CH - 227 Jūgo

With the release of the 'Shinobi Times,' many ninja villages made a deliberate effort to acquire a copy. The rapid development momentum of Grass Village in recent years has caught the attention of the ninja world.

The defeat of Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, at the hands of Grass Village in the recent war had left a mark. Though neither village openly admitted it, the swift ceasefire agreement hinted at the impact of Grass Village's victory.

It was astonishing to witness the growth of a small ninja village to such prominence. And despite the newspaper's modest price, it was still deemed worth a glance to discern Grass Village's intentions.

However, upon perusing the newspaper, an unusual silence fell. The content failed to captivate. There was an absence of significant intelligence about ninjas. While there were introductions to the Five Great Ninja Villages, they seemed mundane, offering mere descriptions of the villages without any noteworthy insights.

The stark contrast between their photos and those from Grass Village ignited a surge of frustration. Moreover, The descriptions of happiness and freedom in Grass Village felt like a mockery to their Village, fueling their anger even further.

What was the implication here? that Grass Village was superior to the Five Great Ninja Villages? The insinuation that their villages were plagued by deprivation while Grass Village thrived with joy and liberty struck a nerve.

The discrepancy in portrayal left a bitter taste. Grass Village seemed to be leveraging emotional manipulation to attract recruits. While this tactic may hold little significance for seasoned ninjas, it was nonetheless distasteful. The sacrifice of dignity for recruitment purposes was reprehensible.

The revelation that the president of the newspaper was none other than Mubuki elicited a collective realization. Ah, so it was him behind this Scheme? No wonder... His duplicitous nature and lack of moral compass were well-known. Inwardly cursing, they concluded, "Grass Village has really abandoned the principles of ninja ethics!"

…

After entrusting the newspaper to Mubuki, Akihiko didn't give it much further thought. He held considerable trust in Mubuki, after all.

As the year-end drew near, Grass Village prepared to release a new movie, 'Flame Dragon Ninja,' capitalizing on the momentum from the Ninja World Tournament. While strength remained crucial, cultural endeavors couldn't be overlooked.

In recent years, with the rise of 'Grasswood,' the ninja world witnessed numerous movies. Yet, none could rival those bearing the 'Grasswood Production' label. 'Grasswood' had become synonymous with excellence in ninja world cinema, a revered institution.

Moreover, following the triumph of the Flame Dragon Armor toy, Grass Village introduced the 'Grass Collection' brand. Even items once deemed failures such as 'Mystery Boxes' found new life under the 'Grass Collection' umbrella.

Though, Indeed, the mystery boxes couldn't be deemed failures. Thanks to the enduring influence of Great Ekinu-Sensei and the myriad heroes of the ninja world, they remained popular among consumers. However, compared to other ventures, their profit margin was relatively modest.

Despite not releasing new works recently, Great Ekinu-Sensei's presence still loomed large in the ninja world. Rumors of bounties on his head circulated in the black market, a testament to the desire of many to meet him in person. Thus, Akihiko knew he had to remain cautious. After all, his own reputation was at stake.

In the following days, Akihiko found himself with rare moments of free time amidst his mission orders. During these intervals, he either took the opportunity to 'recharge' or devoted his time to the children.

Unfortunately, it had been quite some time since he had received a new task. In the interim, he had delved into the intricacies of Sage Mode and had even dispatched individuals to locate the elusive Jūgo clan, known for their ability to harness natural energy.

Although the Jūgo Clan's utilization of chakra was notably rudimentary, often resulting in mental instability and unattractive physical alterations, Akihiko was undeterred in his investigation. It was merely an endeavor to explore potential benefits.

However, the Jūgo Clan had withdrawn from society due to health-related concerns, making their discovery a formidable challenge. Even in the Original, only Jūgo himself had been discovered by Orochimaru in the end. Nonetheless, with the combined efforts of Grass Village Intelligence and the assistance of White Zetsu's, Akihiko remained confident that they would eventually locate them.

In the midst of his contemplation, Akihiko's thoughts were interrupted by the familiar chime of the doorbell. "Ding dong, ding dong~" echoed through the house, accompanied by Kana's voice calling out, "Akihiko, Kushina is asking for you!"

Startled by the unexpected visit, Akihiko's brows furrowed in confusion. Why would Kushina be seeking him out at this hour?

Collecting his thoughts, he replied with a thoughtful "Hmm" before Kushina, adorned in a vibrant green dress, made her entrance. Over the years of her recovery, Kushina's complexion had notably improved. Gone was the fatigue that had marred her upon her arrival; instead, she exuded vitality and vigor.

In the starting, she was consumed by worry over Naruto, she often wore a somber expression. However, with Naruto's presence, her demeanor had gradually shifted towards joy, albeit coupled with righteous anger over Naruto's past in Konoha. Judging by the situation, only one more treatment session remained before Kushina would be fully restored.

