Chapter 25: Aftermath

A dark, oppressive atmosphere filled the Hokage's office. Hiruzen sat, a sinister smile playing on his lips, observing the uneasy Kushina.

"Hiruzen-ojisan, that's a creepy smile," Kushina said, disgusted.

Hiruzen's smile faltered.

"It's dark in here; you'll ruin your eyesight." Kushina, ignoring him, went to the door and switched on the lights. "Trying to scare me? Just like Mito-baa-chan said, you're a pervert!"

Hiruzen struggled to maintain his composure. Pervert?! He hadn't reached old age. He was in his prime! Even Biwako said he was getting younger.

But what had Mito told Kushina?! His reputation had taken a serious hit. He was known as a good Hokage.

"Ahem," Hiruzen coughed, forcing a benevolent smile. Perhaps he was getting a little old.

"Kushina, can you control the Nine-Tails now?" He'd been enjoying a sukiyaki dinner when he sensed a surge of Nine-Tails chakra, rushing here before even finishing his meal. He hoped Biwako wouldn't make him sleep on the sofa tonight.

"That stinky fox is so infuriating," Kushina said, her voice seething.

Hiruzen's interest piqued. "Why?"

Kushina launched into a detailed account. "I just kicked him in the butt, and he's been ignoring me! He's so stingy with his chakra!"

Hiruzen winced, imagining the scene. The Nine-Tails had quite the temper.

Kushina continued complaining. "And today, it was even worse! I borrowed some chakra to use a Tailed Beast Ball, and he added more seals! Now, I can barely find him, and there's hardly any chakra left! Such a cheapskate!" Before, she could draw limitless chakra; now, he wouldn't give her anything.

Hiruzen smacked his lips. Jinchuriki borrowed chakra, didn't they? It sounded more like robbery. He felt sorry for Kurama. She hadn't suffered like this, even when sealed within Mito. But he now knew Kushina could control the Nine-Tails. That was a pleasant surprise. With Mito, Kurama had been unwilling to cooperate. And Mito's status had prevented him from using the Nine-Tails directly. Kushina, however, was a readily deployable asset. But her own strength needed to be improved. He could discuss that with Jiraiya later. For now…

"Kushina," Hiruzen said sternly, interrupting her tirade, which was mostly Kushina's self-justification and complaints about Kurama's unreasonable behavior. He'd only heard about the robbery and the subsequent blame shifting.

"No using Tailed Beast Balls within the village," he declared seriously. That single attack had destroyed half a forest. Fortunately, Jiraiya and the others had acted quickly, or they would have been affected. It was crucial to keep Kushina's status a secret.

"Fine, fine," Kushina said impatiently. She hadn't planned to use it anyway. "So bossy."

Hiruzen's face tightened. That girl needed a good scolding. But he was the Hokage, after all. He sighed. "You and your team can go."

Kushina muttered, "Old perv!" before rushing out.

She saw Jin leaning against a wall, staring at the ceiling, and Minato pacing. Minato sighed with relief at her appearance, asking with concern, "Kushina, are you alright?" Being summoned to the Hokage's office by so many ninjas didn't seem good.

"It's nothing," Kushina said, looking away. She didn't know whether they'd seen her use the Nine-Tails' power. She'd concealed it to protect Minato's feelings. He was always trying to surpass Jin. She'd seen him training relentlessly. She didn't want to discourage him.

As for Jin… let him rot!

Jin suddenly looked at Kushina. "I think you're cursing me."

Duh.

"Hmph!" Kushina huffed, raising her chin. If Minato hadn't been there, she would have shown Jin what fire was made of. Their feud was far from over.

Jin scratched his ear and turned to Minato. "Minato, you're still too weak."

Kushina stared, aghast. He knew why she'd been concealing her strength; it was for Minato's sake. And he'd just revealed it! Her eyes glowed red; her hair began to float.

Jin smirked. Bring it on! He wasn't going to listen to their lovey-dovey stuff.

Minato slumped. His two teammates were impossibly strong.

"Come to the training ground tomorrow. I'll teach you something," Jin said, adding an afterthought. Minato still needed to get stronger. He needed to prevent Hiruzen from creating more problems. Their team's strength needed to be bolstered.

...

Hokage's Office. The commotion subsided. A puff of smoke, Jiraiya appeared.

"Hokage-sama, their brains were damaged; no usable memories could be extracted." Formality superseded the teacher-student relationship.

Hiruzen frowned. This brain-damaging technique wasn't typical of smaller villages.

"It must be one of the Great Ninja Villages. Iwa, Suna, Kumo, Kiri… Jiraiya, which one do you think?"

Jiraiya had already considered this. "No distinctive techniques. But Kiri is unlikely."

Hiruzen nodded. Kiri specialized in assassination and Water Release. They lacked resources and wouldn't risk so many ninjas for the jinchuriki. It was a suicide mission.

The other three villages were suspects. Kiri might have tried to frame them. But the probability was low.

"Jiraiya, prepare for the front lines," Hiruzen sighed. The perpetrator was irrelevant. The situation was worsening. White Fang was already engaged in skirmishes with Suna. Iwa was increasingly active; someone needed to guard against them. Kiri was an Uchiha matter; he didn't need to worry about them.

"My students?" Jiraiya wasn't afraid of the front lines, but he'd only recently taken on the team. He wouldn't be able to guide them in battle.

"They're going with you."

"Send them to war so soon?" Jiraiya questioned, hesitant. He didn't want to send them to war; battle wasn't ideal for growth. He couldn't guarantee his own survival, let alone three Genin. Although, they were exceptionally skilled Genin.

Hiruzen saw Jiraiya's hesitation. It was his first time leading a Genin squad. "They'll face this eventually. But don't rush. Go around next spring." Winter was coming. Even if other villages planned an attack, they would wait for warmer weather.

Winter was a time of stillness amidst chaos.

"In the meantime, focus on their development. Tsunade should be free. Orochimaru is training Jin. Pay attention to Minato."

"Yes, sir." Jiraiya's voice was heavy.

Jiraiya vanished in a puff of smoke. Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe. From the shadows, a bandaged figure emerged—Danzo.

"Hiruzen, give me the Nine-Tails. I'll make her Konoha's ultimate weapon."

Hiruzen didn't look at him, but stood at the window, gazing at the dimly lit village.

"You know that's impossible," Hiruzen said. The Nine-Tails was Konoha's most important strategic asset, under his control.

"You'll regret this," Danzo said coldly. An emotionally driven jinchuriki couldn't be controlled effectively.

Hiruzen glanced at him. "I am the Hokage."

Danzo's expression didn't change, his fist clenching, veins bulging. A moment's hesitation cost him the Hokage title. He took a deep breath. "Then give me Uchiha Jin. I'll turn him into a weapon against the Uchiha."

Hiruzen hesitated. He didn't want Jin to grow stronger, but his talent was evident. And Jiraiya wouldn't agree.

"If he agrees…"

"I will make him obey."

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As promised here are 3 bonus chapters for reaching 50 power stones! thank you everyone for the support <3< p>