Analyzing the Ninja World Starting from Konoha

Chapter 233 Daily Life

The Jonin Tournament had just ended, and Aoba hadn't even had a chance to get up when Tsunade grabbed him by the back of his collar.

"Let's go to Kushina's side."

Tsunade's tone left no room for refusal as she grabbed Aoba and pulled him outside, completely ignoring the various complex gazes cast at her by the Jonin around them.

"Lady Tsunade, I can walk by myself..."

"Shut up."

Ok.

Aoba obediently shut his mouth.

As for why they went to Kushina's house, it's because Tsunade and Shizune are currently living there.

After Minato became Hokage, he had a special Hokage residence, known as the Hokage House. After the Third Hokage moved out, Kushina thought the place was too big and too deserted, so she kept living in the house they used to live in.

Now that Minato is gone, this small house has become Kushina's last memory.

Tsunade now lives here too.

The reason is simple: most of the Senju clan's territory was destroyed in the Nine-Tails' attack, and the remaining houses were dilapidated and in disrepair, making them more dangerous than sleeping on the streets.

Given Tsunade's inherently lazy nature, she wouldn't bother with repairs at all, and simply moved into Kushina's house with Shizune and her bags.

They euphemistically call it "helping to take care of the new mother and child."

But in reality, the real work of taking care of people fell entirely on Shizune's shoulders.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Aoba saw an extremely "warm" scene.

In the living room, Shizune held Naruto with a look of utter despair, radiating an aura of exhaustion and hopelessness.

She had heavy dark circles under her eyes, and her hair was messy, as if her soul had drifted away to the heavens.

The little Naruto in her arms was quite energetic, with his big blue eyes darting around and his little mouth babbling incessantly. Every now and then, he would reach out his chubby little hand to tug at Shizune's hair.

Poor Shizune, she hasn't even been in a relationship yet, and she's already suffering from postpartum depression.

And that Tsunade-sama who claims to "help take care of the children".

Occasionally, when she's in the mood, she'll pick up Naruto and play with him for a bit. But once the little guy starts crying or wets himself, she'll unhesitatingly throw this "trouble" back to Shizune.

Meanwhile, clanging sounds came from the kitchen, accompanied by an enticing aroma of food.

Kushina is making dinner.

It has to be said that for a woman who has just experienced the pain of losing her husband and almost died, Kushina's mental fortitude is truly remarkable to be able to stand in the kitchen and cook so quickly.

However, Aoba also knew that behind this "strength" was a mother's sense of responsibility towards her child.

She can't fall down, because Naruto needs her.

"Tsunade! Aoba, you're back! Just a moment, we'll be right there!"

Kushina peeked out from the kitchen, her long red hair casually tied back with a cloth strip, a few drops of oil stains on her apron, but a faint smile on her face.

"Kushina-nee." Aoba raised her hand in greeting.

"Mute, thank you for your hard work."

Aoba nodded again at the girl who looked "life is meaningless".

When Shizune saw Aoba, she managed a weak smile.

"Aoba, you've come..."

Aoba's lips twitched slightly.

It hadn't been long, but he sensed that the resentment emanating from Jingyin was enough to support two evil sword immortals.

Aoba sighed.

"Let me hug you."

Shizune's eyes lit up immediately. She quickly stuffed little Naruto into Aoba's arms and then disappeared from the living room at a speed no less than that of the Body Flicker Technique.

Aoba looked down at the blond, blue-eyed little guy in his arms. Naruto stared at him curiously with his big eyes, then grinned with his toothless mouth and gave him a silly smile.

"ah!"

"...Alright then."

Aoba helplessly supported Naruto with one hand, gently pinched his chubby cheek with the other, and then sat down on the sofa with him in her arms.

Tsunade, completely lacking any decorum, plopped down on the sofa, slinging her legs over the coffee table, showing none of the imposing demeanor of the Sannin she had displayed at the meeting.

The two sat facing each other, and for a moment they fell silent.

Aoba leaned back on the sofa, his gaze fixed on Naruto, who was chewing on his fingers in his arms, while his mind raced through everything that had just happened in the meeting.

To be honest, Aoba was somewhat surprised by the outcome of today's meeting.

In his original calculations, as long as Tsunade was willing to step forward, with her status, experience, and prestige, plus his support, taking the position of Fifth Hokage should have been a sure thing.

But to his utter surprise, the Third Hokage was willing to endure immense pressure to come up with a compromise solution of "temporary Hokage," forcibly placing Tsunade in the position of "Hokage's assistant."

