Hiruzen Sarutobi unhurriedly opened the letter. After reading it, he smiled knowingly.
"Kushina really is an almost excessively sensible child..." Lord Hokage murmured.
The letter said that she had chosen a house near Minato's home. Utatane Koharu had already sent people to help furnish and renovate it.
The Anbu assigned to protect her were also very considerate.
Whenever they happened to meet her, they would even give her a slight nod in greeting. She had initially worried that such surveillance-like protection would affect her life, but now she only found it warm and understood how difficult the Anbu's work was.
She was deeply grateful to Grandpa Hokage and deeply grateful to Konoha, her new home. After learning of Konoha's blow against Kumogakure, she felt secure knowing that someone had stood up for her.
Finally, she wrote some everyday remarks about chatting with Mito Uzumaki, mentioning that Mito had been somewhat surprised...
Her writing was still childish, and even her verbal habits had made their way onto the paper.
Yet every line was filled with pure sincerity and joy, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi feeling a little lighter himself.
Emotions were contagious by nature...
This is a good time to visit Mito Uzumaki.
That thought crossed Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. He instructed the Anbu, "Ask whether Lady Mito would be available to receive me, then confirm the condition of that Wood Release child."
The Anbu accepted the order.
A short while later, they reported back. Learning that Mito Uzumaki was also willing to see him, Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to leave at once.
In the past, he had always held Mito Uzumaki in the highest respect, yet deliberately avoided meeting her...
There were many reasons for that.
First, managing the village was too exhausting. Second, there was the matter of Uzushio Village.
Third, Mito Uzumaki's identity as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki overlapped with her other identity, making the atmosphere especially delicate...
Given her status, unless Konoha stood at the brink of life and death, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not ask Mito Uzumaki to take the battlefield so long as he wished to retain even a shred of dignity.
But the problem was that the Nine-Tails was undeniably a strategic weapon...
If he visited too often, it would inevitably look like he was asking after her health on the surface while secretly asking when she would die.
That was not overthinking it. The village had indeed once wanted a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who could take the battlefield as a final safeguard...
But things were different now.
Rather than hoping that the next Jinchuriki could control the Nine-Tails' power,
it was better to earn Mito Uzumaki's recognition and support in a tangible way. That would greatly benefit Hiruzen Sarutobi in pushing reforms and establishing his authority...
Besides, Senju Tobirama's notes showed that
Mito Uzumaki was not only proficient in profound Sealing Jutsu, but also remarkably knowledgeable. She understood countless secret techniques of the Shinobi World and could be called a living encyclopedia.
It was impossible to make Mito Uzumaki work overtime like Hiruko or Orochimaru...
But having a master who could point him in the right direction and provide ideas was already an enormous gain.
"I need to let this old lady know how remorseful I am!" Lord Hokage thought.
After tidying his appearance, he had the Anbu find several thorny branches and tied them directly onto his back.
The eyes behind the Anbu masks were full of surprise, but Hiruzen Sarutobi did not care in the slightest.
This was part of the plan as well.
Mito Residence.
Slowly pushing open the ancient gate, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the place a brief look.
The entire residence carried the strong atmosphere of the Warring States era.
The walls were decorated with the clan crests of the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan.
Mito Uzumaki, seated in the place of honor, saw Hiruzen Sarutobi with thorny branches on his back. A trace of surprise flashed through her eyes.
What medicine was Monkey selling in that gourd of his?
Hiruzen Sarutobi strode forward. Like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, he bowed deeply to the ground. "Lady Mito, Monkey has failed in his duties as Hokage. Please punish me!"
Mito Uzumaki slowly rose and examined Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Mind's Eye of the Kagura silently activated.
In Mito Uzumaki's perception, Hiruzen Sarutobi's Chakra was vigorous and forceful, while the emotions in his heart were utterly sincere...
Ordinary Mind's Eye of the Kagura did not have the ability to sense the emotions in a person's heart.
But as a Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki could incorporate the Nine-Tails' Malice Sensing into it...
After a moment, Mito Uzumaki slowly walked to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side. With a long sigh, she reached out to help him up. "Monkey, these years have not been easy for you either..."
