The Uzumaki siblings, Kushina and Raiden, settled into Uzumaki Mito's home—a grand property that was originally the residence of Mito and her husband, the First Hokage. Thanks to Hashirama Senju's impressive "Wood Release: House Construction" skills, the couple lived in a sprawling villa with dual entrances and an expansive garden that dwarfed the homes of most Konoha families.
Though the estate was vast, its occupants were few. Aside from Mito herself, the only other resident was her granddaughter, Tsunade, who spent most of her time on missions as a Jonin. The arrival of Kushina and Raiden brought life back to the otherwise quiet and somber house.
To ensure Raiden's care, Mito had arranged for a trustworthy nanny from the Senju clan to move in. However, the nanny wasn't scheduled to arrive until the following day.
That night, under the pale moonlight filtering through the window, Kushina sat in her room, holding Raiden in her arms. The flickering light of a single candle cast long shadows on the walls. Konoha had yet to achieve widespread electricity, so most homes relied on candles for illumination.
The events of the day weighed heavily on Kushina's mind. Despite the security Mito provided, the new environment and the trauma of the ambush left her feeling restless. She stared at the candle's flame, her thoughts adrift, unable to sleep.
Although children in this world were often forced to mature quickly, Kushina was still a young girl who had experienced a massive upheaval in her life. That night, she felt lost, her future uncertain.
In the adjacent room, Mito was unable to sleep either. As an experienced ninja, she was attuned to her surroundings and had been monitoring Kushina's emotional state. Using her sensory abilities, she perceived Kushina's silent distress.
Sighing softly, Mito rose from her tatami, draped a shawl over her shoulders, and walked to Kushina's door.
"Kushina, are you still awake? Open the door, child," Mito called gently.
A moment later, the door creaked open to reveal a tear-streaked Kushina. The little girl looked up at Mito with a forlorn expression, her earlier brightness replaced by exhaustion and sadness.
"Come here, my dear," Mito said softly, crouching to pull Kushina into a warm embrace. Her chakra radiated a soothing warmth, enveloping both Kushina and Raiden.
"Grandma Mito… I miss home," Kushina whispered, her voice breaking as she buried her face in Mito's chest. Tears flowed freely as the weight of her emotions overwhelmed her.
Mito's heart ached for the young girl. Though she had seen countless hardships in her life, the sight of Kushina's vulnerability brought out her softer side. She gently stroked Kushina's hair, whispering comforting words until the girl's sobs subsided.
Raiden, though physically asleep, was fully aware of what was happening. He could feel Kushina's sorrow and the warm, protective presence of Mito's chakra. For the first time, he truly grasped the bonds of family in this new world. Watching Kushina cry stirred a deep sense of compassion within him.
As Kushina eventually drifted off to sleep, Mito gently laid her and Raiden on the tatami and tucked them in. Instead of returning to her own room, Mito stayed, lying down beside them with one hand resting protectively over each child. The candle was extinguished, and the house fell into a deep silence.
Raiden's chakra began to stir. The proximity to Mito seemed to amplify its flow, causing it to circulate faster and grow stronger. His meridians expanded, adapting to the increased energy. Though Raiden's body was still that of an infant, it was clear he was undergoing a subtle transformation.
"This must be my talent," Raiden thought, marveling at his ability to manipulate chakra with his consciousness. Unlike most ninjas who had to endure years of rigorous training, he found that he could control chakra effortlessly. If mastering chakra was this easy, he realized, he was bypassing one of the most challenging aspects of becoming a ninja.
"With this kind of head start, I might really be a genius," he mused. Raiden continued experimenting with his chakra until his consciousness blurred, finally succumbing to sleep as dawn broke.
The following morning, the new nanny arrived—a woman named Senju Akemi. She was in her thirties but looked much younger, her Senju heritage giving her a youthful, elegant appearance. Akemi's warm demeanor and nurturing presence made her an ideal caretaker.
"Come now, open your mouth. Ahhh~" Akemi cooed as she cradled Raiden, feeding him while Mito watched. Kushina had gone out with Tsunade to explore the village and begin her enrollment process at the ninja academy, leaving Raiden at home.
Though Raiden found the situation somewhat embarrassing, his growling stomach left him with no choice. As much as he wanted to resist, hunger won out.
Elsewhere in Konoha, Kushina marveled at the sights and sounds of the bustling village. Tsunade guided her through the streets, explaining the landmarks and introducing her to the local culture. Despite the challenges ahead, Kushina felt a growing sense of excitement and curiosity about her new home.
Back at the Uzumaki estate, Mito observed Raiden with a knowing smile. She could sense the remarkable chakra potential within the infant, a level far beyond that of a normal child.
"This boy is truly special," Mito thought. "With the right guidance, he could surpass even the greatest of our clan."
(End of Chapter)
>>>>>>>
Please leave PowerStones and Reviews if you're enjoying the story
Read up to Chapter 50 ahead on [Patreon.com/ggfanfiction]
For every 100 PowerStones I'll post an extra Chapter