Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded with great emotion.
The audience below immediately erupted in cheers.
Some apologized to Naruto, some blamed themselves for being foolish, but more people were denouncing Danzo Shimura, believing he had misled everyone.
And Kushina killing Danzo, in everyone's eyes, was still letting that root of Konoha's trouble off easy.
Ultimately, everything on the surface concluded with Danzo taking all responsibility.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said it was late and reminded everyone to be safe and leave in an orderly fashion.
But an invisible storm had already quietly spread outwards from Konoha.
Kushina's 'resurrection,' the public revelation of the Fourth Hokage's son, and the end of Konoha's dark history—these events would all stir up monstrous waves in the Ninja World.
Of course, none of this currently had anything to do with Lin Mo.
He had originally planned to go straight home, still pondering that Naruto's guardianship would be canceled.
"Now that his biological mother is back, I naturally have no further use."
"But Mrs. Kushina wouldn't mind Naruto having a good teacher, would she?"
At this moment, Yūgao Uzuki suddenly found Lin Mo and said that Hokage-sama was looking for him.
"This quickly?"
Lin Mo, full of doubts, followed Yūgao Uzuki to the Hokage's Office.
As a result, he heard Kushina say to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Next, I plan to leave the Village and return to my hometown in the Land of Whirlpools to investigate some matters."
"Before that, I have one more request!"
"I want Lin Mo to take care of Naruto!"
When Yūgao Uzuki heard this, she cried out in her heart, 'My Sister, what kind of teammate have you found?'
Isn't this obviously inviting suspicion!
These women are truly worrying.
Kushina, however, said she would adapt to the situation.
Isn't it just to keep Lin Mo from getting suspicious?
How hard can that be!
"I could see the outside world from inside the seal; this Lin Mo is very good to Naruto, and I feel he has no ill intentions."
"Before I came, Naruto kept telling me how much he liked him."
"I have to leave now, so I can let him continue to be Naruto's guardian."
Kushina stood with her hands on her hips, earnestly explaining her reasons to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Hearing Lin Mo's name, Naruto, who had been grinning foolishly next to them, finally snapped back to reality, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
"I still want Brother Lin Mo to be my guardian; he promised to take me to live in a big house, eat lots of delicious food I've never had, and also teach me how to dress up to attract girls."
At this point, Naruto couldn't help but start fantasizing.
"By then, Sakura will definitely..."
"Bang!"
Before Naruto could finish, Kushina punched him on the head.
What he said earlier was quite reliable, and even wanting to attract girls was fine, but why did he suddenly mention Sakura?
"You child, at such a young age, don't always think about how to make girls happy."
"First, learn Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, cultural studies, and how to conduct yourself; that's the right path!"
Kushina had an expression of disappointment.
She still remembered how Lin Mo described Naruto and Sakura Haruno in his diary.
It was simply unprincipled adoration!
Although it eventually succeeded, the whole process made her, as a mother, unable to bear watching.
If Naruto attracted someone with his own abilities, or if the two truly loved each other, that would be fine, but constantly giving without limits in an attempt to move others wouldn't do.
What if he became an overly kind person who gets bullied in the future?
"Alright, I know..." Naruto covered his head with his hand, looking wronged.
But from his satisfied eyes, it could be seen that he actually enjoyed being lectured by his mother.
This was a scene he had fantasized about countless times in his dreams, and he felt utterly happy.
"Oh, you..."
Kushina originally wanted to scold him a few more times, but as soon as she saw Naruto's eyes, all her reproaches turned into tenderness.
At the same time, she found the posturing Hiruzen Sarutobi next to her even more displeasing.
As for Lin Mo, the more she looked at him, the more she liked him.
If it weren't for this transmigrator, she would still be in the dark.
Even if Naruto became the Seventh Hokage and the savior of the Ninja World, capable of slicing the moon.
But in her eyes as a mother, none of that was worth being happy about; instead, it felt ironic.
Why did Naruto have to endure so much and still become a hero of the Ninja World?
They weren't worthy!
"Lin Mo-kun, hello, I am Uzumaki Kushina."
Kushina walked up to Lin Mo, extending her hand, her fingers slender and delicate, like tofu.
To be honest, standing next to Naruto, she didn't look like a mother at all, but rather like an older sister.
"Hello, Kushina..."
Lin Mo didn't know how to address her for a moment.
