Yumi's Choice

New Year in Konoha finally arrived, and the entire village was enveloped in an atmosphere of joy. After all, this year was yet another peaceful one without war.

Karin had a rare holiday and began running around playing wildly with her little friends.

However, Aoba actually knew that although Karin said she was going out to play, many times she ran over to Naruto's place to deliver some delicious food to him.

Perhaps having experienced a life of displacement with her mother, Karin paid a great deal of attention to this fellow clansman of the Uzumaki in Konoha. She often found various excuses to take away some delicious treats and deliver them to him.

In fact, even if she spoke up directly, Aoba and Yumi would not possibly refuse. It was just that the little girl probably treated this matter as an interesting ninja game and frequently stole food right under Aoba's nose to give to Naruto. Aoba always pretended not to see, and once Yumi knew that there was such a fellow clansman around, she also frequently turned a blind eye.

"Speaking of which, I actually knew Kushina back then. But she was the little princess of the Uzumaki, and I was just a commoner. We didn't have much interaction. In my impression, she was a very cheerful and kind girl."

"That's right. In the mouths of everyone in Konoha, Kushina was a very good person. It's just a pity that good people in this world never seem to get a good reward."

"Kushina, she... how did she die?"

Yumi suddenly asked this question, which made Aoba look at her with some surprise.

"I am not a ninja. But if possible, I am also willing to do something for our Uzumaki. I've asked around, and that child named Naruto doesn't live very well in the village.

"But I don't understand, isn't he the child of Kushina and the previous Hokage? Why..."

"This is a very complicated question, which basically represents the darkest and dirtiest side of Konoha—the kind that cannot be washed clean no matter what reason is used."

"Is that so?" Yumi was silent for a while, and then suddenly said.

"What you said about that First Hokage Cells fusion experiment, what would happen if it succeeded?"

"It would make me very powerful. A formidable life force, massive chakra, and it might even awaken the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai of the First Hokage."

"In other words, if it succeeds, it will make you very strong?"

"That's right."

"Then can I do it too?"

Aoba finally understood what Yumi meant.

"Do you want to become a ninja?"

"Yes, although I am a bit old in age, if possible, I hope to become a ninja."

"Why?"

Aoba hesitated slightly because, prior to this, Yumi had not shown any such inclination. She seemed very satisfied with her current life and appeared to feel that as long as she watched Karin grow up healthily, that was enough. But now...

"I've just seen a lot and thought a lot during these days in Konoha. This world is not safe, even Konoha is like this. You are already so powerful, but you still practice desperately every day and conduct such dangerous experiments.

"Although you haven't said anything, I can sense that you are worried about something. In the future, will we face some kind of danger?"

Yumi's sharp insight made Aoba stunned for a moment. He thought for a bit and did not conceal the truth.

"Yes, in the future, we will experience some kind of huge danger. With my current strength, it is far from enough for self-preservation, let alone protecting you."

"Is that so? Is that why you train Karin so strictly?"

"That's right. Karin has extremely huge potential, and I need her to develop it as quickly as possible. Only then will we have a shred of a chance of winning in the future."

Truth be told, even though Aoba was a transmigrator, in this world, without a bloodline or any cheats, he would still feel anxious about future events.

Those enemies hidden in the dark—Obito Uchiha, Nagato, Madara Uchiha, and even Black Zetsu, Kaguya Otsutsuki, along with those fellows on the moon.

Every single one of these enemies was maxed out on cheats. Obito possessed the strongest Mangekyō in the entire story. Nagato's heart wasn't bad, but he was an idealist, which, in a sense, was more dangerous than being evil.

As for Madara Uchiha, the most charismatic villain in Naruto, the sense of oppression he brought to Aoba was simply too powerful. Right now, Aoba could exchange blows with the Raikage, which in everyone's minds made him an extraordinary expert.

However, he knew very well that the late-stage Madara Uchiha beat the allied Five Kage directly until they shat themselves all by himself. That kind of oppressive feeling, with completely unsolvable combat power in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu alike, made everyone facing him despair.

The most crucial part was that at that time, he hadn't even taken back his Rinnegan. Once he took it back and attained the Six Paths Body, Aoba didn't even want to imagine that picture.

As for Kaguya Otsutsuki who came after, Aoba didn't even consider that clan's problem for the time being.

Thinking about the future of this world, he could only say that his current self was still a bit far off—far, far too far off.

"Let me help you? Teach me to become a ninja," Yumi said firmly.

"It's not that we can't. But not right now. Your body is overdrawn far too severely. And extracting chakra would overdraw your body all over again. In that case, you wouldn't wait for anything; you would just die."

"Then let me start undergoing that experiment. Didn't you say that with our Uzumaki constitution, the success rate would be higher?"

"That's right. According to my research, the Uzumaki and the Senju should be close relatives. The possibility of your cells fusing is indeed very high. But you've also seen that the experiment is not yet successful.

"How about this, you start learning the theory first. Besides combat, there is actually another kind of ninja—medical ninjas. And wanting to become a medical ninja requires a massive amount of theoretical knowledge. After all, not all injuries and illnesses can be treated using chakra."

"A medical ninja? I understand. Give me the materials, and I'll start immediately."

Yumi was very earnest, so naturally, Aoba would not refuse. However, after thinking for a moment, he still spoke up.

"Yumi, it's fine for you to study these things, but I want you to promise me one thing. Never use your special constitution to save people. Truly, not even once. Human hearts..."

"I know, human hearts are terrifying. Once I open that floodgate, there will be no turning back. I understand what you mean, Aoba. But I refuse."

"You..."

"Listen to me, I won't let a single person bite my body. But you are the exception. Aoba, both Karin and I can become your assistants. Even if I can't become a ninja, I still hope to be able to help you. Please don't refuse; this is one of the few things I can do for you."

"...Mom, Mom..." Karin's voice interrupted the two of them.

"Hey, what are you two doing?"

"..."