2

A pair of chunin were at the entrance of Konoha performing their guard duty. Even though war is currently taking place, they still can't help but be a bit bored. Thankfully, their boredom was about to take a brief pause.

"Hey, it seems like someone is approaching..?" One of the chunin guards told his fellow chunin. 

"Hmmm..?" The other chunin looked up. "It seems you're right, a bit surprising considering the village is going by war time rules. But I don't see any forehead protector so maybe it's an orphan child looking for shelter?"

"Who knows," The first chunin guard shrugged. "At least this will momentarily ease our boredom." 

They watched as Kushina got closer, once she was close enough one of them spoke up.

"Halt! State your name and reason for coming to Konoha. You may or may not know but we are currently in a war time state." The second chunin guard said in a stern tone. 

These two guards were not unfamiliar to Kushina, her clones have seen them multiple times while gathering information about Konoha. 

"My name is Kushina Uzumaki, my reason is to join Konoha." Kushina told them in a straightforward manner.

The two chunin could tell that Kushina was not using the Transformation Jutsu to disguise herself. So they knew the color of her hair was real, plus while they are not talented sensors by any means. Even they can feel the monstrous amount of chakra within the young Uzumaki child. 

They are also shocked because as far as they know, the Uzumaki Clan had been wiped out. Yet, here in front of them is a child who clearly seems to be an Uzumaki. 

"Uzumaki huh? I thought you guys were all wiped out?" The first chunin asked. 

"I'm one of the few survivors." Kushina didn't feel like telling them she was not raised in Uzushio.

"Well whatever, you want to join Konoha kid? Then follow me to Hokage-sama." The first chunin said.

As she followed him, Kushina looked around. She's not unfamiliar with the structure of Konoha at all. However, she does notice that less people are out in the streets compared to the last time her clone was here. 

Neither she or the chunin talked during the whole way, which was fine with her. She knew in his mind she was a highly suspicious unknown entity.

Soon enough they arrived at the administrative division of the academy. This is where the Hokage's office is located.

The chunin told Kushina to sit down and wait as he went to the secretary to briefly explain the situation. Once the secretary nodded, the chunin went to knock on the door. He waited a few seconds before being granted permission to enter. 

While waiting she decided to mess around a bit, quickly locating Kurama's chakra that is sealed within Mito. Kushina sent him a small strand of her chakra that could not be sensed by anyone but him. Even Mito would remain oblivious. 

She knew Kurama would probably freak out once he senses her chakra. After all, she made sure that strand of chakra contained a hint of her ten-tails chakra. 

Her words prove to be true, because her actions caused Kurama to wake up from the fox's nap. It can feel an unknown chakra within the seal, knowing that this chakra is definitely neither its own or Mito's. In fact Mito seems completely oblivious to the presence of this chakra. 

It doesn't know why but this chakra highly unnerves him, more so than Madara or Hashirama's chakra ever could. Kurama can feel this unknown chakra forcing it to think about certain unpleasant memories, memories that only the other tailed beast knows of and shares. 

"No…it can't be….this chakra feels a little like the old man's except…it's exceedingly more powerful than the old man's." Kurama's tone carried a great amount of shock.

"Nine-tails, what's wrong? You seem very restless all of a sudden?" Mito communicated with the fox through the seal.

"Nothing of your concern human, now leave me be!" Kurama roared angrily at the voice of Mito, cutting off the connection.

Mito sighed, not surprised by the reaction of the fox. "Still, I wonder what could make the Kyuubi like that all of a sudden?" She wondered to herself. 

Back with Kushina, after about 5 minutes the chunin came back out and told her she can go inside. 

Nodding, the young Uzumaki jinchuuriki made her way inside the office of Third Hokage himself, Hiruzen Saratobi. Due to her intelligence gathering, she was obviously not surprised to see Hiruzen had yet to reach his 50s. Currently he should be somewhere between his early to mid 40s. 

Once the door closed, she gave a polite bow before introducing herself. "Greetings Hokage-sama, as you may already know my name is Kushina Uzumaki."

Hiruzen observed the young child before him and could not help but be utterly shocked. 'This little girl's chakra reserves are already kage level…even exceeding my own!' It was easy for someone as powerful and skilled as him to pick up on Kushina's monstrous reserves.

Imagine how much more shocked he would be if he knew Kushina was actually suppressing most of her actual reserves. She's only allowing the Hokage and others to sense what she wants them to. 

Hiruzen made sure to not let his true emotions show on his face. Even though it was useless since Kushina can sense emotions. He gave her a smile before saying. "It's nice to meet you Kushina-san, I'm told you are looking to join Konoha?"

"Yes, I want to become a Konoha citizen and become a shinobi." She bluntly said. 

