Hiruzen listened quietly to Kushina's outburst, his middle-aged face calm but grave. For several moments, he said nothing, as though weighing every word that wanted to rise to his lips. Finally, he exhaled slowly, shook his head, and spoke in a firm but measured tone.
"It is not possible."
The answer struck Kushina like a hammer. Her expression changed instantly, disbelief flashing across her face before it hardened into anger. She leaned forward, her voice rising sharply, almost to a shout.
"Why not? Why is it not possible?"
Hiruzen did not flinch beneath her intensity. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly, his voice steady as he explained.
"First and foremost, you are Konoha's Jinchūriki. That alone means I cannot allow you to leave the village—especially now, in the midst of war. Your safety is tied not only to your own life but to the security of the entire village." He paused, letting the weight of that truth settle before continuing. "But there is more. From what I have learned, Shanks—and perhaps many of your other clan siblings—harbour resentment toward Konoha. They believe we sought to eliminate them, that we intended harm against your clan."
Kushina froze, stunned by the claim.
Hiruzen's voice softened, though his words carried the same seriousness. "That cannot be true, of course. We were their allies. Such an idea must have been planted deliberately, born of deception. Some other village, no doubt, has taken advantage of the Uzumaki's tragedy, spreading lies to drive a wedge between us. But whether by misunderstanding or by manipulation, the fact remains: they see us as enemies. For that reason alone, I cannot allow you to leave Konoha and place yourself in danger."
Kushina shook her head, her red hair swaying with the force of her disbelief. Her voice cracked slightly, somewhere between defiance and hurt.
"Why would they think that? That doesn't make any sense! Konoha would never try to harm the Uzumaki clan!"
Her conviction was born of her own experiences. From the day she had arrived in the village, she had been cared for—welcomed by teachers, comrades, and above all by Minato. That kindness, combined with her deepening bond with him, had engraved in her heart a picture of Konoha as a place of trust and safety. To her, the idea that her home might be viewed as a threat to her own bloodline was not just painful; it was unthinkable.
Kushina, in truth, knew little of the hidden darkness that lingered within Konoha's politics. To her, the village had always been a place of warmth and acceptance, though she could not deny the restrictions placed upon her. She understood why she was not allowed to leave—why she was forced to remain within the walls. It was not simply for her own safety, but for the safety of countless others. After all, she was the vessel of the Nine-Tails, a responsibility that bound her freedom as much as it protected the village.
Hiruzen slowly shook his head, his face unreadable. "This… I do not know," he admitted at last, his tone heavy with resignation.
Kushina's hands curled into fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. A wave of despair welled up in her chest, tightening her breath. She had allowed herself to hope—just this once—that she might meet her clan after so many years of believing them lost. She had already resigned herself to the idea that she would not be permitted to leave the village. But at the very least, she had thought it possible to bring her family here, to Konoha, and finally be reunited with them. Now, even that fragile hope was crumbling before her eyes.
Her head lowered, her fiery spirit momentarily dimmed by the weight of disappointment.
At that moment, Minato stepped closer, his presence quiet yet steady. He reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Kushina's shoulder, his touch firm but gentle.
"Don't worry, Kushina," he said, his voice carrying a quiet determination. "I will go to meet your clan members when the time is right. And when I do, I will make them understand—Konoha is their ally, not their enemy. We would never wish them harm."
Kushina lifted her gaze to him, her blue eyes shimmering with a mix of sorrow and fragile hope. For a moment, her anger eased, replaced by trust in the boy who stood beside her. She gave a small but resolute nod, clinging to his promise as a flicker of light within her gloom.
After Minato and Kushina departed, silence settled heavily over the Hokage's office. Hiruzen remained seated, his gaze fixed on the empty space they had just vacated. The faint curl of smoke rose from his pipe, blurring the lines of his thoughtful expression. His eyes narrowed, sinking deep into contemplation. For a long while, the only sound was the steady crackle of the pipe ember.
At last, he exhaled slowly, as though releasing the tension knotted in his chest. The silence returned, and with practiced discipline, he lowered his gaze to the documents stacked neatly before him. Pen in hand, he resumed his paperwork as though nothing had happened, burying his unease beneath the routine of duty.
----
Five days later, in the Land of Hot Water, the grand meeting hall of the Daimyo's mansion was filled with a more hopeful air. Seated at the head of the long table was the Daimyo himself, robed in fine silks, while across from him sat Shanks, flanked by Benimaru, Erza and Guy. The room was formal, yet the tone of the gathering carried a sense of accomplishment.
Shanks leaned forward slightly, his crimson hair catching the lantern light as he spoke with sincerity. "I thank you greatly, Lord Daimyo, for entrusting so many missions to us. Because of your support, we have finally reached our goal—the funds necessary to begin rebuilding Uzushiogakure. Admittedly, what we have gathered will only allow us to establish a settlement for perhaps two to three thousand people. But even so, it will be a beginning. A foundation upon which we can restore our ancestral lands and breathe life back into our village."
The Daimyo listened attentively, his expression composed, and when Shanks finished, he gave a slow, approving nod.
"You need not thank me," he replied. "This was a partnership, nothing more and nothing less. You and your clan members worked tirelessly for me and for the Land of Hot Water, and I rewarded you fairly for your service. It was mutual benefit." His voice took on a thoughtful gravity as he continued, "Moreover, with our recent agreements with the Land of Rain, our prosperity grows even further. And with warriors such as you—warriors who have defeated legends like Hanzo the Salamander—as allies, I can ask for no greater reassurance."
The Daimyo folded his hands before him, his tone turning more personal. "You have my full support in reconstructing your homeland. I will provide you with as many craftsmen as I can spare, and I will see to it that you are supplied with the finest materials. Not as gifts—for I know the Uzumaki pride themselves on self-reliance, and I would not insult you with charity—but at the greatest discount possible. That is my promise to you."
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