127.Red Hair Girl

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Over the course of three years, there had been no large-scale conflicts between Konoha, Suna, and the Hidden Rain Village. They had been engaged in ongoing ninja team disruptive actions against each other. Despite this attrition, their active forces had been greatly weakened.

As they watched the three countries' standoff in the war, another major nation neighboring the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind began to show signs of restlessness.

Within the Land of Earth's borders lay a treacherous and remote territory known as the Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Stones. The village's architecture consisted of towering stone pillars that seemed to reach the heavens.

Inside the village, a biting cold wind occasionally swept through, carrying with it fine grains of sand, creating a rare phenomenon known as "stone rain." To the villagers of Iwagakure, this was a commonplace occurrence.

Inside a large stone building at the center of the village, many high-ranking officials of Iwagakure had gathered, including the Daimyo of the Land of Earth.

"Onoki, are you sure it's the right time for the Land of Earth to get involved in the war?" The Daimyo of the Land of Earth asked, his expression serious, looking at a short middle-aged man seated nearby.

Facing the Daimyo's question, Onoki, with equal seriousness, replied, "Considering the current situation, both Konoha and Suna are on guard against us. This stalemate serves no purpose for us. Over three years, their resources have been significantly depleted. Joining the war now is the right decision."

With these words, a glint of determination shone in his eyes. Though his stature was small, every Iwagakure ninja present believed in his words and looked at him with deep respect. He was the Second Tsuchikage, Onoki!

He had fought alongside the Second Tsuchikage in the famous Great Ninja War and had survived under the legendary Uchiha Madara.

As the Iwagakure members expressed their support for his decision, a sudden explosion rocked the exterior of the Tsuchikage's building.

"Boom!"

The violent explosion damaged several structures in the village. The Land of Earth's Daimyo looked outside in surprise and concern. He asked, "What's happening? Is someone daring to invade Iwagakure?"

The Iwagakure members present, however, reacted as if it were an everyday occurrence, their expressions tinged with helplessness.

With a black exclamation mark appearing on his forehead, Onoki's face turned grim, and he clenched his teeth, saying, "It... It's my disciple... He's truly disappointing me!"

Hearing this, the Daimyo was taken aback and said awkwardly, "Is that your disciple, Onoki?"

"I don't even know his name. His potential is decent, but I can't fathom what goes on in his head," Onoki replied with a sigh. "Perhaps it's just that our generation can't understand the thoughts of the younger ones."

The Daimyo smiled and nodded in agreement, saying, "Regardless, we must fulfill the wishes of our forefathers and ensure a better life for the village and the people of the Land of Earth."

Onoki nodded in deep agreement and rose from his seat, looking towards the distant direction of Konoha. His gaze was profound.

At that moment, despite his short stature, his figure appeared incredibly tall.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of a house within Iwagakure, a young boy of a few years of age was molding clay with his hands.

If one were to ignore the large hole blown out of a nearby building, anyone would think that he was just an ordinary child playing with clay.

"Splash, splatter..."

His tender little hands were kneading the clay, constantly molding it. In no time, a lifelike little bird made of clay took shape in his small hands.

The young boy had an innocent smile on his face as he held the clay bird in his hands and then threw it into the sky with force.

"Flutter, flutter!"

Surprisingly, the clay bird flew as if it were alive, soaring higher into the sky. When it reached a certain height...

"Boom!"

The clay bird suddenly exploded, filling the sky with a dazzling firework of flames. Below, the young boy gazed at the explosion with innocent wonder, his pupils reflecting the beautiful display of fire.

"It's really... so beautiful..."

The young boy had a pure smile on his face and murmured childishly.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Fire.

In a secluded location within Konoha Village, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and several high-ranking Konoha officials were waiting.

"Third Hokage, are you sure that child can really do it? Remember, Root had to put in a lot of effort to find her!" Danzo Shimura, with an expressionless face, questioned Hiruzen.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, turned to look at the room, and said in a solemn tone, "This is Mito-sama order. Since she believes in that child, we should also trust her. After all, we don't have a better option."

With that said, he took a deep puff of his cigarette, his face showing a trace of seriousness.

Hearing his words, Danzo seemed taken aback, turning to look at the room with a contemplative expression.

Inside the room they were waiting for...

An elderly woman with thin, reddish-brown hair, dressed in a dignified kimono, gently caressed the head of a young red-haired girl. The girl looked at the elderly woman, her eyes filled with confusion and unease.

"Who are you...?" the red-haired girl asked softly, her voice trembling with fear as she examined the elderly woman's reddish-brown hair.

Hearing her question, the elderly woman's face bore a kind smile as she spoke gently, "My dear child, you must have endured a lot."

"Who are you...?"

The red-haired girl stared wide-eyed at the elderly woman, her disbelief apparent.

"So, you are my relative?"

The elderly woman nodded with a warm smile and replied kindly, "Yes."

"You must be Kushina, a beautiful name. When you grow up, you will surely be a lovely young lady."

Hearing the elderly woman's words, Kushina blushed slightly and asked in a soft voice, "Granny Mito, they said they need me to do something. Do you know what it is?"

The elderly woman, Mizuho, looked at her with a complicated expression but with a hint of affection in her eyes as she softly explained, "Kushina... we need to seal the Nine-Tails within you."