Returning to Konoha

"That damn kid."

Tsunade’s face was flushed red, but her eyes showed not the slightest sign of drunkenness.

After Jiraiya paid the bill and left, she had been thinking about what he had just said.

According to the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy, Hyuga Mirai was connected to the person who would obstruct the future. Tsunade had not told Jiraiya about the argument they had had at the hospital. She did not know whether she had forgotten because she was drunk or simply had not thought of it at all.

Tsunade claimed that she was deeply disappointed in Konoha, but she could not bear to let it go. No matter what, it was the place where she had grown up and the place she had been willing to pay a great price to protect.

"Let’s go, Shizune!"

Tsunade suddenly set down her cup and called for Shizune as she prepared to leave.

"Huh, Tsunade-sama, where are we going?" Shizune was startled by Tsunade’s sudden burst of aggression. She did not look like she was heading off to rest.

As Tsunade strode outside with decisive steps, she said to Shizune, "Let’s investigate some intelligence. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Now?"

Shizune froze for a moment, then hurriedly asked, "Tsunade-sama, isn’t it a little too late?" Besides, how were they supposed to gather intelligence?

Over the past few days, they had either gone to casinos or left casinos to borrow money. Whenever Tsunade’s gambling urge struck, she even forgot to guide Shizune’s training. If someone asked Shizune about ways to borrow money, she could give a thorough answer, but when it came to gathering news about rogue ninja, she truly had no clue. She also felt that Tsunade-sama did not have any channels. This was probably just drunken impulse.

Sure enough, just as Shizune expected, Tsunade’s drunkenness caught up with her not long after they left the izakaya.

"Tsunade-sama, honestly. If she wanted to gather intelligence, she should have used Chakra to dispel the alcohol first."

Shizune complained helplessly. She could only carry Tsunade to an inn for the night. Fortunately, Jiraiya-sama had left her some money before departing, or the two of them would not even have been able to afford a room tonight.

After returning to the village, Jiraiya told Namikaze Minato about the intelligence he had gathered. In truth, Jiraiya had not found any information about Orochimaru or Hyuga Mirai. Having been away for so long, the information he had obtained was not even as extensive as Root’s.

After all, Jiraiya alone could not compare with dozens of Root operatives. Root also possessed many ninja skilled in secret investigation techniques. Even Orochimaru had been photographed by Root ninja without realizing it.

Jiraiya handed Minato a booklet and said, "Minato, this is all the intelligence I found. Some of it may affect Konoha, so you can prepare in advance. But I never managed to find any news about Orochimaru or Hyuga Mirai."

Namikaze Minato accepted it and looked through it. Much of the intelligence concerned the movements of the small countries around Konoha and the other Great ninja villages, and it would be of great help to Konoha.

"Thank you very much, Jiraiya-sensei. This is a huge help. As for Orochimaru, Elder Danzo’s Root has uncovered some information, but his methods were unacceptable, so I stopped him."

Namikaze Minato took two photographs from a drawer and handed them to Jiraiya. He then explained Root’s deductions and Elder Danzo’s actions against the Noble merchants of the Land of Fire.

Jiraiya frowned slightly after hearing this. "It seems this Uzumaki Company really does have significant ties to Orochimaru. Minato, do you have detailed information on the Uzumaki Company?"

"All the detailed information is here. For now, we only know that this wristwatch appears to be exclusive to the Uzumaki Company and may only belong to core members."

Namikaze Minato continued helplessly, "We originally believed Uzumaki Ayaka was the owner of the Uzumaki Company, but lately, there has been no trace of Uzumaki Ayaka anywhere in the Land of Fire. Only another medical-nin wearing a cherry blossom mask remains."

Jiraiya asked curiously, "A cherry blossom mask? What is that medical-nin doing?"

"Treating illnesses and saving lives, just like Uzumaki Ayaka. Beyond that, the medical-nin in the cherry blossom mask spends money establishing orphanages and elderly care homes. There are practically no deaths from illness or frailty near the Capital of the Land of Fire."

"So she’s a great philanthropist." Jiraiya found this troublesome as well.

She was in the Capital of the Land of Fire, and her good name had spread far and wide. Many nobles had received treatment from the Uzumaki Company. Konoha also had no solid proof that Orochimaru was connected to the Uzumaki Company. A single photograph could not prove anything.

If they sent ninja to arrest them through normal means, Daimyo Manor would certainly protect the Uzumaki Company. Moreover, Konoha’s relationship with the Daimyo had already deteriorated greatly. Daimyo Manor was still providing funding only because Konoha protected the Land of Fire’s territory and because of its contributions during the previous Shinobi World War.

The incident where Root ninja attacked the noble merchants had also recently been exposed. Although the Third Hokage had sent people to resolve the matter, Konoha still needed to repair its relationship with Daimyo Manor soon.

If the relationship between both sides was provoked further, turmoil would surely erupt within the Land of Fire. That would be a fatal blow to the hard-won peace.

After reading all the intelligence, Jiraiya nodded and said, "I understand. I’ll go to the Capital of the Land of Fire and investigate the Uzumaki Company’s background."

"Jiraiya-sensei, please be careful. Do not take action in the capital." Namikaze Minato warned him worriedly. "Recently, Daimyo Manor has recruited many powerful ninja into the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Though they are still called the Twelve Guardians in name, Anbu intelligence says there are at least twenty of them."

