Meeting the Hokage

After 3 to 4 days of informing the Uzumaki Clan Members of the plan from Araki, Kushina and Araki were on their way to return to Konoha.

Araki was quite a lot faster than Kushina, but he ran at an equal pace so Kushina wouldn't be left behind.

While they were running, he turned to Kushina and said, "I am sorry. I am sorry that I couldn't save Uncle Hishin." He really didn't know what else to say to Kushina.

To this, Kushina remained quiet for some moments before replying to him, "My father made his own choice. The same for all the other Uzumaki Clan Members who died with him. He knew his presence would have been troublesome for Uzumaki Clan's Future. I am proud of him for his decision to not hesitate in sacrificing himself for the clan…"

Even though she said these words, she couldn't hide the bitter feelings in her heart from Araki.

However, he knew that no matter what he said to her right now, it wouldn't lessen her pain. It was better to give her time to accept it.

By the end of the day, they returned to Konoha. The chunin guards at the entrance had been ordered by the Third Hokage to immediately bring Senju Araki and Uzumaki Kushina to him once they are spotted.

Actually, this was an order which had been given to almost all the shinobi. But, these chunin guards were the first ones to spot the two of them.

These Chunin Guards were happy when they spotted Araki and Kushina. They hoped that they would be given some hefty reward for this…

When Araki and Kushina approached the entrance gates, these two Chunin Guards stepped forward. They said collectively in a domineering tone, "The Hokage has ordered you two to appear before him immediately."

"Alright, take us to him." Araki readily agreed since he wished to deal with the Hokage first as well. It was better to have a face-to-face meeting than to be sneakily attacked.

The two Chunin were surprised when they saw Araki readily agreeing. They faced each other, wondering why the two had agreed so quickly. Shouldn't they have resisted a little?

But still, they decided not to think about this for the moment and took them straight to the Hokage's office. Many other Shinobi saw Araki and Kushina walking with the two chunins.

They had received the same mission as these chunin guards and muttered under their breaths, "Lucky guards…"

Meanwhile, the Chunin Guards were looking forward to a hefty sum of Ryo. Their Salary from the guard duty wasn't enough to fulfil their dreams.

After they entered the Hokage's office, the Hokage was a little startled to see the two Chunin guards followed by Araki and Kushina. The two had grave looks on their faces as they followed these chunin guards.

"You both can leave. I will ask the secretory to reward you for the completion of the mission." These words from the Third Hokage lit up their faces.

After the two chunins left the office, the Third Hokage had a stern look on his face as he stared at Araki and Kushina.

"Where were you two? Why couldn't I find you in the village?" The Third Hokage's stern look demanded the truth out of Araki.

Araki decided to be the one to speak here, "I have a better question for you, Third Hokage. Uzushio was attacked by the allied army of the Three Great Village of Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa. Why did Konoha not send any reinforcements?"

"You aren't in any position to ask me any questions. Give answers to my questions, first, Senju Araki." The Third Hokage had the same look as before, no, his gaze was stricter as compared to before.

"You should know the answers to those questions. I am still curious why the Konoha wouldn't send a single shinobi to assist Uzushio. Do you have any answer?" He stared at the Hokage with a merciless look in his eyes.

Perhaps the Hokage felt compelled by these eyes to answer his question and replied, "Konoha had just dealt with the Suna village's forces. We can't make an enemy out of Three Great Villages."

"Oh, really? And yet, you have enough shinobi who were seemingly waiting for us near the Konoha's entrance gate. Tell them they can't escape from my senses no matter how well they hide." Araki casually stated it to the Third Hokage who narrowed his eyes.

He guessed it must have been Danzo's Root shinobi.

"Besides, we both know that it's a big fat lie about how you don't have enough Shinobi to help out Uzushio. It's just that you felt they weren't worth the trouble, right Monkey?" Araki sneered at the Third Hokage. He didn't wait for the Third Hokage to reply before continuing, "With allies like Konoha, there is no need for enemies. That is all I have to say."

With that, Araki turned around and was walking out of the Hokage's office.

"Stop! We are still not finished yet!" The Hokage called out for Araki who merely glared at him from the corner of his eyes.

"I do believe we are done here, Monkey. And don't forget, from today, I am the Senju Clan Head. Even you cannot use your powers as a Hokage to order me around now." Araki declared himself as the Senju Clan Head.

Needless to say, the Third Hokage wasn't pleased with this declaration. Firstly, he was even a little mad at Araki when he heard this boy call him 'monkey'.

It gave him a feeling as if he was standing in front of that detestable woman, Uzumaki Mito again. He was a lot better at controlling his emotions and didn't show it on his face.

He calmly said to Araki, "You aren't the eldest Senju Clan Member. It's Senju Tsunade, one of the three Great Sannin. If anything, she is more qualified to be the head of the Senju Clan."

"This is Senju Clan's matter, and an outsider's opinion is as useful as your help to Uzushio. If my elder cousin does have an issue with me becoming the head of the Senju Clan, then she can contact me. I don't need any advice from you, Monkey." This was the last statement he needed to say before he left the office.

Kushina was about to follow him when suddenly, she heard the Hokage call out to her, "Uzumaki Kushina, remain in the room, we need to have a talk as well."

Araki didn't stop the Third Hokage. He figured it would be better for Kushina to have this talk with the Hokage.

The Hokage stared at Kushina for some moments, seemingly thinking of how he should tackle the situation.

He gave her a kind smile before saying, "Don't mind Araki's words. I assure you that there was nothing Konoha could do to assist Uzushio."

"I just wanted to ask you to not go along with Araki from now on. He could place you into grave danger. You carry a great burden… A burden that could endanger your life and lives close to you. I am sure you are aware of it." Currently, Kushina was unconsciously using the negative emotion skill granted to her by Kurama.

The Hokage was giving her such a bad feeling that she couldn't tolerate being in the same room as him.

'Burden? Fuck you! Who are you calling a burden?! I can still beat your ugly ass any day of the week!' Kurama seemed to be raging at the Third Hokage at being called a burden.

Kushina wanted to laugh after hearing Kurama cursing the Third Hokage in her head.

"Your life is very precious to the whole Konoha. Make sure to protect yourself and Araki. If he does pull you into doing something, inform me about it first." The Third Hokage didn't realise that all his words were for nought. No… These words were making Kushina even more cautious of the Hokage.

Kushina just nodded her head before she quickly left the office. She couldn't tolerate the sight of the Hokage anymore. She felt that if she remained in front of him anymore, she would be unable to stop herself from shouting at him.

As she left the office, she saw that Araki hadn't moved far away from the office, he seemed to be staring at a middle-aged man with a bandage covering his one eye.

Araki was staring at this one-eyed man with a strong intensity while the man in front of him returned the stare with equal intensity.

"So, you are Shimura Danzo, huh?"