章節 189: CH - 184 Yoshinori Visit Konoha

"I'm back!" Akihiko announced his arrival upon entering his home.

"Welcome back~" The sound of the familiar voice brought an involuntary smile to Akihiko's face.

Glancing at Fuso, who was accompanying Kana, as well as Konan and Nagato, he joyfully exclaimed, "Everyone's already here!"

However, despite being the one who used to captivate everyone's attention, Akihiko found himself now being ignored by all. After a fleeting glance, no one spared him further notice, redirecting their focus to gather around Kana.

Unperturbed, Akihiko also smiled and approached Kana's side, his gaze falling on her slightly swollen belly.

Indeed, Kana was pregnant, a discovery made in early autumn of the current year. Considering the years of the relationship, it was a natural progression. In fact, if you do the math, Akihiko was a few years older than Minato.

Speaking of which, although Kana harbored no resentment for this unexpected turn of events, Akihiko couldn't shake a sense of guilt. Consequently, he swiftly arranged a wedding, a simple yet heartfelt wedding ceremony. Despite its simplicity, being the leader of a country made even the most straightforward event quite elaborate. Both the Grass and Rain countries were particularly lively during the ceremony, sending their heartfelt blessings.

Now, Kana held a pivotal role in the family, protected by everyone, with special attention from the Uzumaki clan. Yoshinori, as an elder, even chided Akihiko for allowing Kana to continue working in the medical department. What if something went wrong?

Despite Kana's insistence on her well-being, Akihiko took no chances. Leveraging his authority, he removed her from her position, ensuring she stayed home under Fuso's care.

Akihiko took a seat beside Kana, gently touching her hand while his other hand tenderly stroked her belly. He smiled warmly and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Kana, somewhat embarrassed, replied, "You really don't have to worry so much about me. Even if I'm alone, I'll be fine. You can focus on your responsibilities without concern."

"Let it go," Akihiko waved his hand and a playful smile appeared on his face. He joked, "What if I get criticized again."

Nodding in agreement from the side, Konan chimed in, "That's right, Kana-nee is the most important now. Nagato, don't you think so?"

"Um" Nagato on the side nodded, and Fuso, wearing a smiling expression, also nodded earnestly. Kana, touched by their sincerity, smiled helplessly. Squinting her eyes, she gently touched her slightly bulging belly and softly said to Akihiko, "I will take good care of her!"

She vaguely remembered that dark period in her life when he had appeared and said, "Will you be my secretary? Free meals and accommodation, plus a monthly salary" And she nodded, agreeing to his offer. Now… she has not only found a home but also her own people as well.

Then, as if recollecting something important, Kana addressed Akihiko, "Akihiko, don't worry about me. With Fuso taking care of me, everything will be fine. There must be more pressing matters in the village now, right?" After a moment of hesitation, she inquired, "Is the war starting again?"

"No need to worry. It's just some minor conflicts, nothing major," Akihiko reassured, waving his hand dismissively.

Considering the timing, Mubuki and Elder Yoshinori would likely have reached Konoha. However, 'bringing' Naruto back might not be possible. Therefore, they aimed to just remind Konoha of their presence.

"I've already tasked Mubuki with handling it. Don't worry!" Akihiko affirmed with confidence.

"I didn't expect so much to happen in Konoha," Kana mused, her face reflecting a mix of emotions. "How is Kushina doing now?"

"Though she hasn't fully recovered, she should be fine," Akihiko replied, rubbing his chin. The ability of the Gedo Statue was amazing. Moreover, Obito bringing her back in time also played a crucial role. Without it, even the Dragon Life Reincarnation might not have been sufficient to save her. Now, She should wake up in a few days.

Dealing with Kushina posed its own set of challenges. They couldn't merely save her and send her back, especially considering Akihiko's plan to use her to bring Naruto to their village. As for the medical expenses, Obito had pledged to take care of it.

Akihiko couldn't help but wonder about the inheritance Minato might have left behind. Why Did Obito didn't retrieve anything when he went to Konoha? Did he forget, How destitute was he now? Was he even aware of his financial state? Considering the chaos caused by the Nine-Tails, Konoha might not have cared about what happened to Minato's assets.

