Here's an improved version with a smoother flow, enhanced descriptions, and better readability:
Chapter 4: The Ninja World is Corrupted Again
"Master, I've been observing lately. While Minato Namikaze has improved quite a bit, he's still insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Yet, this fool actually believes he can compete with you for the Hokage position…"
A smirk played on the lips of the blonde-haired girl, her ponytail swaying slightly as she spoke.
A textbook villain.
This was the way of things.
First, the underling provokes the so-called Child of Destiny—only to be brutally defeated.
If the underling fails, the master must take matters into their own hands.
The arrogant second-generation elite, burning with shame, steps forward… only to suffer the same fate. And in the end, the villains are nothing more than stepping stones on the hero's path to greatness.
"Enough," Ryo Sarutobi shot a glance at Yamanaka Kei, his voice calm but firm.
Kei shrank back, pouting but relenting nonetheless.
In the original timeline, Konohamaru's parents were mere footnotes—unnamed ghosts of the past. A single cover page in the manga labeled them as elite ANBU and the trusted subordinates of the Third Hokage.
They never even showed their faces. Perhaps, long ago, they too had been humiliated by Minato Namikaze's meteoric rise. Unable to bear the disgrace, they had chosen to hide behind masks, fading into obscurity as nameless ANBU operatives.
But Ryo Sarutobi had no intention of following that script.
He wasn't here to play protagonist or villain.
His fate was his own.
Since he had been reborn in this world, he would live by his own will, carve out his own path.
As the son of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was born into prestige.
With the renowned "seven attributes" of the Ninjutsu Professor and the Sarutobi clan's inherent connection to "natural energy," his potential was boundless.
On the streets, villagers bowed their heads and called him "Young Master."
A life akin to Konohamaru's in the original story—except Ryo had no intention of squandering his head start.
He had both talent and resources. To waste either would be an insult to destiny.
Through relentless training and discipline, he had grown into the shinobi he was today.
If his predictions were correct, it wouldn't be long before Konoha's leadership promoted both him and Minato Namikaze to the rank of Jonin.
"Senior Nawaki, just watch. I will change Konoha… and the entire ninja world."
With those words, Ryo turned away from the cemetery, stepping into the uncertain future.
"Master, didn't you say that souls enter a dormant state after death? If so, Senior Nawaki probably doesn't even know what you're doing…"
Kei trailed behind him, holding an umbrella over them both.
"Shut up."
Morning Calm
The next morning, the rain had cleared, and the sky was a crisp blue.
Ryo Sarutobi was already outside, training at dawn.
The expansive courtyard was eerily quiet, home to only two residents.
After the founding of Konoha, this house had first belonged to his grandfather—Sarutobi Sasuke.
Later, his father, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had taken over.
When Hiruzen became the Third Hokage, he relocated to the Hokage Residence, inheriting the official dwelling of Senju Tobirama.
Thus, this old estate had passed into Ryo's hands.
And he preferred it this way.
Ryo had never been fond of crowds.
Silence and solitude were the best conditions for honing his skills.
"Master, breakfast is ready."
After finishing a round of Konoha taijutsu, Ryo turned to see Kei standing nearby, an apron tied over her usual outfit.
Yamanaka Kei, childhood friend and self-appointed maid, had been by his side since they were young.
He nodded, composed himself, and entered the house.
Another peaceful day had begun.
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After years on the battlefield, this tranquil life felt almost unreal.
"Master, the war is over. Things should be peaceful now, right?"
Kei removed her apron and knelt on the tatami beside him.
Though intelligent, this had been her first experience with the horrors of the Ninja World War. The trauma still lingered.
"Unlikely."
Ryo shook his head.
Kei assumed he was talking about post-war reconstruction, but his next words startled her.
"The Second Ninja War didn't truly end—it was merely put on pause by the major nations as they divided their spoils. Once they've finished digesting their victories, the Third Ninja War will inevitably break out."
This was how the official records described it.
The Third War was simply a continuation of the Second.
Since none of the Five Great Nations had suffered critical losses, their ambitions had only grown.
Each one believed they could achieve an unprecedented victory.
That arrogance led to the Third Ninja World War—one far bloodier than any before it.
"…What?"
Kei's expression fell.
Another war? So soon?
"Why don't these warmongers just drop dead already?" she muttered bitterly.
Her words weren't directed at any one person—but at all the power-hungry leaders of the shinobi world.
