"Ni-Night Maple, what are you talking about?"
Kushina said anxiously.
Uzumaki Mito and the Third Hokage both frowned.
Orochimaru swore inwardly: damn it!
Originally, once Night Maple accepted the chūnin title—whether or not he infiltrated the Cloud—even a mere B-rank mission would've given Orochimaru room to engineer an "accident"!
Who knew Night Maple would flatly refuse the promotion.
Genin can only take D-rank and C-rank missions.
If it's the lowest D-rank, forcing a move would likely blow Orochimaru's cover that very day.
Even striking during a C-rank, if he wanted to avoid exposing himself, he'd need at least three months of planning.
Orochimaru fixed Night Maple with a long look. Was this feigned foolishness masking foresight—or just luck?
Uzumaki Mito said in bitter exasperation, "Night Maple, what nonsense is that? Do you plan to be a genin your whole life?"
Night Maple answered directly, "My lady, I think being a genin is just fine. What's wrong with genin?"
"You're content to remain a lowly genin forever?"
"How are genin 'lowly'? I believe genin are Konoha's backbone. It's these genin, who make up the vast majority, that are Konoha's greatest strength."
"It's their burdened steps forward that built today's Konoha."
"Without the nameless sacrifices of genin in the First and Second Shinobi World Wars, how would Konoha enjoy this flourishing age?"
"The First and Second were great—but the many genin they led were just as great!"
"As a genin, I'm proud. I have no desire for promotion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had been angry, but at Night Maple's words his expression changed completely.
This speech shook him deeply.
He reflected: in these years, perched atop the Hokage's seat, had he drifted away from—and neglected—the many genin?
Lady Mito also fell into thought.
Kushina watched from the side, a little dazed. What did Night Maple mean by this?
Genin are… pretty good?
Hearing him, being a genin almost sounded honorable…
Night Maple didn't care whether genin were great or honorable—the ×10 fusion speed for the Hashirama Senju character card was the real prize!
After two consecutive choices, the fusion speed was already ×20.
Now one hour was equivalent to twenty hours yesterday!
Suddenly, Sarutobi wondered if Night Maple had just sweet-talked him.
Promotion to chūnin has nothing to do with respect for genin at large.
This guy just doesn't want a chūnin's responsibilities, does he?
Staring intently, Sarutobi said, "Very well, Night Maple—you make some fair points. Genin is fine. So you truly don't intend to accept promotion?"
Night Maple shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, Lord Third, but I just want to be an ordinary, plain genin."
The corner of Sarutobi's mouth twitched. You've awakened a kekkei genkai and still want to be 'ordinary' and 'plain'? Are you kidding me?
Uzumaki Mito murmured to Sarutobi, "Sarutobi, once we're home I'll talk to him again. He's still young and doesn't understand…"
Weary, Sarutobi nodded. "Sigh… alright, we'll leave it at that for now."
It was the first time in his life he'd been refused like this; he had no mood to linger and turned to go.
The Hokage was busy—he didn't have time to spar words with a youth.
Lately, the Cloud had been restless; both the Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki were stirring trouble. According to intel from Orochimaru's infiltration, the Cloud had captured a second tailed beast years ago—the Two-Tails, Matatabi.
This abduction of Kushina was to find a jinchūriki for Matatabi.
Kushina was naturally the best choice.
This time, the Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki personally crossed the border to rescue their sleepers.
Though Orochimaru, badly wounded, saved Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato and even captured one sleeper, Sarutobi knew Kumogakure wouldn't let it go.
The Cloud must still have a backhand!
Konoha had to prevent another incident like Kushina's abduction.
How to lock down the village, what measures to take—these all needed discussion.
Not only the Cloud; intel said Iwagakure had begun recruiting as well, itching for action.
Precious peace—less than ten years of it—and now war again?
At the thought, Sarutobi couldn't help a sigh.
With Sarutobi gone, Orochimaru gave Night Maple one last, deep look and left as well.
Uzumaki Mito sighed. "You child… have you packed?"
Night Maple nodded.
There wasn't much to pack—just a few sets of clothes.
And so Night Maple followed Uzumaki Mito home.
It was the little courtyard from his memories—lush green, birdsong and flowers.
He could faintly see people moving inside.
To occupy so large a space in the village center spoke to the Uzumaki's standing in Konoha.
Uzumaki Mito smiled. "Welcome back, Night Maple! In the past, our Uzumaki clan neglected you…"
Night Maple waved a hand. "It's fine, my lady. I used to like the quiet. Now I see—this place is good too."
"As long as you like it. Night Maple, your room is over there. Kushina, take him to put his things down and tidy up."
"Okay, Granny Mito!"
Kushina's cheeks warmed. Living under the same roof as Night Maple-kun—so nerve-wracking.
Night Maple followed Kushina to his room. It looked pretty nice.
"Come in and sit for a bit?"
Face red, Kushina said, "No need. M-My room is right next door!"
With that, she scampered off, shy.
Night Maple blinked. Was Kushina… hinting at something?
...
Root Headquarters.
A damp, gloomy office.
Danzō flipped through all of Night Maple's files, incredulous.
Truly a war orphan picked up on the road while escorting Uzumaki Kushina?
What a coincidence—turns out he's a surviving Senju.
And by coincidence again, when facing mortal danger, he awakened a kekkei genkai.
All coincidences?
Root's files shouldn't be wrong.
But it was all too coincidental.
Danzō still couldn't believe it. Or was this the Senju and Uzumaki's last gambit?
"Night Maple refused the Third?"
"Yes, Lord Danzō! He directly refused the chūnin title."
The kneeling masked ninja added, "He also said genin are fine—don't look down on genin. Genin are Konoha's backbone, and forever its greatest strength."
"He talked about walking the 'genin path' and rallying the power of genin."
Danzō laughed at once. "Nonsense! Genin? It's elite shinobi—even Kage-level powerhouses—that decide a village's strength!"
"He won't see me? Bring him to me!"
One way or another, this last remaining Senju orphan was an unstable factor.
And his vital cells would be very useful to Danzō—must be brought under control.
If he won't comply—eliminate him!
The masked ninja said at once, "Elder Danzō, leave this to me. Please rest assured."
Danzō pondered. "Make it fast, precise, and ruthless. One isn't enough—take Root's Ten with you."
"Yes, Lord Danzō!"
"And don't make a move inside the Uzumaki compound. Wait until he comes out."