The Hidden Threat Within Konoha Village!

The sky was clear and vast, filled with morning clouds as the sun draped the earth in a golden robe.

Under the sunlight, Konoha appeared vibrant and full of life. Early-rising villagers were already at their posts, contributing their share to the village's development. As for the ninjas of Konoha, they had already begun their training or departed on missions by this hour.

In a dark, sunless corner of Konoha, there stood a stone gate. At this moment, a masked ninja pushed the gate open and stepped inside. Behind the stone gate lay a passage leading to an underground fortress—the headquarters of Root. Everyone who could enter this place was a core member of the organization.

Ordinary members, having left this place after brutal training, would almost never return in their lifetimes. Those who could come and go were, without exception, the people Danzo trusted most.

"Swish!" In an open area within the bunker, the ninja who had been at the stone gate appeared. In front of the clearing stood a high platform, upon which a stone chair was placed. The skylights around the perimeter failed to illuminate this dais.

"Lord Danzo, the two members of the Uzumaki clan entered Lady Mito's residence yesterday. Afterward, only the girl went out to tour the village under the guidance of Princess Tsunade."

"The Uzumaki infant has not left Lady Mito's residence once."

"Furthermore, I have gathered that Lady Mito intends to have the Uzumaki girl enroll in the Ninja Academy. Early this morning, the Hokage already sent someone to process the paperwork."

The masked ninja knelt on one knee toward the high platform, head bowed as he reported rapidly. As he spoke, a figure emerged from the shadows before him, the light from the skylight revealing the man. Danzo leaned on a long blade as if it were a cane, half his face wrapped in bandages.

"I see. I heard that when Hiruzen went to Mito's house yesterday, he didn't even get to see her? Is that true?" Danzo actually had an inkling of these matters; he asked primarily to verify the accuracy of his information from multiple sources.

This had nothing to do with whether his informant was loyal to him, for intelligence was prone to errors, and a single mistake could cause his entire plan to fall through.

"Yes! That is true. Lady Mito sent word directly to the Hokage that she would take care of the Uzumaki clansmen, effectively dismissing him."

The reporting ninja lowered his head even further, knowing it was his dereliction of duty that he hadn't included this detail in his initial report. Such information could be vital at critical moments.

"So, the Second Jinchuriki is to be personally cared for by Lady Mito! That was to be expected."

"Still, I didn't expect two people to be transported to Konoha this time."

"Since the older one is already being prepared for the Ninja Academy, Hiruzen will likely try to keep that girl under his control."

"In that case, I must change my target!"

"The Jinchuriki must be kept in my own hands to be truly secure!"

After hearing the report, Danzo calculated rapidly in his mind. Once he had worked out the key points, he waved his hand to signal that his subordinate could leave. Once the subordinate had departed, he stepped back into the shadows. To vie for the Jinchuriki, he needed to make some arrangements now.

Uzumaki Mito still had some time before her limit, but accidents could happen at any moment. He needed to prepare early. With two members of the Uzumaki clan present, the choice of which one would become the Jinchuriki was a variable—and this was Danzo's opportunity to seize control. Generally speaking, given his status and position, he would never have the chance to lay a finger on the Jinchuriki.

To Danzo, controlling an eight-year-old child who already possessed autonomy was far less efficient than controlling a newborn infant. He had plenty of methods for controlling infants; after all, what was Root built upon if not his own ruthless means?

Deep within the Mito residence, Uzumaki Kuming had no idea that he had been targeted by the "Pot King" of Konoha shortly after arriving in this world. At this moment, he was immersed in the joy of drinking milk. Over the past few days, Uzumaki Kushina had been running wild through the village with Tsunade. Having emerged somewhat from the shadow of leaving her home, Kushina was dazzled by the bustling metropolis of Konoha.

In this era, Konoha was one of the most developed villages in the world. Having grown up in Uzushio Village, Kushina had never seen such a prosperous and developed settlement.

"Big Sister Tsunade, I want to eat those three-colored dango!" Holding Tsunade's hand, Kushina pointed at a snack shop by the roadside, speaking with excitement. In front of Tsunade, she began to reveal the innocence befitting a child of her age.

"Alright! Let's go~ I was just thinking of having some myself." Tsunade smiled brightly, holding Kushina's small hand as they walked inside. Kushina let go of Tsunade's hand and trotted into the sweet shop. Tsunade lingered behind, glancing toward a street corner before stepping inside.

She sensed someone spying, but Tsunade didn't care. In Konoha, no one could harm Kushina. Ever since she had taken Kushina out, her grandmother Uzumaki Mito's chakra had been attached to them both. Should there be any hostile movement, the enemy would immediately face a long-range strike from Uzumaki Mito.

Although Uzumaki Mito hadn't taken action in many years, Tsunade knew her grandmother's strength was unfathomable. Strictly speaking, even when her grandfather was alive, he had never once won an argument against her grandmother.

At Tsunade's home, Mito was currently holding Kuming, teasing the infant in her arms with great interest. Having endured the loss of her husband and children, Mito's heart had long since gone cold, but the arrival of Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Kuming had brought a sliver of comfort to her soul. Before this, the only people in all of Konoha she could truly call family were Tsunade and Nawaki.

But the two sisters were already grown and could not stay by her side at all times. Aside from them, there was no one else in the vast village of Konoha who could keep her company. Kuming's appearance was like a new toy for her; teasing a baby was a source of joy for an elderly person.

Moreover, Kuming was different from other children; he was of the Uzumaki clan, her true kin. Seeing the red fuzz on Kuming's head, Mito felt a natural sense of closeness. The rarely awake Kuming cooperated with Mito's teasing, stretching out his tiny hands to try and grab her extended finger.

Beside Mito, Akemi Senju stood respectfully, a smile on her face. As Mito played with the child, she was also thinking about the future sealing of the Nine-Tails. Ever since the two siblings arrived, she had noticed that not only Kushina, but even the infant in her arms possessed chakra that faintly suppressed the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Furthermore, the chakra within Kuming was even more potent and was constantly growing. Mito knew that as a boy, Kuming was more suited to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki than Kushina. However, Mito was deeply conflicted. Kushina's behavior when facing adversity had already revealed her strong mental fortitude; she believed that even if Kushina became the Jinchuriki, she could resist the Nine-Tails' evil will.

But Kuming, still an infant, was different. She had no way of knowing if he would grow up to be twisted or if his mental resilience would be sufficient. Given a choice, she did not want to stake such an important matter on an uncertainty. Besides, Mito was not Danzo; to Danzo, a Jinchuriki was merely a tool to be controlled through whatever means necessary.

As for what became of the Jinchuriki themselves, he did not care. But Mito truly regarded these two children as her own family; she hoped they could both grow up healthy. If she had a choice, she would not let these children become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but now, she had no choice.

"I wonder if I can hold on until you are old enough to understand. I truly wish you would grow up quickly."

"If you are outstanding enough, the Nine-Tails will not be a burden, but a tremendous asset."

"Kushina is a girl, after all. If you could shoulder this responsibility, that would be for the best."