Everything seemed to have returned to its original track, with the only change being the addition of the title of Hokage's assistant.

"What is the old man thinking?"

Tsunade grabbed an apple from the table and took a bite, her tone clearly showing dissatisfaction and disappointment. "I've already expressed my willingness to take over, but he still won't relinquish power. Is the Hokage position really that tempting?"

In Tsunade's view, the Third Hokage's actions were a manifestation of his lust for power.

Aoba sighed and slapped his forehead in frustration.

"No, Lady Tsunade, I miscalculated this time. My cleverness backfired."

Tsunade stopped chewing and looked at him questioningly: "What do you mean?"

"The problem lies with me."

Aoba narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of self-mockery in his tone, "I shouldn't have recommended you at the meeting."

"If you were to step forward today and become the Fifth Hokage as the princess of the Senju clan, even if the Third Hokage was unwilling, he would have to accept it to appease everyone. But if I recommended you, what does that mean in the eyes of the Third Hokage and others? It means that you and I are on the same side, Lady Tsunade."

"He doesn't doubt your abilities, but rather your stance."

"They'll think that once you become Hokage, the real power in Konoha will fall into the hands of me, the 'radical'!"

"So, the third-generation defense isn't targeting you, it's targeting me!"

After listening to Aoba's analysis, Tsunade suddenly realized what was going on, and her face immediately darkened.

"Old man, you're far too suspicious!"

She was already extremely dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's performance during the Nine-Tails' rampage, and now that she heard that the Third Hokage was wary of Aoba as well as her, her disappointment reached its peak.

"So what do we do now? Who knows how long this 'temporary replacement' will last?"

Tsunade slammed the fruit pit into the trash can. "Am I supposed to be Hokage's assistant for over a decade? I don't have time to waste on them!"

"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade, although there was a slight accident, we didn't lose."

Tsunade was taken aback, then took the baby Naruto and held him in her arms.

Aoba looked at her. "Since the Third Generation brought up your hemophobia, then we'll go along with it and cure your illness first!"

Upon hearing the words "hemophobia," Tsunade's body stiffened slightly, and she immediately sat up straight, her expression becoming serious.

Hemophobia.

These three words were like a thorn, stuck in her heart for many years.

It's called an illness, but it's not really an illness; it's a very deep psychological trauma.

Otherwise, with her skills as the number one medical expert in the ninja world, how could she be helpless against her own hemophobia?

Ultimately, it was because the deaths of Dan and Rope Tree left such deep scars on her that every drop of blood would pull her back to that nightmarish scene.

"You really have a way?"

Tsunade stared at Aoba, her tone scrutinizing.

"While half of what I said at the meeting was to shut Danzo up, it wasn't all empty talk." Aoba sat up straight, his gaze steady.

"But before that, I suggest that Lady Tsunade take over Konoha Hospital first."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

Aoba held up one finger.

"To revive Mr. Dan, Konoha's medical resources are indispensable."

Then a second one was erected.

"To shake the Third Hokage's position, political maneuvering alone is not enough; you need greater prestige. Today's meeting demonstrates just how high the Third Hokage's authority is in Konoha. Even after making so many mistakes, his return to power still enjoys the support of most Jonin and clan leaders."

"And hospitals are the best entry point!"

After listening, Tsunade nodded thoughtfully.

"The hospital matter isn't difficult."

Tsunade said, "The director of Biwako Hospital sacrificed himself during the Nine-Tails' attack. The hospital is now leaderless, and I want to take over its management. The old man has no reason to refuse."

"Then I'll leave it to Lady Tsunade."

Just as the two were finalizing their next plan, Kushina's clear voice came from the kitchen.

"Dinner's ready! Come help serve the dishes!"

Kushina carried little Naruto back and placed the sleeping baby in the crib.

The atmosphere at the dinner table finally relaxed considerably.

Kushina prepared a large and sumptuous meal, and the missing person Shizune reappeared.

"Eat slowly, keep it quiet, no one's going to take it from you."

Kushina smiled and placed a piece of pork rib on Shizune's plate.

"Waaah... This is so delicious! Kushina-nee's cooking is amazing."

Silent muttered incoherently.

While eating, Shizune suddenly turned her head to look in the direction of the crib and casually said, "By the way, Kushina-senpai, Naruto seems to be eating a lot today. I even had to make an extra batch of formula."

