Uzumaki Mito's words finally elicited a shocked expression from Uchiha Yato. She continued slowly, "The redness at the corner of your eyes..."
"No matter the circumstances of a fight, it wouldn't leave that kind of redness."
"Only crying in secret would cause that."
Uchiha Yato immediately jumped up and retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't cry! That was from falling earlier—I tripped!"
It had to be said that Uzumaki Mito's psychological detection skills were formidable. She might have initially been testing Uchiha Yato, but the momentary fluctuation in his emotions couldn't be hidden. Seeing Uchiha Yato now, fidgeting and uneasy, she understood his truest feelings. To Uzumaki Mito, this was when children were at their most adorable.
Without giving Uchiha Yato any further chance to explain or make excuses, Uzumaki Mito said gently, "Your heart is troubled, isn't it?"
"It's not good for children to lie."
Her words left Uchiha Yato at a loss. It was perfectly normal for a child not to know about Uzumaki Mito's abilities. Of course, Uchiha Yato also lacked the bodily control to hide his reactions, so there was no way he could deceive her. But it didn't matter—after all, Uzumaki Mito was the Hidden Leaf Village's Mother of the Nation. She would never do anything excessive to a child.
Sensing Uchiha Yato's emotions, Uzumaki Mito patiently softened her tone and advised, "Live well and embrace each day positively."
"Don't let sorrow consume everything."
Uzumaki Mito couldn't claim to understand the Uchiha Clan perfectly—only about 99%. After all, her husband's relationship with the Uchiha Clan was something that gave her headaches. But when it came to the emotional fluctuations of the Uchiha, no one understood them better than her.The words that followed were soft, the words that followed were gentle.
It was the first time Uchiha Yato had cried in front of Uzumaki Mito. In that moment, he fully revealed himself—just like any child who had just lost their parents.
That was also the first time Uchiha Yato had called Uzumaki Mito "Grandma."
And no matter how much trouble Yato caused afterward, no matter how big the mess he made, he never asked Uzumaki Mito for help.
Naturally, that single "Grandma" was the only time she ever heard it.
...
The scene returned to the present.
Uzumaki Mito watched as the tiny child before her had grown into the tall, handsome young man standing there now.
She motioned for Tsunade to come over and help her sit up.
Leaning against the bedside, Uzumaki Mito still wore the same gentle, kind expression.
Then, she spoke. "Alright, alright. This old woman's bones are still sturdy—I won't be going anywhere just yet."
"Tsunade, take Kushina outside and rest for a while. Let this boy stay with me."
Hearing her words, the three of them didn't hesitate.
But just before Tsunade and Kushina left the room, Tsunade turned to Uchiha Yato and said,
"Don't push yourself if anything happens."
"Kushina and I will be in the next room, preparing some food."
"If there's an emergency, just come get us."
Without lingering further, she closed the door behind her.
Now, the small bedroom held only Uchiha Yato and Uzumaki Mito.
Before the host could speak, Yato cut straight to the point.
"Grandma, about your illness—"
"Do you feel like there's something more to it?"
When it came to Sarutobi Hiruzen's words now, Yato could only say he believed about 80% of them.
So he wanted to hear it from Uzumaki Mito herself. If she sensed anything amiss, Yato would tear the entire Hidden Leaf apart to uncover the truth.
Seeing Yato jump straight to business made Uzumaki Mito both amused and sad.
She replied, "I don't know what method you've been using to prolong my life."
"But everyone must die someday. It's about time I go see Hashirama."
Her indirect answer told Yato everything—she already knew.
With a hint of childish frustration, Yato muttered,
"So in the end, you're just dragging me here to cry over you before you die, huh?"
Uzumaki Mito wasn't the least bit offended by his words.
"Old woman" wasn't just a term of disdain.
Coming from Yato's mouth, it carried a playful undertone.
She chuckled. "You little rascal."
"If I'd known you'd turn out like this, I wouldn't have bothered with you back then."
Though their terms for each other had changed, there wasn't a trace of real reproach.
This shift in address was more a sign of trust.
Yato's unruly nature was something no one could control—not even Uzumaki Mito.
Their banter made the time pass pleasantly.
When the moment felt right, Uzumaki Mito finally spoke again, her eyes tinged with apology."I know this might sound unfair to you, but I still hope you can do it."
Without giving Uchiha Yato a chance to argue, Uzumaki Mito continued.
"You should already know that there's a Tailed Beast inside me."
"Kushina will be the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I hope you can help her."
Upon hearing Uzumaki Mito's words, Uchiha Yato was well aware of the matter.
Without much hesitation, he nodded directly.
Uchiha Yato said, "During my trip to Sunagakure, I learned some things about Tailed Beasts from their One-Tail Jinchuriki."
"When the time comes, helping her stabilize shouldn't be too difficult."
Hearing Uchiha Yato's response, Uzumaki Mito was quite satisfied. Then, she brought up other matters she wished to entrust to him.
"That girl Tsunade has stayed on the right path so far."
"As her younger brother, you must help me keep an eye on her."
"Don't rush the Wood Release. Your well-being should always come first."
...
At this moment, Uzumaki Mito resembled a mother, giving her final instructions to her children before they set off on a long journey.
She listed everything she could think of, one by one.
And Uchiha Yato, like her eldest son, took note of all her words.
Yet everyone knew that the one truly embarking on a journey this time was not Uchiha Yato or the others—it was Uzumaki Mito herself.
She was about to walk a path from which there was no return.
After finishing all her instructions, Uzumaki Mito seemed to have shed all her burdens.
Uchiha Yato had initially wanted to see the Nine-Tails one last time, but seeing Uzumaki Mito's state, he knew it wasn't appropriate.
Then, in the end, Uzumaki Mito said quietly, "I'm tired. You may leave now. I'd like to rest for a while."
Obediently, Uchiha Yato straightened up and walked toward the entrance.
But then, gritting his teeth, he turned back to look at Uzumaki Mito...
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