Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 289 Kushina: Lady Tsunade, how is Naruto?

As night falls, the lights of Star City come on.

The burgeoning city still radiates vitality under the cover of night, but the noticeably increased number of patrolling ninjas on the streets and the pervasive tension in the air serve as a stark reminder that war is imminent.

In a quiet residential area in the heart of Star City, a house bearing the emblem of the Vortex clan is brightly lit.

The atmosphere in the living room was subtly heavy and indescribable.

Tsunade and Shizune sat upright on the soft sofa, opposite Minato Namikaze with a gentle smile on his face.

Minato was dressed in ordinary home clothes. If it weren't for the fine, porcelain-like cracks covering his skin and his lifeless, grayish-white eyes, he would have looked almost exactly the same as when he was alive.

"Come on, don't be shy, try this." A warm voice came from the direction of the kitchen.

Kushina Uzumaki, wearing an apron, walked in carrying a plate of sliced, tempting-looking fruit, her face beaming with a warm smile, as if she were simply entertaining an old friend.

"These are crisp peaches from Youzhi County, they're crisp and juicy, and they're in high demand right now."

Tsunade stared at the couple who had "come back to life," still somewhat bewildered, her gaze lingering on the inhuman cracks on their faces.

Shizune quickly placed the baby in her arms on an empty seat, stood up, and respectfully accepted the fruit platter, her voice still a little reserved: "Thank you... thank you for your hospitality, Lady Kushina."

Kushina placed the fruit plate on the coffee table and then naturally sat down next to Minato.

The couple exchanged a glance, their faces displaying gentle yet complex smiles.

Kushina looked at Tsunade, whose expression was solemn, and spoke first: "Lady Tsunade, I never expected... that we would meet again in this way, in this place. You must have many questions in your heart, right?"

She paused, a hint of apology on her face: "However, I'm really sorry, there are some things we can't say for now. It concerns a very important agreement. So, tonight I can only tell you what I can reveal."

Tsunade did not respond immediately. She reached into the fruit plate and picked up a plump and juicy peach, handing it to Shizune, who was still a little nervous beside her. Then her gaze swept over Minato and Kushina again, finally settling on the undeniable marks on their faces.

"This is... the 'Impure World Reincarnation Technique,' isn't it?" Tsunade's voice was low and certain.

"Moreover, if I remember correctly, this technique developed by my second grandfather was originally a forbidden technique used in conjunction with the 'mutually multiplying explosive tags'. The summoned dead should have a limited lifespan and be under the absolute control of the caster."

Her eyes held a mixture of inquiry and concern: "Are you... being controlled right now? Or..."

Minato Namikaze met her gaze and nodded frankly: "Lady Tsunade is right, this is indeed based on the Impure World Reincarnation technique developed by the Second Hokage. However, this technique has been improved in some ways since then."

"Although we have lost many of the senses of the living, such as taste, and cannot live like we really are, we can at least move and think freely like normal people and maintain a stable existence."

He shook his head slightly, his tone sincere: "As for control... there isn't. We have complete self-awareness and freedom of action. The caster did not impose any coercive constraints on us."

Tsunade remained silent.

She knew that her great-uncle Tobirama Senju originally developed this technique to obtain intelligence and create self-destructive weapons during wartime, and the initial version was indeed somewhat crude.

However, the state of Minato and Kushina at this moment was clearly far beyond her understanding of "Edo Tensei".

They not only exist stably for a long time, but even...

She looked around the living room, which was full of life.

The books on the bookshelf, the potted plants on the windowsill, the shoes neatly arranged in the entryway...

This is clearly a home that has been lived in for a long time and carefully maintained.

All of this made her feel even more confused and wary of the mysterious boy named "Shura".

The Uzumaki clan bloodline possesses both the Sharingan and Byakugan, wields a forbidden technique like a modified version of the Impure World Reincarnation, and shares such a deep relationship with the long-sacrificed Fourth Hokage and his wife that it even makes them willingly remain in this place…

Who exactly is this Asura?