Upon hearing the name "Naruto Namikaze," Aoba, who was picking up food with his chopsticks, paused slightly.

He looked up at Kushina and asked, "Kushina-neechan, have you decided on Naruto's full name, Namikaze Naruto?"

Kushina paused for a moment, then nodded matter-of-factly: "Yes, Minato's surname is Namikaze, so the child will naturally take his surname. Is there a problem?"

Qingye put down her chopsticks, her expression becoming somewhat serious.

"I suggest we change Naruto's name."

"Change the name?"

The three women at the table simultaneously stopped eating and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Let him take your surname and be named Naruto Uzumaki," Aoba said seriously.

Why?

Kushina was somewhat puzzled. Although there were precedents in the ninja world for children to take their mother's surname, Minato was, after all, the Fourth Hokage. Wasn't it an honor for his child to take his surname?

"For the child's safety."

Aoba sighed and explained, "Kushina-neechan, don't forget..."

"The Yellow Flash's reputation was earned through bloodshed, built upon the corpses of countless enemies. Especially in Iwagakure, their elite younger generation was almost entirely wiped out by Minato alone!"

"This is an honor, but also a fatal hidden danger."

"Those people in Iwagakure hate Minato to the core."

"Now that Minato has sacrificed himself, if the people of other ninja villages knew that Minato had a son who was still alive, what do you think they would do?"

"They'll transfer all their hatred for Minato onto this child!"

The moment those words were spoken, the air at the dinner table froze.

Aoba's words made Kushina's face turn deathly pale.

As a mother, her biggest concern is her child's safety.

Aoba's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking her up.

Yes, Minato has too many enemies. If Naruto had the surname "Namikaze," it would be like holding up a bright target in the dark, attracting endless assassinations and retaliations at any time.

Furthermore, besides Minato, there seems to be no one else in Konoha with the surname Namikaze.

Tsunade frowned as well; she knew Aoba was right.

Hatred in the ninja world is often endless, and eliminating the root of the problem is a principle that all ninjas understand.

Tsunade frowned and put down her wine glass: "Aoba is right. Although Konoha has a barrier, it can't stop the constant infiltration of spies from other countries. So, we gave him the surname Uzumaki. Although the Land of Uzumaki no longer exists, in this ninja world, the surname Uzumaki is much safer than Namikaze."

"Moreover, as your child, he carries the blood of the Uzumaki clan, so it's perfectly legitimate for him to be named Uzumaki Naruto."

Kushina lowered her head, looking at the baby in the cradle, her eyes slightly red.

As a mother, she naturally hoped that her child could inherit his father's surname with dignity and become the pride of Shuimen.

But as a ninja, she knew all too well that every word Aoba said was a cruel reality.

After a long while.

Kushina took a deep breath, her eyes becoming incredibly determined.

"You're right, Aoba."

Kushina reached out and gently stroked Naruto's soft blonde hair, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

"From today onwards, this child will be called Naruto Uzumaki."

Aoba nodded slightly as she watched this scene and picked up her chopsticks again.

At this moment, the trajectory of history, in a wondrous way, once again coincides with the original timeline.

This time, however, Naruto Uzumaki is no longer the orphan who had no parents and suffered all kinds of cold looks.

He has a mother, a godmother, and him...

In Orochimaru's laboratory in Konoha Village.

Orochimaru stood in front of the lab table, mixing the medicine.

His long, golden pupils were fixed on the swirling pink liquid in the test tube in his hand, his eyes flashing with fervor and obsession.

"The human body contains a wealth of power that remains untapped throughout one's life. If we could unleash that power..."

Orochimaru murmured softly.

"Orochimaru-sensei."

Just then, a clear and childlike voice rang out, interrupting Orochimaru's thoughts.

Orochimaru turned around and saw a little girl standing on tiptoe, curiously approaching a transparent specimen box in the corner of the wall.

Inside the specimen box, a complete snake molt is carefully fixed on the display shelf, with the scale patterns clearly visible and gleaming with a translucent luster under the light.

That was Mitarashi Anko, a disciple he had recently taken on.

This little girl is quite bold. She shows no fear of the specimens in the laboratory that would make an adult's scalp tingle, but instead is full of boundless curiosity.

Orochimaru glanced at her and said calmly, "A talisman."

After saying that, he turned back and continued his experiment.

Hongdou tilted her head, her round eyes fixed on the snake skin, and muttered softly, "Amulet? This one?"

