Qianyu was supposed to go with Orochimaru to the Land of Grass, but a message from his summon arrived.
Uzumaki Mito didn't have much time left.
Qianyu found Orochimaru immediately. "Sensei. I can't go to Grass. I'm returning to Konoha."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?"
Qianyu never abandoned missions. If he took one, he finished it. This was the first time Orochimaru had seen him change his mind right after agreeing.
"Lady Mito only has a few days," Qianyu said simply.
"I see," Orochimaru murmured, understanding dawning. "You're worried about what will happen to Kushina. While I doubt the selection for the Nine-Tails' vessel will change now, I know you'd be distracted. Your mind wouldn't be on the mission." He gave a slight shrug. "Very well. Return to Konoha. The situation in Grass shouldn't be too severe."
Qianyu nodded. "Thank you, sensei."
He was worried. He wouldn't relax until he saw with his own eyes that Kushina wasn't the jinchūriki. And there was another reason: the Witness Points from Uzumaki Mito.
He turned and headed home.
Halfway there, another message caught up to him. From Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, ordering his immediate return to Konoha. So, the Hokage wasn't fully confident either. He wanted Qianyu's Mangekyō Sharingan there, just in case.
When Qianyu arrived at their home, Kushina was there.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Qianyu? You're back? You didn't say anything in a letter…"
"Lady Mito," he said, his voice low. "It's time. Within the next few days."
Kushina flinched. Her smile froze, then vanished.
She knew why Konoha—why Mito—had brought her here. There was a purpose. But years had passed, and Mito had been kind to her. The news was a physical blow, a wave of sadness she couldn't stop.
Qianyu stepped forward and pulled her into a gentle embrace. "Come on. Let's go see her. While we still can."
Once the sealing preparations began, security would be absolute. If Kushina was truly no longer the candidate, they'd never let her near.
Kushina nodded silently into his shoulder. She still didn't know.
She pulled back, forcing a brave face. A weak smile. "Hey. Whatever happens, I'll accept it. Okay? Don't you feel burdened. Being a jinchūriki… it's not all bad! With a tailed beast, no one would dare pick on us!" She gave a little fist pump. It was meant to be fierce. It just looked heartbreaking.
Qianyu lowered his head, his voice a near whisper. "Kushina… I already succeeded."
She blinked, confused. "Succeeded? At what?"
He took her hand. "Let's go. You'll understand everything soon."
The path to Mito's compound was heavily guarded. Two ANBU at the gate. Qianyu stretched his senses—fifteen more hidden in the shadows. The air was thick with tension.
He sensed three chakra signatures inside. Mito's, faint and flickering. And two others. Familiar ones.
The gate ANBU saw him and Kushina and simply stepped aside. No questions. They'd been expecting them.
Qianyu led Kushina to Mito's room. He knocked softly. "Lady Mito. It's Qianyu. Kushina is with me."
The door opened.
Kushina's breath hitched. "You?!"
Standing there, looking slightly sheepish, was Minato Namikaze. He ran a hand through his blond hair. "Qianyu. Kushina. I, uh… I'm here with Miyuki. To see Lady Mito."
Inside the room, Miyuki Uzumaki stood by the bedside.
Kushina was bewildered. Why was Minato with Miyuki? Why were they here?
Qianyu, however, just looked thoughtful. He'd had this suspicion. Once he found Miyuki, the pieces started fitting. If Kushina's path was with him, then the future "Naruto"… that destiny would need a new vessel. A new mother. Miyuki as the jinchūriki, Minato as her partner… it made a twisted kind of sense. Seeing them together now didn't surprise him. It felt… inevitable.
They entered the room. Minato naturally moved back to stand close to Miyuki. Their shoulders almost touched. A quiet intimacy.
Fast, Qianyu noted internally. Faster than he'd anticipated.
Then his gaze fell on the bed.
Uzumaki Mito looked ancient, fragile. Her life was a thin thread, holding on by sheer will. She turned her head slowly, a soft, weary smile touching her lips. "Qianyu. Kushina. You came."
"Grandmother…" Kushina's voice broke, tears already welling in her eyes.
"Do not weep, child," Mito said, her voice a frail whisper. "Life, age, death. It is the natural way. None escape it."
Her eyes, still sharp, found Qianyu. "So Hiruzen called you back after all. Wise. Do not worry. I am weak, but the chakra stored in my Yin Seal will be enough. And this matter… it is decided. It will not change now."
She shifted her gaze to Miyuki. "Miyuki. The rest is in your hands."
Miyuki bowed her head, her expression solemn. "I will protect Konoha as its jinchūriki. You have my word, Lady Mito."
"Wait." The word was a whisper, then a sharp cry. "WAIT!"
Kushina stared at Miyuki, then at Mito, her face pale with disbelief. "Miyuki? Why? Why are you becoming the jinchūriki? It's supposed to be me! It was always supposed to be me!"
In that instant, Miyuki, Minato, and Mito all glanced—almost imperceptibly—at Qianyu.
And Kushina finally understood. The puzzle pieces crashed together. The cryptic words at the door.
'I already succeeded.'
Her wide, shocked eyes locked onto Qianyu.
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