Kaito Akaden (Kaito)

Kaito Akaden Chapter 119

As Shizune opened the door, she was met with the sight of a woman with long, vibrant red hair. Kushina greeted her with a warm smile. "Hello. I'm here to see Tsunade-nee."

Shizune, puzzled by the unfamiliar face, studied Kushina closely. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

Kushina chuckled softly. "It's Kushina Uzumaki."

At the mention of the name, Tsunade's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. "Shizune, who's at the door?"

Shizune turned back to Tsunade, still confused, and replied, "She says she's Kushina Uzumaki…" She stepped aside, allowing Tsunade to see the person at the door.

When Tsunade saw Kushina, her shock was evident. "K-Kushina?"

Kushina's grin widened as she stepped inside. "Hey there, Tsunade-nee."

…

Tsunade stood frozen, staring at Kushina as if she were seeing a ghost.

Kushina, smiling, walked past Shizune and moved closer to Tsunade. She waved her hand in front of Tsunade's face and teased, "Hey, come on, Tsuna-nee! I thought you'd at least give me a hug, ya know," her hands resting on her hips.

Without warning, Tsunade pulled Kushina into a bone-crushing hug, tears brimming in her eyes.

Kushina returned the embrace with a warm smile. "It's good to see you again, Tsuna-nee."

As she let go of Kushina, Tsunade wiped her tears and stared at her in disbelief. "Kushina... How are you even alive? I—I thought you died in the Nine-Tails attack!"

Kushina pulled Kaito and wrapping him in a hug. "Kai-kun here. he's the reason I'm still alive."

She chuckled softly. "But that's a long story, Tsuna-nee. Maybe another time, ya know?"

Tsunade's gaze shifted to Kaito, eyeing him curiously.

Kaito gave a polite nod. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. "Kaito? The last time I saw you, you were just a little thing."

Kushina grinned. "Well, yeah, that was twelve years ago, ya know."

Kaito blinked, slightly confused. Wait... she met me before? Must've been when I was asleep or something.

Tsunade then shifted her focus to the other two Uzumaki children standing nearby. "And who are these two?"

Kushina gave Naruto and Karin a gentle nudge forward. "This is Naruto, and this is Karin." She crossed her arms and pouted playfully. "You would've met them sooner if you'd ever visited, ya know!"

While Kushina and Tsunade were catching up, Jirocho strode over to the open door where Shikaku, Hotaru, and Shizune stood.

Seeing Jirocho approach, smiled at Shizune . "I'll leave you to catch up, then," he said, excusing himself.

Before he could leave, Shikaku stopped him and asked. "Are you Jirocho Wasabi, head of the Wasabi family?"

Jirocho gave a nod. "Yes, I am Jirocho."

Shikaku acknowledged him with a nod of his own. "We're the ninja assigned to your mission request," he said, showing Jirocho the mission scroll. "The one to eliminate the bandit group."

Jirocho nodded. "Ah, yes. I requested Konoha's help. We've been having trouble with bandits targeting merchant caravans leaving Degerashi Port."

Shikaku handed back the scroll. "We'll begin work on this tomorrow."

Jirocho nodded once more. "Very well. I'll leave you to it, then." With that, he turned and walked out of the room.

After a while, everyone settled down in the room. The adults were drinking while the kids enjoyed their dinner.

As they drank, Tsunade looked over at Kushina. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but why did you come looking for me?" Then, glancing at Shikaku, who was sitting nearby with a drink in hand, she raised an eyebrow. "And aren't you that kid from the Nara clan? Why are you here with them?"

Shikaku sighed and nodded. "Yes, Lady Tsunade. I'm just here as their sensei," he said, pointing to both Hotaru and Kaito.

Before anyone else could respond, Kaito jumped in. "We came looking for you to see if you could help heal Mom."

Tsunade frowned slightly, turning her gaze back to Kushina. "Heal her? You look perfectly healthy to me. What's wrong?"

Kushina sighed. "I've been having phantom pains," she explained.

Kaito quickly unsealed a scroll and handed Tsunade a copy of Kushina's medical records from Konoha. "Here are her records."

Tsunade accepted them, her eyebrow raising even higher. "They gave you the records?"

Kaito grinned sheepishly. "Well... I sort of... duplicated them from the records room."

Shikaku muttered under his breath, "Of course you would."

Hotaru giggled at that, teasing her sensei. "You should be used to it by now, Sensei."

As Tsunade opened the medical records, she glanced at Kushina. "I'm surprised the old man even let you leave the village at all."

Kushina smiled awkwardly. "Yeah... sure, he knows I'm out here, ya know."

Tsunade looked up from the report, her expression flat. "You didn't tell him, did you?"

Kushina looked away as Tsunade shifted her gaze to Shikaku, who just shrugged. "Not my idea," he said. "I told him to just bring you back to the village." pointing at kaito

Tsunade then turned to Kaito. He shrugged as well. "Just because they're Jinchūriki doesn't mean they're prisoners of the village. Uzumakis aren't Konoha's property."

