032 Konoha's Version of "Carrying Thorns and Begging for Punishment," Visiting Mito Uzumaki

Hiruzen Sarutobi unhurriedly opened the letter. After reading it, he smiled knowingly.

"Kushina truly is an excessively sensible child..." Lord Hokage murmured with a soft sigh.

The letter said that she had chosen a house near Minato's home. Utatane Koharu had already sent people to help furnish and renovate it.

The Anbu assigned to protect her were also very good.

Whenever they happened to cross paths, they would even give her a slight nod in greeting. She had initially worried that such surveillance-like protection would affect her daily life, but now she only found them considerate and understood how difficult the Anbu's work was.

She was deeply grateful to Grandpa Hokage and profoundly thankful for Konoha, her new home. After learning of Konoha's blow against Kumogakure, she felt safe knowing that someone had stood up for her.

Lastly, she wrote some everyday chatter about her conversations with Mito Uzumaki, mentioning that Mito had been somewhat surprised...

The writing was rather immature, to the point that even her verbal habits had made their way onto the page.

Yet every line brimmed with pure sincerity and joy, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi feeling lighter in spirit as he read.

Emotions were contagious by nature...

This is a good opportunity to visit Mito Uzumaki.

The thought flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. He instructed the Anbu, "Ask Lady Mito whether it would be convenient for me to visit, and confirm the condition of that child with Wood Release."

The Anbu accepted the order.

A short while later, they reported back that Mito Uzumaki also wished to see him. Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to leave at once.

In the past, he had always held Mito Uzumaki in the highest respect, yet deliberately avoided meeting her...

There were many reasons for this.

First, managing the village was simply too exhausting. Second, there was the Uzushio Village incident.

Third, Mito Uzumaki's identities as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and as Mito Uzumaki overlapped, making the atmosphere extremely delicate...

Given her status, unless Konoha had reached a moment of life or death, so long as Hiruzen Sarutobi wished to retain even a shred of dignity, he would never send Mito Uzumaki onto the battlefield.

But the problem was that the Nine-Tails was undeniably a strategic weapon...

If he visited her too often, it would inevitably seem like he was "ostensibly inquiring after her health, but actually asking when she would die."

This was not overthinking it. In the past, the village really had wanted a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki capable of taking the battlefield as a safeguard...

But things were different now.

Rather than gamble on whether the next Jinchuriki could wield the Nine-Tails' power—

It would be better to earn Mito Uzumaki's genuine approval and support. That would be immensely beneficial to Hiruzen Sarutobi's efforts to advance reform and establish his authority...

Besides, Senju Tobirama's notes made it clear—

Mito Uzumaki was not merely proficient in profound Sealing Jutsu; she was also immensely learned, intimately familiar with countless secret techniques of the Shinobi World. She was practically a living encyclopedia.

It was impossible to make Mito Uzumaki work overtime like Hiruko and Orochimaru...

But having a master who could point out directions and offer insights was already an enormous gain.

I need to let this old lady know how remorseful I am! Lord Hokage thought.

After straightening his appearance, he had the Anbu fetch several thorny branches and tied them directly to his back.

The Anbu's gaze beneath their masks was filled with astonishment, but Hiruzen Sarutobi did not care in the slightest.

This, too, was part of the plan.

Mito Residence.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly pushed open the ancient gate, he gave the place a brief look around.

The entire residence bore the strong style of the Warring States Era.

The walls were decorated with the clan crests of the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan.

Mito Uzumaki, seated in the place of honor, saw Hiruzen Sarutobi carrying thorny branches on his back. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

What medicine was Hiruzen selling in that gourd of his?

Hiruzen Sarutobi strode forward in great steps and prostrated himself like a tiger descending the mountain. "Lady Mito, Monkey has failed in his duties as Hokage. Please punish me!"

Mito Uzumaki slowly rose to her feet and examined Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Mind's Eye of the Kagura activated silently.

In Mito Uzumaki's perception, Hiruzen Sarutobi's Chakra was forceful and vigorous, while the emotions in his heart were utterly sincere...

Ordinarily, the Mind's Eye of the Kagura could not sense the emotions within one's heart.

But as a Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki could incorporate the Nine-Tails' Malice Sensing into it...

