"What?"
The Third Hokage froze mid-motion, his hand stopping just short of his pipe. His expression shifted from calm to unmistakable surprise.
"You found an Uzumaki orphan?"
"Yes," Uchiha Hayashi replied, seated below with a composed expression. "Red hair, abnormally large chakra reserves, and Kushina's confirmation. Her identity is almost certain."
"Kushina?" Hiruzen frowned slightly. "Isn't she currently participating in the Chunin Exams?"
Hayashi nodded and briefly recounted the events that had taken place on the training ground.
After listening, the Third Hokage let out a long sigh.
"To think an Uzumaki orphan would end up in Kusagakure…"
This outcome was far beyond his expectations. After the destruction of Uzushiogakure, the remaining Uzumaki had been hunted nearly to extinction. Over the years, Konoha had dispatched countless shinobi to search for survivors, yet all efforts had yielded nothing.
He had truly believed Kushina Uzumaki was the last of her clan.
And yet, another had survived, hidden away in a minor village.
It was difficult to describe the feeling.
However, reason quickly followed emotion.
"Unfortunately," Hiruzen thought, "she is already a shinobi of Kusagakure. That complicates matters."
He understood Hayashi's intent clearly. Kushina had found her clanswoman, and he was asking whether Konoha could take her in.
Hiruzen wanted to. Very much so.
Kushina alone was not enough to guarantee the future stability of the Nine-Tails' seal. Her potential children were uncertain, both in talent and in suitability as jinchuriki. Another Uzumaki would reduce that risk significantly.
But this was not a simple matter of desire.
The girl was already registered as a Grass Ninja. Whether she would truly be loyal to Konoha was one issue. The larger concern was exposure.
If word spread that Konoha had taken a shinobi from another village during the Chunin Exams, the consequences would be severe. Konoha's reputation would suffer irreparable damage, and no village would ever trust a Konoha-hosted exam again.
Who would dare participate?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had built his rule on legitimacy and trust. He would not tarnish that image lightly.
Just as he prepared to refuse tactfully, Hayashi spoke again, his tone seemingly casual.
"That child's talent is exceptional. Her teammates recovered their chakra and injuries simply by biting her arm."
The room fell silent.
Hiruzen's pupils contracted slightly.
This was no longer a matter of talent.
It was monstrous potential.
His thoughts immediately turned to the First Hokage. Hashirama Senju's regenerative abilities had allowed him to recover without medical treatment, even in battle. Yet those abilities were limited to himself.
This Uzumaki girl could restore others.
A living, mobile medical resource.
If properly trained, she might one day surpass even Tsunade in medical ninjutsu.
At that point, reputation felt like a small price.
The Third Hokage cleared his throat, his expression turning solemn and righteous.
"Talent alone is not the issue," he declared. "Konoha and Uzushiogakure were allied for generations. If we encounter an Uzumaki orphan, it is our responsibility to extend aid. This is the duty of allies."
He looked directly at Hayashi.
"Uchiha Hayashi, I am assigning you a C-rank mission. Retrieve that child from the training ground."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
As Hayashi turned to leave, Hiruzen lowered his voice.
"Clean up any loose ends. Leave no hidden dangers."
"Understood."
At the same time, inside a tent within Konoha's camp, a kettle simmered softly over a small fire.
Kushina Uzumaki sat beside Kana, the warmth of the flames illuminating the space. A scroll containing neatly packed bento boxes rested nearby.
Kana accepted the tea Kushina handed her and took a careful sip. The aroma was rich, and the warmth spread through her body.
"It's very good."
"Is it?" Kushina grinned. "I borrowed it from Sister Tsunade's room."
"Tsunade-hime of the Three Sannin?" Kana asked hesitantly. "I've heard of her. She's very important."
"She's not important at all," Kushina said cheerfully. "I'll introduce you later. She'll definitely like you."
Kana smiled faintly, her chest feeling warmer than it had in years.
Kushina opened the scroll and pulled out a bento box decorated with a fox motif.
Inside were rice balls, beef patties, sausages, fried eggs, and carefully arranged side dishes.
"I made these for the exam," Kushina said, slightly embarrassed. "I can't promise they're perfect. Want to try?"
"…Thank you."
Kana accepted the rice ball with both hands. It was heavier than she expected. She took a large bite, and before she realized it, tears welled up.
She quickly lowered her head.
"This is the best thing I've ever eaten."
"You're exaggerating," Kushina laughed.
"It's true."
"You're probably just hungry."
"Maybe…"
Kushina laughed again and took one for herself.
The tent felt peaceful, wrapped in warmth and quiet conversation. For Kana, meeting a clanswoman after years of isolation felt unreal.
Footsteps suddenly sounded outside.
Kushina stood up immediately.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
Uchiha Hayashi lifted the tent flap and stepped inside.
Kushina rushed over, grabbing his sleeve.
"Hayashi, what are you doing here?"
She paused and sniffed.
"…Why do you smell like blood?"
Hayashi smiled and patted her head.
"Nothing serious. Just finished a small mission. What are you eating? It smells good."
"Food I made," Kushina said proudly.
Kana stiffened at the sight of a stranger.
"It's alright," Kushina reassured her. "This is Hayashi. You're safe with him here."
Hayashi observed the scene quietly. Kushina, once always protected, was now protecting someone else.
"Why are you here?" Kushina asked.
"I'm here on the Hokage's orders," Hayashi replied calmly. "To speak with this Grass Ninja."
Kana's body tensed.
"Hayashi," Kushina said urgently, "she's my clan member. Please don't send her back."
"I won't," he replied. "I'm here to ask if she's willing to join Konoha."
Kushina froze, then let out an annoyed laugh and lightly hit his shoulder.
"You scared me for nothing."
"This is a political matter," Hayashi said flatly. "I had to be serious."
Kana hesitated.
"If I join Konoha… will Kusagakure allow it?"
"They don't need to," Hayashi said coldly. "Unless you wish to return."
She shook her head immediately.
"I'd rather die."
"Any other concerns?"
Kana rolled up her sleeve, revealing the bite marks.
"I can be useful. I just don't want to live like that anymore."
Hayashi nodded.
"No one will ever use you like that again."
Kana was taken from the training ground, not to the Hokage Tower, but to Konoha Hospital.
When they arrived, Tsunade had just finished work, sitting with a thermos in hand.
She immediately noticed the red hair.
"…An Uzumaki?"
After hearing the explanation, Tsunade's expression softened.
"If I had met you sooner," she said gently, "my grandmother would have been happy. Her name was Uzumaki Mito."
Kana nodded.
"My mother told me about her."
"She passed away years ago."
"I'm sorry."
Tsunade smiled and stroked her hair.
"Call me Sister, like Kushina does. As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you."
Outside the ward, Orochimaru appeared.
"Ninjas without a homeland," he said softly. "Truly pitiful."
Hayashi glanced at him.
"Sensei, do you think Konoha could one day fall like Uzushiogakure?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
"All things decay. Konoha is no exception."
"And if someone tried to stop it?"
"Perhaps only an immortal could."
Hayashi shook his head.
"Then that immortal would likely destroy it first."
___
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