

What a pain. So many people just for a birthday party.

Even the Uchiha elders showed up. Kaien hadn't even met some of them before. Now they'd all come—like it was his wedding or something.

Big or small, they were all here.

"Kaien-neechan! I brought you a present!"

A high-pitched voice rang out as a small figure latched onto Kaien's leg.

Kaien instantly broke into a full-body cringe.

"Obito—I've told you a hundred times. Call me niisan, not neechan!"

"And you're six now! Stop hugging my leg like that!"