Chapter 235

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After returning home, Kushina still couldn't let go of Naruto. Unknowingly, she had been away from him for almost three months. At that time, Naruto could barely speak in full sentences, but now he had started learning how to read.

Listening to Naruto talk about his experiences living with the Uchiha family over the past few months, it was clear he had not suffered any mistreatment.

Even when Karin bullied him, all Naruto had to do was cry or call for help, and Aunt Mina would come to his aid, often hanging Karin up with her golden chains.

When it came to his rivalry with Sasuke, Naruto didn't ask for help, as he often ended up bullying Sasuke more.

For some reason, the two just couldn't stand each other. Even in front of Kushina, Naruto admitted that he disliked Sasuke more than Karin, who bullied him, because he himself bullied Sasuke more.

Kushina talked with Naruto for a long time until he got sleepy. She then took him to bed, feeling reassured that he was doing well and that he spoke with such happiness.

Although she resented Yoichi, she was grateful to Mina and Mikoto for taking such good care of Naruto. The jealousy she once felt towards them had dissipated.

After putting Naruto to bed, Kushina thought to herself: "Only ten more times... After ten more times... If Jiraiya can't retrieve Minato's body, then I'll do it myself. And then, everything will be over."

Yes, just ten more times. She was a ninja, after all. She could endure ten more times.

Kushina took a deep breath and clenched her fists, trying to convince herself. But after lying in bed for a while, she found that she couldn't sleep. Although returning home had initially brought her some peace, the quietness without the sound of the waterfall was unsettling, making it impossible for her to sleep.

The silence made Kushina feel empty. She tossed and turned for two or three hours, unable to fall asleep.

"Hmm..."

In the silent room, a soft moan escaped, but then it returned to silence. After a minute or two, Kushina, her red hair sticking together with sweat, emerged from under the covers.

Looking around to make sure she hadn't disturbed Naruto, she quietly tidied up. After completing her task, she suddenly felt exhausted and drowsy, so she pulled up the covers and soon fell into a deep sleep.

...

"Damn it!"

In the prison of Kirigakure, the cells were filled with ninjas. The one cursing angrily was Mei, one of the first to be imprisoned and the main culprit in the recent incident.

All of the imprisoned Kirigakure ninjas were Mei's companions and trusted followers. As a Jonin with two Kekkei Genkai, many people had high hopes for Mei, believing she was likely to become the next Mizukage. Supporting her early was seen as an investment.

Moreover, Mei was well-liked in the village and often looked after her juniors. However, all those who were close to her were now imprisoned.

"That bastard Fourth Mizukage... If it weren't for us, who knows how many foolish things he would have done while under control. And now he..." Mei said angrily, clenching her fists. After Yoichi left, the Fourth Mizukage had become enraged and falsely accused her of collaborating with Konoha's ninja.

At the time, it had been the right choice not to intervene. Facing a force as destructive as a tailed beast, should she have provoked the enemy, allowing the Leaf's Lightning Fang to wreak havoc in Kirigakure before flying away?

"Let it go, Mei. The Fourth Mizukage needs a scapegoat. Our only mistake was trying to cover for Kirigakure's reputation. We should have told the other elders that he was under control," Ao, imprisoned in the cell opposite Mei, said. His charge was even more laughable: failing to protect the village's Byakugan.

It was absurd. The Byakugan was his spoil of war, and in that situation, refusal would have meant death for not just him, but also Mei and everyone else.

Facing the Leaf's Lightning Fang, unless you had thousands of ninjas, it wouldn't make a difference.

They should have waited, consulting with the village's elders before acting. They had thought that spreading the news that the Mizukage was controlled by a rogue ninja would be a disgrace to Kirigakure, so they had kept it quiet.

But Mei hadn't expected that after being rescued, Yagura would turn on them, even going so far as to accuse them of collaborating with rogue ninjas.

"I'm just not willing to accept this. We saved Kirigakure, and yet he..." Mei's voice trailed off as footsteps echoed down the hall. Everyone fell silent, but when they saw who it was, Mei was surprised. "Elder Genji?"

"Mei, you've worked hard. If it weren't for you, who knows what other ridiculous things the Fourth Mizukage would have done," Elder Genji said. His voice was old and frail; he had been a high-ranking member of Kirigakure since its founding and was now over seventy years old.

He had approved the overthrow of the Third Mizukage because the Third's hatred of Kekkei Genkai users and the Blood Mist policies had caused fear throughout Kirigakure. The Third had refused to change, so he had to be removed.

