Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a slight annoyance; Danzo was already giving orders before he even spoke, completely disregarding his position.
He coughed lightly, "Since the mission is complete, bring Hayato and Kushina back. Lady Mito's seal may need to be transferred at any time."
Orochimaru smiled slightly at this, walked to Jiraiya's side, and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi on the screen, "Teacher, there's still one problem: what about the Uzumaki Family of Uzushiogakure? Although they were successfully rescued, the Village has been destroyed and may suffer another enemy attack."
"What exactly happened?"
The situation was clearly urgent, so even confidential matters that were originally only suitable for face-to-face discussion had to be handled directly through communication.
Orochimaru spoke again, with a hint of an unreadable smile in his tone, "In that case, why don't our two protagonists explain? Jiraiya, go bring Hayato-kun and Uzumaki Kushina over."
"Me?" Jiraiya pointed to himself, but seeing everyone looking at him, including Hiruzen Sarutobi who remained silent, he replied with a bitter expression. "Alright..."
Not long after, Jiraiya returned with Hayato and Kushina. He casually sat in a corner, his face full of gloom.
He had pursued Tsunade for years with no progress, while this kid Hayato not only held hands with Kushina but was also adored by a host of other girls. This treatment was simply heartbreaking.
Kushina, standing before everyone, seemed a bit shy. She gently pulled her hand from Hayato's and quietly hid behind him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at them, a smile involuntarily playing at the corners of his mouth. Youth was truly wonderful.
However, that smile quickly disappeared. His gaze sharpened, and he regained his solemn demeanor.
After all, Hayato's unauthorized departure from the Village with the future Jinchuriki was not something that could be easily overlooked.
Although he had always regarded Hayato as his own kin, if it was detrimental to Konoha, he would not condone it.
"Hayato, do you have anything to say to me?"
Hayato met his slightly sharp gaze, a flicker of guilt passing through him, but then he took a deep breath and regained his composure.
Even if he confessed that he could save Uzushiogakure and had a method to deal with the Nine-Tailed, given that it involved Kushina and Pokémon, he probably wouldn't easily allow him to leave the Village.
By the time Konoha decided to rescue Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki Family would have long been annihilated, and the remaining members scattered.
History had already proven that Konoha's slowness nearly led to the extinction of the Uzumaki Family. He could not tolerate the same tragedy happening again.
In the original history, there were Uzumaki orphans everywhere, but Konoha, apart from Uzumaki Naruto, had none. Presumably, this was because they resented their allies for arriving too late, giving hope only to be destroyed in despair.
The Uzumaki Family members were always fiery-tempered, loving fiercely and hating deeply, so it was understandable that they wouldn't come to Konoha Village.
Hayato bowed, his tone sincere, "I'm sorry, Third Hokage, I left the Village without your permission and put Kushina in danger."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood lightened. He had always thought highly of Hayato. Leaving the Village privately, and with his Sharingan evolving to three tomoe, he had been quite worried about whether Hayato would change.
Now it seemed, although the child had been presumptuous, his nature had not changed, and he even had a new, impressive air of maturity.
"It's not Hayato's fault."
Kushina stepped out from behind Hayato, her voice firm.
"I asked him for help! If I can't even protect my own homeland, what right do I have to become Konoha's Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki?"
Everyone's expressions changed; Kushina's words were quite startling.
"But, everyone in Konoha Village is also my friend, and I also need strength to protect those I love." Kushina's face showed shyness, but she continued speaking.
"Most importantly, I found my sense of belonging here. So, I will protect Hayato and the Konoha Village he belongs to, even if it means becoming the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki."
"Even if my freedom is restricted, even if I am feared by the villagers, I will become Lady Mito's next Jinchuriki."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised. At this moment, he thought of Uzumaki Mito, that great woman whom he had once not understood, who had actually passed on the same spirit to Kushina.
He was deeply moved. As long as Konoha treated Hayato and Kushina well, Konoha's future would be secured.
With such resolve in the next generation, what did he have to worry about?
Hayato stepped forward, his tone resolute, "I disagree! Kushina cannot become a Jinchuriki!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been in a good mood, instantly laughed. This Hayato really made his emotions fluctuate.
Even Orochimaru frowned tightly.
Danzo, on the other side of the screen, was already furious, "Uchiha brat! What exactly do you want to do?!"
This time, even Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't speak up for Hayato.
Hayato, however, seemed to have completely ignored everyone's reactions. He took a purple Poké Ball from his Pregnant and held it high, his voice calm, "Third Hokage, do you remember that scroll I left in Anbu?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled that Hayato had indeed left a scroll with Anbu. The scroll simply contained four large characters: 'I have a solution.'
Hiruzen Sarutobi, annoyed by the riddle-like behavior, of course had no impression until Hayato brought it up, and then he remembered.
"After Kushina becomes a Jinchuriki, not only will her freedom be restricted, but she will also be looked down upon by everyone. This is not something I alone can change. If the battle situation is urgent, she will also be sent to the front lines."
"I cannot let her be treated like that!"
Hayato showed the purple Poké Ball in his hand to everyone.
"This is a Master Ball, also called an Elite Ball, a Ball that can definitely catch any Pokémon."
"[Master Ball: The highest-grade Ball that can definitely capture Pokémon]"
The purple upper hemisphere had two red protrusions, with a large 'M' printed in the center.
Tailed Beasts are nothing more than creatures composed of Chakra, so why can't they be Pokémon?
Of course, the Master Ball's effect might not necessarily completely capture the Nine-Tailed. In the 'The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero' DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Ogerpon once tried to recall Terapagos with a Master Ball, but it was shattered by its violent power.
However, even if the Master Ball wasn't completely foolproof, there was still the Uzumaki Family, skilled in sealing jutsu.
The Uzumaki Family was worried about their future situation. If he spoke up and brought them into Konoha, Konoha's strength would be further enhanced.
Kushina's Jinchuriki problem could also be solved.
He wasn't worried that his suggestion would be rejected by the Uzumaki Family. Being distant relatives of the Senju Clan and having a long-standing good relationship with Konoha, given their current dangerous situation, joining Konoha was the Uzumaki Family's best choice.
Just as he was about to explain his thoughts to everyone, a middle-aged man's voice came from outside the tent.
"Is Lord White Fang here? Where is Hayato? We want to see him."