"Cough cough, have you learned it all?" Uzumaki Mito covered her mouth and coughed twice before saying, "This is the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique, and it suits your physique very well."
A fleeting look of apology flashed in her eyes as she gently patted the blonde girl's head and fell silent for a moment.
"You..."
"Already know, don't you?"
"Mm!" Kushina nodded and replied softly, "I know."
Becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki...
The masked ninjas had already explained it to her these past few days, and even the kind old man who carried a smoking pipe had spoken to her about it.
Though she felt a little scared—after all, Tailed Beasts...
She had heard about them in Konoha.
They were terrifying summon creatures.
"Don't be afraid," Uzumaki Mito said soothingly as she stroked Kushina's head. "Though the Nine-Tails is feared by the world, it is actually very lonely. It has emotions too. While people fear it, it also fears them in return. So..."
"It needs someone to embrace it and soothe it."
"And love..."
"It possesses an unimaginable power, capable of allowing a person to unleash strength beyond imagination."
Uzumaki Mito smiled and asked, "Kushina, do you have someone you like?"
"Whoosh—"
Kushina's small face instantly flushed red. She twisted the hem of her clothes and whispered, "No."
"Haha!" Seeing Kushina's reaction, Uzumaki Mito was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "Don't be afraid. No matter what, you carry the bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan."
"And the girls of the Uzumaki Clan are all passionate and unrestrained. If you meet a boy you like, you must never give up."
"So..."
"Kushina, don't hold back."
"Mm." Kushina responded with a soft hum. "Lady Mito."
"Call me... Grandma Mito," Uzumaki Mito said warmly, patting Kushina's head. "Then..."
"Are you willing to accept the Nine-Tails?"
Kushina hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I am willing."
"Grandma Mito."
"Good child, such a good child!" Tears welled up in Uzumaki Mito's eyes as she said emotionally, "Finally..."
"I hope you won't resent the village's decision."
"I won't," Kushina replied, looking up at Mito in confusion. "Konoha is good."
"Yes," Uzumaki Mito said nostalgically, gazing upward as if lost in memories. "Konoha is good..."
"A harmonious village full of vitality."
"That was Hashirama's dream!"
Uzumaki Mito looked at the little girl standing quietly before her and hesitated for a moment before sighing. She then stared at Kushina seriously and said, "Grandma Mito has something to tell you. Don't mention it to anyone else."
"Mm," Kushina nodded curiously. "I won't tell anyone."
Seeing Kushina's adorable little face, a trace of guilt flashed in Uzumaki Mito's eyes before she closed them.
"If you ever encounter danger and can't handle it yourself..."
"You can seek help from Uzushiogakure."
"He..."
"Will agree."
...
Land of Whirlpools.
"Ironclad ships?" Uzumaki Jun looked up from the research project proposal submitted by the research institute and asked Uzumaki Hibiki, "Do we have enough iron ore?"
"It should be sufficient," Uzumaki Hibiki nodded. "After completing the weapon orders for the other villages, we still have quite a bit left."
"So the Elder Council has decided to research ironclad ship construction, starting with a small prototype."
"Is that so?" Uzumaki Jun stroked his chin, frowning in thought before saying, "Let the Elder Council handle it as they see fit."
He wasn't very familiar with this field and could only provide some reference materials from the system.
And...
Without realizing it, Uzushiogakure had already progressed this far, slowly entering the early stages of an industrial revolution. He wondered if future technology could lead to the creation of mechas and the conquest of the stars.
Don't doubt it...
Didn't Orochimaru's mechanical Nine-Tails already have a hint of a mecha back then?
It's just that the technology of the ninja world hadn't been applied properly.
But for now, it seemed impossible.
"That's not what the Elder meant," Uzumaki Hibiki shook his head. "He asked me to inform you that we're running out of gold dust."
"..."
Uzumaki Jun gave Uzumaki Hibiki a deadpan look. No wonder they hadn't consulted him on previous research projects but came to him this time. So this was the reason!
Annoyed, he said, "I understand. Have someone come collect it later."
For the sake of technological advancement, he had no choice but to make sacrifices.
He had only just returned, and now he had to work hard again...
"Has anything happened in Uzushiogakure recently?" Uzumaki Jun yawned. "If not, I'm going to rest."
"There is," Uzumaki Hibiki flipped through his notes. "Tomorrow is Uzushiogakure's festival."
"What should we do about the Kiri-nin?"
"Is it time already?" Hearing this, Uzumaki Jun propped his chin on his hands and narrowed his eyes. "Has Hoshigaki Fuguki been behaving?"
"We notified him as per your instructions," Uzumaki Hibiki shook his head. "He hasn't made any moves."
To think this guy could become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen...
How disgraceful!
"In that case," Uzumaki Jun curled his lips into a mysterious smile. "Don't act rashly. Stick to the script."
He hoped this time...
Uzushiogakure would gain a batch of new jōnin.
...
"Yōya, tomorrow is Uzushiogakure's festival, and the shopping district is having a sale. I might not have time to bring you food," Hanaka said apologetically, clasping her hands together. "I'm really sorry."
"It's fine," Yōya was momentarily stunned before smiling. "Since tomorrow is the festival, you and Hanachi should take a break."
"In a couple of years, Hanachi will start school, and you won't be able to relax like now."
"As for lunch, I can just eat at the cafeteria."
"Thank you," Hanaka hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Your clothes are getting old, so I'll take advantage of the sale to buy you some new ones."
"No need, Hanaka," Yōya shook his head. "I already have plenty of clothes. You've bought me more than enough. You should buy some for yourself and Hanachi."
"But..." Hanaka was about to say something when...
"Hanaka," Yōya cupped her face and looked at her calmly. "Look at me."
"You don't have to do so much for me."
"My betrayal of the village has nothing to do with you. You don't need to feel guilty. I'm very happy here."
Even if the other ninjas looked down on him.
"And meeting you here has made me feel blessed and joyful."
"So..."
"I'm the one who owes you."
Yōya gazed at Hanaka remorsefully. "I'm the one who's let you and Hanachi down."
Though Hanaka never mentioned it, because of his status as a traitor...
The neighbors avoided them. Fortunately, Uzushiogakure's laws prevented them from causing harm. This was something he deeply appreciated about Uzushiogakure. In other places, traitors were usually...
Exterminated along with their entire clan!
"No," Hanaka shook her head, looking straight into his eyes. "I'm happy too."
Hearing this...
Yōya's face broke into a smile. "Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me."
Yes.
Though what Lord Jun had asked him to do was truly...
He couldn't deny that he loved this peaceful, secure life.
So...
Thank you.
Land of Whirlpools.
...
Labor Camp.
"Everyone understands the plan for tomorrow, right?" Pakkun Jūzō said seriously, looking around at the Kiri-nin. "There can't be any mistakes."
"Understood!"
All the Kiri-nin straightened up and shouted.
Nearby...
A fat man's eyes darted around as he shouted loudly, "I believe we'll succeed!"