Kushina felt her nerves tighten.
Back at the Academy, people had called her the "Red-Hot Habanero." She had a temper. Everyone knew it.
But standing in a room filled with Konoha's highest officials was something else entirely.
Minato, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease.
Beside them, Genma Kurama studied the blond boy from the corner of his eye, watching the gentle smile that never seemed to fade. That kid is something else…
On the way here, he had heard how Minato comforted Kushina.
"When we get inside, just listen to the Third Hokage. He's my teacher's teacher, so that makes him your… well, you could call him your grand-teacher too. If he says Konoha is your home, then it is."
At such a young age, and he already knew how to anchor himself to the most critical element in the village… the Hokage.
And in terms of combat strength, the rumors said he was a prodigy as well.
Thinking about the state of his own clan, Genma felt a quiet ache settle in his chest.
The Kurama clan's descendants were growing weaker with each generation. Fewer and fewer awakened their Kekkei Genkai.
Recently, though, he had heard the village was pushing major reforms, placing great importance on ninjutsu research.
Maybe… if he found the right opportunity and spoke to the Hokage about the Kurama clan's struggles, they might receive help.
Genma glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi's upright, solid frame and made up his mind.
I have to perform well.
"Kushina, how have you been settling in?"
Hiruzen did not start with sealing techniques. His voice was warm, steady.
"I've been busy and couldn't visit you myself. I asked Koharu to check in on you in my place."
He looked at her kindly.
"But if you run into difficulties in your training or daily life, don't keep it bottled up. Konoha is your home. I may be Hokage, but I'm also your elder. You don't need to stand on ceremony with me."
Kushina's eyes stung. She nodded hard.
To her, the Third Hokage felt like the sun itself.
Warm. Steady. Strong.
Minato blinked.
So in front of his grand-teacher, he really had become a "little sun," hadn't he?
"Kushina," Hiruzen continued, his tone sharpening slightly, "we've called you here because the village is preparing retaliation against the Hidden Cloud Village. It's for your sake, but not only for your sake."
"Any enemy who dares offend this village will be met with Konoha's iron fist."
He met her gaze directly.
"Do you know anything about the Steel Shell Seal?"
Kushina's heart trembled.
So this is what it feels like to be protected by the village…
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" she answered quickly. "That seal can contain massive amounts of chakra. The core structure is strong, but there are flaws in the finer details. It allows chakra to slowly leak over time."
Orochimaru gave a faint nod.
A slow leak? That explained why the Hidden Cloud's Jinchuriki kept losing control.
"Kushina, can you dismantle that formula? The village needs to understand its structure," Hiruzen asked, a glint of hope flashing in his eyes.
If she had not known, he had considered arranging an early meeting with Mito Uzumaki.
But the ideal approach would be to produce results first, then approach her. That would show sincerity and effort.
"No problem, Hokage-sama!" Kushina replied without hesitation, though her eyes darted around.
Where was she supposed to dismantle it?
Hiruzen pointed to the large tactical command board in the center of the room.
"Go up there."
"Hokage-sama, I have some thoughts on the structure as well," Minato said, raising his hand.
"Then go together," Hiruzen replied with a nod.
The two stepped up to the board and began sketching out the Steel Shell Seal.
Kushina focused on drawing the main framework.
Minato annotated each section, explaining the principles and purpose behind every sealing component.
In Hiruzen's eyes, sealing techniques were among the most difficult forms of jutsu.
Studying a complex seal was like assembling ancient wooden joinery. Every joint had to fit perfectly. One mistake and the entire structure failed. And beyond theory, it had to be shaped and sustained with chakra.
Rare talents, Hiruzen thought.
Kushina has the physique and bloodline to support it… but Minato clearly has a special instinct for sealing.
His foundation isn't as deep as hers, yet his insight is remarkable.
He needs access to more techniques. He must be cultivated carefully.
Discovering and nurturing talent was, after all, part of a Hokage's duty.
"That's everything," Minato said.
He and Kushina bowed slightly to the room.
"Well explained." Hiruzen turned to Orochimaru. "Any issues on your end?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Konoha truly has more and more talented youth. You've practically handed me the answer. If I still failed to understand it…"
His eyes flicked sideways.
"Then perhaps Jiraiya's drunken ramblings would actually come true."
He was referring to that gathering at Hiruzen's home, when Jiraiya had gotten drunk and proclaimed that despite his age, Minato might one day become the Fourth Hokage.
"Hmph." Jiraiya shot Orochimaru a glare and muttered, "You never forget anything, do you?"
"Genma," Hiruzen said, shifting focus, "can your genjutsu affect a Jinchuriki? Speak plainly. Don't feel pressured."
"If I release everything I have, I can stall a tailed beast for a short time," Genma answered seriously. "But if the Jinchuriki draws on the Eight-Tails' chakra, that's a different matter. Combined chakra like that is the natural enemy of disruptive genjutsu."
"And if the Jinchuriki is poisoned or under the control of a Curse Mark?" Danzo Shimura's voice rasped from across the table.
Genma almost laughed.
"So that's the kind of battle we're talking about?"
"In that case, there's absolutely no problem. I guarantee it."
He straightened slightly.
"The Kurama clan may not have the reputation it once did, but our techniques are no exaggeration."
Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet.
His gaze swept across the room. He raised one hand and clenched it into a fist.
Silence fell over the chamber.
"When Konoha's shinobi stand united, no enemy can withstand us," he declared, his voice ringing with force.
"Danzo, you will lead the Anbu. Clear out sentries and secure a safe retreat route."
"Orochimaru, you are responsible for assassinating the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. The body must be brought back."
"Jiraiya, you will infiltrate with Genma and rendezvous with Orochimaru. Maintain control of the situation."
He enunciated every word.
"This time, we will make the enemy feel fear. We will kill their Jinchuriki without a sound."
"Use their blood to write repayment in blood inside their own village."
"Throw them into chaos. Into madness."
Hiruzen smiled coldly to himself.
Several of Konoha's top shinobi against an unstable Eight-Tails Jinchuriki…
For Blue B, this death would be something to boast about in another life.
The Hidden Cloud Village had long clashed with other hidden villages and earned a terrible reputation across the shinobi world.
If the Eight-Tails died within their own village, many would quietly celebrate.
And when the powerless Hidden Cloud lashed out in suspicion at every possible target, it would be nothing more than bluster.
That was the stage Hiruzen wanted.
It was time for the world to remember Konoha.
To remember a resolute Hokage.
"Everyone, prepare to move."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Outside the window, the setting sun burned red, spilling fire into the room.
The light seemed to set their figures ablaze.
And in their eyes, battle intent burned just as fiercely.