Chapter 54: The Nine-Tails Now Targeted by Multiple Sides
Oborotsuki gently stroked Konan's hair, gave a faint smile, and turned to look at Kushina with relief in his heart.
No matter how strong Kushina's personality was, she was still just a woman.
Her innate maternal instinct was deeply touched by little Karin's birth, and she finally chose to accept him.
Since she had made her decision and was now willing to stay by his side from now on… of course he would treat her and little Naruto even better.
With this thought, Oborotsuki's gaze fell on little Naruto.
On the night of the Nine-Tails attack, Minato Namikaze died fighting the Nine-Tails. Because Kushina and Naruto had been rescued by him in advance, the plot had diverged from the original story.
The Naruto of today did not have the Nine-Tails sealed inside him.
The Nine-Tails had been sealed into the body of the Reaper by Minato at the cost of his own life, using the Reaper Death Seal.
But that didn't mean it couldn't be revived.
Black Zetsu had manipulated Obito and Uchiha Madara, intending to use the nine tailed beasts to revive Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Oborotsuki had no objection to letting them achieve that goal.
However—the timing of Kaguya's revival would be decided by him.
That's why he needed to keep some of the tailed beasts under his own control. He absolutely could not let Akatsuki have them all!
But reviving the Nine-Tails from inside the Reaper would require help from a specific person.
"In a little while you'll have your first-month celebration… consider this Daddy's first-month gift to you…"
Oborotsuki thought silently to himself, then turned his gaze toward Mayumi again.
The Uzumaki clan truly had astonishing physical resilience. Mayumi, who had just been weakened by childbirth, had already regained her color and looked full of energy.
She too gazed happily at everyone present—and at little Karin in Kushina's arms.
"You all wait here. I'll go pack up some food and bring it back."
"In a couple of days, once Mayumi has rested properly, I'll take you all out shopping."
Oborotsuki said to the women.
Considering that little Karin had only just been born and shouldn't be exposed to wind or cold outside, Red and the others nodded in agreement.
Oborotsuki said nothing more and vanished from the room in a flicker.
Meanwhile, far away in Konoha Hidden Village in the Land of Fire—
After intense power struggles among the village's leadership,
It was no surprise that Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately came out on top, suppressing Danzō Shimura and reclaiming the position of Hokage, taking over control of the entire village in Minato Namikaze's place.
At this moment, inside the Hokage's office,
Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with the two advisors—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—and Danzō, were holding a meeting.
"During this period, the ANBU searched everywhere inside and outside the village—nothing."
"We even expanded the search radius to one hundred kilometers, and still no trace of Kushina or her child… We've already wasted too much energy on this. Shouldn't we consider ending the search operation?"
Danzō spoke coldly.
After a few seconds of silence, one of the advisors—Koharu Utatane—immediately followed:
"Hiruzen, this time I agree with Danzō."
"Kushina's Nine-Tails was forcibly extracted, and she was attacked by a mysterious enemy."
"Even for an Uzumaki with their legendary vitality, surviving that night's situation would be impossible."
"Minato's child… is most likely gone as well."
"The village needs rebuilding, and Kumogakure is watching like a tiger. We simply don't have the extra manpower or resources to keep wasting them on searching for Kushina and her child."
She spoke with slightly closed eyes, her expression extremely serious.
Homura Mitokado, sitting to the side, remained silent—but the two advisors always moved together, so this time was unlikely to be an exception.
Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly puffed on his pipe several times without speaking.
After a moment of contemplation, he could only nod:
"If that's the case, then end the search operation."
"Recall all ANBU and Root forces!"
Hiruzen ultimately had no choice but to make this decision.
Upon hearing the outcome, a nearly imperceptible cold glint flashed through Danzō's eyes.
"There's one more matter."
He said indifferently.
Everyone's attention immediately turned toward him.
Danzō said nothing further. Suddenly, another figure appeared in the office.
The person appeared to be a young boy, wearing an animal mask, with a tanto strapped to his back—standard ANBU gear, but clearly from the Root organization.
"Shisui, report everything you've seen and heard."
Danzō ordered.
The young boy immediately half-knelt and reported truthfully:
"Lord Third, the Uchiha clan has recently shown considerable resentment toward the village."
"Over the past nearly one month, very disharmonious voices have begun to appear within the clan…"
A short while later, Uchiha Shisui finished reporting everything he had recently observed.
The two advisors' eyes immediately brightened slightly, but they said nothing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued smoking his pipe as if nothing was out of the ordinary, maintaining an air of complete control.
"I understand the situation. You may leave now, Shisui."
After a while, he waved Shisui away.
As soon as Shisui left, Danzō spoke:
"Hiruzen, your leniency is already beginning to bear bitter fruit."
Hiruzen did not respond to Danzō's words. Instead, he slowly stood up and walked to the window:
"The Uchiha clan feels wronged. It's only natural for them to harbor resentment."
"You're just being overly sensitive, Danzō."
"In my opinion, letting them vent a little and curse things out will ease their emotions."
Hiruzen finished speaking with his back turned, hands behind him, continuing to gaze out the window.
At this point, Homura Mitokado also spoke:
"Instead of worrying about these groundless rumors, we should focus on researching and finding a new Nine-Tails jinchūriki."
"The tailed beasts are weapons of war that maintain the balance of power among the villages. We absolutely cannot abandon the Nine-Tails."
These words finally made Danzō fall silent.
A few seconds later, Danzō spoke again:
"You've all witnessed firsthand the catastrophic damage caused when the Nine-Tails lost control."
"I believe there is no need to release it again. Let it remain sealed inside the Reaper's body!"
"As for the village's security—Konoha will be guarded by me and Root!"
Danzō spoke with absolute confidence, his tone decisive.
"Danzō, this matter will be studied later."
"If a suitable new jinchūriki can be found, the Nine-Tails must still be revived!"
Hiruzen countered.
Hearing this, Danzō immediately stood up and turned to leave the office:
"Hiruzen, one day you will regret your indecisiveness."
Hiruzen turned back, watching Danzō walk out and close the door. He calmly took another puff of his pipe.
Then, exhaling smoke, he said indifferently:
"Pass down the order—erect a memorial cenotaph for Kushina beside Minato's grave. Bury her with full honors as a hero."
"Also—send someone to the Uzumaki clan's Mask Vault and retrieve the Reaper mask."
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