It was late afternoon, and Mutsuy was inside the workshop, pouring molten metal when the Root agent he had previously sent after the merchant returned.
"Reporting to Lord Mutsuy," the agent said. "The merchant was from Kirigakure, a civilian, but from the Hozuki clan. We suspect this may have been a sanctioned operation by the Second Mizukage."
"Were the goods recovered?" Mutsuy asked.
"Yes," the Root agent confirmed. "We've placed them in the warehouse with a red flag marking them."
"Good. Hand me the mission report—I'll take it to the Hokage."
Tock, tock, tock.
"Come in, Mutsuy," Hiruzen called.
Inside the office, Hiruzen's three disciples were standing stiffly—clearly receiving a harsh scolding. Mutsuy couldn't help but chuckle at their miserable expressions.
Hiruzen finally waved them off and turned to Mutsuy. "So, what's the situation?"
Mutsuy handed over the Root report. "I called Uncle Danzo as well; he should be here shortly."
As Hiruzen read through the extensive report, he paused, exhaling in frustration. "Those filthy rats…"
Danzo, already grasping the gravity of the situation, picked up the document and read it with an increasingly deep frown.
"Well," Mutsuy said, smirking, "it seems even my workshop has become a hub of intelligence gathering. But jokes aside—" his face turned serious. If someone looked closely, they might say he resembled a miniature Tobirama.
"Uncles, I believe it's time for a purge. From now on, merchants may only enter if they agree to be screened by the Yamanaka clan. Unfortunately, this is the fastest way to control the issue. As for spies—well, that part is easy."
He placed a chakra registry device on the desk.
"Starting today, we will register the chakra signatures of every citizen in Konoha. This will be an extensive and long-term project, but in the end—" Mutsuy powered on a tablet, revealing a database of chakra genetics from various nations.
"Basically, if detected chakra signatures originate from the same source, there's a 95% chance the person is a spy. The remaining 5% could be refugees who managed to make a new life here."
"Understood," Hiruzen said. "Danzo, I'm leaving this to you. You can assign various departments to handle the workload. I expect we'll have full registration in about a year. Anyone who refuses… will be taken in for interrogation."
Who could have imagined that a single covert operation from Kiri would once again awaken Konoha's war machines?
One Year Later
Konoha had transformed. The once rugged roads were now smoothly paved, and well-maintained green spaces had been established for the well-being of its citizens. The social structure was flourishing, stability reigning over the village.
The purge of enemy spies had concluded with the discovery and elimination of over a hundred infiltrators. Across the world, other villages took notice—what happened within Konoha's borders was now a mystery. Merchants and businessmen were strictly forbidden from discussing village affairs beyond its walls. A few had tried, and their entire bloodlines mysteriously vanished. It didn't take long for an unspoken understanding to take root: Do your business, keep your mouth shut, and everything will be just fine.
With its borders secured, Konoha turned its attention to preparations for war, ensuring that if conflict ever knocked on its door, the village would be ready to answer.
At fourteen years old, Mutsuy was lying on the grass, completely breathless. He and Aiko had been kissing for what felt like an eternity, their faces flushed red like ripe tomatoes.
Aiko, still catching her breath, shifted slightly, adjusting her yukata. "Next year, we'll be fifteen," she murmured, her fingers tracing small circles in the air. "We'll be ready."
Mutsuy, still sprawled across her lap, turned his head up to look at her. "Yeah," he agreed, his voice quieter than usual. "I want twins. A boy and a girl."
Aiko blinked, then let out a small, surprised laugh. "Twins? You're already planning that far ahead?"
"Of course," he said, closing his eyes as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair. "If we're going to build a future together, why not think ahead? I want a big family. A house full of life."
Aiko's cheeks burned again, but this time, it wasn't just from embarrassment. There was warmth in his words, in the certainty of his tone. He wasn't just daydreaming—he meant every word.
"I think… I'd like that too," she admitted softly. "I want a home where our children feel safe, where they don't have to worry about war and spies and all this madness. A home filled with laughter."
Mutsuy cracked one eye open and grinned. "Then it's settled. A boy and a girl. And we'll make sure they grow up in a world better than ours."
Aiko bit her lip, her fingers still combing through his hair. "Do you think we'll be good parents?"
Mutsuy tilted his head slightly, deep in thought. "I think we'll learn. We've already been through so much… whatever comes, we'll figure it out together."
Aiko nodded, a small, tender smile forming on her lips. "Together."
As the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the training grounds, Mutsuy stretched his arms before cracking his knuckles. "Alright, let's get serious," he said, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Aiko nodded, adjusting the gloves on her hands. "Try not to hold back too much. I want to push myself."
Mutsuy smirked. "I was about to say the same thing."
Without hesitation, he weaved through a series of hand signs, and in an instant, a massive surge of water erupted from his mouth, forming a towering wave that crashed forward with unstoppable force.
Aiko didn't flinch. She slammed her hands into the ground, and the earth responded to her command. A massive stone wall rose before her, blocking the incoming wave. The water slammed against it, dispersing in all directions, but Aiko had already moved—her speed impressive despite her reliance on earth-based jutsu.
She dashed to the side, closing the distance between them. "You can't just rely on power, Mutsuy!" she teased, swinging a fist reinforced with medical chakra.
Mutsuy barely had time to dodge as her punch grazed his shoulder, sending a small shockwave through the air. "Damn, you weren't kidding," he muttered, flipping back to gain distance.
"Come on, is that all you've got?" Aiko grinned, pressing forward.
Mutsuy grinned back. He took a deep breath, then exhaled a fine mist—so fine it was almost invisible.
Aiko narrowed her eyes. "Hidden Mist Jutsu?"
"Not quite," Mutsuy responded as the mist spread. The moisture in the air suddenly condensed into countless tiny water needles, all hovering in place around her.
"Water Senbon Trap," he declared.
Aiko clicked her tongue. Clever. If she moved recklessly, she'd be hit from all directions.
But she wasn't about to stay still. Channeling chakra into her feet, she leapt high into the air, avoiding most of the senbon. With a swift motion, she formed hand seals midair and thrust her palms downward.
"Earth Release: Mudfall!"
The sky darkened for a brief moment as the ground beneath Mutsuy liquefied and shot upward in a thick wave of mud, threatening to bury him completely.
Mutsuy reacted instantly, summoning a vortex of water around himself to deflect the attack. But before he could regain his footing, Aiko landed right in front of him.
"Gotcha," she whispered, slamming her palm into his chest. A shockwave pulsed through him, disrupting his chakra flow.
Mutsuy staggered back, coughing. "That—" he exhaled, feeling his strength wavering, "—was dirty."
Aiko chuckled. "You're just mad you fell for it."
Mutsuy grinned, even as he felt his chakra depleting faster than expected. "Fine, fine. You win this round."
She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Giving up already?"
He sighed dramatically. "If we keep going, we'll both pass out before dinner."
Aiko considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Fair point."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, they both collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily.
"That was a good workout," Aiko murmured.
Mutsuy turned his head to look at her.
She smiled, reaching out to take his hand.
He squeezed her fingers gentle.
With their chakra drained, they made their way back home, where a warm bath and a well-earned rest awaited them.