Hokage Building.
The clan heads of Konoha, the Jonin Squad Leader, the Anbu Captain, the Advisory Council, and the Third Hokage had all gathered together.
"Every clan head should already know that the Fourth Hokage died during the process of sealing the Nine-Tails." Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the head of the room, his expression grave as he looked at the heads of the various clans. "In order to rebuild the village as soon as possible and stabilize the situation, I will resume my duties as Hokage."
None of the clan heads or advisors spoke. They tacitly accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen's return to power.
At that moment, Shimura Danzō immediately rose to speak. "Because of the Nine-Tails disaster, a great number of buildings in the village have been destroyed. Therefore, we have decided to relocate each clan. These will be your new clan territories. Please take a look."
Shimura Danzō unfolded a map of Konoha and explained the new clan territories to each family.
The meeting ended quickly. Everyone was fairly satisfied, except Uchiha Fugaku.
The Uchiha Clan's territory had been moved far away from Konoha's center. This was clearly the Hokage faction deliberately suppressing the Uchiha Clan.
However, because of the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes, Uchiha Fugaku knew his clan could not escape suspicion. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had already punished his clan by making them relocate, he could not refute it.
Because Kushina Uzumaki had not died in this Nine-Tails' Rampage, Konoha still retained some deterrent power against outsiders.
Thus, the situation along the borders was temporarily stabilized.
Even if there were any disturbances, they were only attempts to gain small advantages. Truly attacking the victors of the Third Shinobi World War again would still put considerable pressure on the surrounding ninja villages.
Even the warlike Kumogakure did not immediately send an army to Konoha's borders after hearing about the Nine-Tails' Rampage.
Especially after hearing that Kushina Uzumaki had not died alongside Minato Namikaze.
It was simply explained differently to the public.
Minato Namikaze had saved everyone and sealed the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox back inside Kushina Uzumaki, while Naruto, the Son of the Fourth Hokage who was also a Jinchuriki, was never mentioned.
Moreover, in order to win over Kushina Uzumaki, the Third Hokage had Naruto publicized as the Son of the Fourth Hokage and the descendant of a hero.
The Son of the Fourth Hokage had even voluntarily gone to live with Kushina Uzumaki in order to watch over the Nine-Tails.
Good heavens, the villagers had been moved to tears.
On the fourth day after the Nine-Tails' Rampage, Kushina Uzumaki woke up in the hospital after treatment. Some of the people also receiving treatment at Konoha Hospital were filled with hostility toward Kushina.
After all, they all knew that their relatives had died at the hands of the Nine-Tails within Kushina.
More civilians looked at Kushina with fearful, evasive eyes, but Kushina had long become immune to it.
She had grown up step by step under such treatment. Back then, though, most people had merely looked at her as if she were some sort of freak.
To Kushina, all that mattered was Naruto growing up healthy.
Because Kushina Uzumaki was still alive, Danzo did not dare set his sights directly on the Jinchuriki.
At this moment, inside Naruto's Sealing Space, because Naruto was still young, Anju had thoroughly remodeled the Sealing Space beyond recognition.
Two foxes, one large and one small, were watching television.
That was right, watching television.
Anju had created it all with Chakra.
Kurama had been staring fixedly at the television.
Ultraman was playing on it.
The very first Ultraman, at that.
Using Chakra, Anju had dug the Ultraman television series out from the deepest parts of his memories and played it on the television.
"Anju, are you sure this is technology from the future? You're not fooling me, are you?"
Kurama had just finished the tenth episode of Ultraman when he eagerly questioned Anju.
"Relax. I'm you from the future, sent back through time. That's all technology that will exist later."
With his current identity, Anju was not worried that Kurama would disbelieve him.
After all, he was the Yin Nine-Tails. Why would he lie to himself?
"Mm, that monster is amazing. Ultraman is even more amazing. What kind of ninjutsu are they using? Can I use it?"
Anju was speechless. You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?
"How about you study it, Kurama? See if you can learn how they use Chakra?" Anju chuckled awkwardly, not knowing how else to respond to Kurama.
After hearing Anju's words, Kurama became excited as well. That was right, he was the strongest of the tailed beasts. Researching a few ninjutsu would be easy, wouldn't it?