Now, instead of covering medical expenses, the funds might be confiscated by Konoha. Moreover, this time the Nine-Tails' chaos wasn't caused by the appearance of the mysterious person but by the news of the suspected betrayal of the Fourth Hokage. Akihiko could already envision Konoha showing little regard for confiscating it.

As he pondered, Akihiko sighed and muttered to himself, "I wonder how Konoha will handle it?"

…

The arrival of Uzumaki clan representatives after almost two decades, accompanied by the involvement of the Grass Village, raised questions and speculation in Konoha.

This visit differed from the previous one where the Uzumaki sought aid, only to be turned down. This time, it was a formal visit from the Uzumaki clan, now linked with the Grass Village. However, the intentions behind this visit remained shrouded in mystery. Was it the Grass Village with an agenda, or did the Uzumaki clan have its own goals?

Sarutobi Hiruzen and others harbored doubts about the clan's motives. Why would they choose such a time, seemingly oblivious to Konoha's tumultuous state post the Nine-Tails incident? Additionally, despite bringing numerous items, it appeared they intended to sell rather than donate for citizen relief—an act perceived as absurd and callous.

The purpose behind this seemingly innocuous visit masked deeper intentions, leaving Konoha wary and suspicious of the Uzumaki clan and the Grass Village's underlying motives.

However, As the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen took it upon himself to personally welcome the Uzumaki clan representatives, once considered their closest ally. Homura Mitokado accompanied him, emphasizing the cooperative relationship between Konoha and the Grass Village, which had proven profitable in the past. The hope was that any unexpected deal might alleviate the current tension.

The sudden Nine-Tails incident had caught Konoha off guard, prompting other ninja villages to take action. Hiruzen aimed to collaborate with the Grass Village to resist these external pressures and maintain peace in the ninja world. However, he was steadfast in the impossibility of allowing Konoha's Jinchuriki to be taken away.

Observing the elderly Uzumaki playing with a child, Hiruzen couldn't shake the suspicion that the visit might not be as innocent as it appeared. The elder, Uzumaki Yoshinori, was one of the remaining two elders of the Uzumaki clan and held a high-ranking position in the Grass Village.

Konoha, though, remained vigilant. Anbu ninjas had been deployed around, ready to intervene swiftly in case of any unexpected developments.

In no time, Uzumaki Yoshinori finished playing with the child. The elderly Uzumaki carefully set the child down, turned towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, and offered a kind smile. "Sorry for the trouble, Third Hokage."

"It's what I should do." Hiruzen Sarutobi responded, relieved that there were no unexpected moves from the Grass ninjas. He smiled and continued, " After all, The Uzumaki clan is Konoha's most important and closest ally!"

"Of course, just as our leader always says," Uzumaki Yoshinori nodded solemnly, adding, "We share a bond akin to blood brothers!"

Despite the seemingly positive statement, Hiruzen couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. There was an undertone that left him uneasy as if he were being mocked or deceived.

"May I offer him a gift?" Despite the somewhat tense demeanor in Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile, Uzumaki Yoshinori retrieved a small item from his belongings. It bore the Uzumaki clan emblem and was delicately placed in the arms of Naruto Uzumaki. "This child has been without parents since birth. The clan wishes for his health and well-being. Hence, we've prepared a little something for him."

Hiruzen's expression flickered but swiftly regained composure. He grasped the underlying implication—Uzumaki Yoshinori was subtly reminding him of the child's Uzumaki heritage. He nodded, exhaling softly, and assured, "I'll ensure his care. He'll undoubtedly grow into an exceptional Konoha ninja!"

"Absolutely," Uzumaki Yoshinori maintained his amiable smile, affirming, "The Uzumaki clan trusts Konoha completely. I firmly believe that Konoha will take excellent care of him. After all, as close allies, Konoha wouldn't mistreat a child. Anyway, No matter the circumstance, a child shouldn't suffer. Konoha wouldn't allow it."

As Uzumaki Yoshinori spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he had heard this speaking style before. He regarded Yoshinori with a forced smile, how this guy, in just a few years had become so ingrained with the Grass Village's influence. The once straightforward Uzumaki clan member had adopted an unmistakably grassy demeanor. The transformation left Hiruzen both surprised and wary.