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow at her answer. "An shinobi? Tell me what village you are from? Are you a survivor from Uzushio?" The Third Hokage feels immense regret for not being able to save their long-time allies in time. 

He's not in good standing with Mito right now because he forbade her from leaving the village to go help her kin. In his opinion it was too risky allowing her to go. Even Tsunade has been cold to him lately, not that he blames either of them. 

Kushina shook her head. "Well yes and no, the reason I was able to avoid dying like my fellow clansmen is because I was not raised in Uzushio. I was raised outside of the elemental nations in a different nearby continent. My parents were retired powerful jounin of Uzushio. When my mother was pregnant, my parents were already aware that tensions were high between nations. They knew eventually Uzushio would be dragged into the conflict. My parents did not want me to be raised in war nor did they want me to be potentially forced to participate. So they left Uzushio during the beginning stages of my mother's pregnancy. And if you are wondering, Hokage-sama, they are no longer alive; they died in their sleep together when I was 4."

"I see, I'm sorry to hear about that Kushina-san." Hiruzen could feel respect towards Kushina's parents. Most shinobi would not consider leaving their homeland in troubling times for the sake of their child. In fact most shinobi, especially clan shinobi, would raise their children with the expectation of their child becoming a shinobi.

Many kids don't have the option of choosing if they want to be a ninja. 

Still it makes him wonder how far and long did she travel to reach Konoha from a different continent? Judging from her appearance, he doesn't see her carrying anything on her person. So he assumed she must already be knowledgeable in fuinjutsu if what Kushina says about her parents are true.

"Please don't be Hokage-sama, there are plenty of people who have been orphans since birth. I happen to be one of the lucky ones to grow up with my parents for a few years." Kushina said. 

"Very well," Hiruzen nodded. "Now as for your request. Normally shinobi villages are hesitant to take in citizens during war time. More so shinobi than civilians due to shinobi being more likely to be spies from other villages. But seeing as you are an Uzumaki along with Konoha still upholding its ties with Uzushio. I have no real reason to deny your request for citizenship. However, you will have to go through the T&I Force to answer a few more questions and a brief scan of your mind. I know this seems invasive but Konoha is going through a war and we can't take the chances of you being a spy. Also you will be monitored for a month under a probationary period. Is this acceptable?" 

Kushina nodded, she can show them false memories that will seem real to any member of the Yamanaka Clan. The only thing they'll find out of the ordinary is that she's very talented in many aspects of chakra. "It's acceptable Hokage-sama, by the way my parents told me of Mito-sama. Would it be possible to meet her?"

Hiruzen smiled a somewhat grandfatherly smile. "Absolutely, I actually planned on sending someone to inform her of your arrival. Mito-sama will be most pleased knowing at least one member of her clan is still alive and well."

"Thank you, by the way Hokage-sama, I need to inform you of something." Kushina stated in a serious tone.

She has no issues revealing some of her abilities since she has no reason to hide. No one in the shinobi world can make her feel truly threatened. Even Otsutsuki members would heavily struggle against the current version of herself.

Imagine when she's in her prime? Yeah, one punch with her Haki and Gura Gura no Mi will be enough to kill most of them off. 

"What is it?" Hiruzen noticed her expression.

"This is partly why I chose to come to Konoha." Kushina created a wood clone.

Hiruzen stood up on his feet in utter shock. "N-No way…M-Mokuton?! Kushina you have the same kekkei genkai as the First Hokage of our village?!" 

Of course he knew of the blood relation between the Senju and Uzumaki Clan. Yet he never thought there would be an Uzumaki with no direct relation to Hashirama to have wood release.

His Anbu that are hidden also are shocked. 

"This isn't all either." Kushina smirked as she showed her Sharingan and Byakugan to Hiruzen. 

In her opinion it would be a hassle to hide these from him when she plans on openly displaying her abilities in battle. Plus this way she can use her Sharingan and Byakugan to her advantage against the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans. She has plans for both clans, having no intention of allowing the Uchiha to be stupidly killed off like in canon. 

At this point Hiruzen didn't know what to say. Internally he felt very happy that Konoha stumbled upon Kushina so randomly. Even more so knowing Kushina willingly wants to join the Konoha shinobi corps. 

"Hokage-sama, the reason I showed you a brief glimpse of my abilities is to tell you this. I plan to be a future Hokage of this village and the first Goddess of Shinobi. The ninja world will come to fear and revere me more than they ever did for Lord First Hokage." Kushina strongly stated to the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen heard and acknowledged Kushina words, he can see that this little girl will lead Konoha to unprecedented heights. 

Unknown to the other villages and even Konoha itself, the tide of the war just turned massively in Konoha's favor.