Chapter 20

"It's time to eat, Mito-sama."

Shinki, temporarily conscripted as the cook, called out, still puzzled about why he had been brought here. Was this really just about making dinner?

"Shinki!" Kushina's eyes lit up as she bounded toward him, and Nawaki, who was still rubbing his sore ear, perked up with curiosity.

It had been a long time since they'd had a guest at home, and having Kushina's friend there was especially surprising. Nawaki couldn't quite wrap his head around how someone like Shinki, who was older, had become friends with Kushina.

"Are you happy?" Uzumaki Mito asked with a gentle smile.

Kushina nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Grandma Mito, you're the best. I've wanted to invite Shinki over for ages, but I was worried you might not like it."

"Silly child." Uzumaki Mito pulled Kushina into a warm hug.

Watching this scene, Nawaki felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Shinki, let me tell you about school," Kushina began at the dinner table, her chatter filling the room. "I met some new friends, and there was a little yellow-haired boy who wanted to be friends with me, but I ignored him."

"Don't say such things," Tsunade admonished, flicking Kushina lightly on the head. "If he's a little yellow-haired boy, then what am I?"

Tsunade had initially been curious about who Kushina meant, but when she realized what "yellow-haired" implied, she felt her irritation rise. She shot a glare at Shinki, as if he were to blame.

So, I'm the "old yellow-haired one," am I?

"Hehe, Sister Tsunade, you're still Sister Tsunade," Kushina replied with a mischievous grin.

Time spent with this family had made Kushina happier and more confident, and Uzumaki Mito couldn't have been more pleased.

Her instincts had been right, and Shinki hadn't let her down, even if his influence had made Kushina a bit more feisty.

Uzumaki Mito didn't mind. Girls could be a little headstrong—she had been, and so had Tsunade. With their examples, Kushina's minor rebellious streak was nothing to worry about.

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While the Senju household was full of laughter, the Hokage's office was buzzing with tension.

Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitomon Homura had all convened, their expressions severe. Only Akimichi Tofu, who preferred to stay out of drama, was absent, most likely at home avoiding the meeting.

The trio's eyes bore into the Third Hokage, making their demands without words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained composed, continuing to go through official documents.

"Hiruzen, what's going on with Mito-sama? Are we supposed to ignore Hyuga Shinki's presence at the Senju ancestral home?" Koharu finally broke the silence.

Uzumaki Mito's actions carried weight due to her status. Having Shinki visit the Senju home had caused a stir, especially among those who already harbored doubts.

Tsunade and Mito recognizing Shinki was one thing; they could be seen as merely accepting him as one of their own. But inviting him to the ancestral home? That suggested something more.

The Third Hokage kept his calm demeanor, setting down his documents and lighting his pipe.

"Koharu, let's not jump to conclusions. Lady Mito wouldn't act on impulse. I'm sure she has her reasons."

"Sarutobi, you're the Hokage! You can't just stand by while things go off course," Danzo interjected, his voice sharp and challenging.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen was supposed to be the ultimate authority.

If I were Hokage, Danzo thought, I'd never allow such a thing to happen.

The Third Hokage's patience waned as he listened to Danzo's increasingly brazen remarks. Even Koharu rolled her eyes at Danzo, turning her head away as if to say she was done with him. Homura simply sighed, unwilling to engage.

"Enough!" The Third Hokage's voice cut through the room like a blade. "I trust Mito-sama's judgment, Danzo. Not everything needs to be a matter of ambition."

What's that supposed to mean? Are you calling me brainless?

Danzo's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.

On paper, Uzumaki Mito was just the First Hokage's widow, but in reality, her influence was profound. The daimyo of the Land of Fire would bow before her, recognizing her as part of Hashirama's legacy.

Why had the daimyo declared Tsunade a princess of Konoha? It wasn't just to honor Hashirama—it was due to the familial bond through Mito.

Mito's word held weight. If she showed any dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage, the daimyo's court could immediately turn against him. The plight of the Sand Village in the future was proof of how devastating such political moves could be. Even Konoha, wealthy as it was, relied on the daimyo's taxes and financial support. Without it, Konoha would struggle.

And if the daimyo shifted commissions to other villages, Konoha's economy would face collapse.

The Third Hokage exhaled a plume of smoke. "Danzo, you're exhausted. Go home and rest. For now, your position as my advisor will be put on hold. When you've thought things through, come back and see me."

Danzo's role as Hokage's advisor had always been more of a ceremonial title than a position of real power. The Elders didn't trust someone as ambitious as Danzo, and the Third Hokage wouldn't risk giving him too much control.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you would strip me of my position?" Danzo's fist slammed onto the desk. "Don't forget, without my efforts, you wouldn't be in that chair today."

The Third Hokage met Danzo's rage with silence, puffing on his pipe. Ambition without power was nothing but empty words.

Danzo's relentless ambition was precisely why Hiruzen kept him sidelined, turning his advisor role into an empty title.

And now, even that was being taken away.

Danzo glanced around, hoping for support from Koharu and Homura.

Koharu, the practical one, averted her eyes, not wanting to be associated with Danzo's outburst. Homura shook his head, keeping his thoughts to himself.

The Elders, centered around Koharu and Homura, had the power to intervene in Hokage decisions. But they weren't about to align with Danzo's recklessness.

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