This Time It's Really Not Domestic Anymore...

The war raged for three days and three nights, and for three days and three nights, Qi Luna hid and fled with Kushina. The flames of war ravaged the Uzushiio Village mercilessly; every explosion and every cry of slaughter struck their hearts like a heavy hammer. Qi Luna gripped Kushina's hand tightly, her eyes filled with vigilance and resolve as she navigated the ruins, dodging the flying debris and the enemy's pursuit.

It was not until the fires in Uzushiio finally flickered out that the acrid smell of gunpowder still hung in the air. A deathly silence surrounded them, broken only by the occasional crackle of embers. Only then were they found by the Anbu of Konoha.

During this time, it was not as if Qi Luna had not considered finding an opportunity to retrieve the most important heritage of the Uzumaki clan, but as a mere genin, he and Kushina had no chance of getting anywhere near the Mask Storage Hall.

The Anbu members wore purple-gray flak jackets and distinct animal masks, yet even these could not hide the sighs and pity they felt for the Uzushiio Village.

Qi Luna looked at these Konoha ninja, who were strangers yet felt somewhat familiar, his eyes filled with exhaustion and confusion. Kushina hid behind Qi Luna, her small face etched with terror and bewilderment.

"Come back to Konoha with us," the lead Anbu said softly. Qi Luna nodded silently. He knew that the Uzushiio Village no longer existed; they had lost their home, and Konoha was perhaps their only destination.

Moreover, they seemed to have no choice. Mito Uzumaki was nearing sixty, and Konoha needed a new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. As members of the same clan as Mito, they were the best candidates. Konoha would not let them go!

Under the escort of the Anbu, Qi Luna and Kushina embarked on the road to Konoha. Looking back, the once beautiful and tranquil Uzushiio Village had been reduced to ruins. Though the fires were extinguished, the pain was deeply branded into their hearts. The road ahead was full of unknowns, but Qi Luna held Kushina's hand tightly, secretly swearing that he would lead her to live well and eventually restore the glory of the Uzumaki clan!

Along the way, Qi Luna and Kushina rarely spoke, following the Anbu in silence. The scenery around them changed constantly, but their hearts remained fixed on those ruins. Finally, the silhouette of Konoha appeared in their field of vision. The tall walls and bustling streets formed a stark contrast to the devastated Uzushiio Village.

After entering the village, they were taken to the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, looked at the two young girls with determined eyes and felt a wave of emotion. "From today on, this is your home," he said gently.

"Thank you for taking us in, and thank you for your help, Lord Third Hokage." Qi Luna and Kushina nodded. Despite the lingering longing for their hometown, they understood that they had to start over here.

Before transmigrating, Qi Luna had been a cynical youth and a veteran Naruto fan. He knew clearly that Konoha's decision to abandon their ally was wise, yet helpless. He had no reason to blame them, but when it was his own clan being wiped out, he could not help but resent the high-ranking officials of Konoha.

Even if they had only made a show of mobilizing the main force, the enemy would have been wary. Uzushiio might have had a chance to catch its breath; while it might not have changed the crisis of the village's destruction, perhaps more of the Uzumaki clan could have survived!

It was simply that Konoha did not want the Uzumaki bloodline to spread throughout the ninja world, did not want the other four great ninja villages to possess stable Jinchuriki, and did not want a situation that did not align with Konoha's interests...

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the downcast Qi Luna and Kushina, assuming they were still immersed in the sorrow of their village's destruction. Seeing nothing amiss, he spoke slowly, "You will live with Lady Mito from now on. Lady Mito is also very eager to see you, you..."

"I understand, Lord Hokage." Qi Luna said, pulling Kushina along to bow to Hiruzen Sarutobi before following him toward the Senju clan compound.

Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted Mito Uzumaki respectfully. Mito nodded slightly, then leaned down to pull the two into her embrace, saying softly, "Children, you have suffered." Her voice was gentle yet powerful, instantly calming the hearts of Qi Luna and Kushina, which had been somewhat uneasy.

The moment they first saw her, Qi Luna and Kushina felt enveloped by a powerful and warm aura. Mito Uzumaki wore a simple and elegant robe; although her hair was streaked with gray, her bright eyes revealed the wisdom and composure gained through the passage of time. A faint smile played on her face, as if it could melt all the anxiety and tension in the world.

Now, held in her arms, Kushina's emotions could no longer be suppressed. Intense grief flowed out with her tears, "Grandma Mito, everyone is dead. Father, Mother, Second Uncle, everyone in the village is... sob, sob, sob..."

Mito looked at the two in her arms and thought of her own clansmen. Her heart was also filled with agonizing grief, and she kept whispering words of comfort to Kushina and Qi Luna, as if she were comforting herself.

(Fun fact: The Uzumaki clan originated from the Land of Fire, and Mito Uzumaki married Hashirama before the founding of Konoha, so Uzushiio was not Mito's hometown.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not disturb them further, turning silently to leave the Senju compound.

Back at the Hokage's office, with the exception of Akimichi Torifu, who had resigned from all important positions except for that of Jonin, the other members of the Second Hokage's guard were all present.

"Hiruzen, I trust you have received the accurate news as well. The Second Kazekage of Sunagakure, Shamon, and Monzaemon have both died in Uzushiio. Now is the weakest moment for Sunagakure. Give me three thousand ninja, and I will absolutely be able to conquer Sunagakure and let the ninja world witness the power of Konoha once again!" Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could even sit down, Danzo Shimura took the initiative, voicing his proposal (ambition).

Hiruzen Sarutobi stumbled, nearly missing his chair. The corner of his mouth twitched; it was clear he did not favor Danzo's proposal at all.

"Sunagakure is not without successors. The strength of Shamon's disciple, Sanosuke, is so great that even I would not dare claim a guaranteed victory against him. Furthermore, there are at least four thousand Suna ninja within the village, not to mention the wolves circling us like Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure. Starting a war now is not wise." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, rejecting Danzo's proposal.

"Indeed, Danzo. We have only just begun to recover. The top priority is to quickly absorb and digest the large number of precious scrolls and sealing technique scrolls brought back from the Land of Whirlpools, turning them into Konoha's foundation, rather than recklessly provoking conflict. It does not serve our interests." Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also advised.

Damn Hiruzen, is he saying my strength is inferior to his? And these two idiots too—they only see the joy of dividing the Uzumaki heritage, without a shred of foresight! Truly a waste, no, two wastes!

"Hmph!" Danzo Shimura slammed his cane heavily onto the floor, a cold snort escaping his lips. "Short-sighted! I have my own considerations. You only see the immediate stability, but fail to see the long-term threat!" Danzo glared, his eyes filled with unwillingness and resentment.

"Danzo, do not act impulsively," Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly. "Konoha needs to recuperate now. Blindly starting a war will only plunge us into crisis."

Danzo Shimura trembled with rage. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he said, "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, pressing his hands on the table, and said in a firm tone, "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Hearing this, Danzo Shimura's face turned ashen. He turned and strode away, the sound of the slamming door and his cane striking the floor echoing loudly.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a look and shook their heads helplessly. Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, his heart full of worry.