After Chiyo returned to Konoha, he went straight back to the Uchiha clan compound.
He pushed open the door. The house was so quiet that only the soft chime of wind bells in the courtyard could be heard.
Mikoto should still be working at the Guard Unit.
Chiyo entered the kitchen, took out the rice balls Mikoto had made that morning, and ate while considering Amegakure's situation.
"Morita Shin may be obedient now, but that doesn't mean he won't betray us later..."
Chiyo lay on a lounge chair in the courtyard, squinting up at the sky.
"If he truly dares to harm Konoha, then there's no reason Amegakure's leader can't be replaced."
Nor was that all. He had even considered matters further ahead.
If Amegakure completely lost its value, it would be better to merge it directly into the Land of Fire.
Renaming it the "Konoha Amegakure Branch" would be entirely feasible as well.
But at that point, it would directly border the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, leaving no buffer zone to work with.
Forget it!
When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight. Future matters could wait until the future.
"Big Brother Chiyo!"
A crisp shout interrupted his thoughts.
Chiyo raised an eyebrow and turned around, only to see a red figure rush into the courtyard in a whirlwind.
"Kushina?"
Chiyo smiled helplessly.
"I just got back, and you already knew?"
Kushina Uzumaki stood before him with her hands on her hips, her red hair shining beneath the sunlight and a proud smile on her face.
"Of course! I specifically had someone watch Konoha's entrance. The moment you came back, I knew!"
Seeing her proud expression, Chiyo had meant to scold her for being too reckless, but the words turned into an