"I hope I'm not intruding, Akihiko," Kushina apologized, their rapport now comfortable after many interactions, especially since she lived nearby. Naruto, too, had dropped the formal 'Uncle Leader,' opting for the more familial 'Uncle Akihiko.'

"So, What's up?" Akihiko inquired, taking a leisurely sip of his tea as he regarded Kushina with interest. "Is everything all right with the children?"

"Thank you," Kushina expressed her gratitude as Kana handed her the steaming cup of tea, her gaze drifting to the contented expression on Kana's face, stirring a mixture of emotions within her.

Reflecting on her tumultuous past, memories of their past wandering surfaced. While she had been fortunate to find refuge in Konoha under the guidance of the village elder, her clan dispersed across the ninja world during their wanderings. Initially, she had believed life outside the village to be harsh, but in hindsight, her own experiences had proven otherwise.

With an eye-roll directed at Akihiko, she reassured him, "No need to Worry. Karin is as well-behaved as ever. Naruto has taken her out to play!"

Her relief was palpable as Naruto headed out to play. In the Grass Village, he wouldn't endure the pervasive animosity he faced in Konoha. Gradually acclimating to their new surroundings, Naruto took pleasure in outdoor activities, no longer bearing the same air of loneliness that had initially marked his arrival.

The joy sparked by Akihiko's gift of toys lingered with Naruto throughout the night, a sight that brought immense comfort and happiness to Kushina. Gratitude swelled within her towards the leader before her; had he not intervened, the fate of Naruto amidst Konoha's hostility might have remained unknown.

Moreover, Unlike in Konoha, where Jinchuriki were often viewed as mere tools, in the Grass Village, Naruto could live without the burden of such labels. As a former Jinchuriki herself, Kushina understood the significance of this freedom. And Under Akihiko's tutelage, renowned for his prowess and expertise, exemplified by his guidance of figures like Nagato from Amegakure, Naruto had the opportunity to thrive. Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko—all testament to Akihiko's exceptional mentoring, evolving into remarkable shinobi in their own right.

Contemplating the educational ethos of the Grass Village, Kushina found herself deeply admiring. Despite the inherent dangers, they staunchly shielded their children from the horrors of the battlefield. With Akihiko's guidance, she harbored no doubt that Naruto would emerge as an exceptional ninja.

A faint smile graced Kushina's lips as she glanced at Akihiko, a moment of hesitation preceding her words. "I'm hoping to secure a job," she confessed, a hint of embarrassment coloring her tone. "You understand my situation. While medical expenses haven't been overwhelming, Rin has been kind enough to assist with some of it. However, I can't continue relying on the generosity of two children, especially when Naruto will soon require funds for his education. So, I've been considering finding employment. Initially, I intended to handle it on my own to avoid burdening you, but Fuso suggested I seek your guidance. After some thought, I decided to reach out."

Observing Akihiko's furrowed brow, she hastened to reassure him. "Please don't worry. Even if I take on work, I'll continue to provide Karin with proper care and education. I've grown rather fond of her."

"Oh, that's not what I meant," Akihiko interjected with a chuckle, his concern easing. "I was merely curious about the type of job you're seeking."

Before Kushina could respond, the doorbell rang once more, prompting Kana to approach with an apologetic smile directed at Kushina. "Sorry to interrupt, but Mubuki is urgently requesting to meet you, Akihiko. He mentioned something of great importance."

Taken aback momentarily, Kushina quickly waved off any concern. "It's alright. I must have inconvenienced you. Please carry on with your work. I'll take my leave," she insisted, preparing to rise from her seat.

Before she could rise from her seat, Kana intervened, informing her that Fuso and Naruto would be joining them for dinner later. Since it was nearly time, she suggested Kushina stay awhile longer. Whatever urgent matter had arisen could be addressed at a more convenient moment.

"Leader, urgent news!" With a worried expression, Mubuki burst into the room, his gaze momentarily faltering as he spotted Kushina before swiftly redirecting his attention to Akihiko. "It appears that Konoha is seriously considering action against the Uchiha clan!"

"What?!" Akihiko's demeanor shifted instantly, his eyes widening in anticipation as he turned to face Mubuki. "Have they finally decided to make a move? Has Danzo set his sights on the Uchiha clan?"

However, before Akihiko could delve further, Mubuki faltered for a moment, blinking in confusion before correcting himself. "Um, not exactly."

"Not exactly?" Akihiko echoed, taken aback by the sudden change in tone.

Mubuki nodded, pressing on with the information. "That's correct. Our investigations suggest that Konoha's motives may stem from financial strain rather than a strategic vendetta against the Uchiha clan. It seems they're eyeing the Uchiha clan's substantial wealth to alleviate their own financial woes."

Akihiko was left dumbfounded, his mind reeling with disbelief. "What in the world...?"