Chapter 35: The New Diamond Card! – Konoha's Upper Echelons Decide
Listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's words,
silence fell over everyone present.
Even Kushina, who had stormed in full of rage earlier, gradually calmed down.
Suddenly she felt like she had been way too impulsive just now.
So she gave Hiruzen a slightly embarrassed smile, scratching the back of her head.
"Um…
I got a little carried away earlier."
"I saw how badly Naruto's been treated…
I just got so angry, so worried…"
"It's not your fault," Hiruzen shook his head. "This is on me.
I failed to take proper care of Naruto.
For that… I should be the one apologizing to you."
"Third…"
Kushina looked sheepish.
"I was thinking… maybe we should make Naruto's identity public.
That way, maybe more people would start to accept him…"
"No," Hiruzen gently shook his head.
"Your feelings are good, but now isn't the right time.
If we announce it now, it might backfire.
Worse, other villages could learn that he's a jinchūriki.
My suggestion is to keep it secret for the time being.
Wait until he's earned everyone's recognition.
Then, when the truth comes out, the goodwill they already feel toward him will turn into even deeper guilt and affection."
"…Yeah, that makes sense."
Kushina nodded.
"Then…"
"I know you want to see Naruto, but first let's have your body examined, alright?"
Hiruzen smiled.
"That way you can feel more at ease too.
If someone tried to use you to make the Nine-Tails inside Naruto go berserk…
that would be disastrous."
"You're right!"
Kushina nodded firmly.
"Third, I heard you were injured…"
"It's nothing serious."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"For a Hokage, dying for the sake of the village is an honor.
Now go—get yourself checked first."
...
"The old man is amazing~
His Talk-no-Jutsu is invincible!
Is that the secret technique passed down among Hokage or what?"
At the same time,
Byakuya put away the crystal ball.
He had been watching the whole scene through the Telescope Technique.
He couldn't hear the sound,
but just from the visuals he could feel how terrifyingly powerful the Third's mouth escape was.
"Karin and the others will be back the day after tomorrow.
That's perfect timing~
My diamond cards are ready too.
I just don't know if they'll suit them."
During this period he had accumulated a huge amount of plot points.
He'd dumped every single one into the lottery.
He didn't pull anything particularly amazing,
but he had managed to synthesize three whole diamond cards.
Thinking of that, Byakuya took out the three diamond cards and toyed with them in his hand.
[Zekrom (Diamond): Upon use, obtain the Zekrom Spirit and become the jinchūriki of Zekrom.
Special Effect: Flight (Creates an anti-gravity field; unaffected by air resistance during flight, zero consumption).
Skill: Thundercloud (Creates thunderclouds; can hide inside them and control them to unleash countless powerful lightning bolts).
Amplification: Greatly increases total chakra amount, greatly improves chakra control, greatly enhances physical strength.
Nearby compatible users: Uchiha Sasuke, Hatake Kakashi]
[Diancie (Diamond): Upon use, obtain the Diancie Spirit and become the jinchūriki of Diancie.
Special Effect: Diamond (All crystal release techniques produce diamond instead of regular crystal; diamond cannot exist permanently).
Skill: Diamond Storm (Summons a diamond storm).
Amplification: Greatly increases total chakra amount, greatly improves chakra control, greatly enhances physical strength.
Nearby compatible users: None]
[Mewtwo (Diamond): Upon use, obtain the Mewtwo Spirit and become the jinchūriki of Mewtwo.
Special Effect: Psychic (Can move objects remotely, manipulate weather, create objects with thought, alter memories, control others' minds).
Skill: Mind Reading (Can hear the inner voices of others).
Amplification: Greatly increases total chakra amount, greatly improves chakra control, greatly enhances physical strength.
Nearby compatible users: Kurama Yakumo]
"Not bad at all~"
Byakuya played with the cards a bit longer before carefully putting them away.
"Kurama Yakumo, huh…
Looks like it's time to make arrangements for that little girl."
...
Kushina's physical examination was completed quickly.
But the results left everyone puzzled.
"No problems at all?"
The four elders of Konoha stared at the report in their hands, completely baffled.
They couldn't figure it out.
Who exactly revived Kushina?
And why?
They went through all that effort to bring her back… and then did absolutely nothing?
What was the goal here?
They couldn't make sense of it.
"Could it be… that the person is so overwhelmingly powerful that we can't detect any anomalies in her body?"
Danzo frowned and spoke.
"Yes, that must be it.
I suggest we continue isolating and monitoring Kushina for now."
"I don't think that's necessary anymore."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"The person who revived Kushina…
and managed to plant such an advanced seal inside her body without anyone noticing…
That shows their strength is terrifying.
If someone that powerful wanted to destroy Konoha, it would be far too easy.
So there's no need for us to be this cautious."
The other three fell silent after hearing Hiruzen's words.
They had always believed Konoha was the strongest shinobi village in the world.
That the world's most powerful shinobi all came from here.
Yet now… an unknown powerhouse with unknown motives had appeared out of nowhere.
It was truly unsettling.
"Besides…
I have a feeling that person might be the Holy Master of the Black-Robed Organization."
The moment Hiruzen said that,
the eyes of the other three lit up simultaneously.
They suddenly felt… maybe it really was possible.
"Although we don't know what this Holy Master ultimately wants…
from the fact that he killed Orochimaru with a single palm strike,
it seems he holds at least some goodwill toward Konoha.
So I believe we don't need to restrict Kushina anymore."
The three of them exchanged glances.
Then, together, they nodded.
...
After the discussion among Konoha's highest leadership,
Kushina was finally granted her freedom.
She rushed straight to Naruto's apartment, took a deep breath, and gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it~?"
A lazy voice drifted out from inside.
Clearly, Naruto had only just woken up.
"It's already 11 in the morning and he's just getting up…?"
A big angry vein popped on Kushina's forehead.
"Open the door!
Naruto!"
"Uh…"
Still chewing on a piece of bread, Naruto drowsily opened the door with sleepy eyes.
He froze when he saw the red-haired woman standing there.
Then he suddenly jolted awake.
He remembered the redhead he'd met not long ago—Karin.
"You…
you…
You're from the Uzumaki clan!"
Kushina smiled warmly and nodded.
What a knowledgeable son she had!
"But onee-san, why are you looking for me?"
DUANG!
Kushina's fist came down hard on Naruto's head.
"Call me Mom!"