For once, Ryo didn't reprimand her.
Because, in truth, he agreed.
The world was rotten to its core.
And if a villain was needed to save it…
Then so be it.
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After breakfast, Kei cleared the table, and the two of them stepped outside into the bustling streets of Konoha.
At a glance, the village seemed peaceful.
But Ryo knew better.
This was merely the calm before the storm.
The corruption of the ninja world was far from over.
Each major clan in Konoha had its own territory.
The Sarutobi clan was no exception.
As Ryo Sarutobi walked through the district, fellow clansmen greeted him with nods and words of respect.
"Young Master."
"Good morning, Young Master."
The title echoed repeatedly, and beside him, Yamanaka Kei's chest puffed up with pride, as if she were the one being praised.
It was no exaggeration to say that everyone in Konoha knew Ryo Sarutobi.
At least, in this generation, he was a household name.
Despite being a member of Konoha's elite, the "second-generation Fire Lord" had always been measured in his words and actions. Unlike other noble heirs, he carried himself with dignity rather than arrogance. It was precisely because of this restraint that the villagers admired him.
But today, admiration was not his concern.
Today was the day he reported to the Hokage Building.
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The upper echelons of Konoha had summoned its finest. With the war's end, the village was in ruins, and there was much to rebuild.
On the way to the Hokage Building, the signs of war were everywhere—shinobi hurrying to and fro, missions being issued, and remnants of destruction still visible on the village's edges.
After receiving countless bows and greetings, Ryo finally arrived at the entrance.
"Master Ryo."
A figure had been waiting for him.
It was Hinata Hizashi—the younger twin brother of Hinata Hiashi, the heir of the Hyuga clan.
Or rather, the brother who could have been the heir.
Hizashi, born only moments after Hiashi, had been marked for servitude. Though he wore a calm expression, a storm of resentment always lingered in his eyes.
Alongside him stood Hyuga Ruri, Hizashi's childhood friend and fiancée, chosen for him by the clan since birth.
A girl with a delicate frame, standing with her head bowed.
Ryo met Hizashi's gaze and nodded.
"Hizashi-senpai."
But when his eyes landed on Ruri, his tone softened.
"Ruri."
The girl remained silent, her face pale and emotionless.
Unlike Hizashi, who carried himself with quiet determination, Ruri had lost something within her.
"Master Ryo, I truly appreciate what you did for Ruri," Hizashi said, bowing slightly. "I went to the cemetery a few days ago, which is why I was late in thanking you. But I heard everything about the battle with the Hidden Sky Village… If you hadn't risked your life that day, Ruri would have—"
"Better off dead."
The words came softly, but the weight behind them was crushing.
Hyuga Ruri had finally spoken.
Her cold, distant voice cut through the air like a winter breeze.
Death on the battlefield would have been preferable.
It would have been an escape.
For someone like her, being rescued was not salvation—it was prolonging the inevitable.
"Ruri…"
Hizashi's face darkened.
He understood all too well.
To the main branch of the Hyuga clan, the branch members were little more than slaves. No matter how strong they became, the cursed seal on their foreheads ensured they would always remain beneath their so-called "betters."
Surviving the war changed nothing.
Even in peace, their lives were shackled.
"Destroy It."
"Tch."
Yamanaka Kei clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Everywhere she looked, the world seemed to rot further.
Corruption. Oppression. Injustice.
Why was the world like this?
Why did the system exist just to crush people beneath it?
Honestly…
Why not just destroy it all?
Kei placed her hands on her hips and scoffed.
"Ruri, don't be afraid," she said, smirking. "It's just the Hyuga clan. We'll crush it to pieces!"
"Kei—!"
Hizashi visibly paled. His hands clenched into fists.
He wouldn't dare say such a thing.
But when he looked at Ryo Sarutobi…
He found no words of denial.
Ryo hadn't stopped Kei.
He hadn't scolded her.
He simply looked at Ruri—watching, thinking, deciding.
At that moment, a system notification echoed in Ryo's mind.
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[EXTRA MISSION TRIGGERED!]
[System Branch Function Unlocked!]
[Fire's Will Weapon: Hyuga Ruri]
[Side Quest Objective: Infuse Hyuga Ruri with the Will of Fire!]
[Side Quest Reward: The Power of the Hyuga!]
For a long moment, Ryo remained silent.
His destiny was calling.
And he was ready to answer.