Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi had been appointed Hokage by Tobirama Senju,
without Mito Uzumaki's support behind the scenes, he would never have been able to hold onto his position as the Third Hokage.
Reclining in her chair, Mito Uzumaki slowly opened her eyes. "Monkey, you came."
Before Mito Uzumaki, the Third Hokage did not dare put on any airs. He hurried forward and helped her sit upright.
Only after Mito Uzumaki was seated securely did he straighten up.
"Monkey, Kushina is the village's next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. She is also the princess of the Uzumaki Clan and has the same status I once had. She should have the right to control her own life. That would better help her integrate into the Konoha family and regard Konoha as her home."
The Third Hokage respectfully replied, "Lady Mito, since Kushina has come to Konoha, she is one of Konoha's people. I will not restrict or interfere with her life."
He understood very well that Mito Uzumaki was reminding him not to keep interfering in Kushina's life. That would not help Kushina integrate into Konoha.
"It is good that you understand. Sigh..."
Mito Uzumaki felt an indescribable ache in her heart. Looking at Kushina now was like seeing her former self, except she had been far more fortunate than Kushina.
At least when she married into the Senju Clan, the Uzumaki Clan still existed, and Hashirama Senju had treated her well.
Even after she became a Jinchūriki, no one had dared disrespect her.
The treatment and status that Mito Uzumaki had enjoyed were clearly things Kushina could not have. At most, Konoha would provide Kushina with some financial support.
After all, they had swallowed the Uzumaki Clan's vast wealth. If they did not give Kushina a share, they would not be able to save face.
What Kushina needed was not merely financial freedom, but sufficient personal freedom as well.
"I have drafted some plans on that scroll. Konoha took too much from the Uzumaki Clan, so give the child Kushina some compensation. I hope the Hokage Office will implement it as soon as possible. Also, do not interfere too much in Kushina's life. That is all."
"Yes."
The Third Hokage respectfully put away the scroll. He then helped Mito Uzumaki back inside before finally leaving.
Regarding compensation, the Third Hokage and the Elder Council had already reached an agreement.
Although the Elder Council was somewhat unwilling, with Mito Uzumaki involved, they could only grit their teeth and accept it.
The next day, the Konoha F4 gathered in the Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage took out the scroll Mito Uzumaki had given him and handed it to them.
After reading it, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura chose to remain silent. Only Shimura Danzō, the Hokage Advisor, reacted strongly.
"No. I do not agree with this decision. We can agree to compensate Kushina, but her safety must be monitored comprehensively. We also cannot allow too many people to come into contact with the Jinchūriki."
At this time, Shimura Danzō was still only the publicly acknowledged Hokage Advisor. The future-famous Root had yet to develop.
Root's major expansion came after the Second Shinobi World War.
At present, Shimura Danzō was merely a Hokage Advisor with status but little actual power.
"This is Lady Mito's order."
The Third Hokage did not argue with Shimura Danzō. He simply brought up Mito Uzumaki directly.
If you have the ability, Danzo, go speak to this venerable ancestor yourself. As long as you can persuade Mito Uzumaki, I would have no objection to locking Kushina up.
"I..." Shimura Danzō angrily raised his hand, wanting to say something, but all the dissatisfied words in his stomach could only remain stuck in his throat.
This was Lady Mito's order. Why insist on it?
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu could not help shaking their heads.
Danzo's desire for control was too strong.
Had anyone else made such a decision, even the Third Hokage, Shimura Danzō would have dared to refute them to their face.
But the one who had made this decision was Mito Uzumaki. No matter how dissatisfied Shimura Danzō was, he did not dare show her disrespect.
At most, he could curse a few times in his heart.
Only after seeing Shimura Danzō's arrogant momentum fade did the Third Hokage speak.
"Danzo, because of the Uzumaki Clan matter, Lady Mito is already dissatisfied. Lady Mito likes Kushina very much. She is helping Kushina, but she is also warning us not to go too far."
"Hmph. Just do not regret it later."
The Uzumaki Clan matter had been handled by Shimura Danzō. The result was self-evident: he had disappointed Mito Uzumaki, deeply disappointed her.
The fact that Mito Uzumaki had not stepped forward to condemn or punish him was already giving the Konoha F4 plenty of face.
No matter how dissatisfied the Konoha F4 were with the conditions Mito Uzumaki had proposed, they could only accept them.