Orochimaru chuckled twice and said without turning his head, "This is a very precious item, a talisman symbolizing rebirth and good fortune."

"regeneration?"

Red Bean wrinkled her little nose and poked the specimen box through the glass with her finger. "This one? But... even if Orochimaru-sensei studies it so hard, the dead can't come back to life, right?"

Tong Yan Wuji.

But these words made Orochimaru pause slightly in his movements.

He slowly put down the test tube in his hand and turned to look at Hongdou.

A fleeting, enigmatic look crossed his golden pupils, whether it was a sigh or a stubborn obsession.

"Yes, it's really difficult for the dead to come back to life."

Orochimaru's voice softened slightly, "However, I have already grasped a clue to regeneration."

He stood up, looking down at Hongdou, the corners of his mouth curving slightly wider.

"By activating the body, a person becomes stronger, and at the same time, their regenerative abilities are enhanced."

Orochimaru leaned down slightly, looking Anko in the eye, and whispered seductively, "One day, I will give you this power too."

Hongdou immediately broke into a bright smile, her eyes sparkling.

"Okay! Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei!"

Orochimaru picked up the white snake molt specimen and gently stroked it with his slender fingers.

"A physical revitalization technique called 'Cursed Seal'..."

Orochimaru's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Aoba-kun, I wonder if you'll like the gift I prepared for you?"

The sky was getting dark.

After sending Anko back to rest, Orochimaru also left the laboratory and strolled along the quiet streets of Konoha Village.

The damage caused by the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage to the village is still being rebuilt, and there seems to be a faint smell of burning in the air.

The old man regained power, and Tsunade, that woman, surprisingly became the Hokage's assistant.

The situation in Konoha is getting more and more interesting.

As Orochimaru passed by an indoor training ground, he suddenly stopped.

Is someone still practicing meditation so late at night?

Orochimaru stopped and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Out of curiosity, Orochimaru quietly approached the side door of the training ground and peered inside through the crack in the door.

The scene inside the training ground was so shocking that even the well-informed Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a jolt.

The four walls of the training ground were densely covered with traps and mechanisms.

And in the very center of this death cage stood a small, thin figure.

He's a little devil.

Judging from his physique, he is probably around five or six years old.

Orochimaru frowned.

Even experienced ninjas might not be able to get through this level of traps unscathed. For a kid to get into this is simply courting death!

"There should be limits to reckless behavior in spiritual practice!"

Orochimaru cursed under his breath, leaning forward slightly, ready to rush in and save the people at any moment.

Just then, the little devil moved.

With a sudden swing of his slender arm, several kunai flew out of his hand, precisely severing the wires connecting the mechanism.

Clang clang clang clang!

The mechanisms from all directions were activated simultaneously, and countless arrows shot out from all directions like a torrential rain, weaving the entire training ground into an impenetrable net of death!

Orochimaru's pupils suddenly contracted.

However, what happened the next second froze Orochimaru's body, which was about to rush out.

The little devil jumped up.

Without any unnecessary movements, his body floated up as lightly as a feather.

The first volley of arrows swept past his feet, and he slightly turned his body in mid-air as the arrowheads grazed his clothes.

The second wave of arrows came from the side, and his body made an incredible twist in the air, while he threw a kunai to knock it away and accurately knocked down three more incoming arrows.

The third wave, the fourth wave...

Arrows rained down, but the slender figure moved like a fish swimming freely in a rapid current, each dodge perfectly timed and each counterattack precise and deadly.

There was not a trace of panic, not a trace of hesitation.

The whole process was smooth and efficient, with crisp and clean movements, as if everything was within his expectations.

After easily dodging the last volley of arrows, the kid landed smoothly on the table in the center of the training field.

Its landing posture was as stable as a rock.

Orochimaru was stunned.

No, to be precise, he was shocked.

The central light shone on the little devil's figure, and on his back, a red and white fan pattern was clearly visible.

The Uchiha clan crest.

Orochimaru revealed a wicked smile and stuck out his tongue to wash his face.

His gaze was fixed on that small figure, his golden pupils burning with an almost greedy desire.

"So beautiful... Is this the power of the Sharingan?"

He muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the back of the Uchiha brat.

"Countless ninjas spend their entire lives yearning for this realm... Once these eyes are opened, one can directly surpass the barriers that many people cannot overcome even after a lifetime of training."

Inside the training ground, the kid seemed to sense something and glanced warily toward the entrance.

But the shadows were already empty.

……