Sakumo Hatake was a ninja filled with intense contradictions. In terms of strength, during his prime he was someone capable of shaking the entire ninja world. Yet in the end, he committed suicide—leaving behind a wife and child… Wasn't he even going to earn milk money for them anymore?
So, much like that genius who died from a tree branch through the chest, Sakumo's death clearly felt like a classic scripted kill.
Haseo's invitation to Sakumo was partly due to his appreciation for the man's abilities, but it also served as a way to keep an eye on him. As one of the first people Haseo had met in Konoha, he didn't want Sakumo dying needlessly without understanding why.
From what Haseo experienced while spending time with Sakumo, the latter was a very efficient killer—his power rapidly growing, and highly active during battle. So it was hard to imagine such a person committing suicide simply because of some slander.
He could cut someone's throat in a sea of blood and bodies, but a few words were enough to make him do the same to himself… Isn't that a bit too absurd? Perhaps the general environment in Konoha back then had indeed been harsh on Sakumo, but still, this just didn't make sense.
Then again, maybe enemies should try more indirect strategies when dealing with someone like Sakumo—for example, every single day standing in front of Konoha shouting, "Konoha's White Fang, you absolute jerk!" Eventually, perhaps this tough guy might really give everyone a live demonstration of throat-slitting.
In any case, there must've been something strange lurking behind "Sakumo's death." That mystery might now be impossible to clarify fully, but if he were under Haseo's watch… no one could guarantee Sakumo wouldn't die, but if he did, it would only happen on the battlefield.
At the very least, Haseo needed to teach Sakumo a simple truth—"If you insult Konoha's White Fang, what does that have to do with me, Sakumo Hatake?"
Life still calls for a bit more tolerance. It'd be better if he could develop thicker skin and fewer worries—then nothing would scare him anymore.
After settling things with Sakumo, in the following days, Haseo would head toward the Land of Whirlpools.
This trip was naturally meant to initiate the Uzumaki clan's relocation plan, which meant Mito Uzumaki would be joining the journey as well.
However, according to the current plan, only a small number of participants were involved; the team size remained extremely limited. Besides Haseo and Mito Uzumaki, only Sakumo Hatake, Mito's maid Shikou, and a single squad of Anbu ninjas made up the group.
Although the war had ended and the Ninja World entered a period of peace, allowing a Jinchuriki to leave the village with only seven companions… Well, considering there weren't yet specialized Tailed Beast hunters around the world, plus Mito's own strength was sufficient enough to handle nearly any unexpected situation.
Early one morning, this small team gathered together and left Konoha without drawing attention, heading toward the Land of Whirlpools.
"Mito-sama, in case we encounter particularly unique observers, will we be able to detect them?"
Once outside Konoha, the formation of their unit spread out accordingly. Though the youngest among them, Sakumo took the front position while the others kept Mito Uzumaki protected at the center.
After traveling a certain distance, Haseo asked Mito this question.
"No one should be able to monitor our squad without us noticing. After all, apart from me being a Sensor Ninja, Lady Mito's Uzumaki clansman Shikou is a Sensor Ninja too. With both of us on high alert, anyone watching us would be spotted before we even noticed them... What's wrong, Haseo? Did you sense something unusual?"
Mito Uzumaki hadn't sensed any abnormalities in the surroundings, yet since Haseo had asked such a question, she naturally assumed he'd sensed something.
Haseo gave a slight shake of his head. "Everything's fine, Lady Mito. Just making sure."
...
Mito Uzumaki shook her head, considering her own status; she thought Haseo was just being extra cautious.
What she didn't know was that Haseo was actually worried about something else, though it wasn't something he could voice out loud.
Haseo was thinking—if someone like Lady Mito Uzumaki began taking action, would that draw Madara Uchiha's attention? Although during the First Hokage's lifetime, Madara never defeated him and even when combining forces with the Nine-Tails, Madara still ended up utterly outmatched by the First's Wood Release Sage Art. But now the situation had changed—the First Hokage was no longer alive.
Considering Mito's strength, Madara Uchiha was almost the only person who could pose a serious threat to her. However, the good news was that Madara should currently be hiding away somewhere, attempting to avoid discovery of his false death. Normally, he wouldn't dare appear himself, especially not directly before Mito Uzumaki—unless he possessed the ability to instantly eliminate her entire group, otherwise Madara wouldn't reveal his presence at all.
So here came the question: Could Madara Uchiha pull off something like that?
Seemed unlikely.
The merging of the First's power, the awakening of the Rinnegan, stealing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Zetsu's appearance and activities—all these things happened when Madara was already quite old. His ocular powers had peaked by then. But his body and chakra reserves were already past their prime.
Right now, Madara couldn't even monitor Konoha's situation, let alone had the desire to do so.
Thus, despite Haseo's high vigilance along the journey, the team arrived safely at the eastern coastal area of the Land of Fire without anything happening.
"Lady Mito, the members of the Uzumaki clan are waiting for us ahead."
Soon after, Sakumo Hatake returned to Mito Uzumaki's side, bringing the message that the Uzumaki clan was there welcoming the Konoha group.
Lady Mito nodded, moving forward to take the lead position of the squad. Actually, this information was something she could perceive herself without needing a report.
The formation of Konoha ninja started to converge inward, eventually gathering together again.
Walking at the very front was Lady Mito, followed closely behind her was the Uzumaki clan's Sensor Ninja Shikou, with the other six Konoha ninja trailing further behind.
"Lady Mito, welcome back."
The number of Uzumaki clan members sent to greet Mito was about equal to the Konoha delegation. As Mito approached them, a senior-looking elder figure standing at the forefront of the Uzumaki group spoke up first.
"Mm."
Mito Uzumaki merely gave a solemn nod before stepping forward, step by deliberate step, across land and beach. She even passed directly through the Uzumaki group, stepping onto the ocean surface where waves splashed wildly.
Her actions seemed somewhat… eager, even urgent.
Without caring about others' reactions, Mito fixed her gaze into the distance. Beyond that horizon where sea and sky met lay the Land of Whirlpools.
It had been a long time since Mito Uzumaki last returned here.
Marriage. Becoming a jinchuriki. Childbirth. Founding Konoha Village. Her husband's death. The Great Ninja World War. The younger generation growing up. Her daughter's death. Peace settling over the ninja world.
Before her was Mito's homeland—but everything and everyone had changed.
In terms of age, Mito couldn't exactly be called old, yet her heart bore such profound weariness.
"Let's go."
Step by step, Mito walked atop the sea surface. The ripple sounds blended naturally with the ocean waves, as though playing a continuous aria—one after another, echoing endlessly.
It was the aria of life itself—resonant, unending.
Then, slowly, Mito's once-dull long hair regained its color, gradually turning as red as blood—more vividly red than any other Uzumaki present or absent.
Beneath her feet stretched the endless ocean; above, eternal flames roared without end.
The sudden surge of immense chakra made Haseo feel as though his very breath had been stolen from him. Mito's chakra was so overwhelming that even Kirigakure on the far side of the sea instantly felt like their village had been placed directly atop an about-to-erupt volcano.
She had lost her husband, her daughter, so many things beyond counting. Yet Mito endured. She remained the cornerstone of Konoha and the Land of Fire—the bedrock of this world and this era.
It was not yet her time to bow out.
The wandering dragon had finally returned home.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>