No bloodshed was needed to bring in a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. What a relief.
That was the sentiment among the higher-ups in Konoha after receiving the news.
However, contrary to the intelligence that mentioned an adult female, the person Shikaku and his team brought back was just a baby.
From Konoha's perspective, this actually worked out even better than bringing back an adult clanswoman.
After all, an adult would need to be thoroughly indoctrinated with the Will of Fire, whereas a baby was different. As long as she grew up peacefully in Konoha, she would naturally come to accept and identify with Konoha's values.
At the same time, she could also serve as a potential candidate for becoming the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
The only remaining question was—who should raise the child?
Sakumo Hatake looked at Karin. The little girl was gazing around in confusion, her eyes full of innocence.
The answer was obvious.
"What a cute little baby. Where's her mother?"
Kushina took Karin, her face filled with emotion as she looked at the child from her own clan. At the same time, she asked about Karin's mother.
"I'm really sorry, Kushina-san. The child's mother is currently missing."
Though that was the official line, it wasn't hard to guess why some unknown Uchiha had taken Karin's mother.
Nagato's Rinnegan had been taken, which meant they needed to find a new vessel to control the Gedo Statue—and they were also looking for a way to revive Uchiha Madara.
Only the Uzumaki Clan could pull off something like that.
"I see... what a pity."
Kushina's eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.
It had been a long time since she'd seen someone from her clan—ever since Uzumaki Mito had passed away.
Before marrying Minato, she often thought of her birthplace, Uzushiogakure.
Minato, ever perceptive, had once suggested their child take on the Uzumaki surname, hoping it might ease Kushina's homesickness.
But...
Takeshi really wanted to complain. Even if Naruto bore the Uzumaki name, that bright blond hair of his just didn't sit right.
If things continued the way they were in the original timeline, the Uzumaki Clan's defining trait might switch from red hair to blond.
Even the elders like Hiruzen had secretly admired Minato's ability.
He had, after all, managed to forcibly turn the signature Uzumaki red hair into gold. The last person who'd done something similar was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
"Alright, it's settled then. No matter what happened in Karin's past, today is her birthday!"
Kushina beamed as she carried the peacefully sleeping little girl into the house.
And so, on this day, Naruto—who had been an only child—became a big brother.
...
As time passed, the buildings destroyed by Uchiha Setsuna were gradually rebuilt.
The medical corps headquarters, which had previously stalled due to budget issues, was finally completed thanks to Tsunade's personal funding.
Perhaps feeling it would be a waste not to take a leadership role after footing the bill, Tsunade grumbled a bit, but still accepted Sakumo's appointment as the head of the medical corps.
She also brought along Shizune, who was somewhat related to Katō Dan.
As news of the completed medical corps spread through Konoha, Rin Nohara decisively approached the hospital leadership, expressing her desire to join the unit.
Initially, the hospital head was reluctant to let such a talented ninja go to the medical corps. He even considered introducing Rin to his son, who was about the same age.
"This—this—this is absolutely not allowed!"
When Obito heard about it, he blushed and slammed the table. If Takeshi hadn't stopped him, he might've activated his Susanoo and had a serious "talk" with that hospital director.
"Obito, how many times have I told you—don't panic when things happen. Stay calm."
Leaning back in a lounge chair, Takeshi leisurely fanned himself with a folding fan of unknown origin and gently advised Obito not to get so worked up.
With the rebuilding work finally finished, the Konoha shinobi—who had been working tirelessly for nearly a year—were granted a long-awaited vacation. Thanks to Takeshi's efforts, the old crew from their academy days gathered at a now-famous hot spring inn.
After soaking in the warm baths, everyone, wrapped in bathrobes, headed to the lounge to chat.
"But Takeshi, you know that I..."
Obito's face turned red. In front of Rin, he couldn't bring himself to say he liked her.
"What? What do I know?"
Anko paused from devouring her dango, giving Obito a knowing look and questioning him in a suggestive tone.
Heaven knows, she finally had time to eat her favorite snack.
Following Orochimaru-sensei around meant she didn't have to go on constant missions like a combat shinobi, but Orochimaru's and Hiruko's emotionally detached orders had still taken a toll on her.
"Idiot."
As always, Kakashi remained cool and aloof. Even in a bathrobe, he still wore his signature mask.
"The women's bath is right over there. Now, I'm far too proper to do something like peeping, of course. But if my eyes just happened to glance in that direction—ow!"
Ebisu, whose eyes were wandering, didn't even get a chance to act. Two fingers jabbed straight into his eye sockets, leaving him rolling on the ground in pain.
"Don't worry, Ebisu. I'll treat your eyes after the bath."
Shizune looked down at him with an expression of pure disdain and spoke coldly.
Hyūga Iroha, now healed, quietly deactivated his Byakugan upon seeing the scene.
"Same old chaos as ever."
Ignoring Ebisu's cries for help, Genma Shiranui bit down on a senbon and turned to grab a bottle of milk, chugging it in one go.
"This is what youth feels like! I've made up my mind—I'm going to walk on my hands around the lounge five hundred times!"
Even at the hot spring, Might Guy insisted on wearing his green spandex suit. Unbothered by the stunned looks from the staff, he launched into his routine.
"What a shame our dear Asuma couldn't make it to this gathering. I wonder where that guy wandered off to."
Finishing her last skewer of dango, Anko rubbed her full stomach and burped contentedly before bringing up the missing member of their group.
At the mention of Asuma, everyone fell silent for a moment.
Genma scratched his head with a helpless look.
"That guy just up and left the village without a word. No idea what he's so upset about."
Of everyone present, only Takeshi and Kakashi knew about the restructuring of Root. The others had no clue why Asuma had left.