Tsunade and Orochimaru both returned to Konoha because of Mito Uzumaki. The difference was that Tsunade came back to visit her grandmother, while Orochimaru's purpose was the Nine-Tails.
However, the two remained in Konoha for only three or four days before heading back to the Front Line. For one thing, Mito Uzumaki's condition was still stable enough for now. For another, Orochimaru had basically settled everything regarding the Nine-Tails.
Although the Third Hokage didn't discuss this issue with Haseo afterward, based on what Orochimaru later implied, Orochimaru had essentially secured possession of the "toy" he desired. One could only say it was no wonder Orochimaru was the Hokage's favored disciple—he managed to get hold of whatever he wanted. Haseo deeply doubted how much effect his own support might actually have... Perhaps without Haseo's involvement at all, Orochimaru alone could already handle the Third Hokage.
Objectively speaking, aside from slight side effects, becoming a Jinchuriki was actually a good thing. With someone like Orochimaru, there was absolutely no need to worry about being corrupted by the Nine-Tails... His personality was inherently strong-willed and reclusive. If the Nine-Tails could truly influence his mind, that would be something truly strange.
After Tsunade left Konoha, Haseo didn't seek out Nawaki alone directly. Still, after seeing Nawaki's odd behavior during their only meeting, Haseo decided to look into things a bit himself. In the end, however, he found nothing particularly noteworthy—everything surrounding Nawaki seemed normal and everyday.
Nawaki generally just ate meals, chatted, and studied Ninjutsu. He generally came across as bright and upbeat.
Although Nawaki was a descendant of the First Hokage, after observing him multiple times, Haseo realized he was merely an ordinary child. When it came to learning Ninjutsu, he wasn't particularly clever or talented—he definitely didn't measure up to his older sister in terms of ability.
In a way, Haseo actually saw this as a good thing. Being plain wasn't necessarily bad; it helped avoid unnecessary recklessness or self-destructive tendencies.
As for that person Aruo, he hadn't displayed any abnormal behavior either.
Originally, Haseo should have specifically asked Tsunade about that man's identity and background, since clearly she had hired him. However, upon thinking further, Haseo eventually abandoned this idea, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings... From Tsunade's point of view, she certainly hoped Haseo and her younger brother could become close and affectionate. However, she would absolutely disapprove of Haseo investigating her brother.
Haseo needed to consider Tsunade's feelings, because she was extremely important to him.
Since he found nothing off, Haseo could do nothing but put it out of his mind for now. Most of his attention still had to focus on Mito Uzumaki.
However...
After the Nine-Tails began showing agitation, Mito Uzumaki endured for about another year. Her endurance and resolve were beyond doubt. Yet ultimately, a human body had its limits.
A year later, this powerful ninja who had remained hidden behind the scenes since the time of the First Hokage finally reached the end of her life.
It wasn't surprising—this kind of thing has nothing to do with how strong you are or even if you're a ninja at all. Everyone inevitably reaches this day eventually.
On his way to the Kagenami base, Haseo had just encountered two approaching figures at the entrance of a building concealing an underground exit. One of them was a red-haired Uzumaki kunoichi, and the other person she was helping along... Haseo recognized them as well.
"Lord Haseo."
The two slightly bowed in greeting. After scanning them briefly, Haseo fixed his gaze on one person in particular—Tsumiki Nono... no, better to call her Hatake Nono now.
Her silhouette looked like a python that had just devoured a calf.
Haseo nodded and actively stepped aside to let the pair pass—in such situations, Haseo also needed to "avoid confrontation." Heaven and earth are vast, but so is a swollen belly.
What puzzled Haseo was when exactly Kagenami had set up a "Women's Mutual Aid Association"—some kind of support group for women left behind during wartime?
Old lives perish while new ones are born; this was the law of nature. Plus, time seemed to be gradually entering familiar phases and fragments that Haseo knew well. Though how much of what he considered "familiar" would remain was still anyone's guess.
