Chapter 68

Chapter 68

**Chapter 68: Movements on All Sides**

In Konoha Village.

On a hot August day, sparrows chirped under the summer sun in the training grounds.

"You're too strong, Mikoto."

Uzumaki Kushina panted, slumping down on the grass after facing Uchiha Mikoto, who sheathed her sword. She looked at Mikoto in awe, clearly tired out from their training session.

Mikoto smiled and shook her head. "When I was your age, Kushina, I wasn’t nearly as skilled."

"Stop trying to comfort me, Mikoto."

Kushina knew her own limits well enough. Although the Uzumaki clan was powerful, their primary strength lay in sealing techniques, which, at her stage, were not as potent in combat.

"You misunderstand me, Kushina," Mikoto replied with a genuine look of admiration. "Yosuke often mentions how incredible your chakra reserves are. You should focus on mastering one elemental jutsu in addition to your sealing skills."

Mikoto’s words weren’t mere comfort—she genuinely envied Kushina’s chakra. While the Uchiha clan had significant chakra, it paled in comparison to the reserves of the Uzumaki clan, especially since Kushina’s chakra had surged after sealing a portion of the Nine Tails.

“One element, huh?” Kushina mused, letting Mikoto’s words sink in.

Standing before Kushina, Mikoto smiled and gently ran her fingers through Kushina’s red hair. "It’d be a waste for someone with as much chakra as you to skip mastering jutsu."

Although they had done this many times before, Kushina still felt a bit shy whenever Mikoto combed her hair.

“Mikoto…”

Seeing Kushina’s bashfulness, Mikoto chuckled warmly. "Your red hair is so beautiful. No wonder Yosuke thinks so."

Kushina’s face flushed. But she wasn’t one to stay silent, flashing a grin and showing her small fangs as she retorted, "Mikoto, didn’t Yosuke also say he first notices someone’s face? If the face is pretty, everything else must be too."

Unfazed, Mikoto opened her big, innocent eyes and nodded. "Exactly!"

Kushina was taken aback. Were all Uchiha like this?

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Mikoto leaned in close, brushing Kushina’s red hair behind her ear and whispering, "You’re so cute, Kushina. Last night, when I was with Yosuke, I transformed to look like you."

Kushina’s face turned red as a tomato. Her bold personality was no match for Mikoto’s, who was three years older and far more experienced.

“Mikoto, you…”

Blushing intensely, Kushina found herself at a loss, which made Mikoto smile with indulgent amusement. "Kushina, you’re adorable."

Desperate to change the topic, Kushina pounced at Mikoto, trying to tickle her in retaliation. "Mikoto!"

The two of them laughed as they tussled in the grass, their carefree bond a precious gift for any ninja.

---

In the Hokage’s office.

The evening sun shone through the glass, casting a warm glow. A masked member of the Anbu knelt on one knee, respectfully delivering a report.

“Hokage-sama, these individuals from the Cloud Village have posed as merchants for over a year. Due to their low skill level, they haven’t accessed much information… They’ve been watched continuously.”

“We’ve followed orders to leak information to them regarding Uzumaki Kushina’s special chakra.”

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in his chair, pressing down his hat thoughtfully. Exhaling a puff of smoke, he spoke in a low tone.

“Proceed as planned. Ensure Anbu and Root pull back to divert the Intelligence Division and Police Force from the area. As for the Senju family’s defenses, we need not worry.”

“Yes!”

Just as the Anbu member was about to leave, Hiruzen continued, his gaze firm. “Also, guide Jonin Minato Namikaze to become aware of the situation.”

“Yes!”

After the Anbu disappeared, Hiruzen gazed out the window, his eyes on the stone faces of past Hokage. His expression grew resolute.

“For the stability of Konoha, we cannot allow any disruption in the Nine Tails’ power.”

Everything was moving according to plan. Even Namikaze Minato being informed of the situation was a calculated move. If he failed to notice or hesitated at the last moment, it would mean he was unfit for further cultivation.

“Sir!”

With a bang, the door swung open. Danzo Shimura entered, scowling. He wasted no time, going straight to complaints.

“You’re too soft. We should have taken this opportunity to eliminate them completely and installed our own people as jinchuriki candidates.”

Hiruzen, long accustomed to Danzo’s criticisms, remained calm. Once Danzo had finished, he replied slowly, “Danzo, you’re too hasty. Do you even understand the subtleties of this matter?”

Danzo snorted disdainfully. “No amount of manipulation can compare to the control Root provides.”

Danzo believed that genuine control required force, while Hiruzen preferred to rely on trust and loyalty.

As they argued, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane entered the office.

“Danzo, Hiruzen’s approach is correct.”

“Yes. If all goes well, Namikaze Minato will win the Nine Tails’ jinchuriki’s trust. Young people are blind to love—when they’re disappointed, it will only hurt the Senju.”

Koharu firmly supported Hiruzen’s plan, seeing it as a strategy to alienate Kushina from the Senju clan.

Homura also nodded, looking at Hiruzen with admiration. “Minato’s sincerity is trustworthy; I have faith in Hiruzen’s judgment.”

With three of the Konoha elders against him, Danzo could only scowl in frustration.

“You’ll regret this, Hiruzen!”

Hiruzen merely smiled. “Danzo, that’s why I’m Hokage.”

“You…!”

This retort left Danzo fuming, but Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura exchanged amused glances.

If Kushina made the right choice, the sincere young Minato would become the rope that tied the Nine Tails’ jinchuriki to Konoha, keeping her firmly under their control.