It was time to confront her sensei, something which the Senju princess was emotionally dreading.
Although her grandmother's recent guidance had opened Tsunade's eyes to some of the world's and Konoha's darker truths, it could not fully break the image Hiruzen had built in her mind over the course of a decade as her sensei.
But she had a feeling, just a gut instinct, that today was going to be the day.
The Senju princess would be forced to acknowledge her sensei's biggest flaw, and the one that would make that flaw clear, was also approaching the Uzumaki compound.
*
Welcomed warmly by the Senju Compound's caretakers, Hiruzen realized Mito had yet to spread the information she no doubt knew.
It brought him relief, even as the nerves of facing the Uzumaki matriarch kept the pressure mounting as he approached her Mansion.
'Since Mito-sama has not made anything public yet then everything can be discussed. Like Inori said, she still has Konoha in her heart.' The Third thought.
Inori drew some gazes but most people around knew of her status as Shiki's Jonin-sensei and thus did not think much of her presence.
At most, they thought the hardworking boy had either done something extremely bad or extremely good for the Hokage himself to come visit.
Considering the boy's skills, it was probably something good.
But if one considered his personality, then there was a good chance it was something bad as well.
Greeted by a silent Tsunade at the door, the Third Hokage could already sense the chilling atmosphere pressing down on him.
'No glares, no shouting, no threatening gestures . . . Things might be even worse than I thought." Hiruzen thought as he observed his usually rowdy student, quietly guiding him.
As he approached the room, the air began to feel denser as the pressure climbed, it was like walking through the bottom of the ocean.
Inori, a step behind him, was even worse for wear owing to her less powerful chakra.
'The most powerful woman in the world indeed." The Hokage gravely thought.
Mito felt more terrifying to him than his sensei Tobirama, only Hashirama himself could surpass the Uzumaki matriarch's display of strength.
'Even at her advanced age, Mito-sama's power has yet to significantly wane. The Uzumaki clan's longevity is truly enviable' He calculated, adjusting his plans.
Little did he know, not only was the redhead not becoming weaker with time, she was even stronger than she was at her peak.
Finally face to face with Mito, Hiruzen could only internally cringe at her ince cold expression but he knew better than to put on a fake show of emotion.
When dealing with a woman that could read your intent and emotional state, an iron will to remain perfectly calm was an absolute necessity and not something Hiruzen lacked.
Inori on the other hand was meeting the Uzumaki matriarch face to face for the first time, in such a hostile setting as well.
It was no surprise she struggled to deal with the tangible weight of the redhead's presence.
Fortunately however, she was actually feeling a measure of genuine remorse for her part in setting up the unofficial test that had gone so horribly wrong.
That ensured she did not have to hide or fake anything since her genuine feelings were more likely to save her from Mito's wrath.
"Greetings Mito-sama I-" Hiruzen started but the Uzumaki matriarch interrupted him with a raised hand.
"There are still people coming to join these discussions so save your speeches for them Monkey, unlike me, they might actually care for them." Mito dismissively spoke.
Hiruzen hated it when she called him by his nickname.
'When Hashirama-sama or sensei called me Monkey it always felt like a term of endearment . . . Well, mostly with Tobirama-sensei, but with her, it always feels like an insult.' The Hokage thought to himself.
Whether it was just him that interpreted the Uzumaki matriarch's attitude in a bad faith way or she actually was insulting him every time they spoke, either way, it did not really change anything.
Time ticked away ever so slowly as minutes felt like days.
But after a short time that felt like an eternity, the rest of the expected guests arrived. Expected by Mito anyway, they likely did not expect each other.
Now, in the living room of the Uzumaki Mansion, Hiruzen the Third Hokage, Inori the sensei of Team 6, Aburame Shinka who Mito had arranged to be picked up and brought to her and Uchiha Mei who had come along with her father Fukutsu the head of the Uchiha clan.
The two men instantly heard blaring alarms in their mind as all manner of suspicions crept into their thoughts.
The two girls however, knowing they were in front of Shiki's guardian, could only lower their heads in a mixture of guilt and confusion.
Mei because she thought herself to be at fault for the boy getting spear-handed in the chest and Shinka because she was involved in the setup for the whole situation, even if her only actual contribution to the debacle was not spilling the secret plan.
"So Monkey . . . Tell me why my ward's team was intentionally set up against Kumogakure shinobi in their First Blood Mission which is traditionally arranged to be against bandits."
Mito suddenly started the discussion and her words put Uchiha Fukutsu instantly on edge, his eyes burning as he barely restrained his Sharingan from spontaneously activating.
Hiruzen coughed in preparation to put forth his argument.
"Well . . . After discussions, it was proposed that Team 6 receive a different test owing to their extraordinary potential that would render the usual First Blood Mission mostly meaningless and so Danzo undertook the task of arranging a more fitting trial." The Hokage spoke.
'Bullshit!' That was the foremost word in the minds of the adults in the room.
First Blood Missions had the main purpose of testing a new shinobi's ability to kill and to manage the shock of the first kill that affects one the most in a more controlled and safe environment.
The so-called "fitting trial" that was added on to the mission directly went against the purpose of the original mission since it increased danger enormously by involving other shinobi and limited the control of the jonin sensei over the situation.
"Is that so? I believe such details are discussed with the young genin's guardians since the First Blood Mission is an important part of their shinobi career." Mito commented.
"Were you informed of these alterations Uchiha Fukutsu?" The redhead casually asked, her icy expression not changing since Hiruzen and Inori had first arrived.
With a stony face that hid burning rage, barely contained, the clan head responded.
"No I was not. What was discussed with me, was a very standard bandit extermination, nothing more."
"I see." The Uzumaki matriarch responded.
It was clear she already knew the obvious.
"Remind me, Tsunade . . . What was the number and composition of the Kumo shinobi?"
"Three Elite Jonin, six Regular Jonin and twelve Elite Chunin." The Senju princess gravely spoke.
This time, Fukutsu could only barely restrain himself from initiating a "friendly spar" with the Hokage as his sharingan flared to life.
However, based on his daughter's downcast mood and the missing presence of the young boy that was Mito's ward, it seemed he had been the only casualty.
'It is not my place . . . Not now at least.' He thought with killing intent swirling in his mind.
"I hear Shiki pretty much won his squad the battle, killing one of the three Elite Jonin while critically wounding another, taking out two of the six Regular Jonin and eleven of the Twelve Elite Chunin, not to mention he was the one that insisted I sent someone to watch your backs."
Mito casually spoke, shocking everyone in the room.
"I have to admit, his intuition is frighteningly accurate, I should have sent more backup." She added but every one was still stuck on her previous sentence.
A damn four year old had successfully killed 11 Elite Chunin, 2 Regular Jonin and 1 Elite Jonin while leaving yet another Elite Jonin at death's door?
They did not know the details but even if little to no direct combat, where his opponents had the greatest advantage, had taken place, it was still a feat even an Elite Jonin could be proud of.
+++++
Hey, Author here!
Just a reminder that you can read up to a FULL MONTH ahead of this site on pa-treon.
I'm trying to become a full time Author now and I'm not going to be starting any new novels just so I can make sure this one is properly completed.
Find those sweet advanced chapters on pa-treon.com/lusoba without the -