After leaving Kurenai Yuhi's house, Naruto headed straight for the shrine maiden's residence.
Unfortunately, today Shion's mother had changed into an ordinary kimono.
Compared to her noble priestess robes, it lacked a certain solemnity.
Left to train in sealing techniques with Shion in the backyard, the shrine maiden soon departed.
The craftsmen invited from the Land of Waves had arrived.
She was to go to the rear mountains of Konoha to personally supervise the restoration and construction of the shrine.
Such a large-scale project had even received financial approval from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and the funds were expected to be transferred by the afternoon.
"Shisui, there must be no mistakes on this mission!"
Uchiha Fugaku stood to the side of the departing team, giving instructions to the Uchiha police force members.
With the lessons learned from the previous incident, this time Uchiha Fugaku dispatched the most elite shinobi of the clan — the recently famed Uchiha Shisui.
As his name spread like wildfire, even remote minor nations had heard of him.
Uchiha Shisui was truly at the height of his fame.
Already a jōnin, if he continued to excel… could he become the next Hokage?
So Fugaku thought.
Although… it might not be this kid's turn, he thought inwardly.
After all, he himself also…
"In any case, make sure to protect Lady Miko at all costs."
"Understood, Captain," Shisui nodded, aware of how important this mission was for the Uchiha.
What puzzled him, however, was why Uzumaki Naruto had helped the Uchiha during the last incident.
Inaho had returned and praised Naruto's actions and performance profusely.
Shisui couldn't understand it.
Could it be… that he had been wrong about him?
No, it couldn't be… That overwhelmingly sinister chakra… the Nine Tails' chakra...
"What's wrong?" Uchiha Fugaku noticed the strangeness in his eyes and asked.
"It's nothing."
Shisui waved it off, and after a brief exchange, set off with the team.
Uchiha Fugaku watched his departing figure and murmured,
"I should find some time to ask him about the Mangekyō…"
With that, Fugaku turned and left.
---
"Lord Naruto, that's how things have been…"
In the backyard, Hyuga Aoba reported on the recent condition of Hyuga Uzuki.
Uzuki was now able to walk slowly and had a good appetite.
Doctors had found that her body was recovering miraculously.
Her life force had dramatically surged — meaning, at least preliminarily, that she was out of danger of sudden death.
Of course, further observation in the hospital would still be necessary.
Everyone believed it was thanks to the Uzumaki clan's secret medicine.
"The clan head said he's been too busy taking care of his wife and daughter, and has thus neglected Lord Naruto. Once Lady Uzuki improves, he will personally host a banquet in your honor…"
Hyuga Aoba relayed the message hesitantly, head bowed.
"Mm."
Naruto glanced over at Shion.
She smiled innocently.
"Shion, keep training. I have something to take care of…"
"Okay!" Watching Naruto leave with the Hyuga maid, the unfamiliar-to-this-land Shion didn't suspect anything.
---
Inside a small Japanese-style room.
The sliding door was tightly shut. The room, only a few square meters, felt a bit cramped.
Hyuga Aoba knelt on the ground, using her slender hands to extract the tailed beast's essence for the second time.
This is necessary… she told herself.
She avoided looking directly at the ferocious-looking symbiotic tailed beast.
"This is… for the sake of the clan matriarch's safety."
"Hurry up."
Naruto's cold voice cut in.
"Don't waste my time—I'm training my sealing techniques."
His urging made Aoba increase the pace of her extraction.
"Ugh…"
Becoming anxious, she adjusted her posture to face the beast directly.
Just like the most toxic herbs can sometimes become lifesaving medicine,
this terrifying creature could also save a life.
As long as they could extract its life force, Uzuki's treatment could continue.
Despite her efforts, she still hadn't managed to draw out its chakra — its life force — which made her even more desperate.
Naruto, however, remained outwardly calm.
The symbiotic tailed beast that Uchiha Izumi had "killed" the night before was still alive and kicking.
Izumi had underestimated the tailed beast's vitality.
Otherwise, how could Naruto have so generously offered its life force to save Hinata's momy?
"Lord Naruto…"
Perhaps she recalled something — or perhaps it was instinct.
After all, Hyuga Aoba's essence as a woman carried certain ancestral traits.
Like the Byakugan.
Like the instinct for Gentle Fist.
And perhaps…
"Please… please guide me…"
Aoba looked up slightly at the cold, indifferent young man standing before her.
There was quite an age gap between them.
To make up for the height difference, one stood and one knelt.
Gazing down at the pleading maid, Naruto reached out and placed his hand gently on her pale cheek.
Then… slowly began to stroke it.
Aoba's plea seemed to trigger a defensive reaction in the beast.
It stirred awake, becoming more menacing in appearance.
Naruto's gaze dropped from her white eyes, to her petite nose, and finally… to her soft, pink lips.
"If you don't enter the tiger's den… how will you get its cub?"
He spoke cryptically.
Before Aoba could comprehend what he meant—
Zzzzt—!
Aoba's eyes flew open. "Mmm~!"
The now fully awakened tailed beast retaliated, attacking anything that threatened it.
Sensing its life force being drained, it attacked without hesitation.
Yet, this was the chance.
The beast's self-defense meant that its life force truly was being drawn out.
Enduring the pain of being attacked, Aoba quickened her extraction.
"Grrraahh~!"
---
Half an hour later.
Shion saw Naruto return with the Hyuga maid.
"Well then… Lord Naruto… I—I'll be taking my leave now."
Hyuga Aoba bowed deeply, her head lowered.
She held in her hands the container with the extracted medicine.
Cradling it carefully, she slowly left.
She was taking the secret medicine to Konoha's hospital — to begin Uzuki's second treatment.
And when that time came… what would become of the clan's main lady, Lady Uzuki?