Despite knowing she might not get an answer, a strong sense of curiosity and a certain intuition compelled Tsunade to ask, her gaze shifting between Minato and Kushina:
"Minato, Kushina... that 'Shura'... who exactly is he?"

Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze's face showed obvious difficulty. He exchanged a glance with Kushina, and finally let out a soft sigh.

"Lady Tsunade, I'm very sorry... We really can't reveal his identity at the moment."

Minato's tone was full of apology: "This is a promise we made between him and us. At least until... Konoha 63 years ago, this secret cannot be revealed by us."

"Konoha Year 63?" Shizune, who was taking small bites of a peach and trying to soothe the somewhat uneasy Ton-Ton in her arms, looked up with a puzzled expression when she heard this specific time.

That was more than four years ago.

Tsunade also frowned.

Konoha 63rd year?
Does this point in time have any special significance?
Will something big happen by then that will be enough to change the status quo?
However, she quickly put that question aside and asked another question that was even more difficult for her to understand and even made her somewhat angry:

"Even if you weren't controlled and possessed free will... Minato, why are you still here? Why are you still in the Land of Stars?"

Tsunade's tone hardened, carrying a questioning tone: "You are the Fourth Hokage of Konoha! A hero who once protected the entire village!"

Tsunade still finds it hard to believe the image of Minato standing with those high-ranking Star Ninja.

Minato Namikaze himself had pondered this question for a long time.

He knew that one day he would see his old friend again.

I never expected that the first old friend I would see would be Tsunade.

Minato's expression turned serious and profound, while Kushina grasped his hand. Although their reanimated bodies could not feel each other's warmth, the gesture itself conveyed silent support and a shared decision.

"Lady Tsunade." Minato's voice was calm, yet it carried a clarity born from having experienced life and death: "You are right. The former Minato Namikaze was indeed the Fourth Hokage of Konoha. And the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki, fought to the last moment to protect the village during the Nine-Tails' attack that year, sacrificing their lives."

His gaze was clear and firm as he looked directly at Tsunade: "Whether it's me or Kushina, we can both say with a clear conscience that we have never failed the name of 'Hokage,' nor have we let down the trust and expectations of Konoha. We have... fulfilled the mission and responsibility that belonged to the 'Fourth Hokage Couple.'" These words struck Tsunade and Shizune's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Shizune recalled the Fourth Hokage, a sunny and cheerful man who always wore a warm smile and protected the village like a golden flash in times of crisis. She also thought of his and Lady Kushina's tragic sacrifice, and her eyes involuntarily reddened slightly.

They are indeed Konoha's well-deserved heroes.

But... why would the soul of a hero linger on enemy soil?
Tsunade opened her mouth, wanting to ask something more, but was interrupted by Kushina.

Kushina held Minato's hand tightly, her greyish-white eyes looking at Tsunade, and suddenly asked a few questions.

"Lady Tsunade, after our 'death,' is everything alright in Konoha? The villagers should be recovering from their grief soon, right? And... our child, Naruto. Is he... is he being well taken care of by the village? Is he... happy?"

These questions, like the sharpest kunai, instantly pierced through all of Tsunade's defenses and doubts.

She froze, as if an invisible hand had gripped her throat, and all the words that were about to come out stuck in her throat.

Naruto……

That child...

Although Tsunade hadn't returned to the village for many years, Shizune would go back every year to report on the situation and bring Tsunade some information about the village. Tsunade also knew a little about Naruto's situation.

She understood everything instantly.

Why did Minato and Kushina choose to stay here?

Why do their eyes look so complicated when they mention Konoha...?

An indescribable sense of exhaustion and disappointment surged into her heart like a tide. Tsunade raised her hand and slapped her forehead hard, making a dull thud. She felt a splitting headache and a heavy heart.

'Old man, what have you done?!' She thought of her teacher, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the old man who had taught her to protect the village and cherish her comrades...