After all, she had died twelve years ago, and her identity and status were hard to define.
"You can call me Sister, or Nana is fine too." Kushina grinned, saying heartily, "I was only twenty-four when I died, and Nine-Tailed has told me how Naruto has been doing all these years. By actual age, I'm not much older than you are now."
Kushina wanted to get closer to Lin Mo.
Whether for her current temporary resurrection ability, or for true resurrection, or for Naruto, this was all very important.
"Sister Kushina?" Lin Mo smiled gently.
The address between siblings, in this situation, was quite interesting.
"Actually, it's fine if you call me Little Sister." Lin Mo said with a smile, "You really look very young."
Kushina immediately burst out laughing.
Which woman wouldn't be happy to be praised like that by a handsome man younger than herself?
She also planned to get along well with him.
"But, I call Brother Lin Mo 'Brother,' but Brother Lin Mo calls my mom 'Sister,' isn't that all messed up?" Naruto asked blankly.
"We'll address each other as we see fit, no problem," Lin Mo replied with a smile.
Kushina quickly nodded in agreement.
Naruto no longer dwelled on the matter either.
He just needed to know that these two people both liked him.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly popped up to cause trouble: "Kushina, what are you going to do in your hometown in the Land of Whirlpools?"
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to pry into your intentions, it's just that you and Naruto have finally reunited, is there any compelling reason for you to leave?"
"Perhaps I can help you."
These words sounded like a grandfather caring for his grandson.
Naruto, listening nearby, was incredibly moved and looked at Kushina with anticipation.
In fact, if Kushina had truly been resurrected and remained so strong-willed, then at least ninety-nine percent of Hiruzen Sarutobi's concern would be genuine.
But his question now was not only out of concern but also a test.
He was both curious and suspicious about Kushina's resurrection.
"This damn Old Monkey, Lin Mo-kun was right, I can't let Naruto be controlled by him again; I'll have to find an opportunity to set him straight in the future." Kushina cursed inwardly.
On one hand, it was because of Naruto's easily moved nature, and on the other, she detected the probing in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
But she couldn't do anything now, because after today, she would have to return to the seal.
Saying she was going to the Land of Whirlpools was just an excuse anyway.
"Well..." Kushina put on a very troubled expression.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi pretended to care and said, "You know, I'm well-informed, I know many secrets of the Ninja World, so I might be able to give you some advice."
"Also, Jiraiya, he's been in contact with me; if you're short-handed, I can call him back."
Hiruzen Sarutobi acted cordially, while also subtly revealing a bit of his hand.
Jiraiya, who could use Sage Mode, was definitely the strongest among the Sannin now, even more formidable than his old bones.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely skilled at using such probing tactics, almost to the point of instinct.
[This Old Monkey is beating around the bush again with his probing; did he only learn superficial political maneuvering from Senju Tobirama?]
[What else could Kushina do by returning to the Land of Whirlpools? Minato Namikaze died by the Reaper Death Seal; his soul is in the Shinigami's belly, not in the Pure Land. Even with Edo Tensei, he can't be brought back. To truly resurrect him, she needs specific items, and she must be looking for those.]
Kushina: ???
Is that really what I'm thinking? Why don't I know it myself?!
You didn't explain clearly! My Uzumaki Clan also has treasures that can release souls from the Shinigami's belly; why didn't you elaborate on that?
You're deliberately keeping me in suspense, aren't you!
"However, I don't want to resurrect Minato Namikaze."
This wasn't because Kushina was hard-hearted, nor was it due to any dissatisfaction with Minato Namikaze that made her unwilling to resurrect him.
If there truly was a way to bring Minato Namikaze back to life, for Naruto's sake, she would actually be willing to try.
But for a long time to come, she wouldn't dwell on it.
Simply because Minato Namikaze was too focused on the 'bigger picture.'
According to what Lin Mo wrote in his diary, he was an absolutely outstanding inheritor of the Will of Fire.
The Third Hokage had already misled Naruto quite a bit; if you added the Fourth Hokage as a father, Naruto's life would be difficult, and he might turn into an overly good-natured person.
So, before Naruto's values were corrected, allowing him to distinguish between gratitude and enmity, and understand 'an eye for an eye' instead of 'repaying evil with good.'
Minato Namikaze absolutely could not be brought back to life, absolutely not!
