Top of the Hokage's manor.
Today, the strongest ninjas from the Hidden Leaf were gathered on the wide stone balcony that overlooked the village. The village elders, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two elders, as well as Minato, stood on either side of Tsunade.
They were surrounded by many individuals, including the heads of several clans, Asuma, Kurenai, Alice, Jasper, Might Guy, Jiraiya, and Kakashi. Even the Anbu agents in masks stood silently in the shadows.
Everyone had a purpose for being there.
"Our late fourth Hokage, his wife Kushina, and the two Genin, Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka, have all returned from the dead," Tsunade said, "as I'm sure you're all aware..."
Shikamaru stood alongside Chōji and Ino without anyone batting an eye.
"We have tested all of them," she continued. "Their bodies and minds have not been altered. Chakra flow, physical health, and ntal stability all showed negative results. Nothing unusual."
"Apart from the fact that they died once," Jasper whispered, earning him a slap from Alice.
Tsunade took a mont to process what she had said. Then she moved aside so Minato could talk. He spoke in a modest but firm tone.
"It is a privilege to be here with you. I've witnessed the village's developnt and strength and am proud to see how each and every one of you has grown."
Jada took distinct notice of how he made eye contact with Kakashi.
"However," he continued, "we believe this work was done by none other than Orochimaru. We don't know how, but he's figured a way to bring back the dead using the forbidden Reanimation technique. "While we don't know what his goals are, we have to take action to stop him at all costs."
The assembled ninjas fell silent. It was obvious how serious the situation was.
Jasper spoke up from the crowd, "But why bring you all back here? Why didn't he keep you in his own village?"
With a composed yet firm voice, Hiruzen took a step forward and said, "We think Orochimaru's ssage is very clear: anyone can be revived by him. He probably has revived more ninjas than we're led to believe."
"As such," Hiromu finished, "We're banding together to find him before he becos unstoppable."
At those words, the village square was suddenly filled with a powerful chakra surge. Everyone's attention was focused on the source as the ground shook a little.
A battalion of Hyuna clan mbers erged from the distance, commanded by Alexander. Margaret was at his side with an animated and assured face.
"Boy, is it good to be back!" she said as she stretched her arms.
The clan head, Hiashi Hyūga, first observed the scene and then Tsunade's assembly. He studied the crowd as his eyes narrowed a little.
Then Margaret abruptly cried out, "No way! Is that Kushina?!"
Alex stared at her, perplexed, before asking, "What are you talking about?" As such, he activated his Byakugan and focused on the Hokage's manor. Kushina's chakra signature was obvious, and the details beca clear. Alex addressed his crowd and said, "Everyone, go back to your hos to greet your loved ones. I believe we ought to go to this eting, Hiashi.
Without hesitating, Hiashi looked toward his clanmates. "You heard him."
Margaret, however, was already on the move. By the ti she bounded from the square all the way to the Hokage's top railing, she flipped forward and landed right in front of Kushina.
"Oh my gosh!" she scread with excited eyes. "How are you here?! I'm like your biggest fan! I even dyed my hair because of you!"
Confounded, Naruto, who was close by, pointed at her. "What? Your hair is fake!"
The atmosphere was broken when so of the spectators burst out laughing. Even Kakashi smirked behind his mask amusedly. Jada and Alice were just wondering why she was concentrated on Kushina when the others had also been revived.
Hiromu moved forward and raised his voice to calm the crowd before things got out of hand.
"You've co at a pivotal ti, Margaret. It is very convenient for you to return."
Just then, Hiashi and Alex showed up on the scene. Tsunade saw them coming and spoke to them right away.
"How was your mission?" she asked.
"It went smoothly," Hiashi answered. "Actually, very well.
After a brief mont, the newly arrived three stood alongside the others.
Alice leaned in to whisper to Alex, "How did it go?"
"Well," he whispered back, "Marget learned new Sage Mode."
Alice's eyes got bigger. "Really? I had no idea that people could have more than one."
Alex gave a shrug and said, "It's not the most shocking thing. The fact that Minato and Kushina are here surprises even more."
After a mont of hesitation, Alice asked, "Did you also learn Sage Mode?"
Alex paused for a mont. He said in an unsure tone, "I don't have enough chakra for that."
Alice watched him intently and sensed the lie. So she remained quiet.
Their thoughts were interrupted by Tsunade's voice. "We've put together a team of seven to stop Orochimaru and—"
"I wanna you to join the team!" Naruto blurted out.
The majority of the ninjas arched their brows. Jada understood right away why Naruto wanted to go: because the chances of encountering Sasuke were high.
Tsunade shook her head and said, "No, Naruto. It's too risky because of your Tailed Beast."
Desperate, Naruto turned to Minato and looked at him with pleading eyes. Minato took a step forward and, with a solemn face, said, "Your security cos first. The best team has already been assembled to deal with Orochimaru."
Hiruzen therefore announced, "The teams are as follows: Margaret Senju, Anko Mitarashi, Ibiki Morino, Yūgao Uzuki, Gaku, Hana, and Tsu from the Inuzuka clan."
It was clear to Alice that this was a scouting team based on the list.
Margaret was by no ans surprised to already be enlisted. It was quite clear since Hiromu found her return convenient. If she hadn't returned today, the elders would have postponed this mission.
And how could anyone be surprised that she, a thirteen-year-old kunoichi on paper, was going on such a dangerous mission? Since the invasion, she had received a lot of praise for her efforts.
