Though Uzumaki Mito hailed from the Uzumaki clan, as Hashirama Senju's wife, her status within the Senju territory and the entire Hokage lineage was comparable to that of a matriarch.
She was not only the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki but also a spiritual symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village.
A single word from her could influence the direction of the entire ninja village's leadership.
Today, the sky was filled with strange phenomena—on one side was the Uchiha clan's Sunlight Blaze, and on the other, the Senju territory's Silver Chill.
But in this matter, these people reacted swiftly.
They couldn't allow the Uchiha's radiance to overshadow the Hokage's faction.
This included the Senju, Uzumaki, Shimura, Sarutobi, and other founding families of the Hidden Leaf.
"The Hidden Leaf belongs to us, not the Uchiha."
Uzumaki Mito sat down gracefully, her gestures elegant: "Hiruzen, regarding the second round of the competition... what are your thoughts?"
Her tone was gentle yet carried an undeniable pressure.
With the appearance of the Uchiha clan's sun, Uzumaki Mito seemed slightly agitated.
In the room were not only Hiruzen Sarutobi but also Shimura Danzo, Akimichi Torifu, and other high-ranking officials of the Hidden Leaf.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "I will reconsider the match lineup."
Hearing this response, Danzo's lips curved almost imperceptibly.
In essence, it was about minimizing the Uchiha's influence.
Mito nodded slightly: "During this time, I hope Tsunade will assist me in teaching Kushina together."
...
Under the night sky.
Kushina sat on the steps, holding the Ice Vulpix in her arms, gazing toward the distant Naka Shrine area still glowing with residual light.
"Mikoto, she..."
She unconsciously bit her lip.
She had just learned that the sun during the day was caused by Mikoto.
"Then... would the Uchiha clan misunderstand it as me provoking them?"
Just as she was frowning in worry, a figure with golden hair cautiously approached.
Minato Namikaze.
"You... what are you doing here?"
Kushina's tone was a bit stubborn but couldn't hide her weariness.
Minato scratched his head, his smile somewhat shy:
"I brought... a few Milk Pills."
Kushina was taken aback: "Milk Pills? Those are for restoring Chakra, you dummy, not snacks."
Though her words were dismissive, her hand involuntarily reached out to take them.
Tearing open the packaging, a milky fragrance wafted out.
She took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up:
"Hey? This is pretty fragrant!"
Minato smiled tenderly: "I'm glad you like it."
Kushina pouted, but her face was already slightly flushed.
The Ice Vulpix in her arms twitched its tail and stretched its head to sniff. Kushina quickly shielded it:
"Hey, hey, you can't eat this—you'll get diarrhea!"
Watching her interact with the Vulpix, Minato felt a gentle warmth in his heart.
"Kushina."
He said softly, "Today... you did very well."
The girl was stunned, feeling an inexplicable warmth in her heart:
"Really?"
"Yes. You... protected the Hidden Leaf and your Vulpix."
Protected?
I protected the Hidden Leaf?
Kushina didn't quite understand what Minato meant.
At this moment, Minato briefly explained, "The current stability of the Hidden Leaf Village is built upon the efforts of the First Hokage's lineage. Although the Uchiha are also founding members of the village, their emotions are ultimately hard to control and often lead to trouble."
Kushina laughed, "Did you read that in a book?"
"Something like that."
"Reading too much can make your mind dull. Mikoto isn't like that, you know."
Kushina Uzumaki was different from both Mikoto and Minato.
She came from the Land of Whirlpools.
She had her own perspectives on many matters.
Deep within the Gedō Mazō, a world shrouded in gloom and deathly aura.
White Zetsu cautiously navigated through the massive root-like conduits, arriving at the central stone platform.
There, Uchiha Madara sat cross-legged, sustained by the Gedō Mazō's Chakra.
But today's Madara... was clearly different.
His originally aged, seemingly fragile body that looked like it could scatter with a breeze had now restored to that of a normal elderly man.
His back was straight, muscle lines faintly visible, and even the wrinkles on his face had diminished.
"Lord Madara... you seem... younger lately?"
Madara opened his eyes, the Rinnegan in his pupils faintly gleaming as he glanced coolly at him:
"Cut the nonsense."
White Zetsu immediately shut his mouth!
Beside Madara, Drampa lazily exhaled smoke.
Its aura was steady, yet subtly emanated a mind-suppressing power.
White Zetsu inwardly startled:
Is Drampa nourishing Madara?
Or have the two unhatched Ninja Beast Eggs within the Gedō Mazō undergone changes?
He didn't dare ask, only braced himself to report:
"Lord Madara... within the Uchiha clan... a sun has appeared."
"Sun?"
Madara's voice suddenly deepened, the air vibrating momentarily.
"...It's Mikoto Uchiha. She hatched the Fire Six-Tails, awakened the Special Sage Body of Sunlight, and can release sunlight sufficient to bathe the sky."
Madara fell silent for a moment.
Then, he closed his eyes extremely slowly, as if digesting some ancient memory.
"Sunlight... Fire Release?"
"Hah..."
White Zetsu quietly added:
"It seems a girl from the Uzumaki clan within the Senju territory has also awakened a similar corresponding power."
Senju... Uchiha...
Madara slowly opened his eyes, "Bring that girl to me."
At this moment, he had developed an interest in Mikoto Uchiha.
Frontlines of the Land of Fire.
Might Duy, bare-chested, punched and kicked across the wasteland. Each movement roared like thunder, each shout brimming with unpolished, pure passion.
"Youth! Wahhh! Another hundred punches!!"
Sweat continuously dripped from his resolute face.
Sakumo Hatake approached from a distance, one hand in his pocket, wearing his familiar gentle smile: "Duy, you're still the same as ever."
Might Duy turned abruptly, revealing his ever-radiant grin: "Haha! Sakumo! Perfect timing! Want to try this training method too?"
Sakumo couldn't help but chuckle: "I'll pass. Your training intensity... is downright lethal."
But the respect in his eyes was genuine.
This man before him had no talent, yet through sheer effort, he had tempered himself to be as tough as steel.
Although many in the Hidden Leaf Village didn't value Might Duy, as a good friend, Sakumo Hatake deeply admired his perseverance.
Might Duy wiped his sweat: "Sakumo, when are we heading out on a mission? I'm already bursting with the power of youth!"
Sakumo Hatake shook his head: "Not yet. The Sand Village hasn't made any moves. Right now, Hidden Leaf is mainly focused on the Sand Village. As for the Land of Rain... the situation is complicated."
Might Duy scratched his head: "Land of Rain? I think that's where the Ninja Beast System originated."
Sakumo frowned: "Yes, it's hard to judge. The Ninja Beast System... is actually more dangerous than we imagined."
Might Duy fell silent for a few seconds before suddenly speaking in a low voice:
"Actually, I kind of want to check out that Flame Gym."
"I heard that gym... specializes in assessing how Ninja Beasts and humans can grow stronger together. Since everyone is getting stronger... I want to see if I can use my youth... to ignite a burning passion."
What kind of strange talk was this.
After careful consideration, Sakumo Hatake said: "I'll go with you."
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