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Shin, exasperated by Tsunade and Kushina’s mutual hostility, stepped between them before a brawl erupted.
“Is Nawaki home?” Shin asked Tsunade.
“He left on a mission two days ago. Not back yet.” Tsunade shook her head.
“Jiraiya hasn’t returned to Konoha, has he?”
“How did you know?” Tsunade looked at Shin in surprise.
“I not only know he hasn’t returned, but I also know he took on a few apprentices.” Shin said with a mysterious smile.
“I’m not sure how you gleaned that,” Tsunade admitted. “But yes, Jiraiya brought two war orphans from Amegakure under his wing. One apparently has Uzumaki blood.”
She recalled the red-haired boy named Nagato.
Thus, even without Konan in Ame, Yahiko and Nagato still became Jiraiya’s pupils.
“Another Uzumaki?” Kushina said, astonished.
“Just because the clan fell doesn’t mean some didn’t escape, Kushina.”
Shin shrugged.
“Tsunade-neechan, you’re set on leaving Konoha, right?” Mikoto asked Tsunade.
“I’d feel better if you just stayed here, Tsunade. Konoha was founded by your grandfather. You’re—” Kushina tried to persuade her.
“I don’t need advice,” Tsunade retorted icily, cutting Kushina off.
She had decided this three years ago and wasn’t about to waver.
Kushina clenched her fists. Tension crackled. Admittedly, Kushina had grown far stronger in recent years—strong enough to think she could defeat Tsunade.
But Tsunade hadn’t been slacking either, so an actual fight between them would be anybody’s guess.
…
Meanwhile, the Sandaime Hokage—had already heard that Shin was roaming Konoha. He frowned.
Why was Shin back? He couldn’t ignore this.
He didn’t know how to handle it. Should he monitor Shin or leave him alone?
If he monitored Shin, Shin would definitely notice and might be angered. Konoha, still recovering from the war, couldn’t afford to provoke him.
And even if they hadn’t suffered losses in the war, they still couldn’t afford to provoke him.
But if they left him alone, that wouldn’t work either. The relationship between Konoha and Shin was strained, to say the least.
What if Shin did something to harm Konoha?
In the end, Hiruzen decided it was safest to trust Tsunade’s presence as a calming influence.
He then focused on dealing with the aftermath of the war. Suna wanted to buy back the One-Tails. He was considering it.
…
“Shin, you’re going to the Hyūga Clan?”
Tsunade was surprised. Shin didn’t have any ties to the Hyūga Clan.
“Yeah, I have some important business. I’ll be going now.”
Shin didn’t elaborate. He left Tsunade and the others behind, making his way alone to the Hyūga compound.
The Hyūga compound wasn’t far from the Senju compound. Shin soon arrived. It was a magnificent estate, worthy of one of Konoha’s most powerful clans.
“Inform the Hyūga Clan Head that Uzumaki Shin is here to visit.”
Shin didn’t barge in. He spoke to one of the guards.
The guard’s eyes went wide. He’d never personally met Shin, but the name alone was enough to warrant urgent respect. He hurried to pass the message.
Moments later, the Hyūga Clan Head himself emerged. He’d half-expected a hoax, but the man at the gate truly was The Legendary Uzumaki Shin.
Though relieved, the clan head couldn’t help feeling wary. Shin’s reputation was formidable, to put it mildly.
He had witnessed Shin’s power on the battlefield during the Second Shinobi World War.
“Hyūga Clan Head, I apologize for this intrusion.” Shin said
The clan head gave a wry smile. Even if Shin was intruding, he wouldn’t mind.
This was the man who had humiliated the Sandaime and walked away unscathed. He’d also proven unstoppable on the battlefield.
“U-Uzumaki Shin-sama, please come in.”
He even offered a polite bow—an honor he never gave Hiruzen. Crossing Shin might well mean destruction for the Hyūga clan.
They called him the—”Reaper of the Shinobi World” for a reason.
Leading Shin into the main hall, the clan head ordered their finest tea prepared. But Shin’s focus wasn’t refreshments.
He cleared his throat. “Clan Head, I have some matters I’d like to inquire about.”
A bead of sweat rolled down the clan head’s temple. He had no idea what Shin could want, but it had to be big.
“Has your clan ever heard of a group known as the Ōtsutsuki Clan?”
Shin asked. He wasn’t expecting much, but he was hoping for a surprise.
“Ōtsutsuki Clan?” The clan head looked puzzled. After a pause, he shook his head.
“I’ve never heard of them.”
Shin studied his expression and realized he was telling the truth.
The Hyūga likely had no record of a thousand-year-old clan that migrated to the moon.
It wasn’t surprising that even a Clan like the Hyūga was in the dark about the Ōtsutsuki.
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