While Uzumaki Mito was lecturing Nawaki, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with a group of Jonin.
Mito exchanged a glance with Hiruzen, then the two stepped outside, leaving the others behind.
Once outside, Hiruzen spoke first.
"Lady Mito, those white figures you mentioned—are they still near Tsunade?"
"Yes," Mito replied, frowning. "Lately, they've been guarding her almost nonstop."
She had sensed their presence long ago. Since they hadn't acted, she chose not to expose them.
Hiruzen's expression hardened slightly.
"Should we eliminate them now?"
Mito shook her head.
"Not yet. As long as they don't act, neither should we. The force behind them isn't simple. This isn't the time to provoke unknown enemies—especially with the other villages watching us."
Hiruzen nodded.
"You're right. I'll arrange more protection for Tsunade."
"Good. Thank you, Monkey."
Six days passed quietly.
At last, Isamu reached the outskirts of Konoha.
Looking up at the towering walls, he couldn't help but feel emotional.
"Konoha… I've finally returned."
His eyes sharpened.
"Zetsu, take me to Tsunade."
With the help of the White Zetsu, Isamu and his five companions slipped through the village barrier effortlessly and headed straight for the hospital.
Inside the hospital, the atmosphere was tense.
Tsunade was about to give birth.
Outside the room, Hiruzen and several powerful ninja stood guard. Inside, Mito and a group of female Jonin protected Tsunade closely.
This wasn't just a birth—it was a major event for Konoha.
Using the Mayfly Technique, Isamu and the White Zetsu quietly entered the delivery area.
The moment they arrived, Mito's expression changed.
"Their numbers increased…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"Could they be targeting the child?"
She immediately signaled the others. The female Jonin drew their weapons, ready to strike at any moment.
Inside the room, only Tsunade's cries and the doctors' voices could be heard.
"Ahhh!!"
"Push, Lady Tsunade! Just a little more!"
"Ahhh!!!"
Watching this, Isamu clenched his fists.
Tsunade… hold on.
After several long hours—
A child was finally born.
A boy.
Tsunade collapsed from exhaustion.
At that moment, Isamu felt something shift inside him.
This was his child.
For the first time, he truly felt what it meant to have family in this world—someone bound to him by blood.
Even Uchiha Madara had never given him this feeling.
He nearly revealed himself on the spot—but forced himself to stay hidden.
Not yet.
Seeing the child born safely, the White Zetsu did not attack.
Mito quietly relaxed.
But in the next instant—
A surge of pure life energy erupted from the baby's body.
Green vines burst from the walls. Trees began growing inside the hospital.
Both Mito and Isamu froze.
"This is… pure Wood Release life force!"
Mito's eyes trembled with emotion.
"Hashirama… your power lives on."
Isamu, on the other hand, wasn't too surprised.
With both his lineage and Tsunade's, it would've been stranger if the child didn't have this power.
But that wasn't the end of it.
The overwhelming life energy caused the hidden White Zetsu to react—
They began emerging one by one.
"We're being forced out…!"
"This life force… it's too pure!"
In total, eight White Zetsu appeared.
Mito's expression turned cold instantly.
"So you finally showed yourselves."
She raised her hand.
"Kill them."
Just moments ago, she had wanted to avoid conflict.
Now?
Anyone who posed even the slightest threat to her great-grandchild had to die.
Isamu clicked his tongue internally.
Idiots… you got exposed that easily?
He was the only one who resisted the effect and remained hidden—until now.
Seeing the situation spiral, he stepped forward in White Zetsu form.
"Wait! Stop!"
But the female ninja didn't hesitate.
They charged.
Isamu's eyes sharpened.
Fine—then he'd stop them himself.
His hands blurred through seals.
"Wood Release: Vine Strangulation!"
In an instant, thick vines burst from the ground, binding every attacking ninja.
With just a slight movement, he could crush them all.