Just as Ryoma was returning, Uchiha Mikoto and Haruno Akira had already led everyone else back toward Konoha.
However, Danzō's squad returned to the village a little earlier than them.
Led by Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, Danzō approached the main gates of Konoha.
Looking up at the night sky above the village, he took a deep breath.
"I'm back."
Turning to the young Mito Ryosuke and Shinto of the Sleeping Clan, he ordered:
"Go and summon Lady Uzumaki Mito immediately. The seal on the Two-Tails is unstable—it could break at any moment."
Sarutobi Biwako quickly interjected:
"If that's the case, we can't enter the village. Let's move to the training grounds instead!"
Danzō gave her a sidelong glance, then nodded.
"You're right, Lady Biwako is as thoughtful as always. Hurry and call Uzumaki Mito at once."
Behind them, a blonde kunoichi with heavy iron chains bound around her wrists trembled in silence. The hitai-ate on her forehead made it clear—she was a shinobi from Kumogakure.
At that moment, Uchiha Mikoto and Haruno Akira arrived with their group, hurrying back through the gates.
From a distance, Mikoto caught sight of the gathering of lights and shinobi at the entrance. Her heart clenched, and she quickened her pace, calling out:
"Emergency! I need to see Lord Hokage!"
Hearing her cry, Danzō stopped and turned.
Sarutobi Biwako stepped forward to greet her.
"Mikoto? What's wrong?"
"Lady Biwako!" Mikoto's voice trembled.
"Ryoma was ambushed by the Third Mizukage—and there were countless strange white creatures with him. Please, send reinforcements immediately!"
Biwako's expression shifted at once. "Which jōnin are still in the village right now?"
Danzō's eyes narrowed. "What's the matter?"
Seeing Danzō, Mikoto froze, her face paling. But Haruno Akira stepped forward from behind and explained the situation in full detail.
Mitokado Homura spoke up:
"Just now, Minato Namikaze has already departed."
Mikoto's eyes lit up.
"Minato? Then why didn't I see him?"
Homura only smiled faintly. "That, I cannot say."
"Lady Biwako, please," Mikoto pressed, "send more shinobi. I don't know why, but there's a huge number of those strange white monsters near Kirigakure's forces."
Koharu Utatane's voice cut in coldly:
"No. We cannot spare more manpower. Our current mission takes priority."
Obito, unable to hold back, shouted:
"What mission could be more important than saving Teacher Ryoma?!"
Danzō's sharp gaze fell on him. To his surprise, this young Uchiha brat had already awakened the Sharingan. The Second Hokage had been right—the Uchiha were a dangerous clan. And now, this boy was standing with Ryoma? Suspicious.
"Foolish child," Danzō said, voice like a blade.
"Konoha itself is what matters most. Anyone, at any time, may sacrifice their life for the sake of this village. There is no one—no one—more important than Konoha."
His voice grew harsher, eyes narrowing.
"Your way of thinking is dangerous. Is this what the Uchiha Clan teaches you? Or… is it Ryoma who has been filling your head with such ideas?"
Obito faltered, stunned by the weight of Danzō's words, and stumbled back a step.
Uchiha Mikoto immediately stepped forward, shielding Obito. Her voice was steady, though her face was pale.
"Danzō-sama, he is just a child. Do you truly believe it goes against Konoha's interests to save a shinobi like Ryoma?"
Danzō's eyes thinned. Before he could speak, Shinto of the Sleeping Clan stepped out beside him, glaring coldly.
"Are you questioning the judgment of Konoha's Administration Department?"
"The Hokage is away, and stabilizing the village is our top priority now. Rescuing Ryoma cannot take precedence. Besides, Namikaze Minato has already been dispatched. What more do you expect?"
"Do you intend to disobey the orders of the Administration Department?"
Mikoto's courage faltered. Her lips trembled, and she bowed her head.
"Mikoto does not dare… but—"
Ryosuke Mito cut her off sharply.
"No buts. A shinobi of Konoha must always uphold the Will of Fire!"
"We protect Konoha above all else. Personal attachments mean nothing before the village. Chūnin Mikoto, your thoughts are dangerous."
Shinto gave a dismissive snort, then turned to his subordinate.
"Summon Uzumaki Mito immediately. We need her strength to stabilize the Two-Tails' seal."
"Anyone who obstructs this… and allows the Two-Tails to break free and destroy Konoha… will be branded a traitor to the village!"
...
Uzumaki Compound
Inside the courtyard, Kushina beamed at the elderly Uzumaki Mito.
"Grandma Mito, I did it, didn't I?"
Uzumaki Mito's eyes softened with affection. She nodded warmly
"Yes… you've already grasped most of the Uzumaki sealing techniques. Seven, maybe eight parts out of ten. You've done well, Kushina."
Uzumaki Mito gently placed her hand on Kushina's head.
"Are you perhaps missing someone?"
Kushina's cheeks flushed red.
"N-No! Of course not!"
But in truth, her thoughts had been filled with Ryoma.
It had already been three days since he left, and there was still no sign of his return.
"You don't need to worry," Mito said softly. "Ryoma is strong. He'll be just fine."
Kushina nodded, though her heart remained unsettled.
By her reckoning, he should have returned today. This was his very first mission outside the village, and it was already classified as B-rank. How could she not be anxious?
A faint unease flickered across Mito's wise eyes, though she quickly concealed it.
"He's probably already on his way back. Perhaps he'll arrive later tonight," she said reassuringly.
Just then, a firm knock sounded at the door.
"There is an order from the Administration Department. Uzumaki Mito-sama, please come with us!"
Mito's brows furrowed.
"The Administration Department?"
"Yes," came the reply. "There's an emergency, and we require your assistance immediately!"
"What exactly requires my help?" Mito asked, her tone steady but sharp.
"The Two-Tails' jinchūriki, captured under Danzō-sama's orders, is showing signs of instability. We urgently need your sealing expertise, Lady Mito!"
Mito glanced at Kushina.
"Kushina, come with me. You should see this as well."
"Yes, Grandma Mito!" Kushina answered quickly, rising to follow.
...
TN:
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