In the 56th year of Konoha, lazy sunlight spilled over every corner of the village. A gentle breeze drifted by, rustling the leaves as though telling of Konoha's peace and tranquility.
Yet, in one corner of the village, Menma and Kushina were preparing to head for the Land of Whirlpools.
After two days of travel, they arrived in the Land of Whirlpools on the third day. They had not received Hiruzen Sarutobi's permission for this trip, so they had sneaked out. To keep anyone from noticing, they had both left behind Shadow Clones. Though the clones could conceal their absence for a while, they could not last long.
They arrived at the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools. The place was utterly desolate, and an air of ancient decay hung between the broken walls and crumbling remnants. The ruins teetered on the verge of collapse after years of erosion, while mottled moss crawled across the walls as though recounting their former prosperity and present loneliness.
Kushina looked at the scene before her, her eyes filled with sorrow. After all, this had once been her homeland. Her gaze held nostalgia for the past and anguish at the ruined sight before her, like a cold wind passing through barren wreckage.
Kushina led Menma to a section of broken wall, its surface deeply marked by time. She placed a hand on it and began channeling chakra. The wall slowly opened with a low creak, stirring up a cloud of dust.
"Only members of the Uzumaki Clan can open this hidden chamber. Come with me," Kushina told Menma, her voice unusually low in the silent ruins.
Menma nodded and followed Kushina inside. Once they entered, Menma discovered that the place was like a library, filled with all kinds of books.
Rows of bookshelves stood