Chapter 11: Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Protection Plan

The room was filled with the strong smell of smoke, lingering in the air and clinging to every corner.

Senju Ryu was never a smoker, but there was one person in Konoha who had the privilege to smoke freely in their office—the esteemed Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Ryu received an important scroll from Sarutobi himself, titled the "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Protection Plan." With a mix of anticipation and concern, he carefully unrolled the scroll and absorbed its contents, his face reflecting the complexity of his thoughts.

Was this the moment he had been waiting for? The weight of responsibility settled upon him as he delved into the details of Uzumaki Kushina's pregnancy, meticulously recorded by the renowned Konoha Hospital. October marked the approaching Nine-Tails Rebellion, the culmination of events that had been building up to this point.

And so, the official countdown had begun.

Amidst the smoky haze, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk and spoke with a blend of wisdom and worry. "Kushina, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, plays a crucial role in the destiny of Konoha. Her pregnancy is of utmost importance, and we must ensure her safety during this vulnerable time. Powerful forces are lurking in the shadows, seeking to undermine our efforts. If the Kyuubi loses control, it would pose an unprecedented threat to our beloved village."

Ryu pondered deeply, his eyes fixed on the scroll. It was a document of immense significance, handed to him by the revered Sarutobi Hiruzen. Unfolding it, a myriad of emotions crossed his face.

Finally, the long-awaited day had arrived.

As he read through the information regarding Uzumaki Kushina's pregnancy from the records of Konoha Hospital, Senju Ryu's thoughts drifted toward the impending Nine-Tails Rebellion. The countdown had officially begun.

In his office, the scent of smoke filled the air—a smell unfamiliar to Ryu, as he was not a smoker. Only one person in all of Konoha enjoyed the privilege of smoking in their office—the highly respected Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Nodding in acknowledgment, Senju Ryu broke the silence. "Indeed, especially during childbirth, the risk of the Kyuubi losing control is at its highest."

With a pipe in hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and concurred. "During that critical period, we will provide the utmost protection. However, even before that, we need to deploy additional ANBU operatives to ensure Kushina's safety."

A glimmer of hope flickered in Ryu's mind—a solution amidst the encroaching darkness. "Is it possible to relocate Kushina to a hidden location, away from prying eyes? By doing so, we can minimize external scrutiny and keep those with ill intentions unaware of her whereabouts. Let her pass through this phase with minimal risk."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, visibly moved by the suggestion, took a moment to ponder. "Considering Kushina's spirited nature, it might prove challenging to execute."

Ryu's determination remained steadfast as he contemplated the consequences of confining someone like Kushina, envisioning the potential strength Naruto could inherit from his mother. Shaking his head firmly, he dismissed the idea.

Kushina's passionate nature and the restlessness common during pregnancy would eventually lead her to break free from seclusion.

But some things are best left unsaid.

Refocusing on the scroll in front of him, Ryu carefully reviewed the list of ANBU members selected by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Among them, Kakashi Hatake stood out prominently.

"After learning about the plan, Minato requested Kakashi's involvement," explained Hiruzen Sarutobi, meeting Ryu's gaze. "Minato believes that Kakashi's calm demeanor will be crucial in protecting Kushina from the shadows."

"For someone like Kakashi, who finds solace in desperate times, witnessing the miracle of new life offers a glimmer of hope within his grasp. The selection of personnel from the third generation is well thought out, and I see no reason to object."

With that, Senju Ryu signed his name on the scroll, next to Hiruzen Sarutobi's signature.

The matter at hand concerned the Jinchuriki, and despite Hiruzen Sarutobi's considerable authority, he needed to explain it to Senju Ryu, the Fourth Hokage.

"In that case, I will inform the ANBU," replied Hiruzen Sarutobi, taking hold of the scroll. He rose from his seat and bid farewell to Ryu, leaving him alone in the Hokage's office.

Unlike Tsunade, who shared his clan lineage, Ryu's desk was usually piled high with documents since he became the Fourth Hokage. But at this moment, his workload was lighter.

Quickly handling the few documents before him, he stood up and gazed out of the window behind him. Yet, his true focus drifted far away.

The Nine-Tails Rebellion was approaching, and he had contemplated going directly to the Land of Rain to eliminate the puppet masters behind the scenes before their plans unfolded.

However, it was essentially impossible to execute his compelling idea. His current status as the Fourth Hokage prevented him from running away.

Leaving Konoha Village alone would have astonishing impacts and consequences, let alone going to the Land of Rain.

Furthermore, at this point, Obito Uchiha had assistance. Nagato, with his Rinnegan eyes, and Konan, whose strength should not be underestimated, were supporting him. If Ryu were to enter the scene, he couldn't guarantee his escape.

Although he claimed to know how to escape, he was not Senju Hashirama, after all.

Thus, Ryu's current focus was to continuously improve his strength while strictly protecting himself from death.

But even with a strong defense, it might not be effective against an enemy with time and space manipulation abilities and the best infiltration capabilities in the ninja world.

Perhaps Uzumaki Kushina had been accompanied by someone all along?

Stop!

It was normal for a woman to give birth with her husband by her side.

How was he there?

He was not the old man living next door.

Forget it, there was still time. He would think about it later.

Rubbing his temples, Ryu returned to his desk and pulled out a long scroll tied with a thin rope, exuding a somewhat ancient aura.

This scroll pertained to a summoning contract for summoning beasts that he discovered while searching for the secret Wood Release technique in the Senju Clan's collection.

And the contract's object of summoning was the Slug of the Shikkotsu Forest, one of the three sacred places in the ninja world and deeply connected to his Senju Clan.

Unrolling the scroll, Ryu examined the names of the ninjas who had signed it, one by one.

In addition to the familiar names from the Senju Clan, there were the Uzumaki Clan, the Kaguya Clan, and others.

These were undoubtedly the most prominent ninjas in the world.

Yet, they all turned to this summoning contract for one of the three sacred places.

It was evident that the allure of the Shikkotsu Forest was strong.

Scrolling further, Ryu nodded knowingly when he saw the names of the two people closest to him: "The God of Shinobi Hashirama" and "The legendary slug princess Tsunade."

Once again, a vacancy remained.

Without hesitation, Ryu pressed his finger to his lips and inscribed his name in the vacant space just below "Tsunade of the Senju Clan." He then firmly pressed his crimson fingerprint beneath the inscription, symbolizing his commitment to the pact.

The formidable power of the First Hokage did not solely stem from his mastery of Wood Release but also from the Immortal Art he diligently cultivated. Inspired by his ancestor's legacy, Ryu, the heir of the Senju lineage, understood the significance of this opportunity and was determined to seize it.

Worries about inadequate proficiency were unfounded. While Tsunade, also a member of the esteemed Senju family, struggled to embrace the Sage Art Wood Release Technique due to physical limitations, Ryu was different. Possessing the inherited power of Wood Release akin to the First Hokage, his innate vitality accelerated his body's regeneration, rendering him impervious to the corrosive effects that hindered others. This fortunate alignment of prerequisites made him an ideal candidate for mastering the Sage Art Wood Release.

Furthermore, if any obstacles were encountered during the cultivation process, a system was in place. Ryu had familiarized himself with the esoteric cultivation methods of the Sage Art Wood Release and could utilize the system's provisions to exchange knowledge and refine his techniques.

Given these circumstances, why would he let this opportunity slip away?