Chapter 318: Returning to the Village, Samui's Probe
Orochimaru declared that he could present the Nine-Tails to the Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan.
This statement stunned everyone.
Naruto was the first to recover, immediately frowning and exposing Orochimaru's lie:
"That's impossible! When I died earlier, the Nine-Tails' chakra dissipated as well. It will take at least a few years for it to revive in the wild."
As the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, no one had more authority on this subject than Naruto.
However, what Naruto and the others didn't expect was...
Heh heh.
Orochimaru let out a meaningful chuckle, his eerie snake-like eyes fixed on Naruto as he revealed a lesser-known truth:
"Naruto, the Nine-Tails inside you is actually incomplete. You only have half of it. The other half was sealed away by your father, Minato Namikaze, using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. He took it with him into the belly of the Shinigami."
"What?!"
Naruto was taken aback, realising he hadn't known this, as even the Nine-Tails had never mentioned it to him.
Nearby...
"Captain, do you think Orochimaru is telling the truth?" an ANBU member whispered to Kakashi.
After a moment of contemplation, Kakashi speculated:
"The Nine-Tails is the most powerful of the tailed beasts. Its chakra is incredibly dense. Even with the Fourth Hokage's strength, it would have been difficult to seal it completely.
"Moreover, if the Fourth Hokage decided to seal the Nine-Tails in the newborn Naruto, for the boy's safety, it would make sense to split the Nine-Tails. After all, an infant's body might not be able to suppress the full power of the Nine-Tails, potentially leading to a rampage."
Given Orochimaru's explanation, Kakashi was inclined to believe it was true.
"So, what's your plan? Are you going to cut open the Shinigami's belly and retrieve the other half of the Nine-Tails?" Tsunade's sceptical voice cut through, demanding a more detailed explanation from Orochimaru rather than just vague hints.
Smiling smugly, Orochimaru responded to Tsunade's derision with pride:
"Exactly, Tsunade. I have a method to undo the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, release the souls of the Fourth Hokage and the other half of the Nine-Tails, and then use the Edo Tensei to revive Minato Namikaze.
"If I'm not mistaken, Uchiha Dan had already seen through everything and knew I had this ability, which is why he instructed Kakashi's ANBU to ensure my safe return to Konoha."
Is that the reason?
Hearing Orochimaru's explanation, everyone present was once again stunned.
No one had expected that there would be two Nine-Tails jinchuriki: Naruto and his father.
As for Orochimaru's claim to undo the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, upon reflection, it wasn't entirely surprising.
After all, he had long been researching the Edo Tensei jutsu, and a strong figure like the Fourth Hokage would naturally be on Orochimaru's radar, marked for resurrection.
There was also another reason.
Years ago, after the Third Shinobi World War ended, Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze were the two leading candidates for the title of Fourth Hokage.
In the end, Orochimaru lost.
Although he claimed to have no interest in the Hokage title or power, deep down, Orochimaru was always a proud and solitary figure, and losing to Minato was something he couldn't accept.
Using Edo Tensei to resurrect Minato and then turning him into his puppet would be a sweet revenge for Orochimaru.
Driven by this strong desire, it wasn't surprising that he had painstakingly researched a way to break the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
"Alright, let's head back to Konoha," Kakashi ordered, motioning for the ANBU to put shackles on Orochimaru and prepare for the journey back.
If Orochimaru had said that he was a crucial piece in the eyes of the Sixth Hokage, he would have had to be protected at all costs.
Kakashi reminded himself that he couldn't afford to mess this up again; otherwise, he would have no choice but to resign from his position as ANBU captain.
Naruto remained where he was, lost in thought.
Although he had been the previous Nine-Tails jinchuriki, he had no intention of intervening in Orochimaru's plan to resurrect the fox nor any desire to reclaim the Nine-Tails.
However, along with the Nine-Tails, Minato Namikaze would also be resurrected.
