Chapter 56 — Meeting the "Parents"
The tense meeting in the Hokage's office did nothing to rein in Shimura Danzō.
On the contrary, it was like pouring boiling oil over the dry kindling of resentment already piled high in his heart.
Inside the Root headquarters, Danzō sat alone behind his desk, replaying Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression from earlier that day. His fingers dug tightly into the armrests of his chair.
The knuckles had turned pale from the force.
His single eye gleamed with cold unwillingness as he muttered to himself:
"Hiruzen… such an unstable blade, and you only wish to hold it in your hand, yet you lack the courage to temper it properly? How laughable. How weak."
His voice echoed in the empty office, chilling and low.
In his own mind, he was no longer the "cowardly" soldier of the past. He would not relinquish a single opportunity again.
Every time he recalled the Hokage's seat slipping through his fingers, it burned like acid in his chest.
If only, back then in Kumogakure…
Fortunately, on the blood-soaked battlefield of the Land of Rain, through certain… discreet collaborations, he had already glimpsed a shortcut—a way to overtake on the curve.
He and Orochimaru shared a similar disdain for conventional ninjutsu.
They also shared a near-obsessive hunger for ultimate power.
After several "collaborations," the two had long since reached a silent understanding on the path of taboo.
"The laboratory… must accelerate its progress."
He gave the order into the darkness.
"All materials and equipment must be in place before Orochimaru returns."
From a shadowed corner, a figure replied softly:
"Yes, Lord Danzō. The laboratory has already been constructed underground outside Konoha. Barrier seals fully cover it. Absolute secrecy is guaranteed."
Danzō nodded with satisfaction.
In his mind, he could already see it—
The brilliant Orochimaru, combined with the "materials" in his possession.
The sparks created by that collision would forge unprecedented power.
And when that time came, the highest seat in Konoha would be within arm's reach.
Perhaps then, he would stand before his old friend and declare:
"I am the true Hokage."
Let Hiruzen taste what it meant to have his will overridden.
---
Meanwhile, the news that Namikaze Yami had returned with five Uzumaki survivors spread like a stone dropped into still water.
The ripples expanded rapidly through the village.
And eventually—
The information reached the ears of the one who stood at the very foundation of Konoha.
The village's "anchor of stability."
The pillar that held everything steady.
Led personally by Tsunade, Namikaze Yami brought the five unmistakably red-haired Uzumaki survivors through layers of security and scrutiny to a secluded courtyard deep within Konoha.
The moment they stepped inside, it felt as if time itself had slowed.
The architecture carried the lingering spirit of the Warring States era—aged wood, quiet stone paths, and a stillness that seemed untouched by the modern village beyond its walls.
As they arrived, an elderly woman emerged from the house.
Though she appeared advanced in age, her eyes remained clear—so clear they seemed capable of seeing straight into one's heart. Her steps were slow yet remarkably steady, and faint traces of powerful life force subtly radiated from her being.
She was none other than Uzumaki Mito—wife of the First Hokage, the first Nine-Tails jinchūriki, and a living legend who had witnessed multiple generations rise and fall.
Her gaze first passed over the five young clansmen.
Seeing the familiar crimson hair they shared, identical to her own, a flicker of sorrow—and relief—crossed her eyes.
Then her gaze shifted.
It settled on Namikaze Yami, standing beside Tsunade.
And in that instant, the composure that had defined Uzumaki Mito for decades was shaken.
Yami did not possess the signature red hair of the Uzumaki clan.
Yet the resonance—
The resonance that pulsed from the depths of his blood—
Was unmistakable.
It was not merely chakra sensitivity. It was something deeper. A stirring rooted in the very origin of Uzumaki vitality. In fact… it felt even stronger than what she herself had radiated in her prime.
How could that be?
Shock rippled through her heart, but her expression remained unchanged. She had lived too long and seen too much to let surprise show easily. The astonishment was suppressed instantly, replaced with a thoughtful, knowing look.
From the moment they entered the courtyard, she had been observing.
Yami's bearing was steady and composed. Calm. Controlled.
He stood respectfully beside Tsunade—but to trained eyes, the subtle exchanges of glances and body language between them betrayed a closeness no outsider would easily detect.
Uzumaki Mito, having lived through love and loss alike, understood immediately.
A faint smile tugged at her aged lips.
To others, it may have seemed like joy at seeing surviving clansmen.
But she knew better.
Part of that smile was for her proud granddaughter.
---
She did not question Yami about the origin of his strange bloodline power.
She did not probe into how he had survived the chaos of Kirigakure.
Instead, she behaved like a benevolent elder—gently asking the five survivors about their condition, expressing heartfelt relief at their safety, and offering her blessings.
Just as the visit was drawing to a close and Tsunade prepared to lead everyone away, Uzumaki Mito called out softly.
Tsunade approached, knowing there were instructions to receive.
Mito leaned close and whispered a few quiet words into her ear. Her wrinkled yet warm hand gently patted Tsunade's.
When Tsunade returned moments later, there was a faint blush on her cheeks. Her gaze toward Yami now carried a trace of avoidance.
After finishing with Tsunade, Mito addressed the group in a solemn tone:
"I will personally inform Hiruzen. These clan members will be settled in the vacant residences on the eastern side of the Senju district."
"It is quiet there, and easier to care for them. From this day onward, they are part of Konoha."
The weight of those words stunned even Tsunade.
Even Yami's eyes flickered with surprise.
This was no mere arrangement of housing.
This was Uzumaki Mito, leveraging her unquestioned authority and prestige within Konoha, publicly endorsing the Uzumaki survivors.
Then she turned to Yami.
Her gaze softened, carrying unmistakable approval.
"Good child… you are impressive. Come visit this old woman when you have time."
For a moment, even Yami was caught off guard.
But he quickly bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.
He understood very well—
Given Mito's status and the sensitivity of this courtyard, this was no casual politeness.
Aside from blood relatives like Tsunade and Nawaki, few were permitted entry here without Hokage approval.
Under these circumstances, her invitation was effectively a political statement.
---
When the group departed, the courtyard returned to its quiet stillness.
Yet something felt different.
The air itself seemed more alive.
By the time they stepped out from the Senju district, dusk had settled over the village.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Yami leaned closer to Tsunade and whispered:
"So… what did Grandmother Mito say?"
He should not have asked.
The whispered words seemed to echo again in Tsunade's ears, and the tips of her ears flushed red once more.
She quickly regained her composure and snapped back, half embarrassed:
"What 'Grandmother'? She's my grandmother! Don't randomly claim relations!"
Seeing her about to strike him, Yami wisely changed the subject.
"Alright, alright. You promised dinner. Tsunade-sama doesn't have a reason to refuse now, does she?"
She shot him an annoyed glance—but the irritation melted into reluctant amusement.
In the end, she did not object.
The two walked side by side toward the lively commercial street as evening lanterns began to glow.
The awkward tension between them gradually softened.
The atmosphere warmed.
And then—
An entirely untimely exclamation shattered the moment.
"Sis?! Y-You… are you on a date?!"