Chapter 18 — Konoha Needs a Vessel
Senju Clan Compound.
Uzumaki Mito sat alone in her room, holding a letter in her hand. It was sent by the Uzumaki Clan Head—her elder brother.
The contents were clear: he forbade her from coming to the Land of Whirlpools. It was likely an enemy trap. Their enemies didn't just covet the Uzumaki sealing techniques—they also desired the Nine-Tails.
A trace of sorrow lingered in her eyes.
She was old now. She could no longer endure high-intensity combat.
Even if she went to support the Land of Whirlpools, once a great battle ended, she would likely die on the spot. And when that happened, the Nine-Tails would break free—bringing catastrophic disaster.
If Konoha were to lose the Nine-Tails, it would be placed in an extremely passive position. War would erupt almost instantly.
Mito was caught in a dilemma.
One side was her homeland.
The other was the life's work of her beloved.
Brother… Hashirama…
Unable to decide, her youthful appearance rapidly faded. Her beauty withered in an instant—like a hero in twilight.
"Hashirama… what should I do?"
She murmured softly, thinking of the great man who always smiled in the face of life.
Her husband.
She remembered a conversation they once had. At the time, she had asked him, "When you die, you'll be free of everything. But I'll be left alone."
Senju Hashirama had pointed toward Konoha and said, "Don't be sad. Even if I die, Konoha will stay with you. Konoha is me—it will always accompany you."
"Grandma!"
Senju Nawaki's shout broke her from her thoughts.
He was in high spirits today, eager to share his happiness with his grandmother.
But when he saw her aged appearance, he froze. Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Grandma, what's wrong? Don't scare Nawaki!"
He burst into tears and threw himself into her arms. She was the person closest to him.
Mito touched her cheek. Her skin was no longer smooth. Gathering chakra and concentrating it on her face, she restored her youthful appearance.
Only her hair remained snow-white.
She gently stroked Nawaki's head. "Now look again, little Nawaki."
"Awesome!"
Seeing his grandmother appear young again, he broke into a smile.
"Come, take a walk with Grandma."
Mito held Nawaki's hand.
The two of them walked out of the Senju compound and strolled around Konoha before returning home.
Mito glanced at Nawaki, her gaze clear and resolute.
She had made her choice.
"Forgive me, Brother. I must protect Hashirama's legacy."
Yes.
Between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Mito chose Konoha.
"Go summon the Third Hokage. Tell him this old woman has something to discuss."
"Yes!" replied a Senju retainer.
Moments later—
Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the Senju compound with a heavy expression.
Mito went straight to the point.
"I'm old. My time is short. Konoha needs a new vessel to seal the Nine-Tails. Make the arrangements."
"…Understood."
Hiruzen understood. Mito was dissatisfied with his earlier decision—and this was her way of informing him to send someone to the Land of Whirlpools.
"Lady Mito, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"
"Uzumaki Kushina. She is my granddaughter. Bring her here."
"Yes!"
...
Four in the morning.
Kinoshita Hikaru was running alone through Konoha. He hadn't called Namikaze Minato.
Today was a rest day. Everyone had the day off. Each major clan had its own internal activities.
It was one of the ways they strengthened clan unity.
The Uchiha would gather at their shrine.
The Hyuga would hold Main and Branch House meetings.
Even Minato had matters to attend to.
Only Kinoshita Hikaru was left alone.
At this moment, he felt a trace of loneliness—and could only vent his energy through running.
Hikaru opened his panel.
[Multiverse Proficiency Panel]
Name: Kinoshita Hikaru
Age: 6
Ability: Rubber Fruit — Beginner (91/100)
Technique: Chakra Extraction Technique — Intermediate (759/10000)
Skills: Advanced Kunai Throwing (885/10000), Intermediate Taijutsu (456/1000), Advanced Hand Seals (2258/10000)
Ninjutsu: Rasengan (Beginner), Clone Technique (Advanced), Transformation Technique (Advanced), Substitution Technique (Advanced), Fireball Technique (Advanced), Water Ball (Advanced), Lightning Ball (Advanced), Earth Wall (Advanced), Wind Fierce Palm (Intermediate)
[PS: I won't list proficiency for unimportant skills anymore, otherwise people keep saying I'm padding the word count.]
Kinoshita Hikaru figured that in three months, even a dog could learn the Rasengan.
However—
He preferred training in taijutsu.
Most of his day was spent cultivating his physical skills.
Every time he broke through his limits, it was a challenge to himself.
But pushing past his limits was becoming harder and harder. Now he could only manage a breakthrough once every two days.
That was with deliberate self-control.
Otherwise, his mind would develop a kind of training fatigue—losing motivation to do anything at all.
There were still 18 days before his Devil Fruit would level up, and he was looking forward to it immensely.
While training, sprinting wildly, he forgot about loneliness. His steps quickened, his speed surged, and the weights on his body clanked loudly.
Adrenaline spiked. His brain was in an abnormal state of excitement. He charged ahead, leaving everything behind.
Compared to ninjutsu, taijutsu was truly intoxicating—the joy of surpassing limits, the scenery rushing past while running, the solid impact of fist against flesh. All of it embodied the charm of the body itself.
Although Kinoshita Hikaru had a system, it only allowed him to train faster than others. It didn't grant instant mastery.
His top priority now was strengthening his body and tempering his will. As for ninjutsu—once he learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, he could exploit it to grind proficiency like a cheat. At that point, his skill levels would skyrocket.
"Hikaru-kun~!!"
"Mikoto-chan (๑＞＜๑)"
Kinoshita Hikaru stopped in his tracks. Today, Uchiha Mikoto was dressed in a samurai outfit, her high ponytail swaying back and forth as she ran—quite a pleasing sight.
"Aren't you going to the shrine today, Mikoto-chan?"
A faint blush appeared on Uchiha Mikoto's face. "It's not time yet. A ninja cannot afford even the slightest slack. I'll train first, then go later."
"Mikoto-chan will definitely become a great ninja someday."
Kinoshita Hikaru praised her discipline. In this world, only sweat would never betray you.
Uchiha Mikoto didn't respond. Instead, she accelerated. "Hikaru-kun, keep up."
She had always felt that Kinoshita Hikaru was different—resilient, passionate, mature. Not childish like the others.
Even though they had only been apart for a day, she found herself unaccustomed to it. Before she realized it, she had arrived at the training grounds.
Kinoshita Hikaru quickly caught up. The two of them ran toward the rising sun, each with their own thoughts. Some things didn't need to be spoken.
"Hey, hey! That's too sneaky! Didn't we say we'd rest today? How can you secretly train by yourself?" Senju Nawaki shouted.
"That's right, Hikaru, you're too sly." Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza chimed in.
"Hikaru-kun, why didn't you call me?" Namikaze Minato complained.
"Tch, good thing I came." Uchiha Shigeru said.
"I noticed long ago." Hyūga Hiashi pointed to his eyes.
"Why is everyone here?" Kinoshita Hikaru looked puzzled. Weren't they supposed to attend their clan gatherings?
"We're a team. How could we let trivial matters hold us back and allow you to surpass us?" Shikaku said.
"That's right! ×7"
Kinoshita Hikaru stopped and looked at them all, breaking into a wide smile.
Was this what bonds felt like? Urging each other forward. Understanding one another. Improving together. Living and dying side by side.
He extended his hand and said, "Very well. Then let's sweat to our heart's content… resilience, courage, passion, bonds—we'll experience it all together, bit by bit."