As night fell, Uchiha Tekka finished arranging Hyuga Mirai's security detail, played a round of shogi with him, and then took his leave.
Before departing, Tekka once again checked the guards stationed around. Because of Shisui's situation during the day, he worried that the stubborn young Uchiha might try to sneak in at night, so he took the security arrangements very seriously.
Keikou Sanmoku was one of the few outsiders Tekka approved of, and he was also an honored guest invited by the clan leader. If anything were to happen to him within the Uchiha district, it would be an utter disgrace.
After Tekka left, Hyuga Mirai slowly rubbed his temples.
Ayaka Uzumaki curiously asked, "Lord Mirai, were you in pain just now?"
"Not really, just irritated from wasting time playing shogi with someone who's terrible at it. It's a good way to train your patience and suppress anger. Next time, this task is yours, Ayaka. Consider it a test."
"Lord Mirai, you're lying again…"
Mirai activated his Byakugan to scan the surroundings. There were four guards—clearly a high level of security. But given the potential trouble it would cause the Uchiha if their visit was exposed, it made sense for them to be this cautious.
After all, several ANBU operatives were lurking outside the Uchiha district.
No matter how diligent the guards were, it was impossible for them to stay on full alert all night without blinking. As long as there was a single opening, Mirai could leave unnoticed.
Especially with his Byakugan, every movement of the Uchiha guards was in plain sight.
"Let's go, Ayaka."
Mirai had Unit 18 modify the nanite particles covering him and Ayaka to take on the appearance of Keikou Sanmoku and his escort, leaving their replicas behind to fool the Uchiha. Then, they seized the opportunity to slip away.
The entire operation went unnoticed by the Uchiha guards outside.
Tekka had arranged for Mirai to stay in a secluded part of the district, but the upside was that it allowed them to exit toward Konoha without alerting anyone.
Once they left the Uchiha district, Mirai allowed himself to move more freely.
With one Byakugan and one Kagura Mind's Eye, the two of them together could easily avoid Konoha's surveillance if Mirai wished.
"Konoha is the same as ever—no changes at all," Mirai remarked as he scanned the village with his Byakugan. "Even after being destroyed by the Nine-Tails, they rebuilt it exactly as it was before."
He didn't even need the Byakugan to know the locations of the ANBU sentries—he had already memorized them.
"Lord Mirai, I can sense Kushina's chakra. Should we head over now?"
Ayaka Uzumaki informed Mirai. She had recorded Kushina's chakra signature long ago and had now pinpointed her location. But something about it felt off—it flickered like a candle in the wind, as if it could be snuffed out at any moment.
"Yes, let's check on her."
After learning Kushina Uzumaki's whereabouts, Mirai maneuvered around Konoha's ANBU patrols. However, he intentionally left traces behind to mislead them, ensuring their investigation would ultimately lead them to the Uchiha.
Kushina's condition was far from good. Although Shikotsu Forest's Sage Arts had given her a lifeline, she had been unable to master Sage Mode due to the interference of Mirai's own Sage Chakra.
Earlier that day, Uchiha Mikoto had visited Kushina and immediately noticed something was wrong.
To hide her condition from Naruto, Kushina had even resorted to wearing makeup—otherwise, her pale complexion and brittle hair would have been too obvious.
Naruto was no longer an ignorant child. After being ostracized by his peers, he had started training with his mother. He wasn't lonely—he just didn't understand why the villagers shunned him. Whether adults or children, they all looked at him with fear.
In all of Konoha, only his mother and Aunt Kimura showed him any kindness. Even the masked ninja who watched over him treated him with cold indifference.
Now, Kushina had to be careful to keep her training a secret from Naruto. She could feel that mastering the Shikotsu Forest's Sage Arts was becoming increasingly difficult, and every attempt took a heavy toll on her body.
If she hadn't learned medical ninjutsu from Tsunade and Kimura, she would have been frequenting the hospital.
"Ugh—cough!"
Another failed attempt at Sage Mode left Kushina coughing up blood. She kept the sound as quiet as possible, fearing Naruto would hear.
"Kushina-sama, you must stop. Every training session is injuring you further. Your body can no longer withstand the Sage Chakra of Shikotsu Forest. Please, stop."
A slug detached from Kushina and spoke softly to her.
"I can't stop, Katsuyu." Kushina took a deep breath and used medical ninjutsu to heal herself before continuing, "This is my last chance. If I fail again, then Naruto…"
The thought of what would happen next replaced the exhaustion in her eyes with determination. No matter what, she had to master Sage Mode.
Katsuyu wanted to continue persuading her, but before it could speak, another voice echoed inside the house.
"This time, you should listen to Katsuyu."
Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Kushina immediately prepared to attack—until she saw who had entered. She froze in shock.
"Ayaka… Hyuga Mirai."
She lived in one of Konoha's most heavily guarded areas. How had someone infiltrated her home again?
The last time these two had come, they had taken half of the Nine-Tails with them. What were they here for now?
Worry for Naruto surged within her, but her expression was too easy to read. Even without Mirai's keen perception, Ayaka could tell exactly what Kushina was thinking.
"Oh, give it a rest, Princess Kushina. Do you really think we'd harm a child? He is an Uzumaki, after all."
Ayaka scoffed, unimpressed by Kushina's suspicions. She then casually grabbed a small table and cushions, setting them up as if she were at home. She and Mirai sat down comfortably.
"You can relax, Lady Kushina," Mirai added with a smile. "And could you ask that slug not to spit at me? If we meant you harm, you'd already be dead."
His words were calm, his demeanor polite, but Kushina knew better than to take them at face value.
A smiling face could be the deadliest of all.
"What do you want? And don't make tea—you'll wake Naruto."
Seeing Ayaka preparing to heat water, Kushina quickly stopped her. Internally, she was wondering if these two had terrible timing—or if they had come with an ulterior motive.
"We were bored, so we decided to visit Konoha," Mirai said nonchalantly. "But you should be glad I came."
His Byakugan allowed him to see clearly despite the dim lighting. After assessing Kushina's condition, he shook his head.
"Who told you to train in the Shikotsu Forest's Sage Arts, Lady Kushina?"
(End of Chapter)