The Senju Clan Compound was unusually quiet in the warm afternoon light. Only the steady rustle of trees and the distant murmur of villagers could be heard through the open courtyard.
Suddenly—
"Grandma Mito! Yumiko! I'm back!"
Kushina burst through the gates with her usual energy, a bright smile on her face and excitement practically radiating from her.
She didn't call out for Tsunade—she knew well enough that the princess of the Senju Clan would still be working tirelessly at the hospital.
Ever since the Chunin Exams began, Hiruzen Sarutobi had placed more and more responsibilities on Tsunade, leaving her barely any free time.
"Welcome back, Kushina."
Yumiko responded quickly, her tone polite and cautious as always. She had been learning sealing techniques directly from Uzumaki Mito, who sat nearby with a gentle yet dignified posture befitting someone of her wisdom and age.
Although Yumiko had been in Konoha for several days, her experiences in Kusagakure had done deep damage to her sense of safety.
Even now, surrounded by members of her own clan, she remained tense and overly humble, as if afraid of doing something wrong.
The young Kushina never noticed the underlying fear hidden in Yumiko's gentle voice.
But Uzumaki Mito—experienced, observant, and insightful—saw everything clearly.
This child… she's been through too much.
Mito sighed quietly in her heart.
These wounds weren't something she could heal with a few kind words.
Yumiko would need time—time to learn that she was safe now, that she belonged, that no one in Konoha would harm her.
Fortunately, Yumiko had both talent and determination. In sealing techniques and medical ninjutsu, she was exceptionally gifted—so much so that Mito had personally taken responsibility for guiding her.
Since Tsunade was drowning in work, Mito filled the gap, teaching Yumiko with the patience of a grandmother.
"Konoha has lots of delicious food, and tons of fun places to explore!" Kushina said, plopping herself down beside Yumiko with a grin. "Once you're done with training, I'll take you out. You'll love it here."
She puffed up her chest with pride.
"This may not be our original homeland, but trust me—Konoha feels like home!"
Yumiko's expression softened, and a small but genuine smile appeared.
"Actually… I already love it here," she admitted softly.
Mito felt a warm satisfaction.
Little by little, Yumiko was beginning to open her heart.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office…
Tension thickened the air like smoke.
Ootani Wakawa, the Jonin leading the Kusagakure delegation, stood rigidly before Hiruzen Sarutobi. His expression was dark, his tone stiff, and his posture aggressive.
"Hokage-sama," he began sharply, "I am here to lodge a formal protest on behalf of Kusagakure."
He raised two fingers.
"First—our Genin squad was completely wiped out in the Forest of Death. Killed without a trace."
He raised a third.
"Second—and this is far more important—you are unlawfully detaining a Kusagakure ninja. Yumiko must be returned immediately."
He leaned forward, voice dropping to a threatening growl.
"Forcibly keeping her in Konoha constitutes kidnapping. Kusagakure will never abandon its comrades. Even if it means going to war over this!"
His voice boomed across the room, echoing against the wooden walls.
Wakawa fully expected these words to make Hiruzen bend.
After all, Konoha had always been known as a village that treasured peace.
Hadn't the First Hokage himself distributed the Tailed Beasts to prevent large-scale conflict?
Surely Konoha wouldn't risk war over a single young girl.
What Wakawa conveniently ignored was the fact that Kusagakure was only permitted to rebuild after its destruction because the Five Great Nations had allowed it.
To the Five Great Nations, Kusagakure held little genuine power.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, smoke drifting from his pipe.
When he spoke, his tone was firm—unmistakably authoritative.
"Yumiko is an Uzumaki," he said. "And the Uzumaki Clan is Konoha's eternal ally."
His eyes sharpened.
"Your village previously abused her. The fact that Konoha is not pursuing accountability is already the greatest mercy you will receive."
Wakawa's mouth opened, but Hiruzen raised a hand.
"Enough. Anbu—escort him out."
Two masked figures stepped forward.
Wakawa felt his face burn with humiliation and anger, but he didn't dare act recklessly—not inside Konoha's Hokage Tower.
He turned sharply and stormed out, his expression twisted in fury.
Outside, he took a deep breath to steady himself.
There was no longer any point in staying. All the Kusagakure Genin were dead, and Yumiko's fate had already spiraled beyond his authority.
He needed to return to Kusagakure immediately.
---
The Leader of Kusagakure
The Land of Grass bordered the Land of Fire, so Wakawa, traveling at Jonin speed, returned to Kusagakure in just one day.
He didn't rest.
Didn't eat.
Didn't speak to anyone.
He went straight to the Leader to deliver his report.
"Leader," Wakawa knelt, his voice strained. "Our Genin force was completely wiped out, and Yumiko has been detained by Konoha. Hokage-sama refuses to return her."
He braced himself for punishment.
But the Leader simply waved his hand.
"Leave."
Wakawa's eyes widened.
This wasn't normal.
The Leader had always been harsh and uncompromising in judgment.
But Wakawa didn't dare question him.
He quickly retreated.
The moment he left, the Leader's eyes turned solemn.
"Summon all the elders," he ordered the Anbu. "Immediately."
---
The Council Convenes
Minutes later, all elders of Kusagakure assembled—those belonging to the aggressive Fruit of Grass Faction, and those belonging to the more cautious Flower of Grass Faction.
"Leader," an elder from the Fruit of Grass faction spoke first, "what urgent matter requires all of us?"
The Leader scanned the group, his expression unreadable.
Then he relayed Wakawa's report in full.
The elders' eyes widened; murmurs spread across the room.
"What are your thoughts?" the Leader asked.
The Fruit of Grass faction immediately exploded in outrage.
"Konoha is bullying us far too much!" one elder slammed his fist down. "Just because they are one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, they think they can look down on Kusagakure!"
"If we let this pass, Kusagakure will become a laughingstock across the entire ninja world!"
"We must show strength—even if it means declaring war!"
Their voices grew louder and harsher.
But the Flower of Grass faction was quick to counter.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Konoha is the strongest among the Five Great Villages! With what manpower or resources would we wage war against them?"
"Have you forgotten how the original Kusagakure was destroyed?"
Their voices trembled with anger—but also fear. They knew the consequences of rash decisions better than anyone.
For a moment, silence settled.
Then—
From the Fruit of Grass faction came a voice filled with conviction.
"There is one way we can stand equal to Konoha."
Everyone turned.
"We must activate the Box of Ultimate Bliss once more."
The room instantly grew as cold as winter.
The Box of Ultimate Bliss—
A legendary artifact said to date back a thousand years, rumored to have been left behind by the Sage of Six Paths himself.
A weapon capable of granting any wish once opened.
It was through the Box's power that the original Kusagakure had risen to near domination of the ninja world.
And it was also the reason for its destruction.
The Leader stayed silent, letting the weight of their words settle over the council.
The discussion was far from over.
Because once the Box of Ultimate Bliss entered the conversation…
The fate of Kusagakure—and the entire ninja world—began to shift.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)