[Konoha, Obito's Reborn World, Hokage's Office]
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was listening to a report from a member of the Anbu.
"Lord Hokage, after the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki entered the Senju estate, she hasn't shown herself for a whole day. We feel something's not right, so we requested the Sensing Division to investigate together."
"The Sensing Division activated the sensory barrier, but within the range of Konoha, they did not sense any chakra fluctuations related to the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. We have reason to suspect that she… is currently not in Konoha Village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked, and immediately stood up. The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki disappearing. This was a matter of utmost importance. He was just about to mobilize people to investigate the traces.
But at once, he thought of a possibility. The body that had just stood up slowly sat back down again.
"This matter hasn't been told to Minato, right? Also, have you had similar suspicions before?"
The Anbu said, "Because confidentiality is needed, Jonin Minato is temporarily unaware."
"As for similar matters… there was indeed once before. The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki's chakra fluctuations suddenly disappeared from her home for a period of time. We felt something was wrong, but when we knocked on the door, her chakra reappeared again."
Sarutobi Hiruzen restrained all expression, "You think, there were only these two times?"
The Anbu shook his head, "Lord Hokage, we cannot determine that either."
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a sigh, "Then what do you think is the cause?"
The Anbu already had the answer in his heart, but didn't quite dare say it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, "Go ahead, it's fine."
The Anbu said, "To make a person vanish from their spot without any trace of movement, it would require advanced space–time ninjutsu."
"In the entire Konoha Village… perhaps only Jonin Minato and Jonin Obito can accomplish such a thing."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was not surprised at this. He stood up again, walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back, and once more gazed at the Hokage Rock of Konoha.
Then he muttered, "Minato, just how many things are you still hiding from me?"
After speaking, he slightly turned his head and said to that Anbu, "Forget it, pretend to be unaware. Minato is recently preparing for the matter of succession, he doesn't have that much free time. If I've guessed right, together with Kushina's chakra, Obito's chakra also disappeared."
That Anbu nodded, "Lord Hokage, that is indeed the case. But, even so, do you still feel at ease handing the Hokage's position to Jonin Minato?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "And if I don't hand it over, then what? Should I stir up civil strife in Konoha?"
"The Yellow Flash, the Black Fang, and also Tsunade, plus the perfect Jinchuriki who inherited Tsunade's strength, and the major clan members who could possibly stand behind Minato. Especially since Kushina is also good friends with Uchiha Mikoto…"
"Forget it, I'm old now, it's time I rested too."
The Anbu was silent for a moment, then said, "Lord Hokage, no matter what, I will forever be loyal to you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, "After Danzo's death, I had originally intended for you to succeed as commander of the Anbu, but now it seems, you won't have that chance."
"Either retire with me, or, from now on, you must be loyal to the Fourth Hokage. Whatever he wants to do, you must cooperate wholeheartedly."
The Anbu was stunned, "But Lord Hokage, Jonin Minato hasn't even succeeded yet, and already he has suspicions of endangering Konoha. Once he succeeds, I fear…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, "No one would endanger what belongs to themselves. Sometimes, only when standing in that position can one understand what Hokage truly means."
After pausing, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "You may step down. Oh, right. If Kushina and Obito return from their 'outing,' notify Obito and tell him to come see me."
'Outing and coming back?'
The Anbu was speechless for a moment, but still cupped his fists respectfully and withdrew.
———
[Senju Estate, Living Room, The Next Day]
Tsunade was reading a medical text. Suddenly, the space around her twisted and warped, and the figures of Kushina and Obito slowly appeared.
Tsunade showed a trace of anger, "You two have already been gone a whole day and night. How am I supposed to cover for that? Kushina, the Anbu responsible for monitoring you already came to ask twice. Both times I fobbed them off with excuses. Do you think they'll really believe my nonsense?"
Kushina said with embarrassment, "Tsunade-nee, sorry, I'll definitely be careful next time."
Tsunade gave a cold snort, "Enough. The Nine-Tails problem, is it solved?"
Kushina nodded, and immediately patted her stomach, "Kurama, come out and get some sun."
All of a sudden, a super-cute little Nine-Tails floated up from Kushina's shoulder. It stretched with a lazy yawn and grumbled, "Woman, what are you yelling for?"
Tsunade looked at this adorable little Nine-Tails, and for a moment couldn't react, "This… is the Nine-Tails? The one said to be so evil that even Grandpa Hashirama thought it was extremely dangerous?"
"Hahaha! Such a cute little guy?"
Kurama, however, looked at Tsunade with displeasure, "You're the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama? Hmph! You didn't learn much of Hashirama's essence, and even turned his self-healing ability into something you have to form hand seals to activate. Ridiculous."
Tsunade's fists immediately clenched tight, "What did you say? Say it again if you dare!"
Kurama said smugly, "I just said it, what can you do about it?"
Tsunade's monstrous strength fist almost went flying out, but Obito quickly said, "Tsunade-sama, this is the Senju estate. Do you really want to demolish the house?"
Only then did Tsunade have no choice but to stop.
She looked unhappily at Obito, "Annoying little brat, you'd better worry about yourself first. Kushina vanished for so long, Teacher Sarutobi is definitely going to question you and Minato."
Obito spread his hands casually, "Let him ask, so what. He's about to retire anyway, the big picture is already set. What, is he really going to get rid of me, Danzo's excellent successor?"
"What? What excellent successor of Danzo?", Tsunade was momentarily stunned.
Obito's eyes flickered, "Of course. In the future, I'll be the leader of Root!"
After a pause, Obito teased, "Lady Tsunade, I hope from now on, when you gamble, you think twice. If those debt collectors come knocking, I'll arrest you under the charges of harming Konoha's finances and damaging the village's reputation."
Tsunade instantly grew furious, punching at Obito again and again.
"Harming Konoha's finances, is it?"
"Damaging the village's reputation, is it?"
"Everything you do is for Konoha, is it?"
"Brat, I'm telling you, I've endured Danzo long enough. If you become him, I'll rip Konoha's roots out completely!"
Since Tsunade didn't use her monstrous strength, Obito easily dodged. On the side, if not for carrying Naruto in her belly, Kushina would probably have joined in too, turning it into a two-on-one battle.
Like this, after a noisy commotion for a while, suddenly a servant rushed in in a panic.
"Tsunade-sama, it's not good, those Anbu are here again!"
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