Konoha, the Ninja Village of the Land of Fire, stood as the strongest military power among the Five Great Nations. Though originally envisioned as a symbol of peace by the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, Konoha had evolved over the years into a formidable military stronghold, serving as the vanguard for the Land of Fire in times of war. The idyllic dream of a peaceful ninja utopia had long been overshadowed by the demands of politics and warfare.
"Finally, we've arrived!" Tsunade exclaimed as she and Jiraiya landed at the massive gates of Konoha, Uzumaki Kushina in tow.
The gates, nearly ten meters tall, were a breathtaking sight for Kushina.
"This… this is Konoha. It feels both familiar and strange," she murmured.
Raiden, cradled in Kushina's arms, stirred awake as they arrived. Though his body was still limited by the fragility of infancy, he could now move his head slightly and survey his surroundings. The towering gates left a strong impression on him.
"A village with a gate this massive? This is more like a fortress than a settlement," Raiden thought. The scale of Konoha's entrance reminded him of the ancient cities he'd seen in his previous life, though this one carried a militaristic air.
Mixed emotions welled up in his heart—sadness, excitement, fear, and anticipation all at once. He had entered a world he once knew only through stories, but now it was his reality.
"Tsunade, you should go report to the old man," Jiraiya said with a grin, gesturing toward the Hokage's office.
"I'll take the siblings first," Tsunade replied, brushing him off. She knelt, hugged Kushina, and swiftly left the gates. Jiraiya stood dumbfounded for a moment before scratching his head and heading toward the Hokage Building.
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, calmly puffing on his pipe. Despite his graying hair, his demeanor was full of vitality, his sharp eyes focused on Jiraiya as he animatedly described the events of their mission.
"Has Tsunade taken the Uzumaki children?" Hiruzen asked after listening to Jiraiya's account.
"Yes," Jiraiya confirmed.
Hiruzen tapped his pipe on the desk to pack the tobacco tighter. "Good work, Jiraiya. Now, take some Anbu and assist Orochimaru in investigating the attackers. Only the ninja villages of this world could have mounted such an ambush on our escort team."
"Understood!" Jiraiya saluted before leaving the room. Hiruzen dismissed another Anbu member present, instructing them to investigate internal leaks.
As the room fell silent, Hiruzen stood and gazed out the window, watching Jiraiya leave. "Zuo Yun," he said to another masked figure kneeling in the shadows, "find out who leaked this information. Such a breach in security cannot be ignored."
The masked figure nodded and vanished, leaving Hiruzen to his thoughts.
Less than five kilometers from Hokage Rock, in a serene courtyard, Tsunade sat cross-legged on a tatami mat, holding Raiden in her arms. Kushina sat beside her, recounting the harrowing journey to Konoha to the woman seated across from them.
This woman was Uzumaki Mito, wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Despite her age, Mito exuded grace and strength. Her crimson hair, tied into elegant buns, framed her calm expression. A dark blue diamond mark on her forehead shimmered faintly, and her earrings, engraved with intricate sealing formulas, added to her regal presence. As the first Jinchuriki of the Nine Tails, Mito radiated a natural aura of authority.
Kushina felt an immediate sense of security in Mito's presence, a warmth she hadn't felt since leaving Uzushio. Learning that Tsunade was Mito's granddaughter further eased her nerves.
"Kushina," Mito said gently, "you and your brother are my family now. From today onward, you can call me Grandma."
"Grandma Mito," Kushina whispered, her voice soft yet filled with relief. For the first time since leaving her homeland, she felt a sense of belonging.
Mito took Raiden from Tsunade, cradling the infant with practiced ease. "What a bright child," she said, teasing his chubby cheeks. Raiden's wide, alert eyes met hers, and a smile spread across her face. "Such vitality—he truly has the Uzumaki blood."
As Mito held him, Raiden felt a strange sensation. The chakra within him began to flow faster, wrapped in a faint white light. Though his body felt tired, his consciousness remained sharp. "It seems like being near Mito affects my chakra flow. This has to be a good thing," he thought before drifting into another deep sleep.
Meanwhile, at the gates of Mito's mansion, an Anbu relayed Mito's message to Hiruzen. "Mito-sama has instructed that she will take care of the Uzumaki siblings herself. There's no need for Hokage-sama to intervene."
Hiruzen frowned but nodded. "I understand," he said, though frustration lingered. As Hokage, there were few places in Konoha where he couldn't exercise his authority, but Mito's home was one of them.
"She also requested that Kushina be enrolled in the Ninja Academy, starting with the first grade," the Anbu added hesitantly.
At this, Hiruzen's expression brightened. Though Mito's control over Kushina would limit his influence, enrolling her in the academy presented an opportunity. The school was firmly under his jurisdiction, allowing him to instill the Will of Fire in Kushina and shape her loyalty to Konoha.
"Very well," he said, nodding. "Make the arrangements."
As he turned to leave, a subtle smile crossed his face. The arrival of a new Jinchuriki offered Konoha a chance to strengthen its position both politically and militarily. The Uzumaki siblings represented hope for Konoha's future—a future Hiruzen intended to control.
Back at the mansion, Mito rocked the sleeping Raiden gently in her arms, her eyes filled with affection. "Such promise," she murmured, sensing the immense chakra potential within the infant. "With the right guidance, this child could accomplish great things."
Kushina, sitting nearby, finally allowed herself to relax. For the first time in days, she felt safe. With Mito by her side, she was confident that she and her brother would thrive in Konoha.
(End of Chapter)
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