Shikaku muttered under his breath, "Tell that to the Raikage."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "The Raikage?"

Kushina laughed nervously. "Yeah... we, uh, kind of ran into the Raikage yesterday. That's why we only got here today."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "I treated the Raikage and his subordinate just the other day after they got into trouble stealing forbidden jutsu from some people. What did he do?"

Kushina smiled, dodging the question. "I'll tell you later, maybe when we're relaxing in a hot spring."

Tsunade gave a small nod. "We've got a lot to catch up on." She glanced back at the records, frowning as she read more closely. "This injury is worse than you've been letting on, Kushina."

Naruto nodded as he finished his ramen, setting his bowl down. "Mom always tries to hide it, but she's in pain almost every day, ya know."

Kushina gave a strained smile. "It's not always that bad, Naru-chan. Don't worry, Tsuna-nee."

Tsunade closed the file, her expression serious. "I'll need to check for myself." She downed her sake in one go and stood up. "Alright, follow me. You too, Shizune."

Kushina also got up, smiling softly. "It's already late, Tsuna-nee. Maybe we should do it tomorrow, ya know?" She gestured to Naruto and Karin, who were yawning. "It's past their bedtime already."

Tsunade thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, that's probably for the best. I can focus better when I'm not drunk."

As they headed out of the bar, Tsunade asked, "Where are you staying tonight?"

Kaito spoke up. "I booked an inn for us."

Tsunade nodded. "Come to my place early tomorrow, then. I'll have everything ready for you, Kushina." giving them the address

Kushina smiled warmly, stepping forward to give Tsunade a hug. "Thanks, Tsuna-nee. I've really missed you, ya know."

Tsunade hugged her back tightly before they parted ways, heading toward the inn.

The next morning, Kaito was already awake and ready for the day, standing in front of the mirror in the room he shared with Naruto.

He hadn't slept well last night, nervous about what Tsunade might say—whether she could heal Kushina or not weighed heavily on his mind. Adjusting his headband, Kaito glanced down at Naruto, still fast asleep on the tatami mat beside him.

Kaito sighed in annoyance. He had woken Naruto up before his shower, but it seemed Naruto had fallen back asleep as soon as he left.

With a smirk, Kaito formed a small ball of water above Naruto's face and dropped it.

Naruto jolted awake with a shout, "Ahhh!"

Wiping the water from his face, Naruto glared at Kaito and pointed a finger at him. "Hey, what'd you do that for?"

Kaito, deadpan, replied, "Who told you to fall asleep again? Come on, we don't have much time. Hurry up and get ready."

Without waiting for a response, Kaito walked out of the room.

Stepping into the hallway, Kaito spotted Shikaku and Hotaru deep in conversation. He walked over, yawning as he greeted them. "Morning, guys."

Shikaku nodded in acknowledgment, while Hotaru smiled. "Good morning, Kai-kun."

Shikaku glanced at Kaito as he approached. "Kaito, Hotaru and I were just talking about the mission. We think it's best if we handle it ourselves."

Hotaru nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let us take care of it."

Kaito frowned. "Huh? Why? We could just send my clones to deal with the bandits, ya know."

Shikaku shook his head. "This is to give you and your family some privacy, Kaito."

Kaito was about to argue when Hotaru chimed in. "Kai-kun, I know you want to be there when Lady Kushina gets examined by Lady Tsunade. You should stay with them. Sensei and I would just be in the way."

Kaito paused, then sighed, nodding in understanding. "Alright, I get it." He reached into his pouch, pulling out two tri-pronged kunai, handing one to each of them. "If you need any help, just channel your chakra into the seals on these."

Hotaru and Shikaku accepted the kunai. Hotaru smiled warmly before stepping forward to give Kaito a reassuring hug. "I'm sure Lady Tsunade will be able to heal Lady Kushina. Don't worry," she said softly, releasing him from the hug.

Kaito sighed. Hotaru always seemed to know when something was weighing on him.

Shikaku gave a small nod. "We'd better get going. I don't think the mission will take too long."

Kaito stood watching Hotaru and Shikaku leave when he heard the door next to him slide open. Kushina emerged in her kimono, with Karin following closely behind.

Kaito approached them, greeting them with a smile. "Good morning, Mom. And you too, Karin."

Kushina smiled back at him. "Good morning, Kai-kun." Then she noticed his tired expression and frowned slightly. "You didn't sleep well last night, did you?"

Karin piped up with a cheerful, "Good morning, Kai-nii."

Kaito shrugged, brushing off her concern. "It's nothing, Mom," he said, giving Karin a gentle pat on the head.

Kushina looked around, puzzled. "Hmm, where are the others? I thought I heard their voices."

Kaito explained, "Sensei and Hotaru went out to handle the mission. As for Naruto, well, ya know how he is."

