Chapter 132: Visiting Lady Mito; The Armor of the God of Shinobi
Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked toward the Senju ancestral estate, his arms full of bags
and scrolls. Beside him, Tsunade matched his pace, looking more relaxed than she
had in years.
Visiting Mito Uzumaki required a certain level of etiquette. Even if she didn't
need the materials, in the world of high-level shinobi clans, showing up
empty-handed was a social faux pas. It was about the sentiment, not the supply.
"Sensei, isn't this a bit much?" Tsunade asked, glancing at the mountain of
gifts. "It's a bit formal for a family visit, don't you think?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "I've been buried in village administration and haven't
visited Lady Mito nearly enough. A little tribute to show my respect is the
least I can do."
Tsunade peeked into one of the bags. "What is all this anyway?"
"High-grade supplements for young Yamato, and a few rare journals I found in the
archives containing anecdotes about Lord Hashirama. I figured she'd enjoy the
stories."
Hiruzen was genuinely curious to see the Matriarch. Biwako had been visiting her
daily as part of her "Spouse Diplomacy" mission and had reported that Mito's
health was improving at a rate that defied medical logic. She no longer moved
like an elder on her deathbed; she was becoming remarkably agile.
The resilience of the Uzumaki is a biological marvel, Arata thought.
"By the way, Sensei... Orochimaru has been complaining again," Tsunade said with
a laugh. "He's obsessed with your new bloodlines."
"He thinks you held back on our training when we were kids. He keeps grumbling
about why you didn't teach him the 'Secret Ice Style' years ago."
Hiruzen rolled his eyes. "If he wants to learn, I'll teach him. If he can't pick
it up, it just means he's not as much of a 'genius' as he thinks. Maybe I should
officially revoke his title."
Tsunade burst out laughing. "You're really putting the pressure on him lately!
He's terrified of being 'left behind' by his own teacher. Even Jiraiya's quest
for Sage Mode has the Snake on edge."
"And then there's Hiruko," Tsunade added, her tone turning to gossip. "He's so
desperate to get closer to you that he's been 'subtly' asking if it would be too
forward to offer to mentor Asuma."
Hiruzen hummed. He, Tsunade, and Orochimaru were all working in the same R&D
sector now, and the "living" atmosphere of the lab was exactly what Tsunade
needed to heal her old trauma. Seeing her friends and family as vibrant, working
people was better than any medicine.
"Hiruko wants to tutor Asuma? I don't mind. I'll ask the brat."
Hiruzen shook his head. "Asuma is sharp, but his 'potential' has a ceiling.
He'll never be an S-rank monster. If Hiruko wants to spend his time training
him, it saves you and Orochimaru from having to waste a 'Disciple Slot' on a
mid-tier talent."
In the village hierarchy, being a student of the Sannin was a ticket to the top.
Giving that slot to Asuma just because he was the Hokage's son was a waste of
resources.
"Hiruko is a good man," Hiruzen continued. "If he wants to be 'Teacher to the
Kage's Son,' let him have the prestige. He's earned a bit of Face."
Tsunade grinned. "He's never been normal! He still thinks he has a shot with me.
I told him he's a few centuries too early for that!"
"Please, Tsunade," Hiruzen groaned. "Don't tell me you're going to be like Lady
Mito and start lecturing me on my marriage habits."
"I would never! You're the one who understands me best, Sensei. You're so...
'reasonable.'"
Hiruzen glanced at her, sensing a shift in her chakra. "Alright, what is it?
You're buttering me up for a reason."
Tsunade scratched her head, her expression becoming sheepish. "Caught me. It's
about Orochimaru and Hiruko."
"They've developed the prototype for a new jutsu. A forbidden one."
"I mentioned their personal business earlier because I wanted you to be in a
good mood before I told you the technical side... I didn't want you to think
they were plotting something behind your back."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened. "What kind of jutsu?"
"Hiruko calls it the Chimera Technique (Kimera no Jutsu)."
Tsunade spoke slowly, measuring Hiruzen's reaction. "It's a biological array
designed to fuse foreign tissue and chakra signatures into a human host. It was
a side-project born from the Hashirama Cell research."
"They haven't found a way to dampen the First Hokage's cells yet, but they
discovered that the 'Fusion Logic' could be applied to other bloodlines. They
think that by using this method, a ninja could potentially acquire a second or
third Kekkei Genkai."
"Hizashi Hyuga heard about it and has been showing a lot of interest... he's
been 'volunteering' to help with the data."
Hiruzen processed the info. In the original series/movies, the Chimera Technique
was Hiruko's path to villainy. But here, backed by Orochimaru's logic and
Tsunade's medical oversight, it was being framed as a legitimate military
research project.
So, they're basically researching how to 'Copy' me, Hiruzen realized. They saw
me use Ice and Boil style and now they want to industrialize the process.
"I'm not angry, Tsunade. Scientific 'accidents' are the mother of progress,"
Hiruzen said. "As long as the research is conducted on non-citizens—like those
Grass scavengers—I have no issue with it."
"But tell Hiruko to keep his distance from Asuma until the ethics board clears
his lab. I don't want my son being 'Experiment #1.'"
Tsunade beamed. "I told them you'd understand! I'm going to hold this over
Hiruko's head for a year!"
The two reached the gates of the Senju compound. As the heavy doors groaned
open, they were met with a sight that made Hiruzen stop dead in his tracks.
