At this moment, the Nine-Tails sealed in Uzumaki Mito's belly did not yet know that a certain man outside had already arranged everything for it.
Because Uzumaki Mito's sealing technique was too strong, the Nine-Tails couldn't be as free as it was in Uzumaki Naruto's belly and couldn't spy on the outside world. Naturally, it couldn't sense Haruki's malice.
Even if it did, it wouldn't matter.
Haruki had Tsunade accompany Uzumaki Mito to chat, while he went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
A few minutes later, Uzumaki Kushina came to learn sealing techniques as usual. Seeing Haruki and Tsunade, she was overjoyed; at least she wouldn't miss out on a delicious lunch.
Her teammates, Uchiha Mikoto and Namikaze Minato, didn't have the qualifications to meet the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Without Tsunade as his girlfriend, Haruki wouldn't have been able to meet Uzumaki Mito either.
In the original story, even the three Sannin didn't know about the Jinchuriki replacement.
This shows how secretive Konoha was about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Haruki noticed Kushina and the little fox staring eagerly at the food in the pot and suddenly frowned.
"Is this fox getting fatter?"
"Huh?"
Kushina came back to her senses and looked down. Compared to when Haruki first gave it to her, the fox had indeed put on a lot of weight.
"It's mainly because Granny Mito loves to feed it."
Haruki was silent for a moment.
There's a kind of hunger that comes from a grandma thinking you're hungry, and a kind of cold from a grandma thinking you should wear thermal pants.
"Speaking of which, Kushina, haven't you given it a name yet?"
"No, I haven't." Kushina shook her head. She had always just called it "fox."
"It might become a ninja beast in the future. How about you give it a name?"
Haruki thought of Samehada, which became one of the seven ninja swords after following the Three-Tails and being modified by the Hidden Mist Village.
If Kushina became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the little fox following the Nine-Tails shouldn't be worse than Samehada, right?
Maybe it could even transform.
"Let me think."
Kushina put her finger on her cheek and started thinking hard.
Haruki continued cooking.
Moments later, Kushina turned her gaze to him. "Teacher, how about you name it?"
Haruki raised an eyebrow. He hated naming things the most.
However, when it came to foxes, the first image in his mind was naturally the well-known Daji, or Tamamo-no-Mae in Japanese mythology.
Coincidentally, she had the same nickname as Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
He remembered that tailed beasts didn't have genders since they were just collections of chakra.
Suddenly, he had a bold idea.
"Let's call it Tamamo-no-Mae."
Haruki looked at the little fox, his eyes full of expectations for its future.
Wait, is this little guy male or female?
His expression froze.
The village that gave it to him didn't mention its gender.
"Tamamo-no-Mae?"
Kushina looked serious, tilting her head and stroking the little fox. "From now on, you'll be called Tamamo-no-Mae!"
She seemed very satisfied with the name.
Haruki's mouth twitched slightly. He needed to find a time to check its gender.
Half an hour later, a sumptuous lunch was ready.
After eating, Haruki and Tsunade didn't stay long.
Kushina began her sealing technique lessons.
On their way home, Haruki suddenly stopped. Two green figures darted out from the distant forest.
Along with them came a passionate voice, seemingly never tired.
"Youth is endless, Guy! Burn your efforts and challenge the geniuses!"
The scene suddenly changed.
Haruki watched Might Duy and his son Might Guy, the Beast of Konoha with the Eight Gates Released Formation.
The legendary Konoha Genin.
Might Duy fought seven of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist alone, defeating them despite their reputation for being able to conquer a country overnight.
His son was even more extraordinary, almost ending the story with one kick, forcing Uchiha Madara to acknowledge him as the strongest.
Despite their impressive reputations, their endings were tragic.
Was Guy not enrolled in the academy yet?
Haruki stroked his chin, looking at the small figure, diligent and hardworking, with eyes that seemed to shine.
He was reminded of controversial news about "Eagle Dads," who made their four-year-old sons run in the snow.
"Let's go."
Haruki withdrew his gaze, not greeting them. He was confident in influencing others but not them.
Their willpower was unchangeable.
However, getting along with them was simple.
If you worked hard enough, you could earn their approval.
Still, he didn't want to run five thousand meters around Konoha right now.
Although he admired them, involving them in his plans would create a strange dynamic.
Just thinking about the inevitable, oh no, guaranteed outcome gave him a headache.
Never mind, he'd deal with it later.
After a while, Haruki and Tsunade simultaneously looked at a corner.
"Lord Haruki," Hira Shinsi appeared.
"I have something to report."
"What is it?"
Haruki was curious. It was the first time Hira Shinsi reported to him personally since joining the Root.
Hiraishi glanced at Tsunade and said nothing.
"Haruki, I'll leave first."
Noticing his look, Tsunade didn't wait for Haruki to answer and disappeared.
"What is it?"
Haruki knew Hira wouldn't make Tsunade leave for no reason.
He stepped forward, forming seals with his hands, and pressed them against Hira's chest.
Underneath his clothes, tadpole-like patterns gradually appeared.
(Translator note: Yeah, tadpole idk why don't ask me)
An enhanced Evil Sealing Method.
"It's about Senju Hashirama's cells."
Hira didn't speak but wrote it down on paper.
Haruki's Chakra suppressed his Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, allowing him to write.
"As expected."
Haruki wasn't surprised. It was indeed something Tsunade shouldn't hear, but he would find a time to tell her.
He wondered if she knew about the early Wood Release experiments in Konoha.
Currently, Danzo was just restarting these experiments.
Without Orochimaru's help, success was unlikely.
"After losing Hiruko, Danzo has been searching for a ninja with Wood Release. Though he's found nothing, it gives him hope that others besides Senju Hashirama can have Wood Release."
Hira paused, turned the page, and continued writing. "He's now building a new lab in the depths of Konoha's high-security prison, using prisoners for Senju Hashirama cell transplants. None have succeeded so far, so he's targeting Orochimaru."
"Huh?"
Haruki laughed, seeing the last sentence.
Well, he was trying to poach from me?
"He and Orochimaru met once, and Orochimaru didn't refuse, so I suspect..."
Hira stopped writing, aware of Haruki's relationship with Orochimaru.
"Not unexpected."
Haruki narrowed his eyes.
Danzo, oh Danzo, since you're so eager, I'll help you.