Just then, the door to Kaito's shared room slid open, and a grumpy Naruto stumbled out. His usual attire looked a bit disheveled.

Kushina walked over to him, adjusting his collar and shirt with a gentle touch. "Good morning, Naru-chan."

Naruto yawned sleepily and mumbled, "Good morning, Mom."

Kaito grinned and clapped his hands together. "Well, come on. Let's go get something to eat."

They decided to grab breakfast at a local stall. As they ate, Naruto asked, "So, what are we doing today?"

Kushina replied, "Well, I have to meet Tsuna-nee for a check-up."

Naruto groaned. "But that sounds boring, ya know."

Kaito chimed in, "I can make a clone to take you and Karin around the village while Mom is with Lady Tsunade. We can regroup with Mom for lunch, okay?"

Kushina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's a good idea, Kai-kun."

Naruto's eyes lit up with enthusiasm, and Karin nodded in agreement as well.

After breakfast, they split up. Kushina and the real Kaito headed towards Tsunade's residence, while Kaito's clone took Naruto and Karin to explore Degerashi Port. Kaito had already marked both Karin and Naruto with his Hiraishin marker, so he wasn't too worried about their safety.

Reaching a large house in the residential area of Degerashi Port, they knocked on the door after Kaito confirmed Tsunade's chakra presence inside.

Shizune opened the door, smiling as she greeted them. "Ah, good morning, Lady Kushina," she said, stepping aside to let them in.

Kushina returned the smile. "Good morning, Shizune."

They walked inside, where Tsunade was seated in the living room, going over Kushina's medical report. She was dressed in a loose kimono.

Kushina greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Tsuna-nee."

Tsunade closed the file and stood up, her face brightening. "Ah, Kushina, good you here."

She then glanced around and asked, "Hmm, where are the kids?"

Kushina explained, "Naru-chan and Karin-chan are out exploring with Kai-kun's clone."

Tsunade shrugged and said, "Well, come on," leading Kushina to one of the rooms.

Kushina glanced back at Kaito, who nodded. "I'll wait outside, Mom."

Kaito leaned against the wall outside the room, his thoughts on his mother's condition. He crossed his fingers and silently prayed, hoping Tsunade would be able to heal Kushina. He closed his eyes and used Kagura's Mind's Eye to keep watch over Naruto, and Karin ensuring they were safe in Degerashi Port.

After a while, Shizune opened the door and called out to him, "Kaito, you can come in now."

Kaito walked into the room to find Kushina adjusting her shirt as she sat up, looking at Tsunade expectantly.

Approaching his mother, Kaito turned to Tsunade and asked, "How is it, Lady Tsunade? Can you heal Mom?"

Tsunade's expression was serious. She didn't speak for a moment, then said, "I don't know how to put this, Kushina, but given the extent of your injuries, you shouldn't even be alive. Your chakra coils around your abdomen are completely destroyed. How you've survived this long is nothing short of a miracle."

Tsunade shook her head, her face filled with regret. "I'm sorry, but there's not much I can do. If it were a simple wound, perhaps, but your chakra network is beyond my abilities."

Hearing this, Kaito's face fell, and he looked down, his mind racing with the thought, If Tsunade can't heal her, what do we do now? He had hoped against hope that Tsunade might be able to help, but he hadn't prepared himself for the possibility that she might not.

Kushina, however, just smiled, having already anticipated the outcome. "Thanks for trying, Tsuna-nee," she said warmly.

Seeing Kaito's sadness, Kushina gently ruffled his hair and said, "It's alright, Kai-kun. Don't be sad now."

Kaito looked at her and asked, "Mom, maybe we could try that again, ya know?"

Kushina placed a finger on his lips to shush him, then rested her forehead against his. "It's alright, Kai-kun. I'm already grateful that I get to see you, Naru-chan, and Karin all grow up. I was only able to because of you. You've done enough for me, ya know?"

Their touching moment was interrupted by Tsunade, who asked, "What is he trying to do?"

Kushina smiled at Tsunade and explained, "The reason I'm alive now is because of Kai-kun here. That night, he awakened one of the Uzumaki clan's kekkei genkai. That's how he saved me."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "I've never heard of any kekkei genkai that can heal. If it managed to save you, why not let him try again?"

Kaito said, " I can heal people by letting them bite me and then funneling my chakra through the bite."

Kushina sighed, gently caressing Kaito's head. "Kai-kun, you didn't just use your chakra to heal me. You had to use your life force as well. I don't want you to lose any more of your lifespan. As a mother, I just can't let my son throw away his life."

Kaito insisted, "But Mom, I have a lot more chakra than before."

Kushina shushed him with a warm hug. "It's okay, Kai-kun."

Tsunade, understanding the situation, nodded thoughtfully. "While it might not be possible to heal you completely, I can make something that will help lessen the pain you experience."

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