Kushina's Return

"Such a thing has happened in Konoha..." News of Konoha was spreading rapidly throughout the Shinobi World, and everyone was somewhat incredulous, even Tsunade.

Jiraiya had already found Tsunade, who was heavily in debt and completely drunk, in Tanzaku Town. Suddenly, upon hearing about some things that had happened in Konoha, even Tsunade, whose head was still foggy from the hangover, was startled and her mind cleared up instantly.

"The Uchiha Clan coup... Teacher Sarutobi is dead... Orochimaru returns to Konoha..."

"Jiraiya, are you kidding me?"

Jiraiya glanced at Jiraiya, but seeing his serious expression, Tsunade fell silent. She might have some dissatisfaction with the Third, but she never imagined that his term would end in this way.

"What exactly happened, Jiraiya? Tell me everything you know..." Tsunade had always had a special feeling for Konoha, the village founded by her great-grandfather. Her eyes turned to Jiraiya as she inquired about the whole story.

"This time, perhaps Teacher Sarutobi really made a mistake..." Jiraiya shook his head and told Tsunade everything he had investigated about the cause and effect. Sarutobi and Danzo wanted to exterminate the Uchiha Clan Massacre, the Uchiha Clan resisted, and Orochimaru and Kato Osamu were brought in to Obito Uchiha and the Akatsuki were also involved without any reservations.

"Has the situation in Konoha deteriorated to this point?"

Tsunade frowned, momentarily Jiraiya. Many of the things Jiraiya had said were new to her; she suddenly felt as if she had been detached from the Shinobi World for far too long—everything was so unfamiliar...

"Tsunade, the village needs you back. Even if the Uchiha Clan were forced into a coup, they are now in power, and we must keep a close eye on their every move..."

"And we must also thoroughly investigate the Akatsuki; it's far too dangerous... I can't handle this alone... I'm begging Tsunade!"

Jiraiya's solemn face, a glint of light flashing in Tsunade eyes. When had the once carefree Jiraiya become so responsible...?

Just as the two were silent for a moment, a knock suddenly sounded on the attic door.

"Knock knock..."

"Lady Tsunade! Are you awake? The people from the casino downstairs are here to collect debts... But we have no money left..." Shizune, holding Tonton -Ton, knocked on the door. Hearing Tsunade's voice indicating she was awake, she anxiously pushed the door open, only to suddenly see Jiraiya.

"Lord Jiraiya! When did you arrive...? This is terrible, Lady Tsunade's debt..."

"Huh?" Upon hearing that he was to pay back Tsunade's money, Jiraiya's serious expression instantly changed, and Tsunade glared at him angrily.

"What? You won't even lend me some money?"

"It's Shizune. So many years have passed, she's grown into a beautiful woman... Want to go back to Konoha...?" Jiraiya didn't dare respond at all, chatting with Shizune like a strange old man. Tsunade snorted softly, and couldn't help but start considering whether she should return to Konoha...

"The village...it has indeed been many years since I've been back..." Shizune was suddenly struck by Jiraiya's words and fell into a reverie. However, having traveled the Shinobi World with Tsunade since childhood, Shizune didn't recall many things about Konoha. Instead, she instantly understood the purpose of Jiraiya's trip—to ask Tsunade to return to Konoha.

"By the way, Shizune, Kato Osamu should be considered your cousin, right..." Suddenly remembering Kato Osamu, Jiraiya frowned slightly. He had fought him before, but this time, the difference in their aura alone was completely different. He roughly understood that he was no longer a match for him...

"Brother Osamu? It's been so long since I've heard his name... The last time I heard about him was when he defected from Konoha ... I wonder how he's doing now..." When talking about her Kato Osamu, Shizune paused for a moment, then seemed to understand something. Her eyes brightened as she looked at Jiraiya.

"Does Lord Jiraiya have news of Brother Osamu?" Although they had never lived together, Osamu was now the only remaining member of the Kato Clan. Shizune looked at Jiraiya with hope in her eyes.

"Kato Osamu is a big shot in Konoha now, Shizune. If you go back to the village, you should be able to see him..." Jiraiya smiled and glanced at Shizune, then frowned slightly and didn't say anything more.

"Ah, didn't Brother Xu betray... and leave Konoha? How come...?"

"Shizune, a lot has happened in Konoha..." Tsunade patted Shizune on the shoulder, selectively telling Shizune what Jiraiya had said.

Tsunade doesn't know what kind of person Kato Osamu, Shizune's cousin, is; they've only met once. Whether returning to Konoha would be a good thing for Shizune, she doesn't know...

After thinking for a day, Tsunade finally decided to return to the village with Jiraiya Konoha she couldn't bear to Jiraiya Shizune. On their way back to Konoha Tsunade, a red-haired girl and a black-haired girl arrived at the Konoha gate.

"Shiro, you've had a tough time these past few days..." Kushina Uzumaki's face showed fatigue, but her eyes were full of excitement. On the way, she had learned everything that had happened in Konoha: the Third's downfall, Danzo's death. Now, all the obstacles she faced in seeing Naruto had vanished...

