After-Dinner Conversation

But on second thought, that really was the most likely explanation. Just look at Nagato in the distance.

Because he had been sustaining the Rinnegan since childhood, all he had shown of the Uzumaki Clan's abilities was their formidable vitality and chakra reserves. He had never used any of their other abilities.

The strain the Rinnegan put on the body was so great that even Madara, after awakening it, couldn't bear it. He had to find a vessel like Nagato to nurture it.

Of course, Madara might also have been old by then, but that didn't change how powerful he was—or how much the Rinnegan drained the body.

That was Tokiju's theory, anyway. To know if it was true, they'd have to ask Kushina.

After hearing Tokiju's explanation, Kushina looked at Uzumaki Miku and placed a hand on her.

After sensing her chakra, Kushina furrowed her brows and asked, "What happened to you? Why is the vitality inside you so weak?"

At that, Tokiju spoke up first. "Sister Kushina, do you mean Miku can't awaken Adamantine Sealing Chains because her vitality is too weak?"

Kushina nodded. "That's right. Adamantine Sealing Chains are an ability that stems from our powerful vitality and chakra reserves."

"In other words, any member of the Uzumaki Clan can awaken Adamantine Sealing Chains as long as they have enough vitality and chakra."

"I see..."

Tokiju understood. That also explained why Uzumaki Miku and Nagato couldn't awaken Adamantine Sealing Chains.

It was just like Karin in the original story. While she was suffering in Kusagakure, she hadn't unlocked any abilities other than Physical Healing.

But once she went to Orochimaru, she unlocked everything, from Adamantine Sealing Chains to Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

Of course, even after she went to Orochimaru, he only treated her as a spare vessel.

And because he wanted her as his vessel, Orochimaru had surely taken good care of her.

She might not have appreciated that kind of care, but once her body had been restored, her abilities had naturally awakened.

The more Tokiju thought about it, the more he felt that Karin's talent was extraordinary.

She'd grown up as a slave, never having enough to eat or warm clothes to wear, yet she had still awakened every ability of the Uzumaki Clan. It was almost unbelievable.

While Tokiju lowered his head in thought, Kushina had already begun grilling Uzumaki Miku with questions.

Miku was a little overwhelmed, but she still repeated the story she'd told them earlier in the Hokage Office.

In short, while wandering the Ninja World, she'd been captured by a gang of bandits because of her unusual Uzumaki constitution. They'd used her as a living blood bank for several years.

Tokiju and Tsunade had found her while traveling and rescued her.

After all, Kusagakure was just a fence-sitting village that played both sides, and calling them bandits wasn't much of a stretch.

At that, Kushina flew into a rage. Her red hair stood on end as she shouted, "Bastards! Which place were those bandits from? I'll wipe them out right now!"

Tokiju hurried to calm her down. "Sister Kushina, calm down. Who do you think my sister is? She's one of the legendary Sannin—the Legendary Big Fat Sheep... Ahem, one of the Sannin! It was just a bandit gang. She already wiped them all out."

As he spoke, Tokiju cleared his throat. He'd nearly let the nickname "Legendary Big Fat Sheep" slip out.

If his sister heard him say that, who knew what she'd do to him?

Only after hearing Tokiju's explanation did Kushina calm down. "Hmph! Bunch of damn bandits. If they weren't already dead, I'd make sure they learned the name Kushina!"

Tokiju wiped his nonexistent sweat. Thank goodness she'd calmed down.

If Kushina suddenly lost control of the Nine-Tails over this, his good life in Konoha would be over.

Just then, Minato brought out the food he'd prepared and called, "Everyone, dinner's ready!"

At that, everyone stopped chatting and headed for the table.

Looking at the colorful, aromatic dishes, Tokiju thought, As expected of Namikaze Minato, the man they call perfect. It feels like there's nothing he can't do.

The meal was cozy, everyone chatting together as though they'd forgotten all their troubles.

Tsunade took a sip of the sake Kushina had specially prepared for her. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately began praising it.

Kushina, meanwhile, kept piling food onto Uzumaki Miku's plate. "Come on, eat up. Don't be shy. You need to build your strength back."

Everyone enjoyed the meal, and they were all clearly satisfied.

After dinner, Shizune volunteered to wash the dishes, and Uchiha Hikari followed her to learn how to help.

Kushina took Uzumaki Miku to help look after Tsunade, who had gotten completely drunk.

As for Tokiju, he was standing in the courtyard of Minato's Residence, quietly gazing up at the stars.

Minato silently walked up behind Tokiju and looked up at the sky as well.

Before long, his voice broke the nighttime silence. "Tokiju, what are you thinking about?"

Tokiju turned and smiled. "Lord Fourth. It's nothing much. I was just thinking about my future."

"Oh?" Minato sounded interested. "Would you like to tell me about it?"

Tokiju shook his head helplessly. "I'm honestly a little lost. Going by the year I was born, I should be in my twenties now."

"But just look at me. Anyone who saw me would call me a little kid. Don't you think?"

Minato smiled. "Tokiju, age isn't everything. What matters is what's in your heart."

"Besides, heaven gave you this opportunity. Why not seize it and work hard to improve yourself?"

"To be honest, I'm a little envious of you. That accident let you escape the horrors of the Second and Third Ninja Wars."

"And after all this time studying, your skill in Sealing Jutsu must be quite advanced. I could tell from the Sealing Jutsu you gave me."

Tokiju awkwardly scratched his cheek. "I'm pretty confident in my strength, but my fundamentals as a ninja are really poor. You can ask my sister if you don't believe me."

Minato furrowed his brows, but he soon understood.

Tokiju had mentioned earlier that there was nothing at all in the Sealing Space.

Even if the child named Hikari could spar with him and help him train, that would only improve his combat skills. He couldn't practice the basic skills a ninja needed there.

Things like setting traps, tracking and countertracking, scouting and counter-surveillance could only be properly practiced in the right environment.

Thinking of this, Minato immediately suggested, "Tokiju, how about you study at the Ninja Academy for a few years?"