Tsunade urged everyone to remain alert as she dismissed the group.
Margaret remained behind, moving toward Kushina as the others scattered.
"I apologize for being too forceful earlier," she admitted.
Kushina gave a kind smile and said, "It's alright. I'm just surprised that soone like you recognizes ."
"I more than just recognize you! I know, like, everything about you and your clan!"
Kushina grinned. "Like what?"
Margaret surprised her with her knowledge by diving into detailed stories without divulging unnecessary information. Kushina listened and was both impressed and amused.
"Now that you're back, what are you going to do?" Margaret finally asked.
Kushina's expression remained composed as she gazed out over the village.
"You're the third person to ask that," she softly answered. "I'm retiring from my duties as a ninja. Although I wished my husband would do the sa, soone of his status can't afford to stop."
"What's he going to do?"
"He'll be on the village council with Hiruzen to help keep everyone safe."
"That's Minato for you," Margaret grinned.
With a hint of mischief in her voice, Kushina smirked, "You sure do know a lot more about my husband and I."
"Right, I can explain. I—"
"It's alright. I'm just happy soone like you thinks so highly of ."
Soone like her? Margaret asked what that ant, to which Kushina stated that it was Naruto who revealed that Margaret rescued Hiruzen during the invasion.
Anyone who was willing to risk themselves to protect the village was okay in Kushina's book. That idea alone was enough to really brighten up Margaret's mood.
Kushina later turned to see Minato engrossed in a conversation with Kakashi and Naruto. Naruto was obviously upset because he wanted to be a part of the mission. Kakashi ntioned that this was rely a tracking mission and that he shouldn't worry so much about Sasuke.
The last thing Margaret rembered was that Naruto was with Jiraiya and William. So why is he here now? She was going to approach them until she saw Jada waving at her.
"Figured a eting was in order," Margaret smirked.
A few hours later.
The sun was about to set on the training ground. Margaret and Jada sat on a big, flat rock close to the open area's edge as Minato and Naruto were about to spar.
Minato stood at ease while Naruto clenched his fists and smiled with assurance.
"Alright, dad, if I can show you just how strong I've beco, you're gonna convince grandma Tsunade to let go on that mission!"
Minato smirked. "No promises, but I'll see what I can do."
Naruto then bounded forward and quickly reduced the gap. Minato moved a little, preparing to greet him as the boy threw a barrage of quick punches.
Jada watched intently with her Sharingan active. Her voice was quiet but interested as she leaned in Margaret's direction to remark, "You learning Crow Sage Mode is pretty impressive, but how do you balance all that natural energy?"
Margaret tilted her head with a self-assured smile. "Easy. I'm just that special. Besides, I can't use more than one Sage Mode at a ti anyway." Then she paused. "Hey, don't call it that!"
"Why not? It's not bad."
Playfully defensive, Margaret shook her head. "No, 'Avian Sage Mode' sounds better!"
Jada rolled her eyes and agreed to whatever moniker Margaret chose for her new transformation.
From what she was told back at the eting, Alexander and the rest of the Hyūga's discovered the secret land of the birds. Because of Margaret's desire to get stronger, they wound up staying awhile until she perfected their Sage Mode.
Interestingly enough, the elder there was a giant black crow.
While Minato and Naruto kept fighting. Minato's movents were smooth and natural, but Naruto did his best to keep up. It was either the boy's strikes landed harmlessly or were easily avoided, giving the impression that he was playing a ga against his father.
Jada watched with a contemplative expression and voiced her opinion, "I always thought it would be hilarious if soone like Naruto created a personal armour like a copy of Susano."
"His traits are underestimated too much," Margaret agreed. "I an, his Uzumaki heritage should be celebrated more. The boy's chakra capacity alone is insane."
"You're not lying. I can always see a super dense chakra whenever Naruto gets serious."
Margaret chuckled, "That's because he's been using the Shadow Clone training trick early."
"I think it's more than that," Jada argued. "His Uzumaki bloodline is probably blending with Kurama's chakra. If that continues, he might be able to start creating a perfect construct of malleable chakra. Who knows? He might be able to use chakra chains, too."
"Only if Karin and him get together," Margaret joked, earning a smack from Jada. "I was just kidding!"
Naruto abruptly slowed as they were speaking and then fell to his knees, gasping for air. Sweat trickled down his brow, and his face was flushed.
Minato took a step forward to examine his son. He remarked, "You're stronger than a normal Genin. To be honest, I believe you've already surpassed even so Jōnin."
With a modest but appreciative smile, Naruto raised his head and said, "Thanks, dad. But I hardly got any hits. That Flying rai-go or whatever is too fast."
"The fact that you even made use it shows how much stronger you are," he obliged after helping his son up. "I bet you would have put up a serious fight with if you had used the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Naruto's eyes glowed. "Really?"
"Yes... In fact, how would you like to learn the Flying raijin?"
At that, Margaret and Jada both stood up straight.
"Wait," Jada said in a cautious tone. "That's crossing the line, Minato-sensei."
But when Naruto rebuked her, stating that Jada also knew the technique, neither of them could say a word.
"I want to follow in my dad's footsteps to one day beco the Hokage," he boldly declared, "and to protect the village so that I don't lose any of my friends again!"
That statent was enough to put Jada to sha.
Margaret could only scoff, wondering what was so special about the Flying raijin. Sure, teleporting at the speed of light sounded nice, but whatever training she had undergone, it was clear that she wasn't the least bit intimidated by it.
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