The Senju Clan's former grounds, where Mito Uzumaki now rested in a quiet courtyard.
It was peaceful and serene here, as if it belonged to a different world from the undercurrents stirring through the village.
However, that tranquility was shattered by an urgent, tearful cry.
"Grandma! Grandma!"
Mito Uzumaki sat beneath the veranda, quietly sipping tea as she gazed at the dry landscape garden.
Hearing her granddaughter's call, she gently raised her head.
But when she saw Kushina rush in with swollen eyes, tear tracks on her face, and anger that had yet to fade, the warmth in her expression was instantly replaced by concern and a hint of gravity.
"Kushina, what's wrong? What happened?" Mito set down her teacup and reached out to her granddaughter.
Kushina threw herself beside her grandmother as if she had found her anchor. She poured out everything that had happened at the hospital: how Ling had been "weak and aggrieved," how he had been nearly assassinated by "his own people," how Ling had "kindly" assumed it was a misunderstanding, and how furious and guilty she herself felt.
"...Grandma! They went too far! What did Ling do wrong? He saved me and protected the village! What gives them the right to treat him like this?! Is it just because he's an Uchiha? Or because he's my friend?!"
Kushina spoke with such emotion that her body trembled slightly with anger.
Mito Uzumaki listened in silence. The warmth gradually faded from her face, replaced by a profound calm.
But those who knew her understood that when the wife of the First and the Nine-Tails' previous Jinchūriki wore that expression, it often meant her anger was truly roused.
She didn't voice her opinion right away. Instead, she gently drew Kushina into her arms, stroked her red hair, and said softly, "All right, Grandma understands. You've been wronged, and so has that child, Ling."
Mito Uzumaki's voice held a strangely soothing power. Kushina's agitation gradually subsided, leaving only her quiet sobs.
Once Kushina had calmed down, Mito spoke at last. Her voice remained even, but carried undeniable weight. "That child Ling was right, and he was wrong. This was by no means a simple misunderstanding."
She looked toward Konoha beyond the courtyard. Her gaze seemed to pierce every obstacle and see Kage Rock—and the darkness beneath it.
"Some people are always accustomed to judging others by their darkest thoughts and solving problems with the most brutal methods. They fear the Uchiha's power, distrust anything unpredictable, and try to keep everything under their control... yet they forget that trust and tolerance are the foundation on which Konoha was built."
She hadn't named anyone directly, but Kushina knew her grandmother meant Shimura Danzō and the "Root" he led.
"Grandma..." Kushina nestled against Mito and looked up at her.
Mito lowered her head and gave her granddaughter a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Kushina. This matter won't be allowed to pass just like that. That child Ling isn't only the person who saved your life; he's also a promising young shinobi who has proven that he possesses the Will of Fire. Protecting a child like him means protecting Konoha's future."
Mito paused, her tone turning a little more serious. "But Kushina, remember this too. Anger is necessary, but you can't let it consume you. You have to learn to control your power and your emotions, especially at a time like this. Your power is important, but you mustn't let your emotions stir it up carelessly. Do you understand?"
Kushina nodded, only half understanding. But she knew her grandmother had agreed to intervene, and that alone brought her a great deal of relief.
"All right, go keep that child Ling company. He needs a friend right now." Mito affectionately patted her granddaughter's back. "I still have a few things to take care of here."
Kushina obediently nodded and left the courtyard.
After her granddaughter was gone, the affection on Mito Uzumaki's face slowly faded.
She rose to her feet. Without any dramatic movement, a vast yet incredibly concentrated chakra rippled faintly out from her, then quickly receded.
She didn't need to roar in anger like the young. Her will and her stance were a powerful force in themselves.
"Go ask Hiruzen Sarutobi to come here," she said calmly to the empty courtyard.
A blurred figure in the shadows bowed slightly, then vanished in an instant.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was dealing with a series of urgent matters. He was racking his brains over how to handle Danzō and reassure the Uchiha when he received an "invitation" from Mito Uzumaki.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a slight chill in his heart. He immediately set aside everything he was working on and hurried to Mito's courtyard as quickly as he could.
Even as Hokage, he showed due respect when summoned by this revered elder, the First's wife.
"Lady Mito," Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted her respectfully.
Mito Uzumaki invited him to sit and personally poured him a cup of tea. Her movements were unhurried and graceful, but her words placed enormous pressure on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, I heard something deeply distressing," Mito said evenly, though her words carried an unmistakable note of reproach.
"A child who just rendered great service to the village, risking his life to rescue a Jinchūriki from the Cloud Village, a child who has formed a deep friendship with Kushina and me, was attacked in his hospital bed at Konoha Hospital by assassins from within the village."
Mito Uzumaki gently set down the teapot and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "I want to hear your thoughts on this as Hokage. And I want to know how you intend to handle it—what explanation you'll give that child, Kushina, and everyone else who cares about this matter."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his mouth go dry. He knew Lady Mito would surely ask about this, but he hadn't expected her to be so direct and serious. This was more than pressure; it was almost an accusation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and told Mito everything: his earlier argument with Danzō, the heinous nature of Root's actions, his own fury, the protective measures he had already taken, and his plans to question Danzō.
There was nothing he could hide from Mito, nor anything he could keep from her.
"...Lady Mito, this happened because I failed to keep those under my command in check and supervise them properly, allowing Danzō to commit such a reckless act. I promise I'll deal with this severely and make sure nothing like it happens again! Uchiha Ling is a hero of the village. He deserves protection and reward, not persecution!" Hiruzen Sarutobi vowed solemnly.
Mito Uzumaki listened in silence. Only when he had finished did she slowly speak. "Hiruzen, you are the Third Hokage and the leader of the village. Balancing the various forces and maintaining stability are certainly important. But some lines must never be crossed. Attacking someone who has served the village—especially a child—shakes the village's foundation and chills the hearts of every shinobi who has shed blood for Konoha."
Mito Uzumaki paused, her tone growing more emphatic. "Danzō has already crossed the line. His 'Root' was created to protect Konoha, not to serve as a tool for satisfying his personal lust for power and eliminating those who oppose him. I also think the arrangements for Kushina's protection need to be reviewed and adjusted. At the very least, certain excessively ruthless, inhumane plans and the people responsible for them must be excluded."
The meaning behind her words was already clear. Lady Mito was not only demanding that Danzō be severely punished for his actions; she was even beginning to question his authority over certain aspects of the Jinchūriki's security!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply shaken, but he also understood that Danzō had brought this on himself. He nodded gravely. "I understand what you mean, Lady Mito. I'll give this careful consideration."
With Mito Uzumaki's clear stance and support, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally had more confidence—and a few principles he would have to follow—in dealing with Danzō and the matters that followed.
If he failed to give Lady Mito, the Uchiha, and everyone else a satisfactory explanation this time, his own authority as Hokage would be challenged.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi left Mito's courtyard, his steps were heavy, but his gaze had grown more resolute. It was time to give his old teammate a good talking-to.
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