Inside a room at the Daifuku Inn, Kaori felt extremely nervous. Everything in Konoha was unfamiliar to her—the unfamiliar streets, the unfamiliar villagers.
The only person she recognized, Uzumaki Kushina, was still the big-sister figure from her childhood memories. She had no idea what she was like now that she had become a mother, or whether she, like herself, had become worn and haggard.
As for Kaori's own appearance, "haggard" was the only word that fit.
Although her facial features were delicate, she had spent years healing Kusagakure's shinobi by consuming her own life force. Her living conditions had been poor, leaving her complexion unhealthy. Despite being only in her early twenties, she looked more like someone in her thirties.
Little Karin slipped out of her mother's arms and ran to the window, peering outside with curiosity. Everything here was new to her.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the inn's corridor, accompanied by a woman's voice calling out: "Kaori! Kaori!"
The unfamiliar yet slightly familiar voice made Kaori's body tremble.
That peculiar speech habit carried in the voice instantly dragged her memories back to her distant childhood.
She steadied her emotions and walked to the door, opening it.
Standing outside was a woman holding a child. Like her, she had bright red hair—but long, flowing past her waist.
Unlike Kaori, who had cut hers short to make it easier for others to bite.
The moment they saw each other, Kushina fell silent.
They stared at one another, both searching each other's faces for traces of the past.
Kaori found it quickly—Kushina was still the same, just much more mature.
Kushina also found what she was looking for.
But this girl who used to trail behind them as a child—why did she look so worn down, even though she was younger?
What kind of life had she been living all these years?
"Kaori… it really is you. You're alive. That's great… you're still alive."
Kushina set little Uzumaki Naruto on the ground and stepped forward, pulling Kaori into a tight embrace. Feeling how thin and frail her childhood friend had become, her eyes reddened.
Pure-blooded Uzumaki were known for their monstrous vitality.
So what kind of life could have reduced someone to this state?
Kaori gently patted Kushina's back.
"It's me, Kushina-nee. I'm still alive."
Karin looked curiously at the red-haired woman hugging her mother. Then she glanced downward and noticed a blond boy peeking out from behind her.
Why was his hair different from theirs?
Where did he come from?
Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the air.
The Root shinobi who had followed them stepped forward, attempting to separate the two women.
Swish, swish, swish—!
Minato and Genma's squad blocked their path.
The Root shinobi halted. The one in front spoke: "Fourth Hokage-sama, she's from another village, isn't she? Allowing a suspicious target to come into contact with the jinchūriki is absolutely unacceptable."
Minato looked at them coldly.
"From now on, she is a member of Konoha. I guarantee it in the name of the Fourth Hokage. Any objections?"
Kushina was even more direct. Seeing the fear in Kaori's eyes, she instantly transformed into her "red octopus" mode: "Get lost. Say one more word and I'll beat you to death."
The Root shinobi exchanged glances before disappearing instantly.
They had to report this to Danzo.
A new Uzumaki had arrived in Konoha—and two of them at that.
This was critical intelligence.
Kaori didn't understand Konoha's internal complexities, nor did she know what a jinchūriki was.
But she now understood that the blond young man in front of her was the Fourth Hokage—and that he seemed to have a very close relationship with Kushina.
"Kushina-nee… this is?"
"Oh, right! Let me introduce you. This is my husband, Namikaze Minato. And this little guy is my son, Uzumaki Naruto."
Kaori felt a wave of relief.
So Kushina's husband was the Hokage.
If that was the case, then her and her daughter's lives would probably not be like what they had endured in Kusagakure.
She pulled her daughter forward and bowed deeply.
"Hokage-sama, I am Kaori. This is my daughter, Karin. From now on, please take care of us."
"Ah, such pretty hair—just like ours." Kushina stroked Karin's head, then glanced at her own silly son.
"Why isn't Naruto's hair red?"
Minato scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Ahahaha… because he's my son, after all. Kushina, let's head home. You can talk after dinner—we can't let Kaori and the others go hungry."
"Oh, right, right—food first!" Kushina grabbed Kaori's hand and started walking, then turned back and said: "Minato, go buy groceries. We don't have enough at home."
"I got it."
Kaori's mind filled with question marks.
Wasn't the Hokage the most powerful person in the ninja world?
Why did he have to go grocery shopping himself?
This… didn't seem anything like Kusagakure.
...
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reading a mission report.
Makoto had written it in great detail.
Some things didn't need to be hidden—and couldn't be hidden anyway.
Makoto believed that if anyone in Konoha dared to treat Kaori like a "blood bag," Kushina would smash their brains out.
After finishing the report, the Third Hokage was in a good mood.
"Makoto, the report is fine. As for the Fūma Clan matter, thanks to your team's efforts."
"Third Hokage-sama, it was our duty."
"This woman, Kaori—she's the source of Kusagakure's medical ninjutsu, right?"
"Yes. But she doesn't actually know medical ninjutsu. She heals by consuming her own life force. In a few years, she would die from chakra exhaustion."
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and sighed.
"…Fortunately, you brought her out. Are you certain she and Karin are both from the Uzumaki clan?"
"Yes. Kaori knew Kushina-sensei since childhood. I've already informed my sensei after returning—they should have met by now."
Hiruzen looked at Makoto, then nodded.
"Your arrangement is fine. I approve."
At that moment, a hoarse voice came from outside the door.
"I do not approve."
Danzo pushed the door open and walked in.
"No matter whether she's Uzumaki or not, she's from another village. Allowing her to contact the Nine-Tails jinchūriki without investigation—Makoto, do you still have Konoha in your eyes?"
Makoto didn't bother showing respect to the old man.
"I've already investigated Kaori's background—there's no problem. Danzo-sama, are you questioning my intelligence-gathering abilities?"
"Hmph. What do you understand? Young people are easily deceived. What if she came to Konoha with a mission?"
"Oh? Then what do you suggest, Danzo-sama?"
"This woman must be handed over to Root. I will have her brain thoroughly searched until we confirm she poses no threat to Konoha."
"Sure, I agree. Go ahead and take her—if you can."
Danzo: "…"
Hiruzen knocked on the desk.
"That's enough. This matter is settled. Makoto, you may leave."
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama."
After Makoto left, Danzo stepped forward and picked up the report without ceremony. Hiruzen did not stop him.
After reading it, Danzo's eyes lit up as if he had found treasure.
"Such a special Uzumaki constitution… and this is how you handle it? It's a complete waste."
"What's the problem?"
"You should hand her over to me. I will maximize her value and strengthen Konoha."
"Oh? By draining a pitiful woman's blood?"
"You think I'm like those foolish Kusagakure ninjas?"
"Give it up, Danzo. This matter is settled. Let Minato handle it."
"Hiruzen, you are too soft. Some sacrifices are necessary. She's just an outsider. Everything I do is for Konoha."
Hiruzen immediately flared up and shouted: "Are you doing it for Konoha—or for yourself? You know the answer better than I do, Danzo!"
"Monkey, you—"
Hiruzen took a deep breath and said: "Danzo… don't you understand? Our era is over. Let's just finish our final duties. Leave the future to the younger generation."
"I'll give you one warning—do not lay a hand on these two Uzumaki. Otherwise… no one will be able to save you. Understood?"
"Hmph. Foolish."
Danzo stormed out, filled with resentment.
You've been Hokage for decades—of course you can calmly say your era is over.
But what about me?
Hiruzen remained alone in the office, staring blankly at Makoto's report.
He could have stopped Danzo from taking it—but he didn't.
He knew what he should do before stepping down.
But he couldn't bring himself to act.
In that case…
He would just let his old comrade walk toward his own destruction.
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