Konoha.
Koharu Utatane stood outside Kushina Uzumaki's front door and knocked gently.
"Coming, coming! Just a second!"
A bright, energetic voice rang out. Kushina rushed over in a flurry of red hair and threw the door open. She froze when she saw who it was.
"Advisor-sama?"
"Hello, Kushina."
Koharu smiled kindly, though the warmth on her face did not fully reflect the complexity in her heart.
"I'm here on behalf of the Third to see how you're doing. May I come in for a while?"
Before coming here, Hiruzen Sarutobi had called her in again. He had gone over the finer details of the negotiations with the Land of Fire regarding the biomedical research initiative. More importantly, he had emphasized the core message she was to deliver today.
It had stirred something in her.
Since taking the position of Konoha advisor, Koharu had slowly begun to feel as if responsibility and authority had reshaped her into someone else.
She used to care deeply about her comrades' feelings. She valued individual survival and carried a careful, observant heart.
But from the perspective of governing the village, she had increasingly found the philosophy that "shinobi are tools" efficient. It reduced friction, minimized internal conflict, and ensured Konoha's survival in a tangible way.
She had even suggested to the Third that perhaps there was no need to formally apologize to Kushina. Quietly correcting their mistakes might be enough.
Hiruzen had rebuked her.
"Koharu, you think human warmth weakens the idea of shinobi as tools. You believe it will hinder the village. I won't deny it may bring trouble, but what I'm asking you to do will bring greater benefits."
"If we continue suppressing the human side of shinobi, Konoha will face serious consequences sooner or later. All we need to do is bend slightly and acknowledge that emotional need, then gradually spread that message across the shinobi world."
"Want to make a bet? The Will of Fire might even inspire enemies to surrender."
"Authority isn't about never making mistakes. It's about building consensus that we can make the village better."
"Don't be so shortsighted."
Koharu had left the Hokage Tower feeling thoroughly scolded.
That forceful tone from her old classmate reminded her of their teacher.
Once the logic was clear and the stakes understood, the path forward had to be executed decisively, no matter the target. Advisor, enemy village, even oneself.
"Please, come in!" Kushina hurriedly stepped aside. "Oh no, I didn't clean up… what do I do…"
Her red hair swayed nervously as she fussed.
"It's fine, it's fine. Young people being a little relaxed is normal," Koharu said with a gentle chuckle, recalling Hiruzen's words.
But as she stepped inside, her brow twitched.
Why was there a blond boy in here?
Something about this felt… off.
Minato Namikaze sat cross-legged on the sofa, barefoot, completely absorbed in the dense diagrams spread across the table.
Sealing techniques?
Koharu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Who allowed this boy to be in close contact with such an important Jinchuriki?
Forming private bonds was one thing. But studying the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques together…
Even if Minato was the one who rescued Kushina, that was a separate matter.
Kushina failed to notice Koharu's subtle shift in expression. Her face flushed as she scrambled for words.
Oh no!
She had completely forgotten Minato was here.
A teenage girl caught with a boy in her house by an elder could hardly react any other way.
Minato, however, immediately sensed the tension. He stood up at once.
"Advisor Utatane, hello."
"Mm."
Koharu examined him carefully.
It wasn't that she intended to separate them. But Kushina's identity was too sensitive for carelessness.
Even if he was Jiraiya's disciple.
"Great-Grandfather really cares about you, Kushina. So many people came to see you today," Minato said brightly, turning to her with a sunny smile. "You're quite popular."
Kushina grinned and shot back, "What? So you wouldn't visit me without the Third's instructions?"
Minato raised his hands in surrender. "That's not what I meant. Great-Grandfather said we're close, and it makes him happy."
Koharu's thoughts shifted.
Clever blond brat.
In a few simple lines, he reinforced his connection to the Hokage and subtly implied his approval.
Yet he wore the face of an innocent, cheerful boy.
Was this really Jiraiya's student?
Nothing alike.
If anything… there was a faint resemblance to Orochimaru in his younger days.
"So Minato is here too?"
Koharu smoothly changed her demeanor.
"Seeing young people training together makes this old woman feel younger," she said with a laugh.
Kushina's cheeks burned. She dashed into the kitchen and returned with snacks and tea.
"And what are you working on?" Koharu gestured toward the table.
"Advisor-sama, could you take a look?" Minato scratched his head sheepishly. "Great-Grandfather asked me to conduct quality inspections on the security reforms Sakumo-sama is implementing."
"I thought sealing techniques might help, so Kushina and I are studying them."
Koharu felt a pang of nostalgia.
Young men and women striving for the village…
It reminded her of her own youth.
"Let me see. Perhaps I can help."
Moments later, Koharu looked up, slightly embarrassed.
She had intended to offer modest assistance and build rapport.
But the sealing techniques they were studying were far from basic.
They were already at a level most Jonin would struggle to grasp.
She forced out a few suggestions. Technically sound, but she still felt somewhat out of her depth.
Then Minato's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Advisor Utatane! That clarifies it!"
Koharu blinked.
Clarifies what?
Even I'm not fully clear on it.
Kushina's eyes sparkled. "Really? Advisor Utatane is amazing! And Minato too!"
At that moment, Koharu finally relaxed regarding the blond boy.
Whether it was deliberately allowing her to see exactly what they were researching or his emotional intelligence…
This was not an ordinary teenager.
The most unsettling part was that she genuinely could not tell whether Minato was naive or simply extremely perceptive.
Either way, he was more than capable of handling Kushina.
She was already looking at him like a devoted admirer.
Koharu decided it was time to address the real purpose of her visit.
"Kushina, those despicable Hidden Cloud shinobi will pay."
"In the past, there were shortcomings in your protection and in helping you integrate into the village. You suffered for it."
"But you were never forgotten. Matters had to be addressed one by one. Enemy infiltration, postwar reconstruction… these are issues tied to the village's survival."
"The Third has ordered that the history of friendship between the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha be incorporated into the Ninja Academy curriculum. Everyone must not only understand the Uzumaki Clan's contributions, but also remember the cruelty of our enemies and the humiliation we endured."
"He asked me to tell you that Konoha is your home. You are not merely a Jinchuriki. Even without your special chakra, the village has an obligation to care for every orphan of the Uzumaki Clan."
"You may choose a new residence. The Anbu will strengthen defenses in the surrounding area. Given your identity, it is not appropriate for you to take frequent missions. The village will compensate you with training resources and a living allowance."
"If you need anything, tell us. Don't keep it bottled up."
Koharu's voice turned solemn.
"The Third hopes you can live happily in Konoha and find a new family here."
Kushina lowered her head. Tears pooled in her eyes.
"Thank you… thank you, Third-sama. Thank you, Advisor Utatane."
"The village has always cared about you, Kushina," Minato said softly, sitting beside her and gently comforting her.
"I won't disturb you any longer."
Koharu turned and left.
Once outside, she looked up at the sky.
An indescribable feeling settled in her chest.
This… really was better.
When had she begun preaching the Will of Fire while privately prioritizing the idea that shinobi were tools?
Perhaps this was what a village should be.
Elsewhere in Konoha, at that very moment, Sakumo Hatake was also deep in thought about the new security unit.
He sought out Fugaku Uchiha.