Noticing Mito Uzumaki's reaction, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward lightly and held out the swaddled infant in his arms.
"Please take a look. He's very healthy."
Mito accepted the child.
She had lived through the brutality of the Warring States and the era of founding nations. Yet in this moment, her eyes wavered.
Compared to the child she had once borne with Hashirama Senju, the aura of Hashirama on this infant felt even purer. More concentrated. More orthodox.
After all, her own child had carried part of her blood as well, along with postnatal influences. It was not uncommon for children to differ from their fathers.
But this infant carried genuine Hashirama Cells. The real thing.
"This child is…?" she asked quietly.
Hiruzen nodded, his expression heavy.
"Many Konoha shinobi gave their lives. He's the only successful case."
Mito was well aware that the village had been researching Hashirama Cells in hopes of passing down Wood Style, seeking the power to control tailed beasts and safeguard Konoha.
For shinobi, such pursuits were not unthinkable.
Her question was confirmation. His answer carried another meaning.
This was the sole surviving seed of Wood Style.
Very likely, the last.
She gazed at the baby's tiny face and murmured, "He looks a little like him…"
Then she chuckled softly to herself.
"How could he? I never saw Hashirama as a child. How foolish of me."
Hiruzen listened in silence.
An elderly woman who had devoted everything to the village, meeting a child who carried the scent of someone long gone…
There was something profound in that moment.
The beginning and end of life. The continuation of longing. Memory taking shape once more.
Only after Mito steadied herself did Hiruzen speak again.
"Mito-sama, this monkey wishes to ask you to look after this child."
"His body has successfully fused with Hashirama-sama's cells. There is a high probability he will inherit Wood Style."
"In the entire village, only you are truly qualified to guide him."
He bowed deeply.
"If you still have the strength, please rise once more and complete this difficult task for the sake of the village."
Mito laughed softly, shaking her head.
For a woman who had walked through countless wars without changing expression, a genuine smile now surfaced.
Raising a child was no easy matter. But for Mito Uzumaki?
Hiruzen's words were not accidental. He had clearly understood the quiet desire in her heart to feel needed again.
"You clever monkey…"
Cradling the baby in one arm, she gestured for him to sit.
"When did you learn to charm people like this?"
"There is not a trace of flattery in my heart," Hiruzen replied solemnly. "Mito-sama is the pillar that holds up Konoha."
"There are still many matters this monkey must rely on you for."
He glanced at the infant.
"This child has no name yet. Mito-sama, please grant him one."
Naming deepened bonds. It was a ritual that wove people together.
Mito seemed pleased. After a moment's thought, she said, "Then call him Yamato."
Hiruzen immediately raised his thumb.
"Excellent name! It implies peace, healthy growth, simple strength, calm integrity. Plain on the surface, yet profound in meaning…"
She burst into laughter.
"Stop embellishing it for me, Monkey. I just thought a simple name would make him easier to raise. Nothing that complicated."
Caught, Hiruzen widened his eyes in mock surprise.
"You're too modest again. I grew up hearing Hashirama-sama and Tobirama Senju-sama say you were the most talented and wise kunoichi in the shinobi world."
"Even Madara Uchiha acknowledged you."
At the mention of Madara Uchiha, she paused.
"Madara… It's been a long time since I heard that name."
She sighed, a faint trace of old bitterness threading through her voice.
"Compared to me, he and Hashirama were the true pair of tragic lovers."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
"Mito-sama, what do you mean?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"By the way, do you know where Madara's body is? I've been studying notes left by Tobirama Senju recently…"
He truly was curious.
If Tobirama had studied Izuna Uchiha, how could he not have examined Madara's corpse?
Yet the notes mentioned nothing concrete, only scattered speculation.
Mito snorted softly.
"I don't know."
"Back then, Hashirama brought Madara's body back. Tobirama insisted on dissecting it."
"But Hashirama flew into a rage. His chakra flared so fiercely that even the Nine-Tails trembled. The way he looked at Tobirama… there was killing intent."
Her own chakra rose unconsciously at the memory, a flicker of the Nine-Tails' power weaving through it.
Hiruzen felt a chill.
Who said this old woman was nearing her end?
Her strength was very real.
"He buried Madara's body himself. He told no one. Not even me."
She tilted her head slightly as she regained control, the tailed beast's chakra retreating swiftly.
"My apologies, Hiruzen. I let my emotions show."
"Not at all, Mito-sama."
He cleared his throat.
"Between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan, hasn't it always been like that? Even between Izuna Uchiha and my teacher, things were… complicated."
Mito nodded.
"There was always something off between those two clans."
"But it's all in the past now. Strangely enough, I sometimes miss those days."
Her gaze softened.
"We fought and argued endlessly, yet we believed there would be no more war."
"Hiruzen, do your best. Perhaps the thousand-year grudge between the Senju and the Uchiha might finally be resolved in your hands."
Hiruzen smiled faintly inside.
If she knew what he was planning, she might drag him and Tobirama into the afterlife for a stern lecture.
One of Hashirama's dying wishes had been for his widow to keep a close eye on Tobirama's research, to prevent him from creating another heaven-defying Forbidden Jutsu.
"You have my word. I will work to mend the relationship between the village and the Uchiha," Hiruzen replied carefully.
He intended to mend it, certainly.
As for how, that was another matter.
"Mito-sama, Yamato will be in your care."
He shifted the topic, moving into conversation about village affairs and daily matters.
He spoke of the new Konoha Commissioner reform, of developing medicines, of drawing in the Hyuga Branch House. He emphasized how the village would prioritize research in the future.
He even mentioned, subtly, that once Konoha's finances were stable, a dedicated fund would be established for the Uzumaki Clan. It would support any surviving Uzumaki orphans who joined the village, helping them rebuild their lives quickly.
Mito listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
Only then did Hiruzen voice the question that had brought him here.
"Mito-sama, do you know of any secret technique that can assist in reconnecting damaged meridians?"
Her expression shifted.
She looked at him with a long, meaningful gaze.