Under the same night sky, Konohagakure was not shrouded in torrential rain. Instead, the village remained brightly lit.
The streets were still bustling with people coming and going. Children played and laughed, young girls giggled with hands covering their mouths, and couples walked hand in hand—a lively and cheerful scene.
The Uchiha Clan's compound, however, appeared tranquil under the veil of night. Fortunately, the bright lights shining from the houses added a sense of life to the area; otherwise, it might have seemed rather eerie.
"Clan Head Fugaku, please rest assured."
"As for the rumors about an Akatsuki member possessing a Three Tomoe Sharingan, I do not believe that a traitor has emerged from your clan."
Minato Namikaze sat upright across from Fugaku Uchiha.
Fugaku's expression was solemn. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage."
He then retrieved a stack of documents from a drawer, placing them on the floor in front of him and sliding them toward Minato.
"Here is a record of all the clan members who have awakened the Sharingan. Every individual is accounted for."
"Our clan stands upright and has nothing to hide. Even if someone in the Akatsuki indeed possesses the Sharingan, it could not possibly be someone from our clan."
"Moreover, according to the rumors, that person is said to wear a mask, revealing only one Sharingan eye."
"During the previous war, many of our clan members died on the battlefield, and some of their bodies were never recovered. So..."
Fugaku's implication was clear.
Minato accepted the documents without hesitation and began flipping through them page by page. When he came across the page detailing Obito Uchiha, a wave of emotion stirred within him.
This was the student who once declared his dream of becoming Hokage, yet in the end...
After a long pause, Minato pushed the documents back toward Fugaku, smiling as he spoke.
"Clan Head Fugaku, please rest assured. I will not doubt your clan's loyalty to Konohagakure. The village's security matters will continue to rely on your efforts."
"Shisui's talents are outstanding. Tomorrow, I will officially appoint him as an Anbu captain."
Fugaku leaned forward slightly, expressing his gratitude.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
"No matter what happens, the Uchiha Clan will always remain part of Konohagakure!"
Meanwhile, in another room within the compound, at the edge of a veranda...
Kushina Uzumaki sat beside a black-haired woman with straight, silky hair and black eyes. They were whispering to each other.
The black-haired woman exuded a gentle and graceful demeanor. Her eyes were filled with a doting warmth as she watched two toddlers playing in the courtyard.
A blond toddler, who seemed to have just learned to walk, wobbled unsteadily as he tried his best to keep up with the black-haired toddler ahead of him.
"Sasuke and Naruto seem to get along so well!"
"It's as if they've been close brothers since birth, showing no signs of shyness around each other," Kushina remarked with a sigh. Being able to stay by her husband's side and watch her child grow day by day was the greatest happiness for her.
"Oh, by the way!"
"Mikoto..."
"Have you ever considered getting that kind of surgery?"
Kushina suddenly lowered her voice, leaning closer to the black-haired woman with a mysterious expression.
"Hmm? What surgery?"
The black-haired woman, Mikoto, asked in confusion.
"Uh..."
"You know... the kind of surgery that makes it so you don't have to worry about getting pregnant..."
Kushina hesitated for a moment before finally blurting it out.
"Huh?!"
Mikoto's pupils widened slightly in disbelief.
"Why would you need that kind of surgery?"
"Don't tell me you and Minato only plan to have one child?"
Faced with Mikoto's questioning, Kushina's mood seemed to dip slightly.
"Of course not. I really want to have a daughter!"
"But..."
"On the night I gave birth to Naruto, the Third Hokage and Jiraiya discovered traces of a battle outside the village involving suspicious individuals."
"Not only were they incredibly powerful, but they also knew my exact due date..."
"That's terrifying, Mikoto. Do you understand?"
"I have the Nine-Tails sealed within me... During childbirth, the seal inevitably weakens. We were fortunate during Naruto's birth, but next time, we might not be so lucky..."
"I can't let the Nine-Tails within me harm my family or the villagers..."
"I had nightmares for a long time afterward. In my dreams, the Nine-Tails broke free from my body and wreaked havoc, destroying everything in Konohagakure..."
"In the end, Minato sacrificed his life to reseal it..."
"And Naruto... he became an orphan, unloved by parents, always dirty, and hiding in the shadows, crying silently after being bullied..."
As Kushina spoke, fear and panic appeared on her face.
Mikoto gently clasped Kushina's hands, warming her cold palms.
"You've been through so much, Kushina..."
"But it was just a dream!"
"One day, the war will end, and when that day comes, you won't have to worry anymore!"
Mikoto's gentle voice carried a warm glow in her eyes, comforting her friend.
After a moment of silence, Kushina's expression brightened.
"You're right!"
"Things are already so wonderful now! Watching Naruto grow from a newborn to taking his first steps..."
"I believe Minato can handle it! And Naruto, when he grows up, he'll surpass his father and become someone truly remarkable!"
"Besides, that surgery is reversible! So I'll still have the chance to have a daughter in the future!"
"After all, intimacy is an important bond for strengthening a couple's relationship, Mikoto!"
Having regained her composure, Kushina grabbed Mikoto's hands confidently, speaking in her usual straightforward tone.
"How can you say such things in front of the children!"
Mikoto scolded lightly, scanning the surroundings nervously. Upon confirming no one was nearby, she glanced toward the two toddlers in the courtyard. They appeared completely unaware of the conversation, crouching in a corner and observing something intently.
It was clear that the grace and decorum of a noblewoman had been deeply ingrained in Mikoto's demeanor.
Early the next morning.
Minato had just sat down at his desk, preparing to review the day's documents.
Danzo, along with two other elders, stormed into his office, their expressions clearly hostile.
However, Minato seemed to have anticipated their arrival. Calmly, he spoke, "What brings you here, elders?"
"Fourth Hokage!"
Danzo scrutinized Minato with his single eye, his tone cold and severe.
"You unilaterally signed an alliance treaty with the Land of Water and secretly met with the Uchiha Clan Head last night!"
"Are you unaware that the Akatsuki Organization, which has been the talk of the village lately, includes members from the Uchiha Clan?!"
"The Second Hokage warned us long ago to be wary of the Uchiha. Their power harbors evil!"
"Yet you continue to favor the Uchiha, expanding their authority within the Konoha Military Police Force!"
"You've even recklessly appointed several Uchiha members to the Anbu!"
"Your actions leave the Elder Council in an untenable position!"
Danzo listed his accusations one after another, his tone sharp, as if interrogating Minato.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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