"By the way, is there more?"
"There's Tiga, Dyna, Ultraman Ace, Ultraman Jack, and plenty more."
"Good! Let me study them all."
Anju's mouth twitched. Who knew how long that research would take? Digging through his memories was mentally exhausting too. Fortunately, Chakra could assist him, or he would never remember so many Ultraman plots.
"By the way, Kurama, want to come visit my side?"
"No. Those damned humans sealed me inside this brat. I can't swallow that resentment."
"What a shame. Minato and Kushina are both very easy to get along with." At the time, Anju had no idea just how badly his assessment of them as easygoing would come back to bite him.
At this moment, inside Kushina Uzumaki's Sealing Space.
A small house stood in the middle of the grasslands, looking extremely out of place. Minato Namikaze stayed inside, staring intently at the television in the living room.
The scene playing on it was Naruto drinking milk. It was from Kushina Uzumaki's perspective.
Anju cleared his throat twice.
Minato Namikaze immediately sat upright. When he saw the little fox at the doorway, he let out a huge sigh of relief.
"What, are you jealous of your own son?"
Minato Namikaze's face reddened. "Nothing of the sort!"
"By the way, Minato, how do you plan to raise Naruto?"
"Let Naruto grow up slowly, then send him to the Ninja Academy. Isn't that enough?"
"Naive! What if the village is attacked again by that Masked Man from before? What will happen to Kushina? What will happen to your son?"
Minato Namikaze's expression turned grim. "The Third Hokage will handle it!"
"The Ninja World is far from peaceful right now. News of your death has already spread throughout the Ninja World. If you don't do something, Konoha may not be able to keep the surrounding ninja villages in check." Anju began to exaggerate the danger.
"That won't happen. The new generation has already..."
At that point, Minato Namikaze fell silent.
Anju continued, "Exactly, the new generation! The Fourth Hokage is already dead, and there's no need to mention Konoha's Sannin. You heard it too, didn't you? The Third Hokage has resumed his position as Hokage. Why is there no one to succeed him?"
"What are you planning?"
"Simple. For the sake of peace, all you need to do is create a common enemy for every ninja village."
Minato Namikaze found it hard to believe. He could not imagine what Anju was planning to do.
"How is that possible? Who would dare provoke the Five Great Ninja Villages?"
"Why not? That Masked Man could attack Konoha, so why can't he attack the other ninja villages?" Anju grinned as he looked at Minato Namikaze.
"How would I know? Wait, you mean...?"
"That's right. Use the Transformation Technique to turn into the Masked Man. You know what he looks like, right? Then disguise yourself and attack the Jinchuriki of the other ninja villages."
"But I'm already..." Minato Namikaze wanted to emphasize that he was dead.
"Have Kushina create a Shadow Clone and infuse it with your Chakra. Add my Chakra too, and you can cause havoc in another ninja village. Even if you fail, it'll only be a Shadow Clone."
"I don't know that Masked Man's techniques."
"Don't you know the Flying Thunder God? Just use the Flying Thunder God!"
"Wouldn't that expose my identity?"
"Minato Namikaze! Let me emphasize this again: you are already dead! How could a dead man appear in another ninja village?"
"But..."
"It's fine. Having a Masked Man like you around can make the other ninja villages wary of Konoha and indirectly protect Konoha's safety too. What do you think?"
"That would make Konoha enemies everywhere."
"Konoha lost a Fourth Hokage to the Masked Man! Who could claim that the Masked Man was created by Konoha? Don't worry. The Third Hokage is better at political matters than you are."
"Anju, what exactly is your purpose?"
"To maintain Konoha's stability and ensure the living environment of Kushina Uzumaki and your son Naruto." Anju avoided Minato's question about his true purpose.
Minato Namikaze chuckled. "No matter what your purpose is now, we're still in the same boat. You're right too. Stabilizing Konoha is very important."
"That's more like it."
"So, how much Chakra do you plan to lend me?"
Anju cleared his throat twice, turned around, and walked out. He planned to find Kurama again and watch Ultraman together.
"Let's discuss it when Kushina gets here. How much I can give depends on how much she's willing to release."
Before you continue