(This is a parody plotline, a change belonging to the future that doesn't affect the main story.)
"Hiruzen, we absolutely cannot ignore this!"
Shimura Danzō, looking weak, came before Hiruzen Sarutobi, his eyes as sinister as an eagle's. "That girl definitely knows secrets beyond our understanding. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to learn things that could make Konoha stronger."
Hiruzen nodded in agreement, then stepped before Bai Lin. "Bai Lin, how about letting me ask this question?"
Bai Lin furrowed his brow, unsure whether to refuse or agree.
After all, he belonged to this era. Though he certainly wouldn't take Hiruzen and the others seriously in the future, if he made them resent him, they might make trouble for him before he had a chance to grow stronger.
Fortunately, the girl spoke coolly just then. "You can't ask about secrets, like our strength or identities. Other than that, you can ask whatever you want, and I'll answer if I feel like it."
Hiruzen fell silent, while Shimura Danzō seemed a little unwilling to give up. "Hiruzen, she's just a little brat. Those eyes of hers are strange, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's very powerful. All of Konoha's top fighters are here now. Why don't we just—"
"Exactly, sensei. Keeping her here would only benefit Konoha." Orochimaru's golden, slit-pupiled eyes glinted with greed. He licked his lips, his gaze fixed on the girl's Rinnegan.
His words were undisguisedly fervent, and the sinister aura surrounding him made the air feel thick.
To Orochimaru, who was obsessed with forbidden techniques and the mysteries of life, the girl's eyes were the perfect research specimen.
"Danzō, Orochimaru, enough!" Hiruzen shouted. "She means us no harm. How can we commit such a despicable act for the sake of power? It goes against the Will of Fire!"
"The Will of Fire?" Orochimaru sneered. "Sensei, your compassion will only lead Konoha into danger. She might not threaten Konoha now, but what if she joins another hidden village? We absolutely can't just let her go."
Shimura Danzō immediately chimed in. "Orochimaru is right! Hiruzen, you're far too indecisive!"
"She could pose as much of a threat as any of the Tailed Beasts. If we can control her in advance, or learn some of her secrets, Konoha will never again have to fear the other shinobi villages."
The two men played off each other, staring intently at the girl in midair like hungry wolves watching their prey.
The Konoha High Command wore varied expressions. Some hesitated, while others were tempted; evidently, the pair had managed to sway them.
Bai Lin furrowed his brow and quietly tugged Kushina and Tsunade backward.
But when he pulled Tsunade, she seemed inclined to resist.
Bai Lin had no choice but to whisper in her ear, "I know who she is. She's connected to you. Leave with me now, or you'll definitely regret it."
Hearing this, Tsunade could only follow Bai Lin as he backed away.
"Heh. You want to keep me here?" The girl suddenly laughed. "You little insects?"
The girl rose into the air and raised both hands.
"A bag of rice—how many floors must you carry it up?" (Feel the pain.)
"A bag of rice—you have to carry it up to the second floor." (Consider the pain.)
"A bag of rice—how exhausting for me." (Accept the pain.)
"A bag of rice—I wash it." (Understand the pain.)
"A bag of rice—I wash so much dirt from it." (Those who do not know pain can never truly understand peace.)
"Each grain is dirty." (From now on,)
"Who gave you that bag of rice?" (Let the world feel pain.)
Shinra Tensei! (Almighty Push!)
"Not good!" The crowd realized something was wrong. The girl was clearly about to unleash a powerful move, and they hurried to flee in the opposite direction.
A terrifying wave of repulsive force erupted around the girl, spreading outward in every direction.
The Konoha High Command members who hadn't escaped far screamed as they were flung away by the wave. The ground for several kilometers around them seemed to be pushed aside by an invisible barrier, and dust billowed until it blotted out the sky.
Bai Lin held tightly onto Tsunade, allowing her to keep her footing. She stared at the scene before her, her face deathly pale.
A crater several kilometers wide had opened in the ground. Only her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, could cause that kind of destruction. She couldn't believe a twelve-year-old girl had the same power.
If a technique with that kind of force were unleashed in the center of Konoha, it would probably destroy the entire village.
Thankfully, they had retreated several kilometers. She couldn't imagine how badly they would have been injured otherwise.
She looked at Bai Lin with gratitude. He only gave her a helpless smile.
"What... what kind of jutsu is that?" Kushina clung tightly to Bai Lin, her face buried against his chest, her voice trembling.
She could sense the despair contained in the wave of repulsive force, as though the whole world were collapsing.
Bai Lin raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this girl to know Pain's Shinra Tensei, and to imitate it so perfectly!
He didn't even need to wonder anymore. This girl was definitely connected to him—most likely...
"Hello! We meet again!" The girl appeared in front of Bai Lin and the others.
"We mean you no harm. Please show us mercy," Tsunade said, stepping forward to shield Bai Lin and Kushina.
"Don't worry, I mean you no harm." The girl stuck out her tongue, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
"Tsunade, stand down!"
Bai Lin straightened his clothes and pulled Tsunade behind him.
"Bai Lin, you..." Tsunade tried to stop him.
He walked up to the girl with a warm smile and casually patted her head.
To Tsunade and Kushina's surprise, the girl didn't seem to mind.
"How many mothers do you have?"
Bai Lin's question left both Tsunade and Kushina utterly bewildered. As they worried that it might anger the girl, they wondered, Who asks someone how many mothers they have?
He's not actually insulting her mother, is he?
But the girl tilted her head and thought it over seriously. Her pale yellow hair fell over her shoulders, and a playful glint shone in her Rinnegan.
"Mommy~ Guess!"
"Guess my foot!" Bai Lin pinched her cheek and pretended to be angry.
"Bai Lin, don't..." Tsunade cried in alarm.
Bai Lin was being so careless, doing something so improper to the girl. The sight made her uneasy.
"I'll keep it in my heart, keep it in my heart. I'm not telling you." The girl stuck out her tongue and pushed Bai Lin away with a Shinra Tensei that had been weakened.
"Don't you dare turn the tables on me! I'll teach you a lesson!" Bai Lin rolled up his sleeves and moved to discipline her.
The girl quickly flew into the sky and made a face at him in mockery.
"I'm going to play with big sister now. Bye-bye!"
As Tsunade watched the girl leave, she finally let out a breath of relief.
"Kid, do you realize how dangerous that was?" A vein-shaped mark appeared on her temple, showing just how angry she was.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Bai Lin replied calmly. The girl's behavior was the best news he could have hoped for; there was so much he could learn from it. As for her identity...
Did it matter?
He looked at the pale yellow hair on Tsunade's head and smiled with satisfaction.