Chapter 6: Uzumaki Mito

Chapter 6 Uzumaki Mito

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In the woods at the edge of Konoha, thunder continued to rumble.

Large swaths of trees lay toppled, engulfed in flames.

Natsuo, having completed the final sword form of Breath of Thunder, stood motionless.

After enduring prolonged torment, Natsuo finally heard the soothing voice of the system.

[The simulation of Breath of Thunder has been successful, rewards distributed, and the system will now release control.]

As Natsuo regained control of his body, he suddenly collapsed to the ground, curled up and convulsing.

Pain...

It was excruciating, everywhere.

Natsuo lacked even the strength to scream.

Regret filled Natsuo; choosing the woods as the simulation site was a mistake.

Now, unable to move a finger, surrounded by spreading flames, if he didn't find a way out, he would perish here.

After lying still for a while, Natsuo felt his body growing hotter.

The instinct to survive pushed Natsuo into action.

Luckily, a small river lay nearby where Natsuo had chosen to train. If he could crawl into it, he might survive.

But Natsuo's crawl was agonizingly slow, his buttocks beginning to burn.

Just as Natsuo neared the river's edge, several figures landed in front of him.

With great effort, Natsuo lifted his head and his pupils contracted upon seeing the leader.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

Although Natsuo had speculated that someone from Konoha would notice, he hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to arrive personally.

At least he would save him for now. The rest could be discussed later.

Natsuo lost consciousness as soon as his tense spirit relaxed.

Frowning, Sarutobi Hiruzen examined Natsuo, his gaze perplexed.

The scene suggested the aftermath of an attack by a Lightning Style ninja.

Only Natsuo was present, his hands visibly scorched by Lightning Style ninjutsu.

But the devastation far exceeded what even a Chunin could unleash.

How could Natsuo, still a ninja school student, wreak such havoc?

Sarutobi Hiruzen found it unbelievable.

As for Natsuo, Sarutobi Hiruzen's senses were sharp, though not infallible.

Though Natsuo's parents had defected to Konoha, it wasn't a betrayal of the village but an elopement.

The conflict was between Natsuo's parents and the Uchiha clan, not Konoha.

Yet, the Uchiha clan denied Natsuo, while Konoha's villagers vented their anger toward the Uchiha clan on Natsuo.

Now, Konoha's villagers harbored increasing animosity toward the Uchiha clan, leading to irreconcilable divisions.

However, beneath the surface calm of the ninja world, war loomed, and Konoha still needed the Uchiha clan's strength.

Thus, for now, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't act against the Uchiha clan.

With villagers on one side and Uchiha on the other, Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to overlook Natsuo's existence.

Currently, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't be certain if Natsuo was responsible. But if he was, he would reassess his value.

Sarutobi Hiruzen scrutinized the unconscious Natsuo, his eyes narrowing.

Moreover, Lightning Style ninjas were rare in Konoha. If Natsuo caused the destruction here, he possessed formidable Lightning Style ninjutsu.

Since his return to Konoha with his mother, Natsuo hadn't left the village, suggesting he'd acquired the Lightning Style ninjutsu elsewhere.

If Konoha's ninjas could learn such ninjutsu from Natsuo, it would significantly enhance Konoha's power.

Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed the ANBU beside him, "Extinguish the surrounding flames and transport him to the ninja hospital for treatment."

Following his orders, the ANBU ninjas used Water Style ninjutsu to douse the fires.

One ANBU picked up Natsuo and carried him to the ninja hospital.

...

At Uzumaki Mito's mansion.

Uzumaki Kushina, rejected by Natsuo, returned to Uzumaki Mito's mansion in despair.

Having recently arrived in Konoha,Kushina lived with Uzumaki Mito.

Seeing Kushina return, Mito asked with a smile, "Kushina, how was your first day at ninja school? Everything going well?"

Kushina pursed her lips and cried out in distress, "Grandma Mito."

Seeing Kushina's distress, Mito stepped forward, embracing her and guiding her to the couch. "What happened?"

Kushina recounted how she was ridiculed as "Tomato" in class and retaliated against her bullies, only to be rejected by Natsuo when she sought friendship.

Musing to herself, "Natsuo?"

Hearing Mito's murmur, Kushina asked curiously, "Grandma Mito, do you know Natsuo?"

"Yes, I've heard of him."

Uzumaki Mito's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

How could she not know?

Natsuo's father belonged to the Senju clan, akin to her husband, Senju Hashirama.

However, since the founding of Konoha, Senju Hashirama, leader of the Senju clan, had integrated the clan with the villagers, dissipating their distinct identity.

When Natsuo's parents defected to Konoha, Uzumaki Mito had pleaded with Sarutobi Hiruzen for leniency.

But it was futile, for Natsuo's mother was an Uchiha.

As Konoha's largest clan, the Uchiha commanded respect even from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hokage.

When Natsuo returned to Konoha, Uzumaki Mito even proposed adopting him, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen refused.

His reason: Natsuo's parents were rogue ninjas and not recognized by the Uchiha.

As the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito wasn't suitable to adopt a child whose parents had betrayed the Uchiha.

At that time, Uzumaki Mito had begun to notice Sarutobi Hiruzen's changing attitude toward her.

Stroking Uzumaki Kushina's hair, Uzumaki Mito inquired, "Do you know why Natsuo refused to befriend you?"

Kushina, aggrieved, replied, "He said, 'I'm shunned by the entire village. If you befriend me, you might face the same fate.' Then he asked me to change seats when we returned to school."

Mito's eyes darkened, "Shunned by the entire village... Oh, monkey, Natsuo did nothing wrong."

Deeply sighing, Uzumaki Mito's heart ached for Natsuo's plight.

However, she was powerless to change Natsuo's circumstances.

Observing Uzumaki Kushina's troubled expression, Uzumaki Mito fell into contemplation.