( 🥳we have reached our milestone of 30 Patreon member As well as 150 Powerstone🤗🩵 so 6 bonus chapter will be uploaded enjoy and Happy holidays everyone🌲❄️)
Chapter 38: Whispers and Preparations
Konoha, The Senju Clan Compound.
Within the serene, traditional halls of the Senju estate, Uzumaki Kushina sat cross-legged, her face a mask of intense concentration. A massive, almost tangible aura of chakra swirled around her, far exceeding what any child her age should possess. It was the legacy of the Uzumaki—vast reserves, potent vitality, and mastery over the art of sealing.
The chakra churned restlessly, flaring and receding, before finally settling into a calmer, but still formidable, flow. Kushina opened her eyes, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. "Failed again."
"To awaken the deeper potential of the Uzumaki lineage, your heart must be free of turbulence, Kushina."
A gentle, matronly voice spoke from the side. Kushina looked up to see her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, the wife of the First Hokage. Clad in a simple white kimono, her vibrant red hair—the mark of their clan—was elegantly styled. Age had not dulled the wisdom and grace in her eyes, which now held a mix of affection and gentle admonishment.
"Grandmother, I'm sorry. I've disappointed you," Kushina mumbled, hanging her head.
"Is it because of that boy?" Mito asked, a knowing smile touching her lips.
"N-no!" Kushina's denial was instant, her cheeks flushing a telltale pink.
"Mmm." Mito's smile deepened. "He is a remarkable child, from what I hear." Though she rarely left the Senju compound, little happened in the village that escaped her notice. As the Shodaime's widow, even the Sandaime Hokage accorded her great respect.
"You… you think Ragnar is okay too?" Kushina asked, hope brightening her eyes.
"I do," Mito confirmed with a nod.
"But he's so dense! He's like a block of ice who doesn't understand anything! And he's just… vanished lately!" Kushina huffed, crossing her arms.
Uzumaki Mito, having lived a long life and loved a great man, understood the signs. "Appearances can be deceiving, child. According to our clan's discreet observers, that boy has been seen lingering near our gates on several evenings before departing."
"What? He has? Why didn't I know? You're not teasing me, are you, Grandmother?" Kushina's voice rose in surprise.
"Of course not. I only tell you this because I've seen your heart in turmoil," Mito said softly.
A warm, giddy feeling blossomed in Kushina's chest. So he was worried about me! He was checking on me! He just didn't say anything. Typical him! In an instant, Ragnar's cold demeanor was reinterpreted in her mind as quiet, protective concern. A silly, happy smile tugged at her lips.
"He is a prodigy of the academy. If you wish to walk beside such a person, my child, you must strive to become exceptional in your own right," Mito advised, her tone kind but firm.
"I understand, Grandmother! I will master the Uzumaki sealing arts! I will awaken our clan's true power!" Kushina declared, newfound determination squaring her shoulders.
"What a good child," Mito murmured, watching her. She saw a reflection of her younger self, meeting the world-shaking man who was Hashirama. Women were drawn to strength and warmth, and that boy, for all his cold exterior, seemed to possess a hidden core of both.
Since Senju Hashirama's passing, Uzumaki Mito's ties to this world had grown thin. Only the weight of the Nine-Tails sealed within her and her duty to the village kept her anchored. Her health was failing; her time was short. She needed to find a successor, a new vessel. The thought of burdening young Kushina with this destiny pained her. But if the girl had someone to stand beside her, to offer a spark of warmth in the coming darkness… perhaps the load would be easier to bear.
…
Hokage's Office.
After the mission administrator left, Hiruzen Sarutobi set his pipe aside, took a long draw, and exhaled a contemplative cloud of smoke. He looked at the man standing before his desk. "Sakumo. Your thoughts on this matter?"
Hatake Sakumo offered a small smile. "Hokage-sama, a genius untouched by blood and fire is a温室 flower, not a true shinobi. They cannot grow. Let him walk the path."
They were, of course, discussing Ragnar and Might Dai's mission application.
In this world, danger lurked everywhere. An eagle sheltered forever would never learn to ride the storms.
Hiruzen nodded slowly, taking another puff. "Indeed. Besides, Ragnar's combat strength is on par with any elite chunin. He should manage. A shinobi must ultimately walk his own road."
"There is something else," Sakumo added, his expression turning serious. "I have always believed Genin Might Dai is… not simple."
"Might Dai?" Hiruzen's eyebrows rose. "For you to say such a thing, Sakumo, means there must be something extraordinary there."
Sakumo nodded. He possessed a sharp eye for talent. While the village mocked Dai as the "Eternal Genin," Sakumo saw something else. The man practiced the most grueling of forbidden arts—the Eight Inner Gates, developed by the Second Hokage to unleash the body's latent potential. The difficulty wasn't intellectual; it was a brutal, soul-crushing test of physical and mental endurance. Even the Nidaime hadn't fully mastered his own creation. Yet Sakumo's intuition whispered that this taijutsu would find its ultimate, blazing expression in Might Dai.
…
The Land of Fire, En Route.
One of the Five Great Nations, the Land of Fire was blessed with fertile plains and gentle landscapes, its richness a direct legacy of the First and Second Hokages, who had shaped its forests and rivers with their will. Over time, the disparity between it and the other nations had only grown. Winning a war against four other villages was not just a matter of producing geniuses like the Sannin or Namikaze Minato; it was a testament to overwhelming resources and foundational strength.
Ragnar and Might Dai had been traveling for half a day, moving beyond Konoha's immediate protective radius. The scenery was still dominated by the dense, vibrant forests of the Fire Country, though occasional hills and streams now broke the monotony. It was a land of plenty, a stark contrast to the harsh deserts of Suna or the rocky crags of Iwa.
They moved in silence for the most part, Dai's earlier effusive energy focused into a steady, ground-eating jog. Ragnar matched his pace easily, his mind already turning toward the unknown dangers of the mission ahead, and the demonic blade resting silently in the scroll sealed within his pack.
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
đź’•Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.đź’•
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
✨✨ I'll release an extra chapter for every 5 reviews! ✨✨🥳🥳 For every 50 power stones! 🥳🥳
Lets hit the goal of 60 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters đź’•
Next Goal 200 Power Stones!