The Second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Born!

"Katsuki, I spoke with Kushina before you arrived," Mito stated, her gaze serious as she looked at Katsuki. "Kushina is a good child. As a Jinchuriki... she's more suited for it than you, stronger than I ever imagined."

"But once someone becomes a Jinchuriki, their life is destined to be filled with danger. I..."

Mito raised her hand, a subtle gesture that stopped Katsuki's attempt to argue.

"Katsuki, ninja inherently walk the line between life and death. Even if Kushina doesn't become a Jinchuriki, would she be able to live a peaceful, carefree life? As long as you're here, she'll strive to protect you; it's a sister's nature."

Her gentle words were like sharp blades, piercing Katsuki's heart. He didn't know how to refute her because Mito was speaking the truth. Kushina's desire to become a ninja was largely fueled by the thought of protecting him. He'd known this since he was little, but knowing it didn't mean he could change anything, because he was weak.

"On the contrary, becoming a Jinchuriki acts as an insurance policy. The Tailed Beasts are incredibly powerful, with the Nine-Tails being the most supreme. There are very few ninja in the Ninja World truly capable of capturing the Nine-Tails. Setting those individuals aside, Kushina becoming a Jinchuriki isn't a bad thing."

Katsuki lowered his head, remaining silent.

Minato and Otome held their breath. It was the Nine-Tails! Kushina was actually going to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!

This was different from later times when the Jinchuriki matter was kept secret from the younger generation. Nowadays, the Nine-Tails' existence wasn't a secret. As a deterrent weapon, its existence was necessary to display its power; only the Jinchuriki's specific identity needed to be kept hidden.

"What exactly are you worried about, Katsuki?"

Seeing Katsuki's silence, Mito asked softly.

Still silent, Katsuki couldn't articulate his hidden worries. In the future, Madara Uchiha would scheme the Moon Eye Plan, collecting all nine Tailed Beasts. Any Jinchuriki would suffer because of it... How could he possibly say such a thing?

"You're really stubborn," Mito sighed with a smile. "I don't know what you're worried about, but I can see you're genuinely considering Kushina's well-being. However, you need to think clearly about what's truly good for Kushina, instead of just running around like a headless chicken, causing a commotion late at night."

"If you're truly worried, you should focus on training. In this world, only strength is something you can rely on..."

Outside Konohagakure, a secluded area on a cliff.

Over a hundred Anbu patrolled, layer upon layer of barriers were erected, guarding the sky and ground so tightly that not even a mosquito could fly in.

This was the place Hiruzen had chosen for the Nine-Tails' transfer.

Kushina sat quietly inside the cave. Hiruzen's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, stayed with Kushina, intending to comfort the young girl. To her surprise, the girl sat there as if nothing was wrong, her carefree demeanor showing no signs of distress.

If there were any worries, they were certainly present. Thinking about becoming a Jinchuriki soon, few could face it with such composure.

However, compared to the destruction of her clan and the near-death experience she and her brother went through, falling into the abyss of life and death, this situation was already fortunate.

A leaf stuck to her smooth forehead. Kushina wasn't sitting there idly; she was honing her chakra control. Learning Fuinjutsu required extremely precise chakra manipulation. Compared to the limbs, which could easily gather chakra, the forehead was a place where chakra was difficult to concentrate.

Sticking a leaf to her forehead like this, using chakra to keep it attached for a long time without falling, was one of the Uzumaki Clan's methods for training chakra control.

"Boom—"

The large stone at the cave entrance was pushed aside. Biwako stood up, kunai in hand, guarding Kushina vigilantly. She only put away her kunai when she saw Mito and Hiruzen enter, simultaneously looking in surprise at the three little brats trailing behind Hiruzen.

"Katsuki, Otome, Minato, you... what are you doing here?" Kushina's eyes widened, the leaf on her forehead swaying and falling.

"Sis..."

Katsuki opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say.

His mind was a mess, completely unsure of what to do. Mito's words and his own conflicting thoughts intertwined, making him even more confused.

"You're overthinking again. You've always been like this since you were little; I never know what's going on in that head of yours." Kushina walked over, reaching out to ruffle Katsuki's hair, only to realize that her younger brother, who was once shorter than her, was now almost as tall.

Katsuki and the other two were ushered out, and Hiruzen followed. Only Mito, Kushina, and Biwako remained in the cave.

One adult and three children stood on the platform outside the cave.

"The moon is very round tonight."

Hiruzen stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky.

"Lord Third, I want to graduate from the Ninja Academy early," Katsuki suddenly said.

"Why?"

Hiruzen asked calmly, still gazing at the bright yet not dazzling, pure white moon in the sky.

"Because I'm strong enough. I can completely graduate now."

"Strong enough? Hmph, kid, so confident." Hiruzen glanced at Katsuki sideways, a smirk playing on his lips. "But don't even think about graduating early. You'll all stay obediently in the village during this time. It's not your turn to show off, you little brats."

"The Ninja Academy is no longer useful to me. Staying there is just a waste of time. Instead of wasting my days like that, I'd rather stay home and train myself." Katsuki's tone was firm, showing no sign of backing down.

Hiruzen clicked his tongue and didn't reply.

A brief silence.

"I also want to apply for early graduation. Master Jiraiya said he could take me to the battlefield for training," Minato spoke up.

Mentioning his disciple, Hiruzen couldn't remain calm. What kind of trouble was that idiot disciple causing now? Was he really going to take this blonde kid as his student?

"Don't think about early graduation. At least wait until you're ten years old..." Noticing the disappointment in the two youngsters' eyes, Hiruzen cleared his throat and changed his tone. "However, given your commendable performance on the battlefield, I can arrange for you to undertake missions with the Genin, of course, just for training as students."

While they chatted, inside the mountain cave, the Nine-Tails' transfer ritual was underway. The tsunami-like, fierce, and domineering power, even with a slight overflow, caused the cave to tremble. Rock fragments fell from the ceiling.

Yet, Mito calmly peeled the Nine-Tails out of her body bit by bit, then transferred and sealed it into Kushina's body. No matter how the Nine-Tails struggled and roared, it couldn't resist the methods of an elder whose time was drawing near.

The Second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was born!