Chapter 20: Uzumaki Mito's Well-Intentioned Plans

Tsunade stumbled a bit as she was about to head back to her room, then turned around in dissatisfaction and protested, "Grandma, what nonsense are you talking about?!"

"..."

This was a difficult statement to respond to.

Takashi could only give Tsunade a look, signaling her to come to the rescue. Forget about changing clothes for now—things needed saving here.

This elderly lady, I can't handle her.

To prevent Grandma from saying anything even more shocking, Tsunade had no choice but to run back to save the day.

"Grandma, I've brought him here. Whatever you need from him, just say it directly. After all, he's from the Hyuga clan. If he stays here too long, the Hokage's office will definitely start getting restless."

If you all weren't running over to their place day after day, would this old lady even need to be like this?

Uzumaki Mito wasn't concerned about what the Hokage's office might think.

Others might lose their composure, but the Third Hokage was different. No matter how anxious he got, he would still wait patiently.

"Meiko isn't feeling well today. Tsunade, go prepare something to entertain our guest," she said.

"Me?"

Was she serious?

I can't even stomach my own cooking, and now you want me to cook?

Tsunade's eyes widened as she pointed at herself.

"Do you expect this old lady to do it for you?" Mito huffed, tapping her cane against the floor twice in frustration. "Nawaki and Kushina will be home soon, and they'll be expecting to eat."

Just kill me already.

I shouldn't have come home.

Wait a minute!

I can't cook well enough for anyone to eat, but isn't there a ready-made helper here?

Tsunade looked back at Takashi, then grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the kitchen.

"Wait, you want me to help?"

What kind of guest comes over and ends up cooking?

"That's right, you!" Tsunade insisted, forcibly dragging Takashi towards the kitchen.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"It's perfectly fine. If I say it's appropriate, then there's no problem."

"..."

Why did I feel like I'd just been conscripted?

Did Uzumaki Mito call me here just so I'd help cook?

That can't be it, right?

What is this old lady up to? Takashi was genuinely confused, and she hadn't even said what she wanted from him.

So Takashi found himself in the kitchen, staring blankly at all the ingredients.

Everything seemed thoroughly prepared, as if just waiting for someone to come help.

He started bustling around in the kitchen.

Tsunade found a chance to slip away.

"Grandma, I've brought him over. You should at least tell me why."

"Would I ever do anything to harm a child?" Uzumaki Mito said, sitting comfortably in her rocking chair, pretending not to understand what Tsunade was talking about.

"Grandma!!"

Tsunade was getting impatient. "Your position is already sensitive. Any little movement you make can stir up the nerves of the Hokage's office. Takashi may have earned our trust, but he's still a member of the Hyuga clan. If you bring him here, the old man is bound to overthink."

"That monkey wont" Mito said confidently, smiling.

In his youth, the Third Hokage was a competent leader—capable, resourceful, patient, and tolerant.

"Relax, I don't have any other motives; I just want the house to feel lively. As people age, they dread the silence. That monkey won't start watching this kid over something this small."

"???"

That's it?

Just to make the house more lively?

Tsunade was stunned.

Maybe the old man wouldn't overthink, but what about everyone else?

Tsunade knew well enough what kind of oddballs the Elders Council were.

Danzo Shimura, driven by ambition; Koharu Utatane, always cautious; and Homura Mitokado, who liked to have a hand in everything.

Even if the Third Hokage could stay composed, these others would definitely get anxious.

Their attention would shift to Takashi, which would inevitably cause him some trouble.

"Tsunade," Mito said, holding her granddaughter's hand and sighing, "some things have been unavoidable ever since he appeared by your side. Besides, given how close he is to Kushina, those people will eventually set their sights on him. It's just a matter of time."

"While this old lady is still around, I can keep the situation under control. Do you understand?"

Being targeted earlier was better than later. Right now, with Uzumaki Mito here, things could be stabilized. Without her, getting caught in such trouble later would be much more of a problem.

"Aren't you worried, Grandma? After all, he's part of the Hyuga clan..."

Tsunade gestured, then eventually gave up, not knowing what else to say. But Mito's words made sense. If it was inevitable, then it might as well happen sooner.

With Uzumaki Mito here, she could keep the Hokage's office calm. If such things happened after she was gone, it would truly be troublesome.

Mito believed she could hold on for a few more years, which would be enough for Takashi's rapid growth phase.

If, after a few years, once she was gone, Takashi still needed someone to protect him, then she and Tsunade would have been wrong about him.

"Hyuga Tenin?"

A hint of disdain flashed in Mito's clouded eyes.

That guy?

"He wouldn't dare. He'd even actively distance himself, because that's just how the Hyuga clan operates."

"..."

The leader of the prestigious Hyuga clan—in Mito's words, he was worth nothing.

"Grandma, we're back!"

Nawaki and Kushina came running back, schoolbags on their backs. With that, Tsunade and Mito dropped their conversation.

"Back so soon? Come let Grandma have a look."

Mito raised her hands happily. Nawaki instinctively tried to dive into her embrace, but before he could get close, his ear was grabbed.

"Ow, ow, ow! Sis, what are you doing?!"

"Get over there!"

Tsunade tugged Nawaki's ear and scolded, "You're too old for this. Still diving into Grandma's arms, aren't you ashamed?!"

With Nawaki grabbed and pulled away, Kushina had a clear path into Mito's arms.

"Did you have fun at school today? Did anyone bully you?" Mito asked warmly, holding Kushina close.

Kushina raised her head proudly. "Of course not, Grandma Mito! I'm strong, you know! If anyone dares to mess with me, I'll beat them up real good!!"

Takashi's influence was apparent.

Watching Kushina go further down the path of violence, Tsunade could only facepalm in exasperation.