That man, who Naruto had never met, was his father.
Thump thump.
Unknowingly, Naruto's heart began to race, and waves of emotion stirred within him.
At that moment...
"Naruto."
Karin approached, speaking to him earnestly, "Come back to Konoha with us. Don't you want the chance to meet your father?"
"I..."
Naruto hesitated, his expression unsure.
What kind of person was his father, the Fourth Hokage, in reality?
Naruto couldn't help but be curious, but he had already promised Konan to leave with her.
After struggling internally, Naruto finally spoke to Karin:
"Sorry, I've decided..."
Before he could finish, Konan's hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
"Naruto, if your father really has been resurrected, you should meet him, both emotionally and rationally, shouldn't you?" Konan looked at Naruto, seeing through his true feelings. "Also, if Uchiha Danzo truly becomes the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails, it will affect the entire future of the ninja world, and no one can remain uninvolved. So, it's better for us to witness it firsthand."
Leaving the ninja world wasn't something that had to be done immediately.
Konan knew that even if they ran away now, Naruto's heart would still be tied to these events.
Faced with Konan's understanding, Naruto finally relaxed his frown and nodded heavily:
"Alright, Konan-sensei, we'll do as you say."
Hearing this, Konan exchanged a knowing glance with Karin, and both of them smiled.
At that moment, the cracks and misunderstandings between them vanished in their mutual smiles.
Next.
The Konoha group set off on their journey back to the village.
At the same time.
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
"Well, I'll take my leave now."
Mei Terumi, dressed in a blue high-slit dress, said as she stood up, picking up the Mizukage hat beside her.
Among the delegations from the various villages who came for the Chunin Exams, Kirigakure was the last to leave.
This was because Mizukage Mei Terumi had voluntarily visited Danzo, humbly proposing economic cooperation between Konoha and Kirigakure to enhance trade and achieve mutual prosperity.
Danzo thought about it and agreed.
Over the past two days, Mei Terumi visited the Hokage's office several times, discussing various matters with Danzo, and they drafted and signed several economic agreements.
For example, Konoha would assist Kirigakure in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, helping them establish corresponding systems.
In return, Kirigakure would provide financial compensation and offer abundant natural resources, including minerals and fisheries, inviting Konoha's companies to collaborate in development and share the profits.
Overall, Danzo and Mei Terumi had a pleasant discussion.
Now that the general direction was set, the follow-up tasks were handed over to the relevant personnel.
Mei Terumi prayed in her heart for everything to go smoothly in the future. She saw a blonde woman carrying a lunch box as she walked out.
Both women paused.
"Hello, Mrs. Hokage." Mei Terumi was the first to react, smiling and greeting Samui while also stepping aside.
"...Hello."
Samui smiled back, watching Mei Terumi leave until she disappeared down the corridor.
Creak.
Once inside, Samui closed the door and placed the carefully prepared lunch on the coffee table.
Just in time, Danzo felt his empty stomach and picked up a pair of chopsticks, handing another pair to Samui: "Come sit and eat with me, dear."
"I've already eaten at home."
Samui smiled gently, gesturing for Danzo to start eating before the food got cold.
While Danzo ate, she tidied up the messy desk, organising the files one by one.
"Burp."
Danzo finished the lunch cleanly, letting out a satisfied burp before sprawling back on the sofa.
These past two days, he had been diligently fulfilling his Hokage duties, working over six hours a day in the office, and he was exhausted.
Samui couldn't help but laugh and shake her head at his behaviour.
Then, she came up behind Danzo and placed her soft hands on his shoulders, gently massaging him.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Mmm, a bit harder."
Danzo closed his eyes, leaning back on the sofa, basking in the warm sunlight, and enjoying his wife's gentle massage. He felt more relaxed than ever.
"Is this better?"
Samui increased the pressure, chatting with Danzo about family matters. They shared occasional laughs.
"Dear, have you noticed something?"