There, in the middle of the courtyard, was the "Darkness of the Shinobi," the
Anbu Commander, Danzo Shimura.
He was drenched in sweat, his high-collared robes discarded, and he was
manically swinging a garden hoe, tilling the soil for Lady Mito's flower beds.
"Hiruzen? What are you doing here?" Danzo asked, his face a mask of awkwardness.
"I could ask you the same thing," Hiruzen said, his expression pure mockery. "Is
this part of the Anbu's new 'Deep Cover' training? Gardening?"
"I... I came to pay my respects to Lady Mito!" Danzo barked, leaning on his hoe
like it was his cane. "You're always so busy, I figured I should pick up the
slack."
"Besides... I am a recognized hero of the Leaf, endorsed by the Lady herself!"
Danzo gestured to the jade pendant hanging from his neck—the replica Hiruzen had
given him. He had been wearing it 24/7 since the capital trip.
"I told Danzo he should focus on his work at the Anbu," Mito Uzumaki's voice
drifted from the porch.
The Matriarch of the Leaf walked out into the sun. Hiruzen blinked.
Mito no longer looked like the withered, translucent crone he had visited a
month ago. Her wrinkles had faded significantly, her eyes were clear and
piercing, and her posture was as straight as a young woman's. Even her hair
seemed to have regained a deeper, blood-red luster.
"It's good to see you, Monkey!"
Mito walked over and patted Hiruzen's shoulder with surprising strength. "You've
done wonders with the village. I can feel the change in the air. My spirit is
finally at peace, and when the soul is happy, the body follows."
"I brought a few things, my Lady," Hiruzen said, handing over the bags.
"Nutrients for Yamato, and some light reading for you."
"Always so thoughtful," Mito smiled. She looked at Tsunade. "And you? Still
showing up empty-handed and leaving after you eat all my dango?"
Tsunade gave a sheepish grin. "I'll bring twice as much next time! I promise!"
Danzo watched the "family" dynamic with a sour stomach. He had been here for
three hours digging in the dirt, and she hadn't even offered him a glass of
water. Hiruzen shows up with some milk and a book and he's the "Good Boy"?
"Lady Mito, the Anbu has reports to file. I'll take my leave," Danzo grumbled.
He turned to Hiruzen, his eyes narrowing. "Watch out for that Seisui brat,
Hiruzen. He's dangerous. Don't let the Uchiha pull the wool over your eyes."
"I'll keep that in mind, Danzo. Don't let the door hit you on the way out,"
Hiruzen waved.
As Danzo stomped away, a small boy came running around the corner. "Lord Hokage!
Big Sister Tsunade!"
It was Yamato.
Hiruzen ruffled the boy's hair. "How is your training, little one?"
"Grandma is teaching me amazing things!" Yamato raised his hand. His arm
suddenly shifted, sprouting several thick, wooden branches. Wood Style.
"Impressive," Hiruzen noted. "Keep listening to Grandma. She knows the forest
better than anyone."
Konoha's next generation was already bearing fruit.
Later, inside the house, the mood turned serious. Tsunade presented the
technical hurdles for the Nawaki-Pattern Scrolls and the One-Hundred Healings
(Byakugō) theory.
Mito listened, her eyes closed. After a few minutes, she nodded. "Your approach
to the chakra-valve is slightly flawed, Tsunade. You're trying to force the
release. You should be using the 'Harmonic Resonance' I described in the Uzumaki
seals instead."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Of course! I was looking at it from a medical
perspective, not a sealing one! Thank you, Grandma!"
Tsunade was so energized she stood up and vanished in a Body Flicker, rushing
back to her lab before she could even say goodbye.
"That child..." Mito shook her head, laughing.
Hiruzen remained with Mito. "Lady Mito, seeing you so vital gives me more
confidence than a hundred S-rank missions."
"You are the anchor of our home. As long as you are here, the village is safe."
"Hah! You and your silver tongue," Mito beamed. She genuinely enjoyed being
appreciated.
"Kushina and Shio are doing well. I believe the Uzumaki will flourish here. But
Hiruzen... tell me about this Seisui Uchiha. Shio is quite taken with him."
Hiruzen cleared his throat. "They're young. Let them find their own way. I have
high hopes for the boy's influence on the clan."
Tobirama (Seisui) had apparently been so "cold and cool" that he was
inadvertently building a harem of Uchiha and Uzumaki girls. Hiruzen found the
mental image of his Master being chased by teenagers to be the funniest thing
he'd ever seen through his crystal ball.
"Perhaps," Mito agreed. "I'm wary of the Uchiha, but the boy has a certain...
spirit. He reminds me of someone I used to know. Someone much more annoying."
Hiruzen smirked. You have no idea, my Lady.
As Hiruzen prepared to leave, Mito signaled him to wait. She returned with a
heavy, red-lacquered bundle.
"Your old robes are getting too small for you, Monkey. You've outgrown your old
self."
She unrolled the bundle, revealing a set of Crimson Segmented Plate Armor.
"This was Hashirama's. He would have wanted you to have it. If the day comes
when you must stand as the shield of the Leaf... wear this. Remind the world
that the God of Shinobi is still watching over us."
Hiruzen took the armor with both hands, his expression solemn.
I am now the officially endorsed heir of the First's legacy, Arata realized.
But a mischievous thought crossed his mind.
I can't wait to see the look on Master Tobirama's face when I show up to a
meeting wearing his big brother's clothes.
☆☆☆
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