"The matter of Uzushio Village pains me deeply, but I cannot blame it all on you, the Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi promptly rose to his feet. How could he let an old lady truly bend down to help him?
"Lady Mito..."
"Come inside. Stop carrying those thorny branches around. You're not young anymore! You're the Hokage now..." Mito Uzumaki removed the branches from Hiruzen Sarutobi's back and gestured for him to enter and sit.
Hiruzen Sarutobi obediently took a seat reserved for guests.
He felt quite emotional.
In his memories, Mito Uzumaki had mostly retained the appearance of a middle-aged woman.
But now, she truly wore the face of an old woman.
"When people grow old, being alone is very lonely..." Noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, Mito Uzumaki shook her head and said,
"If I release this seal, I can go see Hashirama sooner and cause the village a little less trouble."
Perhaps it was because she had seen Hiruzen Sarutobi's sincere attitude today, or perhaps because the issue of the Nine-Tails could no longer be avoided.
Mito Uzumaki spoke very directly.
The Yin Seal was not a technique that consumed Chakra to preserve one's appearance.
On the contrary, it created a new Chakra cycle to nourish the cells...
In a sense, actively releasing the Yin Seal could even be considered a form of slow suicide!
"Lady Mito!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, his gaze and voice immensely sincere. "I came today to tell you that compared to the Nine-Tails, you are Konoha's priceless treasure!"
Mito Uzumaki smiled faintly. She was about to say something, but Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted her.
The Hokage pressed his palms together, both asking Mito Uzumaki to let him finish and speaking crisply, every word ringing with force:
"This is absolutely not empty politeness. It is the consensus of the entire village!"
"You devoted your entire life to the village. If we cannot let you enjoy peace in your old age, and instead make you continue burning away your last bone and blood for the village, even ending your life early..."
"Then I, the Hokage, the Will of Fire, and even all of Konoha will be disgraced!"
Mito Uzumaki stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
She had never expected Monkey, who had always struggled with this matter, avoided it, and even dared not face it, to display such resolve.
Had he stopped caring about the Nine-Tails?
For the sake of an old woman like her...
"The matter of Uzushio Village has always weighed heavily on my heart."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave. "No matter what, the Uzumaki Clan will always be Konoha's ally. When this happened, I, as Hokage, bear full responsibility."
"I promise you that I will do everything in my power to find members of the Uzumaki Clan. As long as they are willing to come to Konoha, the village will become the Uzumaki Clan's warm new home."
"I believe that within a few generations, a new Uzumaki Clan will take root and flourish in Konoha!"
Mito Uzumaki's expression finally shifted with emotion.
Within her Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions were as firm as stone.
And that was indeed Hiruzen Sarutobi's true intention.
In his previous life, he had always adhered to the principle of correcting mistakes once they were recognized and repairing the fence after the sheep were lost.
Besides, making amends to the Uzumaki Clan would not only correct past mistakes and strengthen the Will of Fire with the effect of buying a horse's bones for a fortune, but would also earn Mito Uzumaki's firm support.
And if the Uzumaki Clan were rebuilt,
it would naturally be a great thing for a Hokage who had become one with the village.
With three benefits in one move, Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally incomparably resolute.
"Hiruzen, I have seen your heart."
"The past is past. Go and do it well from now on. I support you."
Mito Uzumaki smiled. "But even if I continue causing you trouble, being alone is the hardest thing to endure in old age."
"I cannot demand that you always come see me. I may be old, but my pride remains."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, but inwardly he smiled faintly.
He had anticipated this...
When people grew old, they did not merely need companionship. The feeling of being needed was equally real.
Especially for a ninja like Mito Uzumaki.
"Lady Mito, Monkey really does have something to ask of you..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said as he rose.
"Ask me?" Mito Uzumaki chuckled and shook her head. Though old, she still could not conceal the bearing of the Strongest Female Ninja of the Warring States in every gesture. "Stop trying to comfort me, Monkey."
"What can I do now, besides sealing this Fox?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly formed hand seals.
Sensing the Hokage's summons, an Anbu quietly entered the residence, handed the swaddled infant in his arms to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and silently withdrew.
Mito Uzumaki's eyes suddenly lit up.
From this child, she sensed Hashirama's presence!
Before you continue