After a moment, Mito Uzumaki slowly walked to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side. With a long sigh, she reached out to help him up. "Monkey, these past years haven't been easy for you either..."

"Of course, the matter of Uzushio Village pains me deeply, but I cannot place all the blame on you, the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi promptly rose to his feet. How could he possibly let an old lady truly bend down to help him?

"Lady Mito..."

"Come inside. Stop carrying those thorny branches on your back—you're not a child anymore! You're the Hokage now..." Mito Uzumaki removed the branches from Hiruzen Sarutobi's back and gestured for him to come in and sit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi obediently took a seat reserved for guests.

He felt rather emotional.

In his memories, Mito Uzumaki had more often appeared as a middle-aged woman.

But now, she already bore the face of an old woman.

"When one grows old, being alone is very lonely..." Noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, Mito Uzumaki shook her head and said, "If I release this seal, I can go see Hashirama sooner and cause the village a little less trouble."

Perhaps she had seen the sincerity in Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude today, or perhaps the Nine-Tails was an issue that could no longer be avoided.

Mito Uzumaki spoke very frankly.

The Yin Seal was not a technique that consumed Chakra to preserve one's appearance.

On the contrary, it created a new Chakra cycle that nourished the cells...

In a sense, actively releasing the Yin Seal could even be considered a form of slow suicide!

"Lady Mito!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, his gaze and tone utterly sincere. "I came today to tell you that compared to the Nine-Tails, you are Konoha's priceless treasure!"

Mito Uzumaki smiled faintly. She was about to say something, but Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted her.

The Hokage pressed his hands together, signaling Mito Uzumaki to let him finish as he spoke crisply, every word firm and resounding:

"This is absolutely not empty politeness. It is the consensus of the entire village!"

"You devoted your entire life to the village. If we cannot allow you to enjoy peace in your old age, and instead make you continue burning away your last flesh and blood for the village, even ending your life early..."

"Then I, the Hokage, the Will of Fire, and even Konoha as a whole, will all be disgraced by it!"

Mito Uzumaki stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

She had never expected Monkey, who had always agonized over this, avoided it, and even dared not face it, to display such resolve.

Did he truly no longer care about the Nine-Tails?

For the sake of an old woman like her...

"What happened to Uzushio Village has always weighed heavily on my heart."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave. "No matter what, the Uzumaki Clan will forever be Konoha's ally. For what happened, I, as Hokage, must bear full responsibility."

"I promise you that I will do everything in my power to find the surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan. For any who are willing to come to Konoha, the village will become the Uzumaki Clan's warm new home."

"I believe that within a few generations, a new Uzumaki Clan will take root and flourish in Konoha!"

Mito Uzumaki was finally moved.

Through her Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions were as solid as stone.

And that was indeed Hiruzen Sarutobi's true intention.

In his previous life, he had always adhered to the principle of correcting mistakes and making amends after the fact.

Besides, making amends to the Uzumaki Clan would not only rectify past mistakes and strengthen the Will of Fire by showing that loyalty was valued, but also win Mito Uzumaki's unwavering support.

And if the Uzumaki Clan could be rebuilt, then for a Hokage who had become one with the village, it would naturally be an excellent thing.

With one move achieving three ends, Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally incomparably resolute.

"Hiruzen, I have seen your heart."

"What happened before is in the past. Go and do it properly now. I support you."

Mito Uzumaki smiled. "But even if I continue causing you trouble, the hardest thing about growing old is being alone."

"I cannot demand that you always come visit me. I may be old, but my pride remains."

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, though he smiled faintly within.

He had anticipated this...

When people grew old, it was not merely companionship they needed. The feeling of being needed was just as real.

Especially for a ninja like Mito Uzumaki.

"Lady Mito, Monkey really does have something to ask of you..." Hiruzen Sarutobi rose to his feet.

"Ask me?" Mito Uzumaki chuckled and shook her head. Though she was old, every gesture still carried the bearing of the Strongest Female Ninja of the Warring States.

"Stop trying to comfort me, Monkey."

"What can I do now, besides seal this Fox?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi swiftly formed hand seals.

Sensing the Hokage's summons, an Anbu quietly entered the residence, handed the swaddled infant in his arms to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and silently withdrew.

Mito Uzumaki's eyes suddenly lit up.

From this child, she sensed Hashirama's aura!