Chapter 35: Tsunade summons

Inner World.

[ I'm really amazed to see you have a little sister. ] 

Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "What can I do? If it makes her happy, then I'll go along with it." 

[ Are you sure about that? And… are you happy with it? ] 

He paused for a moment before answering, his voice steady but filled with warmth. "Their happiness is more important than mine." 

[ That's admirable. Now, I have to know—why were you reincarnated? ] 

Naruto smirked. "What did you think about me before?" 

[ Honestly? I thought you were shameless, perverted, and completely lustful for women. ] 

Naruto gasped dramatically, clutching his heart as if he had been mortally wounded. "Ouch! That hurts! Is this really the image you had of me?" He struck a pose of exaggerated despair, making the moment even more comical.

[ Hahaha! Well, can you blame me? You do flirt with every beautiful woman you see, ] Aurora teased.

Naruto pouted. "Hey! I just appreciate the beauty! Besides, flirting and being a pervert are totally different things!"

[ Mmm-hmm. Sure, sure. But I have to admit, seeing you put your family's happiness first is… touching. You're not just some reckless kid. You truly care.]

Naruto scratched the back of his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Of course I do. Family means everything to me. If I can make them smile, then that's all that matters."

[ Heh… you really are something else, Leo. ]

Outside world. 

"Nii-san, let's go," Karin said eagerly, tugging at Naruto's hand, trying to pull him from his daze.

Naruto blinked, snapping back to reality. A warm smile spread across his face as he ruffled Karin's hair. "Yeah, let's go. I'll show you all the amazing things in our village." He gently held her hand, guiding her toward the door. 

Just as they were about to step outside, two figures suddenly appeared before them, clad in masks—one resembling a fox, the other a cat. 

"Is Tsunade-sama here?" the fox-masked individual asked in a calm yet authoritative tone. 

Naruto sighed, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Come on, Kakashi. You don't need that mask here. And you too, Itachi." His tone was playful as if greeting old friends rather than high-ranking shinobi.

Kakashi sighed, shaking his head as he removed his mask, revealing his usual lazy expression. "Naruto, you really don't hold back, do you?" 

Beside him, Itachi removed his cat mask with a small smirk. "You recognized us immediately." 

Naruto grinned. "Of course! Do you think I wouldn't notice my people? Come on, give me some credit!" 

Karin, who had been clinging to Naruto's hand, looked up in awe. "Nii-san, who are they?" 

Naruto patted her head. "This silver-haired guy is Kakashi Hatake, a lazy genius, and this raven-haired guy is Itachi Uchiha, a quiet genius." 

Kakashi sighed again. "Geez, that's how you introduce us?" 

Itachi chuckled. "It's accurate enough." 

Tsunade stepped out, raising an eyebrow. "What brings you both here?" 

Kakashi's demeanor turned serious. "Hokage-sama requested your presence immediately, Tsunade-sama."

"Okay… What does the old man want from me now?" Tsunade muttered, frowning at the sudden summons.

"It must be something important. You should go, Tsunade," Naruto said, grinning mischievously, his tone carrying a clear hint of amusement.

She narrowed her eyes at him. Being around Naruto for this long, she had learned to recognize that particular grin. I have a bad feeling about this… she thought, sighing.

"Let's go," she said, shaking off the thought, though curiosity nagged at the back of her mind.

But just as they were about to leave, Naruto called out, "Oh, Kakashi, Itachi! Don't forget—there's a party at our place tonight. You both better be there. You know what happens if you miss it, right?" His grin widened as he reminded them of the consequences.

Both masked shinobi froze, a visible shudder running through them at the mere thought of Kushina Uzumaki's legendary wrath.

"Yes, we will definitely be there. Right, Itachi?" Kakashi said quickly, glancing at his quiet companion.

Itachi, ever composed, simply nodded.

Without wasting another second, they disappeared in a blur, not wanting to stick around and risk any more of Naruto's antics—or worse, Kushina's fury.

Naruto chuckled as he watched them disappear down the road. He knew they wouldn't dare miss the party, not with his mother involved. 

Karin tugged at his sleeve, looking up curiously. "Nii-san, is your mom that scary?" 

Naruto smirked, bending down to her level.

"Scary? Let's just say even the strongest shinobi in the village wouldn't want to be on her bad side."

Karin blinked, then giggled. "She sounds amazing!" 

Naruto laughed, ruffling her hair. "That she is. Come on, let's go invite the rest!" 

With that, he took her hand, and they walked off together, enjoying the warm feeling of finally being surrounded by family.

While Naruto went to invite others.

Hokage Office.

Tsunade arrived at the office, her footsteps steady but her mind wary.

She knocked on the door.

"Enter," came the aged yet firm voice from within.

As she stepped inside, her expression immediately darkened upon noticing Danzo and the other elders present. She didn't let her irritation show, but their presence never meant anything good.