"Never mind, never mind." Tsunade's voice was filled with exhaustion and a hint of despondency. She waved her hand, as if trying to dispel all her troubles.

"Anyway... no matter what, it has nothing to do with me now. I left that place a long time ago."

She abruptly stood up from the sofa and said to Minato and Kushina, "I will be staying in the Land of Stars for a while. I promise I won't leak the news of your 'resurrection.' But—"

Her tone turned serious: "If this war continues to escalate, and Konoha ultimately decides to join the fight... then I can't guarantee anything. After all, the safety of the village is at stake..."

Minato nodded understandingly, a gentle smile returning to his face: "Thank you, Lady Tsunade. But please rest assured, this war... will end soon. It will end faster than any war before."

Tsunade glanced at Minato with some surprise, not understanding why he had such strong confidence in the Land of Stars and that Asura.

But she didn't ask any more questions, and simply called out to Shizune, "Let's go, Shizune, let's find a hotel to stay in."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade!" Shizune quickly picked up Tonton, who was still munching on a peach, and bowed again to Minato and Kushina.

"Thank you so much for the hospitality. I... I will keep it a secret!" With that, she quickly followed Tsunade, who was already heading towards the entrance.

Minato and Kushina got up and saw them to the door.

Night had fallen, and a cool evening breeze was blowing.

Tsunade stopped at the door, glanced back at the brightly lit Uzumaki residence, and waved to the Minato couple behind her: "I'll leave you here."

Watching Tsunade and Shizune disappear around the corner of the street, Kushina leaned gently against the door frame and whispered to Minato, "I thought... Tsunade would insist on returning to Konoha immediately to bring back our information."

Minato Namikaze gazed in the direction Tsunade had left, his eyes deep, as if he had seen through something.

He gently put his arm around his wife's shoulder, his gentle voice carrying a hint of understanding: "Perhaps... she is also disappointed with the village."

……

On the other side, Shizune, carrying Tonton, jogged to catch up with Tsunade's slightly hurried pace, and asked in a low voice, somewhat puzzled, "Lady Tsunade, why don't we stay at the Fourth Hokage's house for the night? It's already dark, and it's not convenient to find an inn..."

Tsunade didn't turn around; the details she had just seen at the entrance of the Uzumaki family's residence were replaying in her mind.

There were several pairs of shoes of different sizes neatly arranged there. Besides those that clearly belonged to Minato and Kushina, there were two pairs that looked like they belonged to someone younger.

Her voice was heavy as she interrupted Jingyin: "That family... has four people."

"Four people?" Shizune was taken aback. Besides the Fourth Hokage and his wife, there were two other people?
Who is it?
Just then, as they passed a street corner, several children who were playing and returning home late ran past them, laughing and joking, hurrying home.

Tsunade abruptly stopped, her sharp gaze sweeping over the children's backs and the clan crests on their clothes.

The Uchiha clan crest with its fan-shaped handle!

And... the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan?!
Shizune noticed it too. She turned her head in astonishment, looking at the houses lining the street, their warm lights shining in the night. She clearly saw the clan crests hanging above the doorways and on the walls—clan emblems that had once been renowned throughout the ninja world.

The Kaguya clan, the Hyuga clan, the Uchiha clan, the Uzumaki clan, and even the nearly extinct Blood Pond clan, along with some clan crests that she couldn't even recognize.

These ninja clans, which should have been scattered throughout the ninja world, and some of whom were even considered extinct, are now living harmoniously side by side in a specific area of ​​this Star Capital!
Looking at this unimaginable scene before her, Tsunade felt a chill mixed with inexplicable anger welling up in her heart.

She recalled Konoha's suspicion and exclusion of the Uchiha clan, the strict main and branch family system of the Hyuga clan, and the small ninja clans that gradually withered away in missions or conflicts...

The Senju clan disappeared, and the Uchiha clan fled.

Is Konoha still the same Konoha it used to be?

[PS: Today's picture is of Tian Tian.]

(End of this chapter)