The unpleasant meeting in the Hokage Tower didn't make Danzo Shimura pull back. On the contrary, it was like pouring a ladle of boiling oil onto the dry firewood of his resentment.
Inside the ROOT base, Danzo sat alone behind his desk. Recalling Hiruzen Sarutobi's demeanor today, his fingers gripped the armrests of his chair tightly.
His knuckles turned pale from the force.
His single eye was filled with a cold, unwilling light. He muttered to himself, "Hiruzen... such an unstable weapon, yet you only want to hold it in your hand, afraid to truly wield or shape it? How laughable and cowardly!"
His voice sounded exceptionally eerie in the empty office. He believed he was no longer the "cowardly" deserter of the past; he wouldn't give up any possible opportunity.
Every time he recalled the moment the position of Hokage slipped through his fingers, it was agonizing. If only back then in the Cloud Village...
Fortunately, on the battlefield of the Rain Country—a place of blood and deceit—through some more secretive collaborations, he had glimpsed a "shortcut" to overtake his rival.
Both he and Orochimaru shared a disdain for conventional ninjutsu and a near-obsessive desire for ultimate power.
Several "collaborations" had already led them to a consensus on this forbidden path.
"The laboratory... progress must be accelerated."
He ordered into the empty darkness, "All materials and equipment must be in place before Orochimaru returns."
A black shadow in the corner responded in a low voice, "Yes, Lord Danzo. The laboratory has been constructed underground outside Konoha. It is fully covered by barriers and absolutely concealed."
Danzo nodded slightly in satisfaction. He could almost see the brilliant Orochimaru combining his genius with the "materials" Danzo provided. The sparks from their collision would create unimaginable power.
At that time, the highest seat in Konoha would be within easy reach. Perhaps he could finally say to his old friend, "I am the Hokage!" and let Hiruzen taste what it was like to be dominated by another's will!
---
Meanwhile, the news of Night Namikaze bringing back five Uzumaki immigrants spread like ripples from a stone thrown into a calm lake, eventually reaching the ears of the "anchor" deep within Konoha.
Led personally by Tsunade, Night brought the five red-haired clansmen—whose bloodline traits were impossible to hide—through layers of security checks to a secluded courtyard.
Time seemed to stand still inside this courtyard. The scenery carried a heavy air of the Warring States period.
As they arrived, an old woman walked out of the house. Although she appeared to be in her twilight years, her eyes were still clear, as if she could see through people's hearts.
Her steps were slow but surprisingly steady, and a faint aura of vitality unintentionally radiated from her.
She was the wife of the First Hokage, the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, a legend spanning several eras—Mito Uzumaki.
Her gaze first swept over the five young clansmen. Seeing the familiar red hair identical to her own, a trace of imperceptible sadness and relief flashed in her eyes.
Then, her gaze landed on Night standing beside Tsunade.
The moment their eyes met, Mito Uzumaki's calm state of mind was abruptly shattered.
She didn't see the signature red hair of the Uzumaki clan on Night. However, the intense resonance originating from the depths of the bloodline could not be faked.
It wasn't a simple chakra detection; it was a deeper throbbing belonging to the Uzumaki origin, perhaps even surpassing what she felt at her own peak.
How is this possible?
Mito was shocked internally but remained impassive on the surface. She had lived too long and seen too much; she instantly suppressed her surprise, her gaze becoming meaningful.
From the moment they entered the small courtyard, she had been observing everyone. Night, the leader, had a calm demeanor and an unflappable expression.
However, he stood close to Tsunade. While seemingly respectful, the subtle eye contact and body language between the two—almost imperceptible to outsiders—clearly indicated their relationship was not ordinary.
As someone who had been through it all, Mito naturally understood the situation between them.
Knowing this, a faint smile appeared on the corners of her aged mouth.
To the others, it might have seemed like joy at seeing her clansmen, but she knew it was mostly happiness for her proud granddaughter.
She didn't ask about the source of Night's strange bloodline, nor did she probe into how he accomplished everything in the Mist.
Like a kind elder, she gently asked about the condition of the five clansmen, expressed her relief at their safe return, and gave them her sincere blessings.
Just as the visit was concluding and Tsunade was preparing to lead them away, Mito called out to stop her.
Tsunade knew her grandmother had instructions. She leaned in close, and Mito whispered a few sentences into her ear while gently patting the back of Tsunade's hand with her wrinkled yet warm hand.
Moments later, Tsunade walked back with a slight blush on her face, her eyes dodging Night's gaze a little more than before.
After finishing with Tsunade, Mito turned to everyone, her tone becoming solemn. "I will personally send someone to inform Hiruzen later. These clansmen will be settled in the vacant courtyard on the east side of the Senju clan grounds.
It's quiet there, and convenient for looking after them. From now on, they are part of Konoha."
This statement stunned not only Tsunade but also caused a flash of surprise in Night's eyes.
This wasn't just a simple arrangement. It was Mito Uzumaki using her unquestionable prestige in Konoha to publicly stand behind these Uzumaki remnants.
Then she turned to Night, her gaze soft with appreciation for a junior. "Good child... you are very good. You can come visit this old woman often when you have time in the future."
Night was taken aback by this statement but quickly recovered and respectfully agreed.
He knew well that given Mito Uzumaki's status and the special nature of this location, this seemingly polite invitation actually contained extraordinary recognition.
After all, aside from blood relatives like Tsunade and Nawaki, ordinary people needed approval from the Hokage Tower just to visit this courtyard.
But considering whose mouth these polite words came from, in this context, it was almost equivalent to a political statement.
As the group left, the small courtyard returned to its usual silence. But the person inside was in high spirits, and even the courtyard seemed to have been revitalized.
---
By the time the visit ended and they walked out of the Senju clan grounds, it was near dusk.
Night finally couldn't hold back his curiosity. He leaned in and asked, "What did Grandma Mito say just now?"
It would have been better not to ask. Mentioning it made Mito's whispered instructions ring in Tsunade's ears again, causing them to burn slightly.
But Tsunade quickly recovered and snapped with embarrassment, "What Grandma?! That's my... Don't go claiming random relationships!"
Seeing her raise a hand as if to hit him, Night wisely changed the subject and issued an invitation. "Okay, okay. We agreed to have dinner together. Lady Tsunade surely has no reason to refuse now, right?"
Tsunade looked at his slightly roguish appearance. The embarrassment in her heart turned into a mix of amusement and annoyance. Ultimately, she tacitly accepted his proposal, and the two walked side by side toward the bustling commercial street.
Just as the atmosphere between them was breaking the ice and gradually warming up, an untimely exclamation rang out abruptly.
"Sis?! You... you... are you on a date?!"