Soon, Takeshi and the others' leisurely days came to an end.
Genna Uchiha's purpose in bringing them was for experience, so it was naturally impossible to let them slack off indefinitely.
Seizing the opportunity as the war situation gradually became clear, he directly brought the group to the front lines.
Kushina and Nawaki also came along.
Kushina was there because Takeshi was afraid this little girl wouldn't stay put and would secretly run off by herself again; rather than that, it was better to just bring her along.
Staying by his side was safer than her running around alone.
As for Nawaki, he simply insisted on coming because Orochimaru didn't let him play.
This guy's boisterousness was no less than Naruto's in the original work.
He was constantly filled with passionate fervor, insisting he wanted to emulate his grandfather, Senju Hashirama.
But you don't consider what a monstrous being your grandfather was; his true identity was the Chakra reincarnation of Asura, so how could he not be powerful!
His Wood Release was used with divine skill, and the Nine-Tailed became a docile puppy in his eyes.
With such a mountain standing before you, it's truly difficult to surpass him!
However, Takeshi couldn't ignore Nawaki either.
After all, the death buff on this guy hadn't been removed yet.
He could only keep him close and watch him carefully.
Thus, Takeshi suddenly had two temporary attachments.
But for him, this was nothing.
After all, he was one of only two Uchiha capable of activating a complete Susanoo in the three tomoe state, and he had also awakened a Mangekyo with time-related abilities.
Even if these two accidentally encountered danger, as long as they were within his line of sight, he could slow down time to create an opening and save them.
Furthermore, with Kushina's abnormal physique and vast Chakra reserves, unless a situation like the previous Sunagakure ambush occurred, it would generally be difficult to inflict serious harm on her.
Although Nawaki seemed relatively weaker, as long as he didn't step on an explosive tag, he should still be fine.
Indeed, the condition of everyone remained excellent throughout.
Takeshi's own strength was already quite abnormal, coupled with his previous combat experience against Sunagakure Ninja.
He was like a god of war, slaying gods and Buddhas, as if he had a cheat code.
Not only was he exceptionally outstanding in terms of achievements, but he also made significant contributions in treating the wounded.
It could be said that he excelled in all aspects, making Genna Uchiha exclaim, "My son has the potential to be Hokage!"
Kushina also performed brilliantly; perhaps due to her experience with the Sunagakure kidnapping incident, she became much more cautious when facing enemies, and her methods of response were very reasonable.
As for Nawaki, although he didn't have many highlights, at least he didn't die, which greatly relieved Takeshi.
Regarding Minato, his development path has completely deviated from the original work.
Because Takeshi had 'abducted' him into the Uchiha Clan from a young age, he was branded as a Uchiha lackey, unable to become Jiraiya's disciple, and naturally not noticed by the Hokage to be given the space-time Ninjutsu—Flying Thunder God.
Thus, he couldn't achieve the title of 'Yellow Flash's instant man'.
However, perhaps because he was often trained by his older brother Fugaku, he had developed the Rasengan quite early.
This also allowed him to wreak havoc on the battlefield and carve out a name for himself.
Finally, Mikoto, having witnessed many tragic scenes during this great war, was stimulated and awakened her three tomoe Sharingan, greatly increasing her strength.
However, she still needed good rest for now, as it was her first experience with brutal warfare, and her mind would certainly be impacted.
Especially the Uchiha Clan, their understanding of love is deeper than anyone else's, and the stimulation they receive is even more profound than that of ordinary people.
War is ultimately cruel, and death is inevitable; no one knows if they will suddenly depart.
The subsequent time passed quickly, like a fleeting shadow.
During this period, Takeshi also performed several more body potential enhancements on Kushina by opening her Chakra points.
With each opening of a Chakra point, her own strength continuously grew stronger.
Takeshi estimated that, based on the current progress, after the next Chakra point opening, she would be able to enter Shikkotsu Forest for meridian Chong Meridian and complete the final steps.
And so, half a year passed.
What Takeshi didn't expect was that this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi sent someone again.
Just like last time, they came to take Kushina back.
At first, Tsunade disagreed, but upon hearing it concerned her Grandmother Mito, she immediately fell silent.
It was the first time she heard that Kushina was the candidate to be Grandmother Mito's next Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki; Konoha's secrecy regarding this matter was very good, known almost exclusively by the Konoha higher-ups.
So, Tsunade also felt at a loss when she heard it.
Because for her, it meant having to lose one loved one while watching another loved one's entire latter half of life be lived under the Village's constraints.
This was truly too cruel.
Takeshi also didn't expect Mito's end to come so quickly.
According to the original timeline, it should have been a few more years before Kushina would become the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
But now it was advanced so much.
Could it be that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi's doing?
But... would Mito agree to this?
However, it also couldn't be ruled out that Mito's time was truly near, after all, the current developments had too many deviations from the original work; anything could happen.
"Do you want to go back?"
"This isn't something I can decide."
Kushina lowered her head, clenching the corner of her clothes, standing restlessly.
To be honest, it was also her first time hearing about Jinchuriki.
She was both afraid that her beloved Grandmother Mito would pass away because of this, and afraid that her own future life would be cruelly imprisoned.
"If you don't want to, no one can force you."
Takeshi met her gaze, his Sharingan slowly rotating, eventually displaying the pattern of a time gear, showing his determination to stand against everyone.
"I said it!"
Kushina was stunned for a moment, her glistening eyes looking a bit blank, seemingly not expecting Takeshi would go so far for her.
After a long while, she came back to her senses, her cheeks instantly flushing red.
"No."
She shook her head, "Grandmother Mito has been very good to me, I like her very much, and I don't want to disappoint her. If doing this will make her happy... I'm willing!"
Then, a brilliant smile appeared on her delicate pretty face:
"But... Takeshi, thank you."
It was the first time she had expressed her inner feelings to someone so directly.
"Whatever decision you make, I will support you."
Takeshi smiled, raising his hand to gently caress her head.
Actually, he had already anticipated this outcome.
Kushina was a kind girl who valued the people around her; she couldn't stand by and do nothing for Grandmother Mito, who had given her warmth and preferential treatment.
Although he didn't wish for Kushina to become the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, since it was her decision, Takeshi would support her unconditionally.
After all, he had already said before that he would respect Kushina's choices and would no longer control her life based on what he thought was best.
Although this path would be fraught with danger, as long as Takeshi was there, Kushina would not suffer a painful death from having the Nine-Tailed extracted, as she did in the original work.
[Mission: Help Kushina avoid the death ending. Mission progress: 67%]