But Genji hadn't expected that Yagura, after taking power, would fall under control, implementing an even more terrifying version of the Blood Mist policies.

"But collaborating with Konoha's ninja was a mistake. Last time, in the Mizukage's building, nearly two hundred ninjas were killed or injured, most of whom were Yagura's loyalists. So he..." Genji shook his head and continued, "You should leave the village. Although I can protect you now, Yagura will continue to target you. And leaving the village will also divert his attention."

Mei was momentarily stunned by Genji's words but ultimately felt deep resentment.

"Elder Genji, why must Mei become a rogue ninja? If it's because of the Fourth Mizukage's threats, I'm willing to follow Mei!"

"Me too! The Fourth Mizukage is a blind fool. He was controlled..." Before the commotion in the cells could escalate, Genji intervened.

"Silence! Someone must pay the price for the fallen ninjas."

If it wasn't Mei, it would be someone else. Unless they could persuade Yagura to admit his own foolishness—that he had been controlled by the enemy and had restarted the Blood Mist policies because of it.

But that would be a huge blow to Kirigakure's reputation. The Daimyo of the Land of Water was already losing faith in Kirigakure, and if this incident were made public, the village's higher-ups wouldn't stand for it.

"I understand, Elder Genji. Thank you for your help," Mei finally said after thinking it over multiple times, ultimately agreeing to Genji's proposal. If she stayed in the village, she might be freed this time with Genji's help, but she couldn't rely on him forever. Remaining in Kirigakure would only make her a target for Yagura's anger.

"It's good that you understand. Outside, you might achieve great things. Once you leave, I'll make sure that your comrades are released safely," Genji assured her.

"Thank you, Elder Genji," Mei said, though she was still unwilling in her heart, she agreed.

After giving her companions instructions, Mei left Kirigakure under Genji's arrangements, unnoticed by anyone.

It wasn't until the seventh day after Mei's departure that Yagura learned of it. He immediately knew it was Genji's doing, but although he was furious, he didn't dare do anything to the seventy or eighty-year-old elder.

In the end, Yagura was forced to declare Mei a rogue ninja. After issuing the wanted notice, he released the ninjas who had been close to her. There were too many of them, and if he punished them all, the other high-ranking members of Kirigakure would certainly object.

Now that Yagura was no longer under the control of the Mangekyo Sharingan, he didn't have the same ruthless attitude he had before. With his rational mind restored, he was more concerned with how the other high-ranking members of Kirigakure viewed him.

"Tell them to go find construction crews in other countries. The railroads need to be completed quickly. And have them continue their research. The current speed is still too slow. Ideally, they should be able to reach any border of the Land of Fire within half a day," Yoichi instructed Nono.

Nono was now helping Mikoto manage many affairs, and as a result, four large orphanages had been built around Konoha, funded by the Uchiha Corporation.

For the Uchiha, it was neither a loss nor a gain. After all, the talents that emerged from these orphanages would eventually serve the Uchiha. Additionally, Nono was quite capable, saving Mikoto half a day's work every day.

Yoichi continued, "You'll also be in charge of the other routes in the Land of Fire. I'll inform the Daimyo's office to cooperate with you."

"I understand, Uchiha-sama," Nono nodded. She then reported a few other matters, received answers, and left.

The Daimyo was already under Shisui's control with Kotoamatsukami, and his eye power was almost fully restored thanks to the healing properties of Hashirama cells.

The next targets were the other six ministers. Once the Daimyo and all six ministers were controlled, the consolidation process could begin.

By then, Konoha would also be ready to absorb the Land of Wind. Pakura was progressing well, and with control over the distribution of resources, she was the most sought-after person in Sunagakure.

Knock, knock!

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Kurenai opened the door and entered, followed by three women.

These were the three Snake Princesses from Ryuchi Cave. This was their first time visiting Konoha after joining forces with the village. Kurenai had just given them a tour of Konoha, and now the Snake Princesses were wearing Konoha headbands, blending in perfectly with the other ninja.

"Yoichi-sensei, we're back," Kurenai said as she approached Yoichi and stood by his side, feeling a bit uneasy being followed by three women who could turn into snakes.

"Thank you, Kurenai. You've worked hard," Yoichi said, then turned to the three Snake Princesses and asked, "So, have you made your decision? I can offer some suggestions if you're still unsure."

(End of Chapter)