In Root's secret base, on the way back to the Hokage's office building via the underground tunnels, "Tenzo" silently followed behind Habara and the Hokage. After getting far enough away from Danzo, Habara began to explain the matter of "Wood Release" to the Third Hokage.
"When I first came to Konoha, by chance, I became Lord Orochimaru's… well, subordinate. Therefore, I spent a considerable amount of time in one of his underground bases. During that time, Lord Orochimaru conducted various bold experimental attempts. This 'Tenzo' was a subject who fortunately survived one of those experiments. And before leaving that base, I personally witnessed him using Wood Release."
It was impossible for the Third Hokage to be unaware of Habara's origins and experiences. He even knew that Habara's previously displayed strength was likely related to Orochimaru. However, at times like this, the Hokage would always fully embrace a certain style called "playing dumb"... He wouldn't delve into the origins of Habara's abilities, nor would he intend to hold his beloved disciple accountable.
Similar things happened countless times. This was the Third Hokage's style of doing things: gloss over things when possible, procrastinate when he could… until the lid could no longer be kept on.
"Starting with the Second, Konoha has never lacked for pursuit and research into the exceptionally powerful abilities of the First Hokage. Some of this research was aboveboard, and some was in the shadows. Even I found it difficult to completely stop this trend, because the First's power…" The Third Hokage suddenly stopped, an expression of disbelief on his face. After a pause, he continued, "Did Orochimaru really achieve some results?"
As a disciple of both the First and Second Hokages, the Third Hokage was acutely aware of the First Hokage's power. And it was precisely because he had witnessed this power, which was beyond the norm and comparable to that of a "god," that the Third Hokage understood that even he couldn't completely stop certain people from pursuing such strength. The First Hokage's power was too alluring, so much so that it tempted people to commit crimes.
The First Hokage's strength wasn't limited to Wood Release, but Wood Release was the most prominent symbol of that strength… If the First Hokage had only possessed Wood Release, then the "strongest" Third Hokage could indeed have gone toe-to-toe with him.
Habara paused, then reached out and pushed "Tenzo" forward slightly, saying, "You, demonstrate that."
Tenzo now understood that he had escaped Danzo Shimura's control. Although he didn't yet know whether this escape was good or bad, he still remembered his former fellow prisoner, Habara. Since Habara seemed to be doing well now, then being with the Hokage shouldn't be worse than being with Danzo or Orochimaru.
So he nodded and immediately began forming hand seals. Then, a tree sapling sprouted from his skin, instantly growing to the height of a person.
"It really is… Wood Release…"
With both visual and factual evidence, the Third Hokage's eyes were filled with astonishment, and his voice was filled with emotion. He probably hadn't expected to see such power again since the First Hokage.
This proved that bringing this child out of Danzo Shimura's hands was the right choice. It would be a terrible waste to leave a Wood Release ninja in Danzo's hands… The Third Hokage's thoughts were going in the wrong direction. Shouldn't he be reflecting on how many things his disciple and comrade had been doing behind his back?
Habara thought for a moment, then patted Tenzo's shoulder again. "Open your mouth. Let's see your tongue and teeth."
When Tenzo opened his mouth, the Third Hokage immediately noticed the jutsu formula on his tongue. "This is… the Tongue Destruction Curse Seal."
"Lord Hokage, can this seal be removed?" Habara hoped that Tenzo could completely escape Danzo Shimura's control.
The Third Hokage nodded. "I will have Danzo take care of this."
......
Thus, Habara found his companion for the mission. From prison mate to teammate, this story was truly moving.
Afterwards, the Third Hokage temporarily took Tenzo away, and Habara was to begin preparing for his other matters related to the trip to Sunagakure.
However, after separating from the Third Hokage, Habara realized he seemingly had nowhere to go. Back to the hospital? He had already been discharged. Home? Habara had no home. It seemed it was time for him to rent a place.
And just as Habara was preparing to wander the streets of Konoha, he noticed someone rapidly approaching him.
Danzo Shimura's revenge? Not at all. The person who jumped down from a nearby rooftop and appeared before Habara was Kakashi Hatake.
Why you again… It hadn't really been that many times, but for some reason, Habara had the thought of "again."
"Senior Kakashi, is something the matter?"
"Habara, please come with me. Lady Kushina Uzumaki wishes to see you."
"…Another conversation? It's been all conversations these past two days. Everyone's about to reach their limit. They're going to get tired of it."
"There's no helping it. Some things need to be clarified. This will be over in one or two chapters… Please follow me."
Kakashi led the way, and Habara had no choice but to follow.
After walking in silence for a while, Kakashi suddenly spoke, "The two things you mentioned earlier…"
He seemed to want to ask something further, but Habara flatly denied it. "What things? Senior Kakashi, this should be the first time we've met since the Chunin Exams, right?"
Kakashi: "…"
That's right. Habara wasn't an idiot; how could he admit to saying some nonsensical things to Kakashi?
"What does Lady Kushina Uzumaki want to see me about?" Habara directly changed the subject.
Seeing that Habara didn't want to talk about that matter, Kakashi could only say, "I'm sorry, I don't know."
"This doesn't seem to be the way to Konoha Hospital. Shouldn't Lady Kushina be in the hospital at this time?"
"Lady Kushina has been recuperating at home during this period."
In terms of her physical condition, Kushina Uzumaki had long since recovered. After all, she was a pure-blooded Uzumaki, someone who could participate in meetings immediately after giving birth. However, everyone knew that she should indeed rest for a while longer.
When Habara arrived at the Fourth Hokage's private residence, he saw Kushina Uzumaki sitting in a chair… Strictly speaking, this should be considered their first formal meeting.
A cradle was placed beside Kushina Uzumaki, with a baby lying inside. In addition, another female ninja was sitting opposite Kushina Uzumaki, and a four- or five-year-old girl was crawling around the room.
Upon seeing Kakashi and Habara, the female ninja immediately picked up the little girl and said to Kushina Uzumaki, "Lady Kushina, I'll take my leave for today. I should be here around the afternoon tomorrow."
This female ninja seemed to be a little older than Kushina Uzumaki. Perhaps she was here to keep Kushina company, or perhaps to help take care of the baby.
In Habara's view, Kushina Uzumaki didn't look too bad or too good at this moment. It should be said that her mental state was somewhat better than what most people would expect, possibly because the responsibility of being a mother prevented her from being constantly immersed in grief.
Then, he began to think, and faintly anticipate, what Kushina Uzumaki would talk to him about.
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