Danzo suddenly said, "Ever since Marisa left, the house has been a lot quieter. We have more time to ourselves. Maybe I should give her more missions to keep her out."
"Sure."
Samui chuckled and agreed but then added, "But remind Marisa to be careful out there. By the way, I wonder how she and Sasuke are doing in their pursuit of Orochimaru?"
Saying this, Samui's smile faded, and a look of concern appeared on her beautiful face.
In response, Dan opened his eyes and patted his wife's hand reassuringly:
"Don't worry. I just received word from Kakashi. They've completed their mission and are on their way back."
"That's a relief."
Samui let out a sigh of relief.
A while later, as the two talked about Konoha's cooperation with Kirigakure, Samui casually asked:
"Dan, what do you think of Mizukage Mei Terumi?"
"That woman, huh..."
Dan responded honestly, "She's quite beautiful, has a great figure and presence, and possesses strong abilities and leadership skills."
Hearing her husband praise another woman so openly, Samui didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled and agreed:
"Yes, Lady Mei Terumi is a perfect woman.
But I heard she's still single at 31, perhaps because she's devoted all her time to her village and hasn't had time for her personal life. It's quite admirable."
Like many others, Samui was curious about the love life of the Fifth Mizukage.
"That woman will probably stay single forever. Tsunade's present is her future," Dan predicted.
After all, in the original timeline, Mei Terumi remained single even into her old age, leading a life of solitude.
As the Fifth Mizukage and the pillar of Kirigakure, a woman who knew all of the village's secrets could not be allowed to marry out.
Within Kirigakure, after the dark years of the Bloody Mist era, all the exceptional male ninjas around Mei's age were either dead or gone, leaving only those she found unworthy.
So she remained single.
If we must blame someone, it would be people like Zabuza, who killed all his peers, leaving Mei with no suitable partners.
"It's a pity. If it turns out that way, the Fifth Mizukage might have some regrets in her heart," Samui remarked.
Then, she tightened her grip on Dan's hand and asked a rather dangerous question:
"But it seems like she has feelings for you, doesn't she?"
Facing his wife's subtle probing and suspicion, Dan kept his composure and asked Samui, "What makes you think that?"
"Women's intuition, of course. And don't forget, I was once a spy for Kumogakure. Reading people is one of my strengths."
Samui's eyes flashed with confidence as she mentioned her past.
Knowing that Samui felt ashamed and guilty about her past as a spy, Dan rarely brought it up.
Even Marisa and Hagoromo didn't know their mother had been a Kumogakure spy.
By bringing up her "undesirable past," Samui was actually probing further.
Dan realised this.
He sensed his wife's insecurity and self-doubt.
So, Dan straightened up on the sofa, thought seriously for a moment, then looked at Samui and gave his answer:
"I once controlled Mei Terumi with my Sharingan for a period. Every time she saw me, she would kneel and call me 'Master.'
You know, Obito's Sharingan controlled the previous Mizukage, Yagura, for many years. Although he eventually broke free from the Genjutsu, his soul suffered permanent damage, and he died shortly afterwards.
I think Mei Terumi is in a similar situation.
Although the time I controlled her was short, it left some lingering effects, such as a subconscious admiration and dependence on me."
"I see."
Samui was very satisfied with Dan's serious response.
At the same time, she realised:
"So that's why the Mizukage is still single? In that case, you owe her an apology."
Oh?
Dan, with a playful smile, asked:
"So, what should I do? Should I take responsibility for Mei Terumi?"
Surprisingly, after a moment of silence, Samui responded sincerely:
"Dan, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Your happiness is my happiness."
She never forgot that she was once just a spy. Not only was she not executed, but she also became the wife of the Hokage, living a dream-like life.
Therefore, Samui didn't ask for much.
Facing his humble wife, Dan sighed and pulled her onto his lap.
"Well, let me be happy now."
And so, they spent a happy afternoon together.
(End of Chapter)