Once in Konoha, the medical ninja, accompanied by two of his teammates, reported to the Hokage about sightings of Iwa shinobi operating within the Land of Fire, near the border with Kusagakure.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was concerned, he couldn't help but feel curious about the baby sleeping in the medic's arms. As Konoha's highest authority, he didn't hold back his question.
"And that child?"
Caught slightly off guard, the medical ninja answered quickly, not wanting to keep the Third Hokage waiting.
"He's an orphan. His parents were killed by Iwa shinobi—they were farmers. The baby was hidden beneath some floorboards. I was planning to take him to the orphanage, but reporting to you took priority, Hokage-sama."
What caught Hiruzen's attention wasn't the child's origin—though he did feel sympathy for him. What truly stood out was the baby's red hair.
It was… unusual.
"Were his parents red-haired as well?" the Hokage asked.
The three ninja exchanged confused glances but quickly nodded in response.
Leaning back in his chair, the Hokage fell into thought. After a moment, he reached a conclusion—one that came out as an order.
"Take the child to the hospital. Have them run medical and DNA tests. After that, you're dismissed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the three ninja responded in unison before leaving.
Once alone, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, pulling out his pipe and taking a slow drag as he considered the situation.
He could almost swear the child was an Uzumaki.
Then again… he could be wrong.
Not all redheads are Uzumaki—but all Uzumaki have red hair.
Still, that child reminded him of someone he hadn't thought about in years.
Mito-sama…
For now, he would take the risk and believe.
Sometimes, he wondered if allowing the Land of Whirlpools to meet its fate had truly been the right choice.
No… it hadn't.
Because of his hesitation—his cowardice—an entire nation, a sister nation to Konoha, had been destroyed, its people massacred.
For that… and for all his other mistakes… he had already decided.
Once the war ended, he would step down as Hokage.
That same night, one of his ANBU delivered the baby's test results.
Now officially named Arashi.
Hiruzen opened the envelope and read.
The child's health was excellent.
But more importantly… the results were clear.
They did not lie.
The boy was—
A true Uzumaki.
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See you in the next update.