This time, Kushina planned to first investigate what the people around Naruto thought of him.
She really wanted to know how Naruto had been doing all these years.
However, if she asked Kakashi directly, she might not get the right answer.
If she asked Naruto...
If Naruto thought she might worry about him, he might not tell her the truth either.
Therefore...
The only way to get a genuine answer was to disguise herself and ask ordinary passersby.
For convenience, Kushina transformed herself into the appearance of an ordinary ninja once again.
Then...
She began gathering information in various shops.
"That Naruto kid is seriously annoying!
He actually played a prank on me while I was out on a mission.
Because of him, the cat I'd just found ran away again!"
Kushina's method of gathering information was extremely simple and crude.
She went to the shops near Naruto's home and complained about him.
If the shopkeeper knew Naruto, there was a high chance they would join in.
Sure enough.
After hearing Kushina's words, the owner of the ninja tool shop took the bait.
"Has that Demon Fox brat started playing pranks again?
Hmph~
He really hasn't improved at all.
I thought he'd get better after becoming a ninja~
Who would've thought he'd still be exactly the same?"
"Demon Fox brat!?"
Kushina nearly went berserk on the spot when she heard that.
Fortunately, she managed to hold herself back.
"You didn't know?"
The shop owner immediately looked at Kushina cautiously.
Then he glanced at Kakashi, who was standing beside her.
"Mr. Kakashi, who is this lady?"
"Uh..."
Kakashi gave an awkward smile.
"She was originally a ninja from another village.
She joined our village not long ago.
I'm showing her around and helping her familiarize herself with the area."
"I see."
The shop owner nodded. "I thought she was a spy from another village~
Otherwise, how could she possibly not know that Naruto is the Demon Fox?"
Boom!
Kushina's hair instantly stood on end.
At that moment, she was truly furious.
From the shop owner's words, she could glean a great deal of useful information.
First, the entire village knew that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
Second, the villagers didn't understand what a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was. They simply regarded Naruto as the incarnation of the Nine-Tails!
Third, Naruto often played pranks around the area.
Fourth, most of the people nearby greatly detested Naruto!
Fifth, Naruto's pranks were certainly meant to attract other people's attention.
As a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki herself, Kushina naturally understood exactly what it felt like to become one.
That lonely, oppressive feeling had nearly suffocated her!
Fortunately...
Back then, only a handful of people had known that she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
She had never suffered discrimination or rejection from the villagers of Konoha.
But even so, she had already found it extremely painful.
From this, it was obvious...
Just how miserable Naruto's life was.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
Kushina roared and then charged straight toward the Hokage Tower.
"Master's Wife!"
Watching Kushina's figure vanish in an instant, Kakashi's heart tightened.
He hurried after her.
That year, that incident—Hiruzen Sarutobi's apology! [First update; flowers and collections requested]
Boom!
Accompanied by a thunderous crash...
The gate to Hiruzen Sarutobi's home was smashed apart.
A red-haired woman charged inside.
Konohamaru rushed out when he heard the noise.
Then he saw an enraged woman with flowing red hair standing at the entrance.
"Y-You... who are you!?"
Konohamaru was a little frightened, but he still pulled out a kunai and stared warily at the unfamiliar red-haired woman.
Then...
He seemed to remember something.
Pointing at Kushina, he shouted, "It's you!
You're the woman who helped Sasuke beat up that snake!"
"?"
Kushina's anger stalled slightly.
She couldn't understand what this brat was talking about.
Whoosh!
With a faint sound, Kakashi finally caught up.
"Master's Wife!
Don't be impulsive!
There's been a misunderstanding!"
Konohamaru was slightly stunned upon hearing that.
He couldn't understand why Kakashi had called the red-haired woman Master's Wife.
Just then...
Asuma also rushed out of the room.
"Who is it...?"
Before Asuma could finish speaking, the cigarette between his lips fell to the ground.
"Ku... Kushina!?"
Asuma was dumbfounded.
He couldn't understand how someone who had clearly died could appear before him, alive and well.
"Could it be Impure World Reincarnation!?"
He thought of this possibility.
But then he felt confused again.
"No, that's not right!
Impure World Reincarnation usually summons relatively powerful ninjas.
Kushina's strength was indeed formidable, but...
But she wasn't that strong!"
"Asuma~"
While Asuma stood there dumbstruck, Kakashi spoke up beside him. "Go call the Third Hokage!"
"No need."
Kushina snorted.
Then she strode straight into the house.
Asuma had originally wanted to stop her, but Kakashi held him back.
"Kakashi, what exactly is going on!?"
"It's a long story. Let's go inside first."
Kakashi shook his head, then hurried in after her.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that he didn't have much time left.
Therefore...
He planned to spend the final period of his life properly accompanying his family and observing the village.
At that moment, he was basking in the sun in the courtyard.
Although he didn't know what had happened just now...
Since Asuma had gone over, he assumed it could probably be resolved.
However, just as he was thinking that...
He suddenly heard an extremely familiar yet utterly unfamiliar voice.
"Third Hokage!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head upon hearing it.
Then he saw an incredibly familiar figure.
"Ku... Kushina!?"
Before you continue