"Haha, don’t worry, Minato. I’m one of the Sannin."

Jiraiya laughed heartily, then pulled out a book from his robes and handed it to Namikaze Minato.

"This limited edition of Tale of the Gutsy Ninja is for you. I heard your child will be born soon, so consider this my congratulatory gift. Though I would rather give you another one of my masterpieces, considering Kushina, forget it."

With that, Jiraiya jumped out through the window, leaving Namikaze Minato with a helpless expression.

But when he thought of his unborn child, Namikaze Minato became full of energy again and began handling official affairs. He planned to finish early and return to spend some time with Kushina.

As for Jiraiya, Namikaze Minato thought that although his teacher was often caught peeping at women’s baths, he was rarely noticed by other ninja when he seriously infiltrated and investigated. That put Minato at ease.

A few months later.

"Let’s go, Ayaka. It’s about time."

Hyuga Mirai called Uzumaki Ayaka out from the Dragon Vein. Over the past three months, Uzumaki Ayaka had made tremendous progress. Not only had she signed a contract with Ryūchi Cave, but she had also learned a Sage Art from Tagorihime: the White Passion Technique.

Furthermore, Uzumaki Ayaka had integrated Sage Chakra into her Adamantine Sealing Chains, increasing the chains’ toughness produced by the Sealing Technique tenfold.

Even Hyuga Mirai found it difficult to shatter Uzumaki Ayaka’s Adamantine Sealing Chains without using his full strength.

With the Uzumaki bloodline and Sage Chakra, Hyuga Mirai believed that Uzumaki Ayaka could easily seal and restrain even the complete Nine-Tails.

"Yes, Lord Mirai."

Uzumaki Ayaka followed beside Hyuga Mirai with a blissful expression. She had been incredibly fortunate lately. She had spent several months at Lord Mirai’s side. Although he had always been experimenting and training, simply being so close to him made Uzumaki Ayaka very happy.

The two flew high through the air using their armor, avoiding towns and villages along the way. In less than a day, they arrived within the Land of Fire.

Then, under Android 19’s arrangements, Hyuga Mirai and Uzumaki Ayaka joined a merchant caravan and headed directly for Konoha.

Hyuga Mirai used Yang Release Chakra to alter both his and Uzumaki Ayaka’s appearances, then used Sealing Technique to conceal their Chakra. With his methods, even if Konoha Village stationed two sensor ninja at the gates, they would not be able to see through him or Uzumaki Ayaka.

"It’s been a long time since I came back. This place still looks the same."

After entering Konoha, Hyuga Mirai looked around and could not help sighing as he stood by the inn window.

"Lord Mirai, what have we come here to do this time?"

Uzumaki Ayaka still did not know why she had been called along. The moment she heard Hyuga Mirai ask her to accompany him, she had lost the ability to think.

Hyuga Mirai said, "For the Nine-Tails, Ayaka. In a few days, be ready to seal the Nine-Tails inside your body."

"The Nine-Tails? Isn’t that the Tailed Beast inside Princess Kushina?"

Uzumaki Ayaka’s face stiffened at his words, then her expression changed slightly as she asked. Though she did not particularly like how Princess Kushina trusted Konoha without reservation, Kushina was one of the few clansmen she had left.

"I do not plan to act. In fact, I do not know where the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki will give birth. But one thing is certain: someone will make a move against the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and you have met that person before."

Hyuga Mirai spoke slowly.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is extremely important to Konoha and will certainly be heavily guarded. But once the Nine-Tails is extracted, that will be the opportunity to act."

Uzumaki Ayaka carefully asked, "Lord Mirai, will the Jinchuriki survive after having the Tailed Beast extracted?"

"Anyone else would die on the spot, but the Uzumaki Clan has a slight chance. Once a Tailed Beast is sealed inside a human body, the Tailed Beast Chakra and the Jinchuriki’s Chakra blend together. Once the Tailed Beast is extracted, it will inevitably take away the Jinchuriki’s own Chakra as well. At that point, the Jinchuriki is certain to die."

"The Uzumaki Clan’s vitality is powerful. Even after the Tailed Beast is extracted, your clan’s strong cells can refine new Chakra. But it will not last long. At most, she can survive for one or two months."

Hyuga Mirai looked at Uzumaki Ayaka and spoke slowly.

"Ayaka, think about the positions of both you and Konoha, then think about what you stand to gain by doing this. Your Sealing Technique and Medical Ninjutsu are now no worse than mine. If you are willing to save her, I will not stop you. But if I judge that it will endanger your safety, I will forcibly stop you."

"I do not want a subordinate I have cultivated for so long to put herself in danger just to save someone."

After saying that, Hyuga Mirai left the inn. Having been away for so long, he wanted to try Konoha’s snacks as well.

Only some time after Hyuga Mirai left did Uzumaki Ayaka say sulkily, "Just a subordinate? Why am I still only a subordinate after all this time?"

"Hehe~, but Lord Mirai still cares about me~"

Third update! This one counts for yesterday.

Sorry it was late. This is yesterday’s third update. The next update will be Sunday’s, and there should be another one later. Fellow readers, get some sleep first!

Also, please vote if you can. Thank you, dear readers!