Mito let out a long sigh. Even with her Uzumaki clan physique, the ravages of time had left her frail and weak. Although the Nine-Tails' sealing technique was incredibly powerful, once she died, the beast would perish alongside her.
However, tailed beasts could never truly die—they were merely accumulations of chakra. After some time, they would revive naturally.
But without the tailed beast, Konoha would lose a strategic-level strength. In this turbulent era, such a loss would bring incalculable damage to the village.
This village was Hashirama's life work, and she would never allow it to be harmed in any way.
Feeling Mito's strong resolve, The Third Hokage said bitterly, "The predecessors of Konoha have already sacrificed more than enough for this village. Yet I, as Hokage, have failed to preserve peace!"
"There's no need to blame yourself. Conflict will never end in the world of shinobi. You've done more than well enough."
Mito comforted The Third Hokage, the boy whom she'd watched grow from childhood, someone who had given everything for Konoha. But... permanent peace within the ninja system was simply impossible.
"Right now, Kushina barely has enough chakra reserves to perform the sealing ritual. However, I'd like to give that child a little more time, because it seems she has found someone who can fill her heart with love..."
When speaking of Kushina, Mito felt complex emotions. Meeting a fellow clanswoman at the end of her life brought her much joy—but for the sake of the village, Kushina would also have to be sacrificed.
As the wife of the First Hokage, she herself had become a jinchuriki without hesitation.
But Kushina had not been so fortunate. Still, the adults like herself had no choice but to place this heavy burden upon a girl not yet ten years old.
As a jinchuriki, one would lose so many things—something Mito understood all too well.
"The person you mentioned," Sarutobi asked carefully, "do you mean Minato?"
He answered immediately. Kushina's social circle within the village was extremely limited, and she had very few friends.
Minato had mentioned Kushina to him on multiple occasions, and for the sake of her freedom, that boy had practically given his all.
Such dedication was rare even among many adults.
"Yes. I hear he is quite an exceptionally gifted boy. Without any Kekkei Genkai, he defeated an Uchiha prodigy during the recent Chakra Aptitude Test."
Coming from a prestigious family, Mito knew all too well how important bloodline was in the world of ninja—it meant possessing an absolute advantage right from birth.
For ordinary people to catch up to such a gap was incredibly difficult.
Even the current Third Hokage before her had behind him the backing of the Sarutobi Clan.
Sarutobi nodded slightly and added, "Just a few days ago during a mission, he assisted Sakumo Hatake in eliminating the rogue ninja Tachiyama Shinsaburo—and his performance was exceptional."
"Hehe, it seems you really like this young man. So, you arranged for Jiraiya to become his teacher?" Mito smiled.
"Well, calling him a natural ninja wouldn't be an exaggeration." The Third was usually reserved in character and rarely gave such high praise to any ninja or young prodigy. That alone showed just how highly he regarded Minato.
"Even though you care so much about him, you still sent him on a deadly mission to take down a rogue ninja. You're starting to act just like Tobirama," Mito said.
"No matter how gifted someone is, if we keep sheltering them in a safe place, they'll never grow strong enough to hold their own. This is what the Second taught me."
"I'm beginning to understand why back then, both Hashirama and Tobirama chose you as their apprentice," Mito smiled. Back then, the Senju Clan had countless young geniuses, yet those two had deliberately chosen this little boy from the Sarutobi Clan. Looking at it now, their decision wasn't wrong.
The three disciples he trained have all grown into formidable individuals themselves, and now he has already started cultivating the next generation.
"I'll leave village affairs in your hands. Right now, the only thing I can do for the village is help Kushina grow stronger as quickly as possible," Mito said. She knew her time was short, yet her heart held no sorrow at all. Because their will had truly been passed on—to the next generation, even to descendants far beyond.
"Thank you!" The Third deeply bowed his head, then departed.
...
Back home, Kushina sat upright in front of the mirror for the very first time, examining her reflection. Her fingers twirled around several strands of red hair.
This red hair that she once intensely disliked didn't seem so bad anymore.
Tomorrow was the day she had promised with Minato, and Kushina felt full of anticipation.
"Kushina-sama, it's getting late. Please rest soon," one of the attendants entered the room and said.
Kushina immediately stood up from her vanity table, giving the attendant a smile: "Okay, I know. Thank you."
Her changed demeanor momentarily stunned the attendant. Previously, Kushina rarely interacted with others and definitely never smiled at anyone.
Then, slightly puzzled, the attendant left Kushina's room.
...
"Alright, tomorrow is the weekend. All of you should rest well. See you next week," Kouda put away his teaching materials and left the classroom.
The once quiet classroom suddenly erupted into chatter, and students began to leave in loosely scattered groups.
Since last holiday, Mikoto's behavior had seemed somewhat odd. She always hastily bid farewell to Minato and Kushina before rushing home.
Kushina had asked her about this, but Mikoto hadn't given her a clear answer, merely saying something about needing to train.
Since when had Mikoto become such a training fanatic?
Wanting to investigate discreetly, Minato summoned Kai the toad again, repeating his old trick.
But this time, it wasn't to deceive Anbu watching over Kushina—it was to avoid detection by Kushina herself.
[Swoosh Swoosh!]
Behind the Ninja Academy, two figures emerged once again. Minato and Kushina swiftly weaved through the streets and soon reached the bustling Konoha marketplace, bathed in golden sunlight.
"Captain, do you think it's okay to let this kid run around with the target like this?"
Hidden in the shadows, an Anbu asked. Though they'd been informed that Minato was assigned as the protector, it was still hard to believe.
After all, Minato looked far too young...
"Don't question the Hokage's orders."
Another figure—the apparent leader—replied sharply, ending the discussion on the spot.
Carrying out orders was the most important duty for the Anbu.
...
...
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