Meeting Mito Uzumaki

Inside the Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru discussed the current situation in the ninja world.

Meanwhile, Chiyu listened in from the side.

After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru asked, "So, Teacher, are you planning to send me to the Land of Rivers to stop those Sunagakure ninja?"

Chiyu's heart skipped a beat when he heard Orochimaru's words.

He did want to gain experience on the battlefield, but definitely not now!

If Kushina Uzumaki were attacked by Kumogakure ninja while he was away from Konoha, then even if he could fly, he would not make it back in time!

No matter what, he had to make sure Kushina Uzumaki was safe before going to the battlefield.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's next words put Chiyu at ease.

"There is no need to worry about Sunagakure for now. The ninja stationed at the border of the Land of Rivers are enough to deal with them. In the days ahead, Orochimaru, you will stay with me as we formulate plans and discuss how Konoha should face this situation."

Orochimaru was first-rate when it came to strategy.

During the Second Great Ninja War, Orochimaru had led ninja forces and won many difficult battles.

Konoha's current situation did not look optimistic.

Orochimaru's strategic vision was exactly what Konoha needed most right now.

Orochimaru nodded. "I understand."

Chiyu let out a sigh of relief. As long as he was not leaving Konoha now, it was fine.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru chatted for a while longer, Orochimaru took Chiyu out of the Hokage Office.

On the way, Orochimaru suddenly asked, "Chiyu, you heard what Teacher and I discussed just now. If the Four Great Ninja Villages attack Konoha at the same time, how do you think we should break the deadlock?"

Orochimaru's question came far too suddenly, catching Chiyu off guard.

Chiyu did not know the details of the Third Great Ninja War very well either.

Chiyu remained silent and thought for a long time before saying, "The only thing that could make the Four Great Ninja Villages join forces to attack Konoha is profit. No matter which ninja war it was, profit was always at the heart of it.

"Since profit could make Iwagakure and Kumogakure cooperate, it could also be used to turn the two villages against each other."

Orochimaru was rather satisfied with Chiyu's answer. "Then how would you use profit to turn those two villages against each other?"

Chiyu shook his head. "Sorry, Teacher Orochimaru, I don't know that either."

Chiyu truly did not know what kind of benefit could make Iwagakure and Kumogakure turn against each other.

First, Chiyu did not know what benefits Konoha could offer to make Iwagakure and Kumogakure fall out.

Second, Iwagakure and Kumogakure were certainly cooperating to plunder the abundant resources of the Land of Fire.

It was not as if he could tell Iwagakure or Kumogakure, "Let's work together and seize the other village's resources!"

They had already decided to plunder Konoha together. Why would they abandon their current partner to cooperate with you instead?

In Chiyu's view, they could only target their alliance after learning the terms of Iwagakure and Kumogakure's cooperation, then use even greater benefits to tempt one of the ninja villages.

Orochimaru did not mind Chiyu's answer of "I don't know." Asking Chiyu to answer that question really was a bit difficult.

Orochimaru said to Chiyu, "I will be very busy afterward, so I will not be at the base every day. I'm giving you the day off today. Tomorrow, I will take you to form a contract with Ryūchi Cave, then I will make your next training plan for you to train on your own.

"After that, if there are suitable missions, I will continue accepting them for you, but you will probably have to carry them out alone."

When he heard that he had a day off today, a smile unconsciously appeared on Chiyu's face.

After glancing at Chiyu, Orochimaru knew what he wanted to do.

"Go on."

"Teacher Orochimaru, I'll be going then. See you tomorrow!"

Chiyu waved goodbye to Orochimaru and eagerly ran ahead.

Outside Mito Uzumaki's residence, Chiyu felt a little nervous and a little excited.

It had already been a month since he last saw Kushina Uzumaki.

Chiyu knocked on the residence's gate.

Very soon, Chiyu heard a rapid set of footsteps, clearly someone running.

The gate opened.

Chiyu only saw a flash of red before someone threw herself into his arms.

Chiyu hugged Kushina Uzumaki and affectionately rubbed the back of her head. "Long time no see, Kushina."

Kushina Uzumaki released Chiyu, pouted, and punched him in the chest. "Why did it take you so long to come see me?! I thought you'd forgotten all about me!"

Chiyu's expression stiffened.

Why was Kushina Uzumaki getting stronger and stronger?

Chiyu touched his nose. "How could I forget you? I could forget anyone, but never you. Teacher Orochimaru's training assignments for me have been pretty demanding, so I had no time to come out. I only got a day off from Teacher Orochimaru because I completed a mission these past two days.

"By the way, Kushina, how did you know it was me who came to see you?"

Kushina Uzumaki replied, "Grandma Mito told me. Grandma Mito has a special ability that lets her sense everything happening over a huge area through Chakra!"

Chiyu immediately understood what special ability Kushina Uzumaki was talking about.

The Mind's Eye of the Kagura, one of the Uzumaki Clan's unique abilities.

Kushina Uzumaki took Chiyu's hand and ran toward Mito Uzumaki's residence. "Grandma Mito wants to see you too! Let's go see Grandma Mito together!"

As he was dragged along by Kushina Uzumaki, Chiyu let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

He didn't want to see Mito Uzumaki. Right now, he only wanted to wander around alone with Kushina Uzumaki.

Chiyu still met Mito Uzumaki.

Compared to the Mito Uzumaki Chiyu had seen before, she now looked like an old woman.

Chiyu bowed. "Lady Mito."

Mito Uzumaki looked at Chiyu kindly.

Having already killed someone, Chiyu's temperament was now completely different. He had an unmistakably sharp edge to him.

Mito Uzumaki sighed. "You've grown up, Chiyu."

Chiyu respectfully said, "Before Lady Mito, I am only a child."

Sensing the distance Chiyu kept from her, Mito Uzumaki sighed. "Chiyu, there is no need for you to be so guarded around me."

Chiyu, who had his head lowered, frowned slightly, but his answer remained formal. "Lady Mito, you are an elder."

Chiyu's meaning was clear. Mito Uzumaki was an elder, and he was merely showing respect, not guarding against her.

Mito Uzumaki helplessly shook her head.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the effects of the Nine-Tails' Chakra had given her the ability to sense good and evil, especially a sharp sensitivity toward malice.

When Chiyu had first met her, although his performance had been nearly flawless, Mito Uzumaki had been able to clearly sense his guardedness and distance toward her.

Even now, what she sensed from Chiyu was still the same.