Chapter 96 - 26

Chapter 26: Many Wives, Many Blessings! New Members!Two months had passed since the Uchiha incident.Autumn arrived in Konoha with an especially desolate chill.On the training grounds of Ivy Garden, however, the atmosphere was more tense than ever.It seemed all members were still affected by the Uchiha incident from some time ago.Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Tenten, Izuna, and the others had finished their morning basic training and were now gathered around Kushina, listening to her explain a complex Sealing Jutsu formula."...So, when the Chakra circuit forms a closed loop here, it triggers the second-stage binding effect." The Chakra threads in Kushina's hands traced glowing blue patterns in the air. "Izuna, use your Sharingan to record the flow trajectory.""Yes." Izuna opened her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, observing intently.Just then, the warning bell at the training ground entrance rang three times.Three short, one long. A visitor, and with internal clearance from 'Ivy'.Everyone turned their heads.A figure wearing a Vermilion Bird mask appeared at the entrance, followed by two unfamiliar girls."Lady Kushina." The Vermilion Bird member bowed. "By Lord Minato's order, I bring two... new members."The masked person stepped back, revealing the true faces of the two girls behind them.The girl on the left was about six years old, similar in age to Naruto. She had short, dark blue hair and large purple eyes, but her gaze held a coldness that didn't match her age. She wore a black short combat uniform and carried a strange device on her back that looked like... a musical instrument?The girl on the right looked older, about ten years old. Her long red hair was tied in a high ponytail, her features as delicate as a porcelain doll, but her brow was furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line, her entire body radiating a 'don't mess with me' aura. Her eyes were a rare amber color, reflecting light like a cat's in the sunlight."Introduce yourselves," the Vermilion Bird member said.The blue-haired girl spoke first, her voice flat and emotionless. "Tayuya, seven years old. Former Genin from the Land of Rice. Skilled in genjutsu and summoning techniques." She spoke while staring straight ahead, no extra expression on her face.The red-haired girl pursed her lips and said reluctantly, "Guren, ten years old... used to be in Otogakure. Know Crystal Release.""Crystal Release?" Sakura exclaimed. "Isn't that a legendary Bloodline Limit?"Guren glanced at her but didn't speak. Instead, she raised her right hand. Above her palm, several pale red, crystal-clear crystals materialized out of thin air, hovering and refracting rainbow light in the sun.Everyone stared, stunned.Kushina's pupils contracted slightly. She gestured for the Vermilion Bird member to come closer and asked in a low voice, "Who sent them?""Lord Orochimaru," the masked person's voice was barely a whisper. "Said it's the first 'gift of cooperative sincerity'. Two children with cultivation value, sent to Ivy for 'exchange learning'. In reality...""Hostages and spies," Kushina stated coldly, revealing the truth.The masked person nodded. "Lord Minato says we can accept them, but monitoring must be increased. The Azure Dragon Team has already placed markers on them."Kushina was silent for a few seconds, then waved for the masked person to leave. She walked up to the two new girls, hands on her hips, her red hair stirring without any wind."Listen up, brats. I am Uzumaki Kushina, the person in charge of the ivy project. No matter who you belonged to before or what your purpose is, now that you're here, you follow my rules."Her gaze swept over the two like a blade:"First, give your all in training. Second, no killing intent between comrades. Third," she paused, her voice growing colder, "if I discover anyone harboring intentions to harm Konoha or hurt their comrades, I will personally use Sealing Jutsu to turn you into specimens and send you back to Orochimaru. Understood?"Tayuya nodded expressionlessly. "Understood."Guren bit her lip, finally muttering softly, "...Got it.""Good." Kushina turned to face all the children. "Well then, the new member welcome is over. This afternoon is live combat training. Everyone, including the newcomers, will participate. Now, dismissed!"The crowd dispersed, but the atmosphere was clearly different.Naruto walked up to the two new girls, showing his trademark grin. "Hi, I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Welcome to Ivy."Guren looked at him warily. "You're... the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?""Uh, I guess so," Naruto scratched his head. "But I'd rather people just call me Naruto."Tayuya stared into Naruto's eyes for a few seconds, then looked away. "Chakra volume... abnormally vast. And there's a strange affinity to it.""Huh? You can sense that?""I'm a sensory type," Tayuya said simply.Just then, the other girls gathered around.Hinata greeted them shyly. "H-hello..."Sakura asked curiously, "What's the principle behind Crystal Release? Is it a mutation of Earth Release and Water Release?"Ino examined the instrument on Tayuya's back. "Is that a weapon? Can you play it?"Guren grew irritated by the barrage of questions. "Shut up! Crystal Release is just Crystal Release, what's there to ask!""Guren," Tayuya said calmly. "Our current status is 'exchange learning'. Mind your attitude.""Don't tell me what to do!"As the atmosphere threatened to freeze, Izuna walked over. She activated her Sharingan, the Three-Tomoe slowly rotating. "Guren, Tayuya. I don't know what purpose Orochimaru sent you for, but since Teacher Kushina has accepted you, we are comrades."She paused, her voice turning cold. "But if you dare hurt Naruto, or do anything to harm Ivy... my Sharingan will make you pay the price before Teacher Kushina's Sealing Jutsu even gets to you."Guren's face paled slightly.Tayuya gave a slight nod. "Understood."