Perhaps sensing Hiruzen Sarutobi's shift, Lin Yu chose to reveal the situation with his Wood Style to him. He was unsure of the consequences, or what trouble this might bring to him or Kushina.
Lin Yu recalled that Yamato, later known as "Kinoe" from the Root, was also requested by Hiruzen Sarutobi from Root and given the codename "Tenzo" to join the Anbu. This showed that Hiruzen Sarutobi did not have an overwhelming desire for Wood Style. Otherwise, he could have easily joined forces with Danzo to research Yamato's Wood Style.
Perhaps, as Orochimaru had said, Yamato's Wood Style was a miracle. Even he, the instigator, didn't know how the Hashirama cells were fused. It was possible that Yamato was a lucky survivor among tens of thousands, lacking research value.
Regardless of the reason, Lin Yu had revealed his Wood Style to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He also had a fallback plan. If Hiruzen Sarutobi became jealous, greedy, or felt threatened by his Wood Style, and decided to join forces with Danzo to eliminate or research him, then Lin Yu's Susanoo-clad wooden golem might see its first combat deployment in Konoha!
In reality, Lin Yu could have chosen not to tell Hiruzen Sarutobi. But he wanted to try. Could this village give him a sense of belonging? Was it truly as irredeemable as he knew from his past life? Lin Yu was a bit masochistic, enjoying the challenge of exploring the darker side of human nature!
*Crack!*
Lin Yu punched himself mentally. *You're not invincible yet, Lin Yu! Be more cautious, stop doing foolish things! Finish Jiraiya's mission first before getting reckless!*
*Roger that!*
However, Lin Yu always believed in: letting things happen naturally!
*Huh? That wasn't what I said last time.*
...
Night fell, and after wandering outside, Lin Yu finally reached his doorstep. He gently pushed the door open and called out, "I'm home."
*Tap, tap, tap!*
As soon as Kushina heard Lin Yu's voice, she ran to the door on her bare feet, pouncing on him and pinning him to the ground. She complained, "Stinky Lin Yu, why are you back so late? I'm so hungry!"
Lin Yu bared his teeth and patted Kushina's head. "I'll make you a feast today!"
Kushina's eyes lit up at the mention of "feast."
"Really? Did Mikoto teach you again!"
"How could she? I learned it myself!"
Lin Yu sat up and pulled Kushina towards the inner room.
"Really!? But your own cooking is so bad, why don't you just make what Mikoto taught you!"
"Kushina, you..."
"Heh heh, I was just kidding, Lin Yu, hurry up and cook!"
"Kushina, shouldn't you learn to cook yourself? Look at Mikoto."
"Hmph! Who says I can't cook? My cooking is delicious, I'll show you next time!"
"Uh... alright."
Lin Yu had a strange feeling, as if this statement would haunt him for the rest of his life.
...
Time never stops, and spring breezes never cease.
Two years later, instigated by Kumogakure, Sunagakure led the charge against Konoha, citing the suspicion of Konoha assassinating their Third Kazekage. Hiruzen Sarutobi dispatched Tsunade to the border of the Land of Wind to confront the Sand Shinobi, and Jiraiya was recalled to Konoha.
Since Hanzo had already been killed by Lin Yu, the original events of Yahiko's death and Jiraiya receiving news of Nagato and the others' deaths did not occur.
However, through Hiruzen Sarutobi's matchmaking, Jiraiya still accepted Minato Namikaze as his disciple and took him to the front lines for training.
Two more years passed. During this time, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure successively joined the war, besieging Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi, firmly seated in the rear, dispatched Orochimaru and the Uchiha clan to the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water battlefields to face the Cloud and Mist Shinobi.
The Land of Earth battlefield was entrusted to Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze, who were on a training expedition. The Third Great Ninja War was on the verge of erupting!
However, these events had little to do with our protagonist, Uzumaki Lin Yu. The war was only in its early stages, and it wasn't yet necessary for Lin Yu to enter the fray. Mastering the rhythm was key to mastering the battlefield!
Another spring arrived, and the Ninja Academy was expanding its recruitment. This time, they were looking for teachers!
*Ring, ring!*
*Ring, ring!*
"Oh no! I'm going to be late again today! It's all that weird person's fault for making me get scolded by the old lady!"
A young boy wearing a blue-green vest-like outer garment, with orange goggles perched on his forehead, pouted angrily, muttering a complaint about someone.
*Whoosh!*
The boy quietly opened the classroom door, poking his head in first. He glanced left and right, and seeing that the teacher hadn't arrived yet, a hint of glee flashed across his face. Today, he wouldn't have to stand at the back!
"Obito! You're late again!"
A gentle girlish voice sounded in Obito's ear, light and soft with a hint of exasperation.
Uchiha Obito looked flustered at the girl before him. Her short brown hair covered her ears, and her large, deep-brown eyes were gazing at him with an expression of disappointment.
Obito's face visibly turned red as he stammered, "Rin... Rin... I, I today, helped..."
"Is 'helping an old lady cross the road' still your lame excuse? Obito, can't you come up with something new?"
From a desk nearby, a white-haired boy wearing a mask glanced at Obito disdainfully.
"Kakashi! What did you say! I'm not lying! I really helped an old lady cross the road today. If it wasn't for some weird person... I wouldn't be late!"
Seeing Nohara Rin looking at him critically, Obito angrily retorted to Kakashi. *This damned white-haired tsundere!*
Kakashi slouched his eyes and lazily said, "Weird person? Then tell me, how was he weird? You useless dead last!"
"What did you say! You dead white-haired tsundere!"
"You useless dead last!"
"Dead white-haired tsundere!"
"..."
Rin, watching the two bicker until their faces were red, sighed helplessly. She quickly stood between them and intervened, "Alright, you two, stop arguing. It's still class time, and the teacher will be here soon!"
"Hmph!" Obito and Kakashi both snorted and turned their heads away, no longer addressing each other.
In the row behind them, a boy with a watermelon-shaped haircut stared intently at Kakashi, or rather, at his white hair. He murmured, "As expected of the opponent I want to defeat. Even arguing, he doesn't lose!"
"Let my youth burn! I'll challenge him after school today!"
After Obito returned to his seat with Rin, he turned his head away, seemingly disgusted by Kakashi's peripheral vision!
"Obito, what was the situation with the weird person you just mentioned? Can you tell me?" Rin asked gently.
"Of course, Rin!"
Obito's face flushed slightly as he turned his head, only to notice the white-haired tsundere's ears twitch. He seemed interested in the "weird person" Obito mentioned.
Obito chuckled inwardly, his expression teasing. "Someone claims not to believe, but in the end, they're still curious!"
Kakashi's hand, propping up his chin, trembled slightly, as if his hidden thoughts had been exposed. He snorted pretentiously and said nothing.