"Konan and Yahiko." Uzumaki Jun smiled as he looked at the list of new members joining Uzumaki Country, murmuring, "These are the future pillars of Uzumaki Country!"
He wondered what would happen if the Toad Squad's teacher became Madara Uchiha.
Just thinking about it was amusing.
However...
If Nagato didn't have the Rinnegan, he wouldn't become Pain, the Deva Path. So, he could only learn the Uzumaki Clan's traditional Sealing Techniques. As for Yahiko, judging by his personality, he seemed just as much of a goofball as Jiraiya. Could he possibly master Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode? It might be worth letting him try.
And Konan...
She was a thoughtful girl who would develop her Paper Style on her own, so he didn't need to worry about her.
"I wonder if the Toad Squad, without experiencing tragedy and under Madara's teaching, can still grow into capable shinobi?"
Uzumaki Jun's lips curled into a curious smile as he murmured, "And that Uchiha brat..."
The future of the shinobi world was going to be so interesting!
...
Konoha.
"What are your thoughts on the stone tablet that suddenly appeared a few days ago?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and looked at the Konoha Council, speaking calmly. "This is a critical moment. Konoha cannot afford any unexpected incidents."
"I think it's fake," Koharu Utatane shook her head. "How could such a weapon exist?"
"According to ancient records, that era was dominated by samurai. Ninjutsu and chakra shouldn't have existed back then."
"But after examination by experts..." Hiruzen sighed helplessly. "That Flame Stone Tablet is indeed over a thousand years old. And the history from that time has long been lost. No one knows what truly happened."
"So..."
"We must be prepared."
This was a weapon said to be capable of defeating ten Shinobi Gods!
Only by securing it in Konoha's hands could they rest easy. No matter who else obtained it, it would spell trouble for Konoha.
"However, according to the tablet, that flaming ninja sword has been lost. No one knows where it is," Koharu Utatane frowned. "Maybe it's just a joke from a thousand years ago?"
How could there possibly be someone stronger than the Shinobi God, the First Hokage, let alone someone who could defeat ten of him?
No matter how you looked at it, this had to be fake.
"But our spies in the Land of Water have sent word..." Hiruzen forced a bitter smile. "A similar stone tablet has appeared there as well."
"So..."
"Whether it's real or fake, we must..."
Just then—
Knock knock!
The meeting room door was knocked.
"Hokage-sama, urgent intelligence report," a masked ANBU captain entered and said. "This just came in."
"Give it here," Hiruzen frowned.
The ANBU respectfully handed over the scroll. Hiruzen slowly unrolled it, muttering to himself, "A report at this time... Did something happen on the battlefield?"
Then—
"This..." Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock as he read the contents. "It... it actually appeared?"
"What is it, Hiruzen?" Danzō glanced curiously at the report. "What happened?"
"It's appeared," Hiruzen set down the report, taking a deep drag from his pipe, his face still filled with disbelief. "That flaming ninja sword has appeared."
"..."
The council members all stared blankly at Hiruzen. They had just been discussing this—how could it have appeared so suddenly?
Instantly, they sensed a conspiracy at work.
Was this someone's trap?
If so...
What were they trying to accomplish?
"Whether it's a trap or not," Hiruzen looked at the council and shook his head, "Konoha must send shinobi to investigate. If it's real..."
"That sword must be secured by Konoha."
"Otherwise..."
"It could bring unimaginable disaster to the shinobi world."
"So..." Hiruzen turned to Danzō, who was deep in thought, and spoke seriously, "Since Sakumo has just returned, Danzō, you and Sakumo will go together to see what's going on."
Before Danzō could nod—
"But we've already appointed Sakumo as the commander of the front against Sunagakure. If he leaves, how will we handle the Sand's attacks?" Koharu Utatane frowned. "The Kazekage has already taken to the battlefield."
"Ah..." Hiruzen fell into thought. No matter what, the front against Sunagakure needed a strong leader. Otherwise...
Their forces' morale would waver.
"Send Dan Katō," Hiruzen set down his pipe, relaxing his brow. "Dan Katō is also highly skilled. I believe he can hold off Sunagakure's attacks."
"That could work," Koharu nodded. "I'll make the arrangements."
"Then it's settled," Hiruzen smiled in satisfaction. "Dan Katō will temporarily take command against Sunagakure."
"Danzō and Sakumo will investigate the matter of the sword."
"If necessary, bring the sword back to the village and seal it away..."
"To safeguard the peace of the shinobi world."
...
Uzumaki Country.
"I'm home!" Konan pushed open the door and called out loudly. Hearing movement, she hurried to the kitchen, her small face lighting up in surprise. "Mom??"
"Why are you back so early?"
"Konan's back?" Konan's mother smiled warmly, turning to look at her. "Because the factory gave Mom a day off today." She wiped her hands on a nearby cloth, then crouched down in front of Konan. "Do you like Uzumaki Country, Konan?"
"I love it!" Konan answered without hesitation. "The people are nice, we don't go hungry, no one bullies us. I really love it here."
"But we still haven't gotten Uzumaki citizenship," Konan's face briefly showed disappointment before she clenched her small fists with determination. "But I'll work hard, and one day, I will get it!"
"Then I'll buy a big house for Mom!"
"Mm!" Konan's mother beamed, patting her head. "Mom believes in you. Konan can do it."
"But..." She sighed playfully, then pulled out a red booklet from her pocket, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Uzumaki citizenship—Mom already got it."
"In a few days, Konan can enroll in Uzumaki Country's affiliated academy."
"Really?!" Konan stared in disbelief at the red booklet, then jumped for joy, hugging her mother tightly. "Mom's amazing!!"
"We're Uzumaki citizens now, hehe!!"
"Mom's amazing."
But—
"Alright, alright," Konan's mother patted her back, smiling helplessly. "Come down now!"
"Mom still needs to cook."
"Since today's such a happy occasion, Mom bought lots of ingredients. If you don't let go, Mom can't cook."
She gazed fondly at the red booklet in her hand...
What a happy life.
Thank you, Uzumaki Country, for giving them peace and stability.
Thank you so much!!