Chapter 111: Meeting an Acquaintance
Walking on the streets of the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko felt a bit melancholic.
Behind him, Tsunade and Orochimaru exchanged glances, both feeling a bit puzzled.
Unlike when Masahiko saw Tsunade's birth over a decade ago, Masahiko wasn't eager to see Kushina grow up; instead, he was worried about the direction of the plot.
The baby girl Kushina Masahiko had just seen was wrapped in a blanket "trimmed with gold," which made him realize that Kushina's situation was completely different from the original story.
In the original work, Kushina was a war orphan, but now she had become the Princess of the Land of Whirlpools. Masahiko wasn't afraid that she would become spoiled; he was confident in that regard. But given her current status, it was impossible for her to be sent to Konoha to become the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"And I can't actively send her there..." Masahiko sighed, feeling stuck.
Other plot changes were fine, but Masahiko absolutely did not want to change the fact of Kushina going to Konoha.
"If Kushina doesn't go to Konoha, how will she meet Minato? If she doesn't meet Minato, where will Naruto come from? Without Naruto..." Masahiko didn't dare to think further.
"Great-Great-Grandpa, what's wrong? Are we going to find Sensei?" Tsunade asked with slight concern.
"It's nothing. I'll think of a way," Masahiko sighed.
"Think of a way for what?"
Masahiko paused. "Nothing."
"Finding Hiruzen... Mind's Eye of the Kagura!"
The Land of Whirlpools wasn't large, and Masahiko's full sensory range could cover most of it.
After sensing for a moment, Masahiko frowned, somewhat puzzled.
Leading the two, he made a few turns and arrived at the Land of Whirlpools'... prison. He sensed that Hiruzen and Jiraiya were inside.
"Great-Great-Grandpa, this is... a prison?" Tsunade asked in confusion.
Masahiko nodded.
"That idiot," Orochimaru muttered, seemingly guessing something.
Ten minutes later.
Masahiko looked helplessly at Hiruzen, who was sweating profusely and frantically trying to explain.
"Elder Masahiko, it's not what you think. It's all Jiraiya's fault. He said he was abandoned by Tsunade and Orochimaru, and I thought I'd comfort him..."
"So?" Masahiko smiled faintly. "You comforted him all the way to the women's bathhouse?"
Hiruzen's face was full of embarrassment. Being caught peeping red-handed was very uncomfortable.
"Hehe... Elder Masahiko, your patrolling ninjas in the Land of Whirlpools are very strong," Hiruzen quickly changed the subject, though he genuinely thought so.
"Of course." Masahiko nodded without explaining much.
In these ten years, Masahiko hadn't just been training. Every year, he would select a few talented graduates from the Uzunin Village Ninja Academy and hand them over to Yiko for personal training. After all, he couldn't stay by the seaside forever. These children formed the Land of Whirlpools Patrol Squad, specifically responsible for the country's security.
So far, although no S-rank ninjas had emerged, there were already several Elite Jonin. Moreover, Uzumaki Elite Jonin, due to their larger chakra reserves, were generally stronger than other Jonin of the same rank.
Of course, no matter how strong they were, Masahiko didn't think they could beat the current Hiruzen. But Hiruzen couldn't start a fight in the Land of Whirlpools just because he was caught peeping, so he... ended up in prison.
"Seeing as you didn't deny it, I'll let it slide this time." Masahiko shook his head with a smile.
Hiruzen was overjoyed. He turned to look at Jiraiya, only to find that Jiraiya had already been beaten by Tsunade until his head was covered in bumps.
Masahiko was stunned. He glanced at Hiruzen's forehead, his hands inexplicably itching.
Hiruzen quickly changed the subject again. "Elder Masahiko, Sensei seems to have something urgent to discuss with you. Can you come with us to Konoha?"
Masahiko paused, not expecting that he needed to go personally.
"Tobirama didn't tell you what it was about?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "It seems to be some secret; Sensei refused to tell me."
"A secret..." Masahiko pondered, his curiosity piqued. "What matter is it that Hiruzen can't know?"
"Alright, I'll go with you." Masahiko nodded. Since Kushina was born, Masahiko wanted to see if Minato had appeared in Konoha. Sasuke's parents were confirmed to be born, so as long as Minato didn't get lost, Masahiko felt there would always be a way to see Team 7.
"Great-Great-Grandpa, are you coming to Konoha with us?" Tsunade walked over expectantly after teaching Jiraiya a lesson.
Masahiko sighed. "I won't teach you gambling techniques, and you can't learn them anyway. Give up."
"Let's go, Hiruzen."
"Wait, Elder Masahiko. Tsunade, where is Nawaki?" Little Nawaki had such a low presence that Hiruzen only remembered him now.
"Over there, coming now." Masahiko pointed. Yuna was walking over, holding a Senju boy in each hand.
"Yuna, I'm going to Konoha. Are you going? To see Sakumo?" Masahiko asked with a smile.
Yuna hesitated, then shook her head. "No, I still need to improve the hand cannon."
"Hand cannon..." Masahiko paused, suddenly remembering that his force field could counteract its recoil.
"If that's the case... couldn't I use it as a weapon?" Masahiko's eyes brightened the more he thought about it. "Holding a hand cannon and firing at enemies... that should be stylish..." Masahiko's thought process was truly unique.
In the end, on the way to Konoha with the group, Masahiko had an extra storage scroll on him.
Two kilometers away from the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko sighed. He looked at Nawaki, who was struggling to keep up, and felt helpless.
"Dragging this little guy along, when will we ever get to Konoha?"
"Everyone, don't resist. I'll fly us there." Masahiko turned with a smile.
"No!" Jiraiya looked terrified, possibly having developed "Aviophobia."
However, resistance was clearly futile; Masahiko's "don't resist" was only meant for Hiruzen.
The group of seven rose rapidly into the air and flew towards Konoha.
Half a minute later, two Konoha Anbu appeared at the spot where they took off. They looked at each other speechlessly, then quickly ran towards Konoha.
Flying indeed made the journey very fast. It took about an hour to reach Konoha, and that was only because Masahiko couldn't fly too fast with Nawaki in the group.
Outside Konoha's gates, Masahiko didn't let them land but flew them directly toward the Hokage Building. Many villagers and ninjas saw them, pointing and whispering from below.
Hiruzen smiled bitterly from the side. "Elder Masahiko, this isn't very appropriate..."
"What's inappropriate? Seeing Konoha from high above is a different kind of scenery. You won't get another chance to see this."
"Alright..." Hiruzen sighed. Seeing the others enjoying the bird's-eye view of Konoha, he said no more.
Arriving near the Hokage Building, Masahiko saw Tobirama standing in front of the huge glass window looking up at them.
Masahiko controlled the others to land, while he flew directly through the open window.
"Great-Uncle, long time no see. You've become stronger..." Tobirama spoke slowly.
Masahiko nodded. Seeing Tobirama's bright white hair gradually turning pale grey, he was momentarily speechless.
"Great-Uncle, I called you here this time to take you to see an acquaintance."
"My acquaintance?" Masahiko paused, looking at the mysterious Tobirama, thoughtful.
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