[Actually, if Kushina had just told Hiruzen Sarutobi the truth, not only could she have kept that Old Monkey in check, but she could also have made him treat Naruto even better.]
[After all, if the Fourth could return, Tsunade probably wouldn't be able to snatch his Hokage seat even if she returned.]
[Dying to protect Konoha, and most of those who benefited are still alive, so let him forever be glorious, not to mention that now the Villagers all know Naruto's identity and feel somewhat guilty, thinking of compensation.]
[Furthermore, Minato Namikaze was 'from common stock,' 'had countless battle achievements,' and 'was already Hokage / legitimately so,' simply incredibly formidable.]
[Wait, I'm interested in Kushina, and Minato Namikaze is my love rival; why am I speaking well of him now?]
[Even if it's just writing in a diary, this is too unreliable; in the future, I must firmly be a hater of the Fourth Hokage.]
Pfft!
Seeing such honest words, many women holding diaries couldn't help but laugh out loud.
For female Ninja who spent their days immersed in power struggles and killings, this unique sense of security was truly captivating.
It was only because Kushina and Yūgao Uzuki were near Lin Mo that they held back, afraid of him noticing anything amiss.
But very quickly, the girls' expressions all turned strange.
They didn't know what the 'legacy of wei wu' was, but it certainly didn't sound like a good thing.
Yet they understood that Lin Mo's confession this time was neither directed at a loli nor at an older sister, but at a... wife.
This guy said he was quite benevolent, but how could it reach this point!?
"Ino, what's with that expression?"
In the Yamanaka household, Mrs. Yamanaka, who had just returned from the Hokage Tower, was about to ask about her daughter's 'teacher-student romance' progress when she saw her daughter's strange expression.
"Um, Mom." Ino deliberated for a moment before asking, "Do you think it's right for a man to fall in love with someone else's wife?"
"If it's just liking, of course there's nothing wrong." Mrs. Yamanaka answered without hesitation, "Feelings are beyond one's control, but one can manage their own manners. Liking is a feeling that one can't control, but actions can still be managed."
"Oh." Ino nodded thoughtfully, "What if he wants to pursue someone else's wife then?"
"That depends on the specific circumstances."
"It still depends on the situation?"
"Yes, you have to first see if that person is living a satisfactory life. If their life is blissful, then that's breaking up someone else's family, which is not good, and such a person should be condemned every time you see one."
"But if they are unhappy, then it's about wanting to help them, and the key is how you pursue them."
"Of course, if the other party has children, then the situation gets even more complicated; there are many intricacies involved."
"Oh." Ino Yamanaka nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked, "What if the other party has children, but her husband is gone?"
"Does that even need to be said?" Mrs. Yamanaka immediately showed an admiring expression: "That means they are truly in love."
"Ino, sometimes it's not just an identity label, but an inherent characteristic."
Ino?
Characteristic?
Like the attributes of Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning?
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office.
Kushina felt like her head was about to explode, her heart in turmoil, and she couldn't quite explain why.
But she quickly snapped back to reality and suppressed this emotion.
Because Lin Mo had written this sentence in his diary.
[Speaking of which, how exactly did Kushina come back to life?]
[There are so many resurrection methods in the Ninja World, but none of them seem quite right?]
All the women: What?
So resurrection doesn't just rely on the diary; there are many other methods in the Ninja World!?
"The Ninja World actually has so many ways to resurrect people?"
All the women holding diaries, if no one was around, found their breathing involuntarily quickening.
Death is everyone's ultimate destination; it's fine not to dwell on it, but once you do, fear sets in.
If an accident occurs, death comes even faster.
From ancient times to the present, many people have sought methods for eternal life, isn't it simply because they fear death?
Now, are the methods of resurrection about to be revealed before their eyes?
[From what I know, there are nine methods of resurrection.]
Nine kinds? There are as many as nine kinds, and Lin Mo specifically emphasized 'from what he knows.'
Does that mean there are even more methods he doesn't know about?
It must be!
Since there are nine, there could certainly be more.
All the women immediately focused, waiting intently for what came next.
Kushina was still hesitating, Yūgao Uzuki's face was covered by her mask.
Tsunade and Shizune stood in the trees, waiting quietly, their chests gently rising and falling.
Konan also stopped, no longer discussing with Uzumaki Nagato.
All the women put down what they were doing.