"Sensei, what's with the sudden summons? I just returned from a trip, I'm exhausted, and I'd really prefer to get some rest," she said, her tone filled with deliberate disinterest.

However, her mind was already at work, trying to piece together what this meeting could be about. Nothing immediately came to her.

But Hiruzen wasn't about to let her brush it off so easily. He took a slow puff of his pipe before speaking.

"Tsunade… do you know that a week ago, Kusagakure was destroyed? And not a single body was found," he said, his voice carrying weight.

Tsunade's eyes widened.

Kusagakure… destroyed?

Then, in an instant, Naruto's words echoed in her mind—'You'll know when we reach the village.'

At the time, she hadn't thought much of it. But now…

"What?" she asked, the shock evident in her voice.

Hiruzen nodded, his sharp eyes watching her reaction closely. "Yes. Reports say the entire village was reduced to ruins. Not a single body was found, only traces of battle and destruction." He took another slow puff of his pipe. "We suspect someone powerful was behind it, and considering the timing of your return… I have to ask, Tsunade, do you know anything about this?"

Tsunade quickly composed herself, crossing her arms. "I was on a trip, Sensei. How would I know what happened to Kusagakure?" she said, feigning ignorance.

Danzo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his gravelly voice laced with suspicion. "Kusagakure had been keeping an Uzumaki survivor—a rare and valuable bloodline. And now, just as you return, rumors surface of Uzumaki reappearing in Konoha. Quite the coincidence, don't you think?"

Hiruzen studied Tsunade carefully, his wise eyes narrowing slightly. The room was thick with tension, Danzo and the elders clearly displeased by her bluntness.

"You knew they had Uzumaki survivors, yet you did nothing?" Tsunade's voice held an edge of restrained fury. "Sensei, is that how we treat our allies? No wonder we've been through so many wars."

Koharu bristled. "Tsunade, are you saying our methods are wrong?"

"Yes," she answered without hesitation, her golden eyes unwavering.

"You—!" Koharu and Danzo both leaned forward, ready to rebuke her, but Hiruzen held up a hand, silencing them.

"Enough. We are here to understand, not to argue," he said firmly before turning back to Tsunade. "Do you truly know nothing about Kusagakure's destruction?"

"No, Sensei," she answered, her voice calm yet unwavering.

Hiruzen exhaled another puff of smoke, watching her closely. "Then, what do you say about the Uzumaki you brought here?"

Tsunade didn't miss a beat. "Sensei, while we were traveling, I heard a commotion. When I looked, I saw two red-haired individuals—one in her early twenties, the other a child. They were both injured, and as a medic, I healed them." She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice steady, carefully following the story Naruto had prepared for situations like this. "Once we heard their story, we realized they had no home. I, knowing they were Uzumaki, didn't hesitate to bring them here—because he cherishes his family. That's all there is to it."

Her tone left no room for doubt, and yet, the silence that followed felt heavy.

Danzo's single visible eye narrowed. Hiruzen, however, simply observed, tapping his pipe against the ashtray.

Tsunade remained firm. Naruto, you better appreciate this, she thought, because these old fossils aren't easy to fool.

Hiruzen studied her carefully, his sharp gaze trying to decipher any deception in her words. He exhaled deeply, placing his pipe down on the table. 

"Tsunade," he began, his voice calm but heavy with meaning, "if what you say is true, then these Uzumaki are innocent victims. However, the destruction of an entire village cannot be ignored. Whether or not you were involved, this incident has already drawn attention from other nations. Kusagakure may have been small, but its sudden annihilation will not go unnoticed." 

Danzo crossed his arms. "And now, conveniently, two Uzumaki survivors appear in Konoha, under your protection." His one visible eye narrowed. "You expect us to believe this is all just coincidence?" 

Tsunade leaned forward, placing her hands on the table. "Believe whatever you want, Danzo. The fact remains—Konoha failed the Uzumaki before. We abandoned our allies and let them be slaughtered. I'm doing just what village didn't do." 

Danzo's fingers twitched in irritation, but before he could reply, Hiruzen raised a hand. "Enough." He turned back to Tsunade. "These two Uzumaki… do you vouch for them?" 

Tsunade smirked. "I do. And if you're worried about them being a threat, then you're underestimating Konoha's strength." 

Koharu clicked her tongue in disapproval, but Hiruzen nodded. "Very well. They will be monitored, but as long as they cause no harm, they may stay." He picked up his pipe again, taking a slow puff. "As for Kusagakure… the truth will come out sooner or later." 

Tsunade gave a knowing smile but said nothing. 

Danzo stood, his expression unreadable. "This conversation isn't over." Without another word, he turned and exited, Koharu and Homura following close behind. 

Hiruzen remained seated, watching Tsunade carefully. "Tsunade… I hope you're not keeping anything from me." 

Tsunade simply shrugged. "Sensei, I'm just a tired traveler who helped two injured people. That's all." 

Hiruzen sighed, shaking his head. "For your sake, I hope that's true." 

With that, the meeting ended.