Mito Uzumaki's Warning to Konoha's F4

Don't be fooled by the fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi had been appointed Hokage by Tobirama Senju.

Without Mito Uzumaki's support behind him, he would never have been able to hold onto the position of Third Hokage.

Leaning back in her recliner, Mito Uzumaki slowly opened her eyes. "Monkey, you're here."

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 shares the same status I once had. She should have the right to control her own life. That will better help her integrate into Konoha's 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 constantly interfere in Kushina's life. That would not help Kushina integrate into Konoha.

"It's 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 still existed, and Hashirama Senju had treated her very well.

Even after becoming a Jinchūriki, no one had dared disrespect her.

The treatment and status Mito Uzumaki had enjoyed were things Kushina clearly could not obtain. At most, Konoha would provide Kushina with some financial support.

After all, Konoha had swallowed the Uzumaki Clan's immense 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 arrangements there. Konoha took too much from the Uzumaki Clan, so give this child Kushina some compensation. I hope the Hokage's 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, 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 had been somewhat reluctant, with Mito Uzumaki involved, they could only grit their teeth and accept it.

The next day, Konoha F4 sat 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 silence. Only Shimura Danzō, the Hokage's advisor, reacted strongly.

"No. I do not agree with this decision. We can agree to compensate Kushina, but her safety must be fully monitored. Too many people must not be allowed to come into contact with a Jinchūriki either."

At this time, Shimura Danzō was merely the public-facing Hokage's advisor. The future-famous Root had yet to develop.

Root's great expansion would come after the Second Shinobi World War.

At present, Shimura Danzō was simply a Hokage's advisor with status but little real power.

"This is Lady Mito's order."

The Third Hokage did not argue with Shimura Danzō. He simply brought up Mito Uzumaki.

If you had the ability, Danzo, go speak to the old ancestor yourself. As long as you could convince Mito Uzumaki, I would have no objection to locking Kushina up.

"I..." Shimura Danzō angrily raised a hand, wanting to say something, but all the dissatisfaction in his stomach could only remain stuck in his throat.

This was Lady Mito's order. Why bother?

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu could not help shaking their heads.

Danzo's desire for control was too strong.

If anyone else had made such a decision, even the Third Hokage, Shimura Danzō would have dared to retort to his face.

But the one who had made this decision was Mito Uzumaki. No matter how dissatisfied he was, Shimura Danzō did not dare disrespect her.

At most, he could curse a few times in his heart.

Seeing Shimura Danzō's arrogant momentum extinguished, the Third Hokage finally spoke.

"Danzo, Lady Mito is already dissatisfied because of the Uzumaki Clan incident. Lady Mito likes Kushina very much. She is helping Kushina, but she is also warning us not to go too far."

"Hmph. Just don't regret it later."

The Uzumaki Clan matter had been handled by Shimura Danzō. The result spoke for itself: Mito Uzumaki had been disappointed, deeply disappointed.

The fact that Mito Uzumaki had not stepped forward to condemn or punish him was already giving Konoha's little group more than enough face.

Faced with the conditions Mito Uzumaki had proposed, Konoha's little group could only accept them no matter how dissatisfied they were.

Shimura Danzō stormed away.

Utatane Koharu shook her head and asked, "Hiruzen, I heard Tsunade brought out a student with quite impressive talent. Is that true?"

"Yes. This child is called Jingyi Hyuga. Take a look at his file yourselves. Lady Mito agreed to let Kushina interact with him and raised no objections."

Whenever there was uncertainty, pushing it onto Mito Uzumaki was enough.

Jingyi's file was quickly 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 seeing Jingyi.

He was completely one of their own!

No, at most half of one. Because of the Caged Bird Seal, Jingyi could only be considered half a person.

Setting down the file in her hand, Utatane Koharu sighed. "Lady Mito truly is formidable. She has grasped a little girl's admiration for strength and sympathy perfectly."

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, and then gradually see herself as part of Konoha.

Imprisonment and surveillance were the most inferior and incompetent choices.

"Child, what's wrong?"

Noticing that Kushina had been absent-minded 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'm fine."

Kushina smiled awkwardly. "When we were at Jingyi-kun's house yesterday, Sister Tsunade said she would help Jingyi-kun buy groceries every day. But Sister Tsunade was scolded by Grandma Mito last night, and she didn't even go to work today. She's still sleeping now."

"Is Kushina worried that Jingyi won't have anything 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 doesn't go, Jingyi-kun will probably be disappointed. After all, they agreed on it yesterday."

It seemed Kushina cared deeply about the new friend she had just met.

Mito Uzumaki deliberately put on a stern face. "You shouldn't count on Sister Tsunade. That child is sulking with me. She did not even get up to eat lunch."

"Ah, then what will Jingyi-kun do?"

Tsunade was sulking and unwilling to go out, so her promise to help Jingyi buy groceries could only fall through.

And Jingyi could not even see things with his eyes, so he definitely could not go out.

"Tsunade cannot go, but Kushina can. Can you help Sister Tsunade fulfill this promise?" Mito Uzumaki smiled as she encouraged Kushina.

Since your sister Tsunade did not want to go out, the promise could only be handed over to you.

"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 still have to break her promise to someone."

Mito Uzumaki sighed, her tone filled with regret.

At those words, Kushina's adorable little face became completely tangled with 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 bought anything at a market, neither before nor now.

As the little princess of the Uzumaki Clan, she had never needed to buy groceries. After coming to Konoha, she had rarely even stepped outside the gates of the Senju ancestral residence.

What should she do?

Kushina was deeply conflicted.

After seriously thinking 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, and spoke seriously.

"Grandma Mito, how about I help Sister Tsunade buy the groceries and deliver them to Jingyi-kun? But you need to send someone to lead the way, because I've never been to the market and don't know the prices."

The little girl had finally taken the bait.

Mito Uzumaki smiled and nodded. "I will have Mukyū accompany you. When you return, he will bring you back as well."

She raised a hand and rubbed Kushina's red hair.

"Child, remember the route carefully. Then you can visit your own friend in the future, can't you?"

Remember the route, then go find her own friend?

Kushina froze for several seconds before asking in delighted surprise, "Grandma Mito, can I? Can I really move around freely? Even go see my 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, who lay in Mito Uzumaki's arms and cried with gratitude.

After making some preparations, Kushina went out.

After she left, Tsunade entered the room with a complicated expression.