Senju Tobirama sat in the Hokage's chair, his fingers tapping the desk in a rhythmic thudding sound. His sharp gaze swept over the three disheveled individuals below, clearly brewing a more severe scolding to settle the accounts of their many "great achievements" during their time in power.
However... Bang!
The office door was once again violently kicked open.
A red-haired figure returned, carrying a rage even greater than before—one so intense it almost felt physical—as she swept back in like a whirlwind.
It was Uzumaki Kushina.
In an instant, the office fell as silent as a winter cicada.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, who had just caught their breath, instantly tensed their bodies, even stifling their coughs.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also subconsciously shrank his neck, and Jiraiya squatted back down.
Even Senju Tobirama, sitting in the Hokage's chair, had the scolding he was about to deliver get stuck in his throat.
His gaze fell upon Uzumaki Kushina.
That image of her, bristling with anger and menacing Aura, momentarily overlapped with the figure of his sister-in-law, Uzumaki Mito.
The corner of Senju Tobirama's mouth twitched imperceptibly. His posture, originally intended to uphold "justice" and restore discipline, inexplicably deflated a bit.
He wisely chose to... observe from the sidelines for now.
Reasoning with someone in this state?
Especially when it involved people they were determined to protect? Better to forget it.
He leaned back, hands tucked into his sleeves, and remained silent, adopting a posture of "you two continue, I'm just watching."
Uzumaki Kushina had no time to notice the Second Hokage's subtle change in attitude.
She was furious and had a clear target, walking straight up to the shaken Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, who had just slumped to the floor.
"I almost forgot!"
She gritted her teeth, her eyes nearly spitting fire.
"And you two old fogies—you must have 'contributed' quite a bit to the events back then, didn't you? Hiding in the back, plotting and fanning the flames! You never dare to do anything good, only evil!"
Before her voice had even faded, under the terrified gazes of the two Konoha High-level Advisors, Uzumaki Kushina's fists had already unceremoniously descended.
"Ouch!"
"Stop! How unseemly..."
Bang! Bang!
Thud!
After a brief, one-sided physical "theory" session, Utatane Koharu's once meticulously groomed hair bun was a mess, her face sporting several unseemly bruises. Homura Mitokado's spectacle lenses had shattered and were tilted to one side as he slumped on the ground groaning, his dignity as a "High-level Advisor" completely gone.
The foul mood in Uzumaki Kushina's chest seemed to have vented somewhat.
She gave a cold glance at the two pathetic figures on the ground, then swept her gaze over the ashen-faced Sandaime. Finally, her eyes seemingly unintentionally brushed past the seated and motionless Second Hokage. She snorted, turned around once more, and strode away.
This time, the door was slammed shut heavily, but the sound still made the hearts of the few people in the office skip a beat.
In the office, only a dead silence remained, along with the drifting dust and an indescribable awkwardness.
Jiraiya, who had witnessed the Second Hokage go from thunderous rage to suddenly "stalling" the entire time, was currently huddled in the corner of the office, the corner of his mouth unable to stop twitching.
The Second Hokage-sama, who had just been scolding him, hadn't said a word when facing Uzumaki Kushina.
He looked at the expressionless Senju Tobirama sitting in the Hokage's chair as if nothing had happened, and secretly grumbled in his heart:
'It seems... the legendary Second Hokage-sama is also just stubbornly defiant in certain situations.'
Of course, he didn't dare say this thought out loud; he could only keep his head down and stay silent, trying his best to reduce his presence.
He was the one who had truly escaped a calamity!
Coming across such an ordeal so early in the morning was quite frightening!
——————————
Uzumaki Kushina returned home with a belly full of fire.
Just as she entered the house, she saw a woman with short black hair carrying a pig coming out of the guest room.
"Sorry, I'm in the wrong place..."
Uzumaki Kushina took two steps back, her red hair swaying on her shoulders with the movement.
She stepped out of the threshold, looked up at the doorplate, and then looked around at the familiar street layout.
Then she looked at the arrangement within the small courtyard.
That's right, this was her home.
"Eh! The Fourth Hokage's wife!"
Shizune also snapped out of her shock.
Although she had heard before that Shodai-sama and the others had been resurrected, and had even seen the deceased Mito-sama last night.
It still felt so incredible!
Life and death could actually be reversed; Orochimaru has actually become so formidable?
And the Fourth Hokage's wife has also been resurrected—does this mean that all four Hokages of the Village are currently in the Village at the same time?
"You haven't gone to the wrong place. I'm Lady Tsunade's student; my name is Shizune."
"I remember you!"
Uzumaki Kushina's eyes lit up. Shizune was Kato Dan's niece, and her age was about the same as Kakashi Hatake's.
Since she was back, did that mean Naruto and Tsunade-nee were back too?
"You're Kato's niece!"
"Since you're back, does that mean Naruto and Tsunade-nee are back too?"
Shizune nodded.
"Yes, Naruto should still be resting. It was very late when we returned last night.
Lady Tsunade was sent over to Mito-sama's place last night."
"Okay, I'll go cook first. We'll have our meal once Naruto gets up. After eating, I'll go find Tsunade-nee."
Upon hearing that her son was still resting, Uzumaki Kushina was in no hurry to wake him.
She walked toward the kitchen with brisk steps to cook.
"Alright, I'll go cook first." Uzumaki Kushina rolled up her sleeves, her fiery red hair looking like burning sunset clouds as she moved.
"Once Naruto and Karin wake up, we'll have our meal.
After eating, I'll go find Tsunade-nee."
Before her voice had even faded, she had already ducked into the kitchen with brisk steps. The clattering of pots and pans soon drifted out, mixed with a hummed tune.
Shizune looked down and stroked Tonton's ears, saying softly, "Let's go see Uncle."
She hadn't been back to the Village in a long time herself.
In the kitchen, Uzumaki Kushina was briskly preparing ingredients.
The kitchen knife made a rhythmic tapping sound on the cutting board. She would occasionally stop and turn her head to look toward the direction of Naruto's room.
The sunlight outside the window grew brighter, gradually filling half the kitchen. Uzumaki Kushina smiled slightly amidst the sizzling sound of frying eggs; the fire that had been pent up in her heart had somehow dissipated into the domestic warmth.
Today was a beautiful day, perfect for the family to sit down and have a good breakfast after their reunion.
Having finished her study of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Karin walked out, sniffing the aroma coming from the kitchen.
"Aunt Kushina, the meal today is so grand!"
"Naruto came back last night. We'll eat once that boy wakes up. Let him rest a bit longer."
Hearing Uzumaki Kushina's words, Karin's eyes lit up.
Naruto-kun is already back?
Speaking of which, Naruto-kun always slept later than her; she hadn't seen what he looked like while sleeping yet.
Should she go take a look?
Thinking this, Karin walked out of the kitchen after greeting Uzumaki Kushina.