NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Senju Residence
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Uchiha Jiri was already waiting at home by the time they returned.
Seeing Kaito and the others arrive, Jiri smiled warmly. "You're back! If you had taken any longer, I was about to come pick you up myself!"
"Kaito, are you fully recovered? Let me check," she said, stepping forward. Placing her hand gently on his shoulder, she infused her spiritual energy and chakra into his body to examine him.
After confirming that there were no issues—in fact, Kaito's life essence felt stronger than most people—she finally retracted her energy. Smiling brightly, she patted his head.
"Wonderful! You've truly recovered!" she exclaimed. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long."
Relief and joy filled her. The worry that had been weighing on her heart for years was finally lifted.
"Hehe," Kaito chuckled, grinning. "I've caused you a lot of worry all this time, Mom. But things will only get better from now on!"
"I can finally start training seriously and getting stronger."
"That's right!" Jiri nodded, her smile unwavering. "But enough talking for now. Let's have breakfast first. After that, we'll head to the Senju clan as planned."
She led Kaito and Mikoto to the table, and as they ate, she turned to Mikoto. "Are you going to school today?"
"Nope!" Mikoto shook her head firmly. "But I've planned to go shopping with Kushina later. If you're going to the Senju clan, we'll be heading in the same direction."
As Kushina's close friend, Mikoto knew that Kushina lived in the Senju compound.
"Oh?" Jiri raised an eyebrow. "Uzumaki Kushina? I've heard of her. It's good to maintain a strong relationship with her."
Yes, although in the short term, Kushina might not become the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. After all, if today's agreement went smoothly, Uzumaki Mito would live for many more years.
The Uzumaki clan was known for their longevity, and Mito's life had only been shortened due to the burden of the Nine-Tails. If her vitality-draining issues were resolved, much of her lifespan would naturally be restored.
"I will! Kushina is a really nice person," Mikoto said earnestly. She didn't fully understand the implications of Jiri's words, but she simply enjoyed her friendship with Kushina.
Breakfast soon ended, and after tidying up the dishes, Jiri set out with Kaito and Mikoto for the Senju Clan.
It took them about ten minutes to reach Uzumaki Mito's residence.
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"Jiri, you're here! Welcome! Please, come in!" greeted Mito warmly, accompanied by Tsunade.
"Welcome, Lady Jiri!" Tsunade added.
Mito personally escorted Jiri and her group inside.
"Thank you for having us," Jiri replied politely, returning the gesture with a slight bow as they entered.
Outside, several Anbu and Root ninjas were stationed at a distance, trying to spy on the meeting. But Mito simply glanced at them and then closed the gate.
With a light tap of her foot, she activated an array of barriers around the compound, including soundproofing and anti-surveillance seals, completely cutting off any attempts to gather information from the outside.
Even in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at his blank crystal ball with a resigned sigh.
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"As expected, no luck," he muttered. "Looks like I'll have to ask Lady Mito about this later. Hopefully, it's not something bad."
"Hmph!" Shimura Danzo snorted from nearby. "You're always bragging about how great your Telescope Jutsu is. And yet, this is what we get?"
"At least it's good for peeking at the women's bathhouse." Danzo added dryly.
"You..." Hiruzen's face flushed with embarrassment.
Beside him, Utatane Koharu scoffed, while Mitokado Homura stifled a laugh. Hiruzen, feeling cornered, hurriedly defended himself. "Danzo, stop spouting nonsense! When have I ever used this to peek at the bathhouse?"
He turned to Koharu. "Koharu, don't believe him! You have to trust me. I didn't do it!"
Truthfully, Hiruzen wasn't as concerned about Koharu's opinion as he was about his wife, Biwako. After all, Biwako and Koharu were close friends. If Biwako found out, he'd be in deep trouble.
"Oh, do you think I believe you?" Koharu crossed her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "We've known each other for years. Who doesn't know what kind of person you are?"
"Please, just let it go. Don't tell Biwako!" Hiruzen begged.
"Fine, fine. Let's focus on the real issue," Koharu relented, enjoying her brief moment of amusement before shifting the conversation. "Hiruzen, what do you think they're discussing? Has Jiri truly recovered?"
"Almost certainly," Hiruzen said grimly. "Danzo and I have kept a close watch from a distance. Even if she's not fully recovered, she's at least 80-90% there. For now, she's not in any immediate danger. Her strength likely hasn't been affected much either."
That was the real problem.
It meant that they couldn't act against the Uchiha easily for the foreseeable future. Jiri wasn't someone they could handle lightly. Since her recovery, she had systematically dismantled the various schemes they had set up against the Uchiha. Any losses the clan had suffered were reclaimed through her precise countermeasures, leaving Hiruzen and his allies deeply frustrated.
Koharu and Homura glanced at Danzo, silently seeking confirmation.
Danzo nodded grimly. "That's correct."
"Then we'll have to suspend any actions against the Uchiha for now," Koharu said with a frown. "Let's just hope Lady Mito doesn't throw any surprises our way. Otherwise, we might as well give up."
If Uzumaki Mito and Jiri decided to work together, no amount of plotting would help.
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Meanwhile, at Mito's residence, she ushered Jiri's group into the living room and served them tea, with Tsunade assisting. She sent Kushina and Mikoto off for their planned shopping trip, ensuring privacy.
Once they had left, Mito took her seat across from Jiri, scrutinizing her intently. Her astonishment was clear.
"I thought you might only appear to have recovered and were merely forcing yourself to function," Mito began. "But when Tsunade informed me that you'd truly recovered, I was skeptical. Today, seeing you in person, I realize that you've not just recovered; you've surpassed your peak."
"Your physique and vitality are several times stronger than during your prime. Even your soul and spiritual energy have regained much of their former strength. The same goes for your visual prowess."
Mito's gaze grew sharper. "If I didn't know you were a pure Uchiha, your vitality alone would make me think you were a Senju or Uzumaki."
"Even your son is the same," she continued. "Though not as exaggerated, his vitality and physique are far beyond those of children his age. From what I've heard, just over a month ago, he was frail and sickly, unlikely to become a ninja. Now, not only has he fully recovered, but he's surpassed expectations."
Mito leaned forward slightly. "What exactly have you two been through recently? Would you mind sharing?"
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