After-Dinner Chat

However, upon closer reflection, this is truly the most likely scenario; one only needs to look at Nagato in the distance to see it.

Because he had been nourishing the Rinnegan since childhood, he never displayed any other abilities of the Uzumaki Clan beyond their innate, formidable vitality and chakra.

The physical toll of the Rinnegan is such that even Madara, who awakened it later in life, could not withstand it and had to seek out Nagato as a vessel to nurture it.

While one cannot rule out the fact that Madara was already aged at the time, it does not diminish the reality of Madara's power or the immense strain the Rinnegan places on the body.

Of course, this is merely Tokiju's conjecture; whether it is true or false depends on what Kushina has to say.

After hearing Tokiju's words, Kushina looked toward Uzumaki Miku and placed a hand upon her.

Following a brief moment of sensing, Kushina's brows knitted together as she looked at Uzumaki Miku and asked, "What have you been through? Why is the vitality within your body so dangerously weak?"

Upon hearing this, Tokiju was the first to speak up: "Sister Kushina, do you mean that Sister Miku is unable to awaken the Adamantine Sealing Chains because her vitality is too depleted?"

Kushina nodded: "Exactly. The Adamantine Sealing Chains are a technique formed based on our clan's immense vitality and chakra reserves."

"In other words, as long as one has sufficient vitality and chakra, any member of the Uzumaki Clan can awaken the Adamantine Sealing Chains."

"I see..."

Tokiju had a sudden realization; this explained why both Uzumaki Miku and Nagato were unable to awaken the Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Much like Karin in the original story, while she was suffering in Kusagakure, she had unlocked no abilities other than her physical healing.

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

Although, upon reaching Orochimaru, she was merely being treated as a spare vessel for his body.

Precisely because she was intended to be his container, Orochimaru naturally ensured she was well-cared for.

While the individual herself might not have cherished such "care," once her body was nourished, her abilities awakened as a matter of course.

Thinking of this, Tokiju felt even more strongly that Karin's talent was extraordinary.

To have lived a life of a slave, hungry and cold since childhood, yet still awaken all the abilities of the Uzumaki Clan upon reaching adulthood—it was truly heaven-defying.

Just as Tokiju was lost in thought, Kushina had already begun a relentless interrogation of Uzumaki Miku.

This left her feeling a bit overwhelmed, but she still managed to recite the explanation she had already provided at the Hokage Office.

In short, while she was wandering the Ninja World, her unique Uzumaki constitution led to her being captured by a group of bandits, who used her as a human blood bag for several years.

It was only when Tokiju and Tsunade were traveling abroad that they discovered her existence and rescued her.

In any case, Kusagakure was a fence-sitting village that played both sides, and calling them bandits was not exactly a stretch.

Upon hearing this, Kushina's rage flared instantly; her blood-red hair began to float, and she roared: "Bastards! Which group of bandits was it? I'll go and wipe them out right now!"

Seeing this, Tokiju hurriedly comforted her: "Sister Kushina, please calm down. Who do you think my sister is? She is the legendary... ahem, one of the legendary Sannin. A mere bandit group was already completely wiped out by her."

As he spoke, Tokiju cleared his throat, narrowly avoiding letting the title "legendary Big Fat Sheep" slip out.

If his sister had actually heard that, there was no telling what kind of punishment he would suffer.

Hearing Tokiju's words, Kushina finally calmed down and grumbled: "Hmph! A bunch of damned bandits. If they weren't already dead, I would have made sure they learned the name of Kushina!"

Seeing this, Tokiju wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead; it was a good thing she had calmed down.

Otherwise, if the Nine-Tails were to suddenly erupt because of Kushina's agitation, his comfortable life in Konoha would be over.

Just then, Minato brought out the prepared meal and called out: "Everyone, dinner is ready!"

Hearing this, everyone ceased their conversations and headed toward the dining table.

Looking at the delicious, aromatic dishes on the table, Tokiju sighed inwardly: As expected of the man known as the perfect individual, Namikaze Minato, it feels like nothing is too difficult for him.

The atmosphere at the table was warm, and everyone chatted, seemingly forgetting all their troubles.

Tsunade drank the sake Kushina had specially prepared for her, her eyes lighting up as she immediately began to heap praise upon it.

Meanwhile, Kushina kept piling food onto Uzumaki Miku's plate: "Come, come, eat more, don't be shy. Your body needs to be properly nourished."

The meal was a joyous occasion for both host and guest, and it was clear that everyone was satisfied.

After the meal, Shizune took the initiative to handle the dishes, and Uchiha Hikari also volunteered to help and learn.

As for Kushina, she took Uzumaki Miku along to help look after the now-inebriated Tsunade.

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

At that moment, Minato walked silently behind Tokiju and also looked up at the sky.

Before long, his voice broke the silence of the night: "Tokiju, what are you thinking about?"

Tokiju turned his head, smiled slightly, and replied: "Oh, Lord Fourth. It's nothing really, I was just contemplating my own future."

"Oh?" Minato was intrigued and pressed further: "Can you tell me about it?"

Tokiju shook his head helplessly and said: "To be honest, I am quite lost. Based on my birth year, I should be in my twenties or thirties by now."

"But look at me now; anyone who sees me would call me a little brat, wouldn't you agree?"

Minato smiled after hearing this and said: "Tokiju, age does not represent everything; what matters is your heart."

"Besides, since heaven has given you this opportunity, why not grasp it tightly and strive to improve yourself?"

"To tell you the truth, I actually envy you quite a bit, because of that accident, you avoided the cruelty of the Second Ninja War and the Third Ninja War."

"Furthermore, after studying it for so long, I believe your attainments in sealing techniques must be extremely high by now; I can tell just from the sealing technique you gifted me."

Tokiju scratched his cheek in embarrassment upon hearing this and said, "While I have some confidence in my own strength, my foundations as a ninja are truly poor. You can ask my older sister if you don't believe me."

Minato frowned after hearing Tokiju's words, but he quickly understood the situation.

Tokiju had mentioned before that there was absolutely nothing in that sealed space.

Even if that child named Hikari could accompany him for sparring and training, that only accounted for growth in raw power; those fundamental skills required of a ninja simply could not be practiced there.

Whether it was the creation of traps, tracking and counter-tracking, or reconnaissance and anti-reconnaissance, all of these required specific environments to be practiced effectively.

Thinking of this, Minato immediately proposed, "Tokiju, how about you go to the Ninja Academy for a few years?"