Shimura Danzō stormed off.
Utatane Koharu shook her head and asked, "Hiruzen, I heard Tsunade brought back a student with excellent talent. Is that true?"
"Yes. The child's name is Jingyi Hyuga. Take a look at his file yourselves. Lady Mito has agreed to let Kushina interact with this child and has not objected in any way."
Whenever there was an unresolved issue, pushing it onto Mito Uzumaki was enough.
Jingyi's file was soon delivered to the Hokage Office. After reading it, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura understood why neither Mito Uzumaki nor the Third Hokage had stopped Kushina from associating with Jingyi.
He was practically one of their own!
No, at most he counted as half. With the Caged Bird Seal in place, Jingyi could only be treated as half a person.
Setting down the file in her hand, Utatane Koharu remarked, "Lady Mito is still the most capable. She has a firm grasp on little girls' admiration for strength and their sympathy."
How could they make Kushina fully integrate into Konoha?
It was simple. Let her make sincere friends, let her feel the warmth of family and friendship, then gradually let her see herself as part of Konoha.
Imprisonment and surveillance were the most low-level and incompetent decisions.
"Child, what is wrong?"
Noticing that Kushina had been distracted all morning and had repeatedly looked toward the door around noon, Mito Uzumaki sat beside her and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Grandma Mito, I am fine."
Kushina smiled awkwardly. "When I was at Jingyi's house yesterday, Sister Tsunade said she would buy groceries for Jingyi every day. But Sister Tsunade was lectured by Grandma Mito last night. She did not even go to work today and is still sleeping."
"Is Kushina worried that Jingyi will have nothing to eat?"
Mito Uzumaki's eyes were full of amusement as she teased Kushina.
"No, no." Kushina hurriedly shook her head.
"Grandma Mito, I just think that if Sister Tsunade does not go, Jingyi might be disappointed. They made an agreement yesterday, after all."
It seemed Kushina cared deeply about the new friend she had just met.
Mito Uzumaki deliberately put on a stern expression. "You should not count on Sister Tsunade. That child is sulking with me. She did not even get up for lunch."
"Ah, then what will Jingyi do?"
Tsunade was sulking and unwilling to go out, so the promise she had made to buy groceries for Jingyi could only fall through.
And Jingyi could not even see things with his eyes, so he certainly could not go out.
"Tsunade cannot go, but Kushina can. Can you help Sister Tsunade keep this promise?" Mito Uzumaki smiled as she encouraged Kushina.
Since Sister Tsunade did not want to go out, the promise could only be handed over to her.
"I can't."
Kushina instinctively shook her head. She was not familiar with Konoha yet and could not even tell where she was going, much less go to the market to buy groceries and deliver them to Jingyi.
"Sigh, it seems Tsunade will have to break her promise to someone after all."
Mito Uzumaki sighed, her tone full of regret.
Hearing that, Kushina's adorable little face scrunched up in conflict.
She did not want Tsunade to break her promise, nor did she want Jingyi to be disappointed, but she truly did not know the way. Besides, she had never gone to the market to buy anything, neither before nor after coming here.
What should she do?
Kushina was deeply conflicted.
After seriously considering it for several minutes, Kushina encouraged herself in her heart. Kushina, believe in yourself. You can do it.
After encouraging herself, Kushina raised her head, looked at Mito Uzumaki's face, and said seriously,
"Grandma Mito, how about I help Sister Tsunade buy the things and deliver them to Jingyi? But you will need to send someone to guide me, because I have never been to the market and do not know the prices."
The little girl had finally taken the bait.
Mito Uzumaki smiled and nodded. "I will have Muyong accompany you. When you return, he will bring you back as well."
She raised a hand and rubbed Kushina's head full of red hair.
"Child, remember the route carefully. Then you will be able to visit your own friends in the future, won't you?"
Remember the route, then go see her own friends?
Kushina froze for a few seconds before asking in delighted surprise, "Grandma Mito, can I? Can I really move around freely? Even go see friends?"
"Of course you can. Grandma Mito promises you that you can. Konoha is your home. You can go wherever you want."
"Waaah, Grandma Mito."
Mito Uzumaki's face was full of a kindly smile as she tightly embraced Kushina. Kushina lay in Mito Uzumaki's arms and cried with emotion.
After making some preparations, Kushina left the house.
After she had gone, Tsunade entered the room with a complicated expression.
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