"Kushina Uzumaki, you can't leave yet. Kato asked me to bring you back from the Land of Rain so you can go see him first..." Seeing Kushina Uzumaki rushing away as soon as she entered Konoha, Shiro helplessly blocked her way.

Since learning various secret techniques from Ryūchi Cave, this was Shiro's first time venturing out on a mission alone. Although somewhat excited, he was also afraid of making a mistake, and he was extremely cautious along the way. Seeing that he was about to successfully complete the mission, how could he let Kushina Uzumaki just run away like that...

"Shiro, you're the best! Let me see Naruto just once, just once..."

Kushina Uzumaki traveled with Shiro along the way and gradually came to understand Shiro's personality. Although she was powerful, she was still inexperienced and naive. Apart from being obedient to Kato Osamu and constantly talking about the mission, she was an innocent and lively girl with high looks, which naturally made her likable. The two accompanied each other along the way and gradually developed a little 'friendship'...

"No, no, Lord Kato's orders cannot be disobeyed..." Seeing Shiro shaking his head like a rattle drum, Kushina Uzumaki couldn't help but sigh slightly. She knew that Shiro would never disobey Kato Osamu's orders.

"Alright then, let's hurry and see Kato Osamu, Shiro! Speed up!" With Shiro in her hand, Kushina Uzumaki ran towards the Hokage Building.

"No, no, Lord Kato isn't there..." Taking a sniff, Shiro's eyes lit up. He picked up Kushina Uzumaki and headed towards the Uchiha Clan's territory. 'Kushina Uzumaki- neechan, you want to see Naruto, but I want to see Lord Kato too...'

Feeling smug about his little scheme, Shiro moved with Shiro speed, like a hurricane sweeping through the streets of Konoha, leaping onto rooftops and heading straight for Kato Osamu.

"Hey... slow... slow down..." Kushina Uzumaki was pulled behind her by Shiro, the howling wind beside her distorting her face. The air swirled into her mouth and nose, making strange whooshing sounds, and her voice became muffled. Fortunately, this situation did not last long. Shiro was too fast, and the Uchiha Clan's territory had already appeared before them.

"Is the Uchiha Clan relocating?" After landing on the ground, Kushina Uzumaki shook her head to shake off the dizziness from the high-speed journey, and her gaze fell on the villagers pushing carts and carts.

Furniture and items were transported out of the Uchiha Compound, heading towards the center of Konoha. Members of the Uchiha Clan were guarding the convoy. When they saw the two of them land, a hint of wariness flashed in their eyes, but perhaps on orders, they bowed respectfully upon seeing Shiro's face before continuing their work.

"Hurry up and go, Kushina Uzumaki! What are you standing there for? Don't you want to see Naruto?"

Grabbing Kushina Uzumaki's arm, Shiro headed towards a courtyard deep within the clan's territory. But as soon as they entered the courtyard, before they could even open the door, Kato Osamu pushed it open and came out, with Mei Terumi following closely behind.

"Lord Kato! Shiro is back! She's finally finished learning all that stuff..." The moment Shiro saw Kato Osamu, Shiro wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him as usual. Kato Osamu chuckled softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice, and said nothing, turning to look at Kushina Uzumaki.

"Now that the difficulties and structure of the Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals have been completed, our deal is done. Kushina Uzumaki, we're even now. I can let you stay in Konoha, stay by Naruto Uzumaki's side..."

"What other conditions do you have..." Kushina Uzumaki glanced at Kato Osamu and knew that he hadn't finished speaking. It probably wouldn't be that simple. However, Kato Osamu was currently surrounded by a girl with a blissful expression, which made the atmosphere less cold and serious.

"The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu..."

"This is Karin Uzumaki, you can get to know her, she's also a very talented child..."

As she spoke, Kato Osamu gently beckoned, and Karin Uzumaki appeared beside Kato Osamu. Her red hair made Kushina Uzumaki slightly lose her composure. She never expected to see a member of the Uzumaki Clan who had been left behind after so many years.

"Red-haired, Karin Uzumaki..."

The shared bloodline seemed to instantly make Kushina Uzumaki feel a bit more favorably toward the girl before her. Despite having been with Akatsuki for over two years, Kushina Uzumaki was still unfamiliar with the Akatsuki. She had only met one official member, Konan, and had no idea that the leader of Akatsuki was also a member of the Uzumaki Clan...

"Alright! I will impart all the knowledge and skills of the Uzumaki Clan to you, Kato Osamu. I hope you will keep your promise..."

Slightly stunned, Karin glanced at Kushina Uzumaki almost the same size as her, feeling a little puzzled, but she didn't speak. Listening to Kushina Uzumaki and Kato Osamu's conversation, she roughly understood that the girl in front of her was probably not as young as she looked...

"Uzumaki... Kushina Uzumaki... Could it be her?" As if realizing something, Karin glanced at Kushina Uzumaki with slight surprise, then couldn't help but look at Kato Osamu...

"Yes, she is the Fourth Hokage's wife, the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki Karin. Karin should learn Sealing Jutsu from Kushina Uzumaki..."

"Yes! Lord Kato!"