At this moment, Uchiha Chiri was already waiting at home.
When she saw Genqing and Mikoto return, she smiled warmly.
"You're back? If you'd taken any longer, I was going to pick you up myself!"
She stepped forward, placed a hand on Genqing's shoulder, and gently infused her chakra and spiritual energy into his body for examination.
After confirming that everything was normal—no, better than normal, as his life force far surpassed ordinary levels—she finally relaxed.
Patting his head, she beamed:
"That's wonderful! You're finally healed."
"I've been hoping for this moment for so long."
Relief.
The greatest weight on her heart had finally been lifted.
"Hehe."
Genqing grinned brightly.
"Sorry for worrying you all this time, Mom. Things will only get better from now on."
"Now I can finally begin training properly."
"Mm!"
Chiri nodded with joy.
"Let's stop here for now. Breakfast first!"
"Then we'll head to the Senju compound for our appointment."
She ushered Genqing and Mikoto to the dining table.
As they ate, she looked at Mikoto.
"Do you have school today?"
"Nope!"
Mikoto shook her head confidently.
"But I made plans to go shopping with Kushina. So if you're headed to the Senju compound, we're going the same way."
She was close friends with Kushina, and knew that she lived in the Senju residence.
"Oh?"
Chiri raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Uzumaki Kushina? I know her."
"You should keep up that friendship."
Though she didn't say it, Chiri was thinking—
If today's meeting with Mito goes well, Kushina may not become the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki after all.
After all, the Uzumaki were naturally long-lived. Mito's rapid decline was only because the Nine-Tails had been draining her vitality.
If they healed Mito and stopped that constant depletion, she could recover much of her lifespan.
"Mhm! Kushina's really nice."
Mikoto wasn't sure what her aunt really meant, but she nodded cheerfully.
Her friendship with Kushina had never been strategic—it was simply a bond of mutual personality.
Soon, breakfast was finished.
After tidying up, Chiri took Genqing and Mikoto with her as they headed to the Senju compound.
About ten minutes later, they arrived at Mito Uzumaki's residence.
"Chiri, you're here. Welcome!"
"Welcome, Lady Chiri."
Mito herself had come to greet them at the gate, with Tsunade by her side.
Chiri smiled and nodded in return.
"Thank you for having us."
Then they stepped into the courtyard.
Far off, hidden ANBU and Root operatives were watching closely, hoping to eavesdrop or spy.
But Mito merely glanced in their direction—then shut the door.
A stomp of her foot activated multiple seals: a soundproofing barrier, anti-surveillance barrier, and more.
Inside, all was cut off.
Even in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen could only stare at a blank crystal ball and sigh in frustration.
"Sigh. As expected, no dice."
"I'll have to ask Lady Mito afterward and hope it's not bad news."
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted beside him.
"And you call that the mighty 'Viewing Crystal Technique'? All it's good for is peeping at bathhouses."
"You—!"
Hiruzen's face turned red.
Even Koharu turned away and scoffed. Homura covered a chuckle.
Flustered, Hiruzen tried to defend himself:
"Don't believe Danzo! I've never used it for that! Really!"
He wasn't worried about Koharu's opinion—
He was terrified his wife, Biwako would hear.
Koharu and Biwako were close friends.
If Biwako found out, his life would be hell.
"Heh. You think I believe you?"
Koharu crossed her arms with a disdainful sneer.
"We've known each other for decades. You're just a lecherous old perv. Who do you think you're fooling?"
"Please have mercy! Don't tell Biwako!"
Hiruzen begged with a bow.
"Alright, alright," Koharu said, rolling her eyes.
"Enough teasing. Let's talk business."
She turned serious.
"What do you think they're talking about in there?"
"Has Chiri really recovered?"
"Almost certainly."
Hiruzen's expression was heavy.
"Danzo and I have sent people to observe from afar. Even if she's not at full strength, she's at least 80–90% recovered."
"Her lifespan is no longer in danger. Her strength seems unaffected."
This… was the real problem.
With her back in shape, they couldn't afford to mess with the Uchiha recklessly.
Ever since her recovery, all their little schemes against the Uchiha had been dismantled.
And Chiri had systematically reclaimed every bit of stolen advantage—retaliating with precision.
It was infuriating.
Koharu and Homura turned to Danzo.
"It's true," Danzo admitted bitterly.
"She's back."
"Tch…"
Koharu's expression soured.
"Then we have no choice but to pause all actions against the Uchiha."
"Let's just hope Lady Mito doesn't pull any tricks."
"Otherwise, we're screwed."
If Mito and Chiri teamed up, none of their schemes would matter.
Back at Mito's estate...
After welcoming them into the sitting room, Mito had Tsunade serve tea.
She sent Mikoto and Kushina off to go shopping.
Once the younger girls left, Mito sat directly across from Chiri and studied her carefully.
She didn't hide her surprise.
"I thought your recovery might've just been on the surface—some desperate front."
"But when Tsunade reported it, I realized it might be real."
"Now that I see you with my own eyes, I understand—this is far more than a full recovery."
"Your body, your vitality, your chakra... even your soul. They're all far stronger than they were in your prime."
"Even your ocular power has returned."
"If I didn't know for certain you were pure Uchiha..."
"I would've thought you were born from the Senju or Uzumaki clans."
"Even your son. He's clearly far beyond normal children."
"Last I heard, he was born sickly—fragile and unlikely to become a ninja."
"But now? He's not just cured—he's exceptional."
"What happened to you two during this time?"
"Would you be willing to share?"