After confirming Danzo's complete death, Tsunade brought Minato to the residence where Uzumaki Mito lived.
"Sister!"
"Minato!"
Seeing them return, Nawaki and Kushina hurried over to greet them.
"Hello, Grandma Mito," Minato said politely to Uzumaki Mito. Mito smiled warmly and beckoned him closer.
Her aged fingers gently stroked his head of blond hair as she asked with concern, "Are you injured?"
Minato shook his head. "No."
"That's good to hear."
Mito took his hand. "Was his target you?"
"Kushina," Minato replied softly, "but the root cause was me."
Hearing this, Mito immediately understood and sighed softly.
"That boy Danzo... after all these years, he learned nothing from Tobirama but how to scheme. Now he's reaping what he sowed. Don't carry any guilt over this."
"I don't feel guilty," Minato said with a shy smile. "To be honest, it would weigh on me if he were still alive."
"That's exactly how it should be."
Mito chuckled. Her husband was a good-natured man with no temper, but she was not.
The Uzumaki Clan's vibrant life force not only granted them boundless physical energy but also a quick temper born from that excess vitality. This made almost every member of the clan hot-headed.
Mito had been just like that in her youth.
Though she was now old, rarely left the house, and was always accompanied by Anbu agents wherever she went,
the truth was, if Minato hadn't been so swift, she would probably have stormed Root by now and hung Danzo up to beat him.
In this era, not even the Eight Trigrams Sealing Technique, let alone the Four Symbols Sealing Technique, was perfected enough to completely seal a Tailed Beast like it could with Naruto.
In other words, she had single-handedly suppressed the entire Nine-Tailed Beast within her body!
What was this talk of "reconciling with a Tailed Beast to use its Chakra"?
Why not just hang the Nine-Tails up and rip the Chakra straight from its body?
Did anyone really think the Anbu agents around her were there to monitor her?
She had been puzzled as to why Danzo would attack Minato.
But after hearing Minato's explanation, she could easily guess his true motives.
"Perhaps you should pay more attention to the people around you," Mito advised.
"I've already confirmed the target, but they're also being coerced," Minato replied softly.
"As long as you're aware of the situation, that's what matters."
Mito nodded, increasingly pleased with Minato. She gently patted his hand. "You're still young. Don't let the schemes of adults cloud your emotions and judgment."
"Hiruzen is in a difficult position, and he has his own constraints. Don't blame him. Some things can't be forced. Just follow your heart."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for your guidance."
Minato nodded humbly, showing no impatience.
"You're Tsunade's disciple and you've inherited Hashirama's Wood Release. In my eyes, you're also my junior. There's no need to be so formal."
Mito smiled warmly. "How's your Wood Release training coming along?"
"I've mastered all the Ninjutsu from the scroll," Minato said confidently. "I've even created some practical techniques of my own."
The parasitic spores he'd just used on Danzo were one such technique.
While researching the Wood Clone Seed, he'd been reminded of White Zetsu's spore techniques, which had inspired him to create this Ninjutsu.
The Hidden Spore Technique exploits the spores' stealth to allow the enemy to unknowingly inhale them, each carrying the user's Chakra.
Once activated, these spores take root in the enemy's flesh, devouring their Chakra as they grow wildly. It's an exceptionally practical assassination Ninjutsu!
Of course, the technique isn't without its flaws. Releasing too many spores can be detected by Sensor Ninjas, and the Chakra within them is no match for Byakugan, Sharingan, and other dōjutsu Bloodline Limits that can observe Chakra.
However, Minato had already prepared for these countermeasures. He planned to combine the Hidden Spore Technique with the Hidden Mist Technique, using a dense fog infused with Chakra to mask the spores.
The only ones who could truly counter this threat were members of the Aburame Clan, who raise insects within their bodies. These insects can immediately detect changes in internal Chakra and eliminate the spore infestation.
"If Hashirama knew someone had inherited his Ninjutsu, he'd be overjoyed," Mito said, nodding in satisfaction. She leaned on her cane to stand, but Minato quickly stepped forward to support her.
Mito retrieved a scroll from a drawer and handed it to Minato. "This contains some of Hashirama's cultivation experience. It might be useful to you."
"Thank you, Grandma Mito," Minato said politely, accepting the scroll with respect.
"It's getting late," Mito said gently. "Xiao Gang, take them home early."
Though she wanted to let them stay, the core area of the compound was engraved with sealing formations, making overnight stays inconvenient.
"This..." Tsunade's eye twitched, annoyance flashing across her face. "My house was blown up."
"Why don't you stay at my place for now?" Minato suggested. "When I get home from school tomorrow, I'll fix it with Wood Release."
"Sounds good!" Tsunade agreed immediately, leading the three children away.
Mito sat by the window, watching the group's retreating figures, her expression gradually turning cold.
"Summon the Monkey King," she ordered.
"Yes!" a voice responded from outside the window. An Anbu member acknowledged the order and vanished in a flash.
A few minutes later, they arrived at Minato's house.
Kushina entered the room, looking somewhat nervous.
After knowing Minato for so long, this was her first time visiting his house.
Since Minato occasionally returned to clean up, the house remained tidy even after being vacant for half a year.
"Your place is quite spacious!" Nawaki exclaimed, striding around the room. "Where will I sleep tonight?"
"There are only three rooms in the house," Minato replied casually, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Teacher and Kushina each get their own room. You'll have to share with me."
Today was his first time killing anyone, and such a large number of people at that. It left him feeling somewhat unsettled.
Still, it wasn't as extreme as the internet made it out to be—no vomiting or diarrhea...
"Oh... which one is your room?" Nawaki asked.
"The one upstairs."
"What about me?" Tsunade inquired.
Minato pointed to the master bedroom. "Teacher, if you don't mind, you can stay in the master bedroom."
Tsunade glanced around, then shook her head. "Isn't this your parents' room? I couldn't possibly stay here. That would be too disrespectful. You should take it, and you can let Nawaki stay with you."
"I'll sleep in your room, and Kushina can take the guest room. It'll be more convenient for her to use the bathroom at night. Let's leave it at that for now. I'm going back to my room."
Without giving anyone a chance to object, she headed upstairs, her steps seemingly lighter than before.
Watching Tsunade's retreating figure, Kushina instinctively raised her hand and opened her mouth.
No, wait...
I don't actually mind the inconvenience!
Could we switch?
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