Chapter 153: Misaki Arrives

"What do you mean?"

Tsunade frowned, confused by the suggestion. She didn't see the necessity of splitting their forces.

"Lady Tsunade, I think sending a team into the Land of Earth will only do us good and no harm," Shōta Nara replied, his tone calm. He had carefully considered the broader picture and believed this step was necessary.

"Tell me more." Kawakaze, clearly interested, leaned in. It was a relief to leave the strategizing to someone else for once.

The Uchiha Clan Head also looked at Shōta, a faint smile on his face.

"First, we can monitor their movements at all times, so we won't be as passive as last time," Shōta began. "Second, we suffered heavy losses because of the Iwa Ninjas. Joining this fight is a way of honoring our fallen comrades."

As he finished, Shōta's lips curled into a slight smile. His reasoning struck a chord with the group, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Not bad. There's some truth to what you're saying," Tsunade conceded. "Who among you wants to go?"

She had no intention of sending Kawakaze or other key figures; the priority was the Land of the Wind.

"We, Uchiha, are willing to go to the Land of Earth," the Uchiha Clan Head volunteered, his tone resolute.

He had intended to take this mission from the moment he suggested it. With the Land of the Wind already nearing defeat, his presence there wouldn't make much difference. Heading to the Land of Earth offered a chance to earn merit—and a chance for revenge.

"Good. Then go and give it your best effort," Tsunade replied.

"If there's nothing else, let's adjourn. Go and make your preparations."

The meeting concluded smoothly, with Tsunade's tone unusually gentle.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," the Konoha Ninjas responded in unison, their spirits high. Smiles spread across their faces as they left the hall in groups of two or three.

"Let's go too," Kawakaze said, rising from his seat.

Tsunade walked beside him as they exited, trailed by the two younger ninjas. As soon as they stepped outside, Sakumo and Duy disappeared from sight.

"I wonder if Misaki has arrived at our house yet."

"Grandma wouldn't dislike her, would she?" Nawaki brought up this to his sister again, his concern evident as he voiced his worries.

"You're too young to be worrying about such things," Tsunade said, glancing back at her brother. "We can go back home after the war."

She couldn't help but think about Nawaki's future. It seemed inevitable that he would have no real authority in the family. It was a bit pitiful—bullied by her as a child, and likely to be bullied by his wife when he grew up.

"I wonder if Kushina has grown taller," Minato mused, his thoughts drifting to his fiery red-haired companion. Nawaki and Minato, together, really were a pair of loving clowns.

"Would it make it easier for her to beat you if she grew taller?" Kawakaze interjected without thinking. Minato froze for a moment, rendered speechless.

"Haha, Kushina's not like that," Tsunade said with a hearty laugh, though her words didn't entirely match her true thoughts.

"Brother-in-law, you've got a point," Nawaki chimed in, grinning. "Misaki is much gentler than Kushina."

Nawaki couldn't help feeling a little smug as he spoke. Kushina had beaten him up before, though he hadn't fought back, not wanting to argue with a girl. At the time, though, he really hadn't been her match. It was a memory he found more embarrassing than amusing.

"So what if she's gentle? You think you won't get beaten up?" Minato retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I'd be fine with that," Nawaki replied with a sheepish grin, as if the idea of being beaten by Misaki didn't bother him at all.

"Hopeless. Let's go," Kawakaze said with a sigh, pulling Tsunade away from the two young men, who were still bickering.

Why are there so many love-struck fools around?

...

Misaki followed Konoha's wounded troops into the village. A ninja entrusted by Tsunade led her toward the Senju Clan mansion.

As they walked through Konoha's bustling and tidy streets, Misaki's mood lightened. The cheerful smiles of the villagers created a welcoming atmosphere.

"Our environment in Konoha is still quite good," the ninja said, his voice warm. He appeared to be around forty years old, and Misaki reminded him of his own daughter. Having been personally instructed by Tsunade, he made an effort to speak kindly to her.

"Yes, it's quite good," Misaki replied with a nod, her eyes continuing to take in her surroundings. This place was far better than the towns she had seen in the Land of Grass.

After passing through a few streets, they arrived at the Senju Clan mansion.

Misaki had anticipated that the home of the princess of the Land of Whirlpools wouldn't be small, but the sheer scale of the mansion still shocked her. In the Land of Whirlpools, she had been an ordinary commoner and had never seen anything this grand.

"We're here. I'll go knock on the door," the ninja said as he stepped forward and knocked.

The door opened shortly after, revealing a red-haired girl peeking out. Her pupils widened when her gaze landed on Misaki.

This was the third person she had seen in Konoha with the same hair color as hers.

"Miss Kushina, this is the person Lady Tsunade asked us to bring here," the ninja said, introducing Misaki to Kushina.

"Sister Tsunade?" Kushina asked, her expression filled with curiosity as she looked at the ninja.

"Yes. You two can continue the conversation. My mission is complete," the ninja replied. With a wave to Misaki, he turned and left.

"Your hair is the same color as mine! My name is Kushina Uzumaki," Kushina said as she ran out from behind the door. She grabbed Misaki's hand excitedly. "What's your name?"

"Ah, I'm Misaki, Misaki Uzumaki."

Misaki was caught off guard by Kushina's sudden actions and didn't even manage to finish her name before Kushina excitedly added her surname.

"Hee hee, I knew you were one of us," Kushina said, her smile widening as she looked at Misaki. The more she looked, the happier she seemed.

"I have a letter for my aunt that Lady Tsunade asked me to give to her grandmother. Is she home?" Misaki asked cautiously, taking the letter out from her bosom.

"Yes, I'll take you there," Kushina replied enthusiastically, grabbing Misaki's hand and pulling her through the front door.

"Slow down, I can't run fast!" Misaki protested, struggling to keep up as an ordinary person being dragged along.

"Sorry," Kushina said with a sheepish grin, sticking out her tongue as she slowed down.

It wasn't long before they reached the door to Mito's bedroom.

"Grandma Mito, may I come in?" Kushina asked, knocking politely to show her respect.

"Come in," Mito's calm voice called out from inside. She had already sensed the presence of the two visitors.

Creak...

Kushina pushed open the door and led Misaki inside.

"Grandma Mito, this is a clan member Tsunade sent back. Her name is Misaki Uzumaki," Kushina said, running to Mito's side with joy overflowing.

Misaki stood frozen for a moment, stunned as she looked at Mito. Is this really a grandmother? How could she look so young and beautiful?

Mito's eyes softened as she looked at Misaki. It had been a long time since she had seen one of her clan members, especially after the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools.

"Lady Mito, this is a letter that Lady Tsunade asked me to give to you," Misaki said, mustering her courage and stepping forward to hand over the letter.

Mito took the letter, opened it, and read through its contents. Understanding the situation, she set the letter down and looked at Misaki closely.

Nawaki, that silly boy, has some luck.

The more she observed Misaki, the more satisfied she became, her gaze occasionally shifting between Misaki and Kushina with a thoughtful expression.

"Good girl, you can call me Grandma from now on. Make yourself at home here," Mito said warmly, reaching out to touch Misaki's head. Her red hair was as striking as her own.

"We'll be good friends from now on," Kushina added, stepping forward to take Misaki's arm affectionately.

"Thank you, Grandma Mito," Misaki said, tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice trembled slightly as her emotions overcame her.