Torifu rubbed Minato's head. "Haha, don't rush. He needs to clean up and get familiar with his room before he can come here."
That probably meant this afternoon. Minato was very much looking forward to it. He wanted Kakuzu to see his cultivation over the years and prove that Kakuzu was right to save him. The two little ones also wanted to thank Kakuzu. When they were first brought to Konoha Village, they were confused, thinking they had been kidnapped. But unexpectedly, they had entered heaven. Without Kakuzu, they wouldn't have the life they have now.
With that, Torifu went back inside to rest. As for food, he would just order takeout later. After standing and smiling at the main gate all morning, Torifu's face was practically stiff. He needed to recover properly.
Meanwhile, at the Senju Clan compound, the Seventh Prince of the Land of Whirlpools—Kushina's father—arrived. Seeing his distinctive red hair, the clan members at the gate didn't even stop him, knowing he must be looking for Elder Ashina.
The Seventh Prince was quite nervous now. After all, it had been a long time since he had seen his father and daughter. Moreover, the Hokage-sama had mentioned that his father had undergone some changes, so the Seventh Prince had mentally prepared himself.
But as he entered the courtyard and saw the 'man' of the Uzumaki Clan standing there, he became very confused. Only he and a few others had come from the Land of Whirlpools. The rest of the entourage were resting in the apartment. The Seventh Prince had come alone. How could there be another person here in the Senju Clan compound?
Still, he cautiously inquired, "Hello, are you also here to see Uzumaki Ashina?"
Ashina looked at his rebellious son and wanted nothing more than to smash him with a staff. How could this child not even recognize his own father? What was the use of this son?
But the Seventh Prince was actually a little wronged. Ever since his birth, his father had always worn a long beard and had white hair. The clean-shaven, vividly red-haired middle-aged man in front of him could in no way be connected to his father.
Before Ashina could flare up, Kushina walked out of the house. "Grandpa, where did you go? Dinner is ready! Why aren't you coming back to eat?"
The moment she stepped out, she saw her father, whom she hadn't seen in four years. "Father? Why are you here?" Kushina wasn't very dependent on her father; she had always been closest to her grandfather. So, her father's arrival only made her feel surprised, not thrilled or particularly happy.
"Oh, haha, Kushina, you've grown so big! I arrived this morning to attend the Hokage-sama's wedding..." As he spoke, he suddenly realized something and his eyes widened! He looked from Kushina to the 'man' in front of him.
"You... what did you call him! Grandpa?" The Seventh Prince was incredulous. Kushina called him 'Grandpa'! That meant he should call him 'Father,' but this man couldn't possibly be his father! This guy was younger than he was!
"Hmph, little Shichirō, what's the matter? After only four years, you can't even recognize your own father?"
The voice was familiar, too—it was his father's voice, only slightly younger. The tone was also very similar. Yet, the Seventh Prince simply couldn't believe it!
"W-what exactly is going on!" The Seventh Prince's head was swimming.
It wasn't until Ashina spoke the Seventh Prince's nickname that he completely believed the man in front of him was truly his father. His eighty-something-year-old father...
"Father, it really is you! But what in the world happened!" Ashina snorted coldly, clearly displeased with him. "That was this old man's decision. Don't even think about getting involved. Just quietly attend the wedding and go home. I'm doing very well here and can even drink with my old friends every day."
"You don't need to worry about Kushina either. She's getting a better education here."
The Seventh Prince wasn't a fool. Although he was curious about his father's rejuvenation, he didn't dare to inquire too deeply. Moreover, his father hadn't explicitly stated his current condition, so the Seventh Prince wasn't sure if it was true rejuvenation or something else. A look of internal conflict appeared on his face.
As Ashina was the Seventh Prince's father, he naturally knew exactly what his son was thinking.
"You brothers should just focus on guarding the Land of Whirlpools and stop having unnecessary ideas. This body of mine came at a great cost. I only used a Kinjustu to be able to accompany Kushina for a few more years."
"What you see is not entirely real." Ashina sighed, as if he had made a very reluctant decision.
This explanation made the Seventh Prince understand. The Uzumaki Clan had many Kinjustsu, most of which were held by his father. This so-called rejuvenation was probably one of them. And judging by his father's words, it seemed it could only be maintained for a few years. He was no longer so curious.
However, all of this was fabricated by Ashina. He made it sound so mysterious simply to stop his son from having any foolish notions. It was better not to let this kind of age-reversing matter spread.
"I warn you, don't dream of learning this Kinjustu from me, and don't tell anyone else about it! If the Uzumaki Clan is destroyed in your hands because of this! Then you are no son of mine!"
The Seventh Prince visibly trembled at this severity. He naturally wouldn't take such a serious matter lightly. Even if his father was no longer the Clan Head, his strength had not diminished. Coupled with the bloodline suppression, the Seventh Prince lost all curiosity about the 'Kinjustu' right there.
The sounds of their argument in the courtyard were clearly audible inside the house. Hashirama and the others understood Ashina's intention. Almost all the notable figures in the entire Ninja World had come to Konoha Village this time. This ability to reverse aging naturally could not be allowed to spread, or it would cause great chaos.
Ashina's words gave Hashirama an idea: just claim they used a Kinjustu and only had a few years left to live. This would not only discourage those with malicious intent but also allow them to gradually fade from the Ninja World after a few years. If something were to happen, these old guys could still be used as a surprise fighting force. After all, no one guards against the dead.
After thoroughly deceiving his son, Ashina dropped his stern demeanor and began to ask about the affairs of the nation. Hearing that everything in the Land of Whirlpools was currently running smoothly, Ashina felt very happy and relieved. It seemed his sons were still somewhat useful. He hoped the Land of Whirlpools would remain this way in the future and continue to exist forever. With Konoha Village and the Hokage's presence, that wish shouldn't be too difficult.