As for whose child was inside Tsumiki Nono's belly—Kakashi, Kakako, or maybe even Kakashiko?—Haseo currently had no inclination for joking around with such wordplay.
Wait, there's something interesting!
Sakumo Hatake had departed from the Eastern Front battlefield toward the north and had been away from Konoha for over a year now. Well… No, actually, he had been transferred via Konoha to the Northern Front, having apparently stayed in the village for three days during transit.
Haseo smacked his lips together—it didn't seem like big news.
Yet another question arose: putting aside accuracy for a moment, using crop farming as an example, which yielded better produce—flooding irrigation or meticulous cultivation? Although things aren't absolute, hasty approaches seldom produced good outcomes. Necessary labor hours always relate to product quality. So even if it wasn't a perfect fifty-fifty, it still could end up being a toss-up.
Indeed, this wasn't meant humorously—it was qualitative analysis based upon scientific breeding principles.
Thoughts about the production and quality of Konoha's next-gen ninja didn't linger in Haseo's head for long. Before Hatake Sakumo's wife had completely disappeared from sight, he had already turned and walked away, quickly vanishing into the Kagenami underground base.
Thankfully, all this was just in his head. Otherwise, if Flag Sakumo ever found out how thoroughly he'd been analyzed, then Kagenami's duo of combat power might easily get reduced down to just one survivor.
Then the issue wouldn't be about making babies anymore—it'd be making widows instead.
After entering the underground base, Haseo kept continuously descending downward.
Over the past year alone, in preparation for the upcoming "ritual" and ensuring complete readiness, the Kagenami underground complex had expanded considerably. What had originally been a massive double-level space had now transformed into a triple-tiered structure.
The lowest level appeared vast and open. If not for the dim environment and the closed roof overhead, this place would've felt indistinguishable from an outdoor plaza.
All of this expansion had been made specifically in anticipation of the Nine-Tails' transfer.
After thinking it through, they finally decided to go ahead with the Nine-Tails' extraction and resealing right here.
Although the underground base lay directly beneath Konoha, and this area wasn't exactly sparsely populated or lacking in buildings—potentially leading to serious consequences if the Nine-Tails were to go out of control—after careful preparations and meticulous arrangements, everything could be ensured to proceed without a hitch.
Protected by multiple layers of barriers, this place could isolate the shockwaves and external disturbances of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Because it was located deep within Konoha, operating with the Nine-Tails here was somewhat dangerous; yet precisely because it was deep within Konoha, it was also the most concealed location possible.
The Third Hokage had approved this arrangement. Frankly speaking, the replacement of a Jinchuriki felt safest when conducted right under our watchful eyes. On the other hand, for Lady Mito Uzumaki at this moment, it would be better not to move around unnecessarily, thus eliminating places like the Shikkotsu Forest from being chosen as the location.
That kind of operation during the Nine-Tails' extraction couldn't be repeated anymore.
When Haseo arrived at the third-level underground space, he found Uzumaki Shikou inspecting the complex barrier and sealing formulas inscribed around its perimeter. She'd already lost track of how many times she'd gone over them.
"Shikou..." Haseo called out to her.
"Lord Haseo."
"The time for the ritual has been set."
Uzumaki Shikou paused momentarily, slowly lowering her head. After a brief silence, she softly asked, "When?"
Yet even if her voice was ever so faint, within this vast empty environment, it sounded particularly cold and abrupt, as though it could disturb everything around.
She tried to return to stillness, but peace wouldn't come. That was both the mood of the place and where she stood inside.
"In three days. This is the time personally decided by Lady Mito Uzumaki."
"...I understand."
P.S.:
The activity in last month's review section has concluded, and three lucky members have received a total reward of Qidian coins.
Unfortunately, some members failed to follow the correct post format, so even though they received a lot of upvotes, they couldn't be considered for the prize... Please pay more attention next time; otherwise, what a waste!
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