Obtaining an Uzumaki descendant without bloodshed—what excellent news.
This was what Konoha's leadership thought upon receiving the report.
However, unlike the adult woman mentioned in the intelligence, what Shikaku's team brought back was merely an infant.
From Konoha's perspective, this was actually more beneficial than bringing back an adult clan member.
After all, an adult would require careful indoctrination in the Will of Fire, but a baby was different—as long as she could grow up peacefully in Konoha, she would surely embrace Konoha's values upon maturity.
At the same time, Konoha could consider her as a backup candidate for the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
The remaining question was who should raise this child.
Hatake Sakumo looked at Karin, who was being held by Hebiji. The infant was gazing around with innocent, curious eyes.
The answer was obvious.
"What an adorable little baby. Where's her mother?"
Kushina took Karin from Hebiji's arms, her face full of excitement as she looked at her fellow clan member, immediately inquiring about the mother's whereabouts.
Hebiji didn't speak, instead looking toward Feng Bai.
"I'm very sorry, Kushina-nee. The child's mother's whereabouts are currently unknown."
However, the reason why those unknown Uchiha had taken Karin's mother was easy to deduce.
With Nagato'sRinnegan taken, they needed to find a new vessel to control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, while also figuring out how to resurrect Uchiha Madara.
Only the Uzumaki clan could accomplish these tasks.
"I see. That's truly unfortunate."
Kushina's eyes dimmed for a moment before quickly returning to normal.
She hadn't seen another member of her clan for a very long time—not since Uzumaki Mito passed away.
Before marrying Minato, she often missed her birthplace, Uzushiogakure.
Minato, perceptive as always, had suggested letting their child inherit the Uzumaki surname to help ease Kushina's homesickness.
However...
Feng Bai really wanted to complain—even if Naruto took the Uzumaki name, that dazzling blond hair really didn't fit the bill.
If things developed as in the original story, the future identifying trait of the Uzumaki clan might change from red hair to blond hair.
Even Hiruzen and the other elders, upon seeing Naruto, secretly admired Minato's abilities.
He could actually force the Uzumaki clan's red hair to turn blond—the last person to achieve something similar was the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Though he had dyed his hair black.
"Alright, it's decided! Regardless of Karin's past, today will be her birthday!"
Looking at the little one sleeping peacefully in her arms, Kushina smiled and carried her into the house.
Just like that, Naruto, who had been an only child, became a big brother on this day.
...
With the passage of time, the buildings destroyed by Uchiha Setsuna were gradually restored.
The Medical Corps headquarters, which couldn't be completed due to insufficient budget, was successfully finished thanks to Tsunade's personal funding.
Perhaps feeling that investing her own money without taking charge would be somewhat of a loss, despite her verbal complaints, Tsunade still accepted Sakumo's appointment and became the Medical Corps' commander-in-chief.
She also brought Shizune, who had some familial connection to Katō Dan, to work by her side.
As news of the Medical Corps' completion spread throughout Konoha, Nohara Rin decisively approached the hospital leadership, hoping to join the Medical Corps.
Originally, the hospital director didn't want to hand over such an excellent kunoichi to the Medical Corps, and he also hoped to introduce this outstanding young woman to his son, who was about her age.
"This—this—this is absolutely unacceptable!"
Upon hearing this news, Obito slammed the table with a red face. If Feng Bai hadn't stopped him, he probably would have activated Susanoo and had a "good talk" with that director.
"Obito, I've told you many times—when something happens, don't panic. Stay calm."
Leaning back in his lounge chair, Feng Bai held a folding fan he'd somehow acquired, leisurely fanning himself while gently advising Obito not to get excited.
With the reconstruction work completed, Konoha shinobi who had been working around the clock for nearly a year finally got their long-awaited vacation. Under Feng Bai's arrangement, their former classmates gathered at this now-famous hot spring resort.
After enjoying the warm hot springs, the group, wrapped in bathrobes, came to the lounge area to chat.
"But, Feng Bai, you know, I..."
Obito blushed. In front of Rin, he couldn't bring himself to openly declare his feelings for her, no matter how long he tried.
"What? Know what?"
Anko, who had been devouring dango, stopped her actions and questioned Obito with a meaningful tone.
Heaven knows, she finally had time to eat her favorite dango.
Following Orochimaru-sensei around, while she didn't have to go on missions every day like combat shinobi, Orochimaru and Hiruko's emotionless orders still left Anko quite haggard.
"Idiot."
Kakashi was as aloof as ever, wearing his signature mask even while in a bathrobe.
"The women's bath is right over there. Of course, someone as upright as me would never do something like peeping, but if my eyes accidentally catch a glimpse of something, that wouldn't be my—ow!"
Before Ebisu could act on his wandering eyes, two fingers jabbed into his eye sockets, leaving him rolling on the ground clutching his eyes.
"Don't worry, Ebisu. I'll treat your eyes after the bath is over."
Looking down at Ebisu with the gaze one reserves for trash, Shizune's tone was cold.
Hyūga Iroha, who had recovered from his injuries, quietly deactivated his Byakugan after witnessing this scene.
"Same chaotic scene as always."
Ignoring Ebisu's pleas for help, Shiranui Genma held a senbon in his mouth, turned around, grabbed a bottle of milk, and drank it in one gulp.
"This is the feeling of youth! I've decided—I'll walk around the lounge area on my hands for five hundred laps!"
Might Guy, who wore his green jumpsuit even while bathing, began his self-discipline routine despite the astonished looks from the staff.
"Too bad our young master Asuma couldn't attend this gathering. Who knows where that kid ran off to."
Having finished the last skewer of dango, Anko contentedly rubbed her belly, burped with satisfaction, and brought up Asuma, who hadn't been able to attend this gathering.
At the mention of Asuma's name, everyone present fell silent for a moment.
Shiranui Genma scratched his head, his face showing some helplessness: "That guy left the village without saying a word. No one knows what he's angry about."
Among everyone present, only Feng Bai and Kakashi knew about Root's reorganization, so the others had no idea why Asuma had left.
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